Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

One for All by Lillie Lainoff

10 reviews

novella42's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I loved this book very very much. At times it felt a little confusing, so I took off 0.25 stars, but I loved it anyway. Seeing a chronically ill protagonist fight through the ableism in the world AND her own internalized ableism was just fantastic to witness. The afterword made me cry and inspired me to work on my own fiction and dream about my own disabled protagonist. I'm grateful for this book.

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amberinpieces's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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emily_mh's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book really grew on me! I’m not going to lie, the start was super slow. I was pretty worried because I was like 60 pages in and still not feeling gripped, questioning why we were spending so much time in this beginning phase. But once the plot kicked off I got into it and ended up really enjoying the story! 

First and foremost, this book has some fantastic disability rep. MC Tania has POTS, and her character development is centred on unlearning her internalised ableism, and growing her self-worth which has been persistently undermined by societal ableism. I loved being able to relate to Tania’s worries and beliefs as a chronically ill person myself. I also liked the exploration of what it’s like to have a disability that doesn’t even have a name yet; Tania feels so incredibly isolated because of that fact. It really drove home the need for visibility to me, as seeing there are other people with your disability can alleviate some of the isolation that comes with having that disability. Which is another reason why I like this book, because it is providing that visibility. Honestly, disability books like this make me so happy! 

Another thing this story has going for it is that it is essentially about historical spies. The historical setting gives a real sense of time and place to the narrative, especially as the plot is woven into real historical events. The spy part provides all the action, as the girls carry out training, codebreaking, sidling up to suspects, mini-heists, fencing and more, all undercover as noble ladies. It was just a lot of fun, but also intriguing enough of a mystery for it to have substance. 

I also liked the sisterhood aspect of the Musketeers. Lainoff makes sure to include the small and everyday interactions between the girls as well as stuff that moves the plot forward, and she also takes care that Tania forms a connection with all three other girls, so their bond is totally believable. I loved that they provided such reliable, caring support to Tania and just automatically accommodated her without question. Also, each of the girls were distinct from one another, although I wish we had gotten to know Portia more. 

Unfortunately I did have a large criticism of the book, leading me to dock one star, and that was the writing style. I found it to be pretty clumsy, like I knew what it was trying to say but it could have said it in a more eloquent or expressive way. The sentence structure could be super clunky at times, and the dialogue a little confusing. I also wish it had been more concise in areas, and that some scenes had been removed entirely. Ultimately it wasn’t enough to put me off the book, as I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to others, but I can see why this might be a problem for other readers! 

Rep: MC with POTS, sapphic SCs, potentially aro SC

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azrah786's review against another edition

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3.5

 [This review can also be found on my BLOG]

**I was provided with an ARC of the book by Titan Books for a blog tour in exchange for an honest review**

CW: violence, blood, injury, murder, death, death of parent, ableism, chronic illness, bullying, grief, sexism/misogyny, sexual assault
--

Daughter of a former Musketeer, Tania De Batz has grown up with a love for fencing and adventure. However, as a young woman with a chronic illness living within a society the openly scorns any form of disability she faces more difficulties than most. Thus her mother wants nothing more than for her to conceal who she is and to conform to societies expectations of her.

When her father is mysteriously killed on a business trip Tania is convinced foul play is involved and wants to investigate but her mother wants to hear none of it. Instead she is to be sent off to L’Academie des Mariess, a finishing school that her father secured her a place in. What she soon finds though is that what she expected to be a finishing school is actually a covert training institute for women Musketeers who are on a mission to uncover a plot that threatens the monarchy of France. Not only does this give Tanya a chance to put herself towards a higher purpose but also an opportunity to get to the bottom of her father’s murder.

“We are not the ones who are written into history. We are the ones who ensure history exists to be written.”


Now this is where I admit that my knowledge of the Musketeers comes from the Barbie version so of course I was going to come running for a book featuring sword fighting girls. The beginning of the book is a little slow but everything really gets going when Tania arrives at the L’Academie des Mariess and despite the plot being a little predictable at times, I found myself easily drawn in by all the mystery and espionage.

Tania has POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and she is one of the most empowering characters that I have ever read. Though quite stubborn as many YA protagonists tend to be, she doesn’t shy away from her emotions. She very much wears her heart on her sleeve and though this made her quite naïve it was such a refreshing trait to see on page. I really enjoyed following her on her journey of coming into her own, of not letting other people’s sentiments stop her from getting to where she wanted to be and finding a support system that accepts her for who she is.

“There are other ways to fight for someone, Mademoiselle, than merely picking up a sword.”


Which leads me on to mention the sisterhood that is the heart of this book! Found family is one of my absolute favourite tropes and the bonds that formed between Tania and her fellow Musketeers – Aria, Portia and Théa – was so heart-warming. I do find myself wishing that we could have had longer scenes from the times when they were initially bonding but their little missions and the moments of humour and camaraderie that they brought about were so fun.

Fencing is a sport that I have always wanted to try and it was so cool to learn that Lainoff herself is a fencer. I always find it so wholesome when authors are able to inform and enrich their stories with their other passions and honestly all the practice and fight scenes were so good!

A highly enjoyable and admirable spin on a well-loved classic, I can’t recommend One For All enough!
Final Rating – 3.5/5 Stars 

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freewings21's review

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adventurous funny inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is absolutely incredible. I'd give it all the stars. Everything from Tania's chronic illness (which has similar symptoms to my own), the sapphic pining between Portia and Aria, the way the villain is handled, to the beautifully descriptive fight scenes everything was done fabulously. Would highly recommend if you're looking for good 
disability rep or just really liked Barbie and The Three Muskateers

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libraryghost's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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bookishflower's review

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adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

5.0

There are rare occasions when you read a book at the perfect time and feel as though the author has peered into your soul and written a book just for you. This is one of those books for me. 
As a chronically ill ex-fencer with the same symptoms as Tania (if less extreme), this book means so much to me. Seeing Tania struggle, fight, make friends, be loved and exist was incredibly validating: to be able to know I’m not alone or exaggerating, that other people relate, that I could just be. This was one of my most anticipated books of this year and it didn’t disappoint.
The political intrigue, balls and ball gowns, women supporting women, musketeers, and women with swords and razor sharp wit was the icing on the cake. Please go support this book and author! ❤️🥄

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fromjuliereads's review

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the nods to the original - and thoroughly appreciated the nod to The Princess Bride 😅 I feel fiercely protective of these characters, like I want to join the Order! I loved the writing and it was just a thoroughly enjoyable Musketeers story!!

I did predict the twist, and found one piece a little repetitive but thoroughly enjoyed! 

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caseythereader's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Thanks to FSG Books for the free copy of this book.

 - ONE FOR ALL is a gender bent Three Musketeers retelling, with swashbuckling girls, fancy parties and mysterious machinations.
- Tania's chronic illness is central to her life, and I loved that this wasn't a story about "fixing" her, but learning how to both manage it herself and ask for help when she needs it. 

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readingelli's review

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hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“I am no one’s dove.” 
“[W]hatever this dizziness is … maybe it’s never been the real problem. It’s horrible and it hurts and it makes me feel fragile in a way I never wanted, but it’s not the thing that tears me apart. The problem, the real problem, is the people who decide I’m unworthy because of it.” 
“No- no. […] Too many months becoming myself to lose her.” 

Tania is the woman I want to grow up to be. This beautifully written, hugely relatable #OwnVoices book about a teen with POTS- causing dizziness, brain fog, blackouts, and pain- gave me words to describe what was happening to me. Almost every page had a description that spoke to me, and I couldn’t stop my tears of joy at seeing myself in a main character. 
The plot was engaging, the character development was spot on, Lainoff’s voice was brilliant. I had an inkling of the final showdown but the tension building was so well done I was still surprised. 
I cannot recommend this book more highly. Thank you Lillie, for showing us that we can be Musketeers too. 

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