Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing, Dysphoria
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing
Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Felix Love, 17, black, queer and trans. Just one of those things makes him marginalized and he wonders if that is why he can't seem to find love. He's thinking about his gender identity and starts to question who he really is. At the same time he gets humiliated by a public display of his old photos - before transforming - and he receives several homophobic messages. Now all Felix can think about is finding out who's doing this to him, and get revenge.
This is a really good story about identity, self-discovery, friendship and love. As a teenager most have problems with self esteem, and thoughts about who you are. I can hardly imagine how much more difficult it must be if you're marginalized. To question something is usually healthy, even if it's yourself you question. Felix's best friend Ezra don't like to compartmentalize himself and I truly wish we weren't so focused on that. But we think it's easier to put people in different compartments, so that's what we do.
When Felix begins to receive homophobic messages I get annoyed when he answers them. I understand the feeling of standing up for oneself, but experience shows that it's playing the bully's game. If you don't react there's no reason for the bully to continue. I also think it's a bit uneasy how focused Felix is on revenge, and I don't sympathize with his way of getting the culprit to expose himself. Sure, it's a teenager with an identity crisis, but it bothers me, none the less.
As a hetrosexual white woman I can't say I have any experience with all of this, and despite trying to keep myself updated and informed, I think it's hard to know what all the terms involve. It was kind of a relief to hear that even those who identify within the LBTQIA+ community have the same problem, simply because there's so many of them. If I say the wrong thing it's never out of disrespect, to me it's obvious that you can love whoever you want, as well as it's up to you how you want to be addressed and what you identify yourself as.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Very sweet but also so heavy and difficult at times
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Medical content, Grief, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Classism
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a sweet, messy, complicated, and endearing coming-of-age story. It was frustrating for me to read at times, not only for the scenes of prejudice and transphobia, but also for some of the immature decisions the characters made. However - this felt honest and true to the teenage experience, and I'm so happy to see such diverse representation in a YA novel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, Outing
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Abandonment
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Abandonment, Dysphoria
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Inspiring, hopeful, and oh so messy. I felt like this book tore my chest open and left my heart to bleed out.
A rare read where I can't think of anything to say about the book because I feel like I have to just sit with it for awhile. The feeling in movies where people have to smoke a cigarette after sex, or watching a building explode is how I feel after reading this.
READ IT!
A rare read where I can't think of anything to say about the book because I feel like I have to just sit with it for awhile. The feeling in movies where people have to smoke a cigarette after sex, or watching a building explode is how I feel after reading this.
READ IT!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Transphobia
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
I chose this book to read during pride month, which turned out perfectly as the narrative time frame of this novel. This coming-of-age story encapsulates the experience of being a teen perfectly; questioning the world around us, our bodies, our friendships, our identities, and our first loves.
"I want to fall in love, and be broken up with, and get pissed, and grieve, and fall in love all over again."
The narrative voice was so brilliantly portrayed as a teen that I (as an adult) often felt uncomfortable reading, having learnt the lessons Felix is still learning. I would have enjoyed this much more when I was younger, and I am grateful young people have stories such as these, discussing the topics foregrounded in this book. I am sure many young people would feel less alone.
"Instead of excitement at the thought of doing anything I want, I am filled with anxiety. There's too many options, too many opportunities."
Overall, a very fun and educational read, but clearly targeted for a younger audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing
Moderate: Homophobia