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emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Close to tears at several points while reading this book. What a fantastic and realistic experience this was, I felt so understood and seen and I’m 21 lmao. A masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Transphobia, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Religious bigotry
Minor: Medical content
The unnecessary swearing is off-putting. The setting, characters, title and writing style strongly remind me of “More Happy Than Not”. I don’t want to get into another reading experience like that, so it’s time to get out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
LOVE FLAWED QUEERS. I feel like in a lot of queer teen media, writers can fall into the trap of trying to make the characters perfect so that the audience has nothing to dislike them for, and so that they won't be flagged as "bad representation". Callender doesn't do that. The protagonist, Felix, is flawed. He's childish, careless, acts on impulse, and barely ever made a good decision. He was so human. It was such a breath of fresh air to read about an imperfect queer, trans, black protagonist- someone who is just a normal human being trying their best.
Felix's character development was so satisfying for this reason and the reader is cheering for him to grow and improve through the whole book.
The side characters were equally as complex and flawed, which I greatly appreciated.
In addition to Felix being a fabulously realistic character, his journey with his identity and learning that he deserves love was also great. It's just so nice to see a trans, queer, black character succeed and be happy and proud and love himself. Being trans isn't something that's widely celebrated in the world today so reading about a trans character celebrate himself was so comforting to me. I think stories like this are so important. Just seeing characters like Felix love themselves is so important.
This book was also just such a fast and easy read. The writing is descriptive enough to set the scene and fully imerse the reader, while also being casual enough that the pages just flew by.
(I think this book would make a great TV series also, like a kinda Heartstopper-esque show yk)
One think I disliked was that there were a few too many Harry Potter references for my liking😔 Leave JKR out of my queer media please and thanks, her books don't need to be included in a book about trans identity in my humble opinion. Especially because the protagonist then goes on to discuss the importance of the artists morals in art- "it does matter if the artist is an asshole."
But apart from that, solid book =)
Felix's character development was so satisfying for this reason and the reader is cheering for him to grow and improve through the whole book.
The side characters were equally as complex and flawed, which I greatly appreciated.
In addition to Felix being a fabulously realistic character, his journey with his identity and learning that he deserves love was also great. It's just so nice to see a trans, queer, black character succeed and be happy and proud and love himself. Being trans isn't something that's widely celebrated in the world today so reading about a trans character celebrate himself was so comforting to me. I think stories like this are so important. Just seeing characters like Felix love themselves is so important.
This book was also just such a fast and easy read. The writing is descriptive enough to set the scene and fully imerse the reader, while also being casual enough that the pages just flew by.
(I think this book would make a great TV series also, like a kinda Heartstopper-esque show yk)
One think I disliked was that there were a few too many Harry Potter references for my liking😔 Leave JKR out of my queer media please and thanks, her books don't need to be included in a book about trans identity in my humble opinion. Especially because the protagonist then goes on to discuss the importance of the artists morals in art- "it does matter if the artist is an asshole."
But apart from that, solid book =)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Transphobia, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
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
A bold and open story about identity, prejudice, understanding, and learning to focus on yourself. A really cool look at the lesser-know areas of transness (figuring yourself out as nonbinary and coming out for a second time) alongside some messy relationship drama and a hopeful look at art as self-expression. Definitely more towards the upper end of YA (evident from the first chapter, though not necessarily from the cover and blurb), but an important coming of age story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Classism
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing, Alcohol
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a GREAT read for someone who wants a BIPOC author and has content that is inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community! I LOVED it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing, Abandonment, Classism
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kacen Callender’s „Felix Ever After“ is a vibrant, heartfelt celebration of identity, love, and self-discovery. With its richly drawn characters, emotionally resonant themes, and a compelling narrative, the novel shines as a standout in contemporary young adult literature.
At the heart of the story is Felix Love, a Black, queer, transgender teen navigating the complexities of self-acceptance and belonging. Felix’s journey is deeply moving, as he grapples with questions about his identity and self-worth while facing external challenges, including transphobia and racism. Callender’s nuanced portrayal of Felix’s internal struggles and triumphs is both relatable and empowering, offering readers a story that feels authentic and deeply personal.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its unapologetic representation of marginalized identities. Felix’s experiences as a transgender teen are handled with care and honesty, making the story an essential read for readers seeking to see themselves reflected on the page. Beyond Felix, the novel features a diverse cast of characters who add depth and richness to the narrative, highlighting the importance of intersectionality and inclusivity in storytelling.
Callender’s writing captures the raw emotions of adolescence with striking precision. Felix’s yearning for love—both romantic and familial—is profoundly relatable, as is his struggle to reconcile his insecurities with his desire to live authentically. The novel is filled with moments of vulnerability and growth that resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s arts scene, the novel brims with creativity and energy. Felix’s passion for art serves as a powerful metaphor for his journey of self-expression and discovery. The city itself feels like a character, its diversity and vibrancy mirroring the complexities of Felix’s world.
At its core, „Felix Ever After“ is a love story—about loving others and, most importantly, learning to love oneself. Through his relationships with friends, family, and potential romantic partners, Felix comes to understand that love is messy, multifaceted, and ultimately transformative. The novel’s emphasis on the power of self-love is a message that will resonate with readers of all ages.
My only critique would be that while Callender ambitiously tackles many important topics, at times the narrative feels overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues it tries to address. This can dilute the impact of individual moments, making certain themes feel underexplored or rushed.
„Felix Ever After“ is a beautifully crafted novel that captures the essence of self-discovery and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self. With its heartfelt prose, unforgettable protagonist, and powerful message of acceptance, the book is a testament to the importance of visibility and representation in literature. Kacen Callender has created a story that is both a mirror for those who need to see themselves and a window for those who need to understand others.
At the heart of the story is Felix Love, a Black, queer, transgender teen navigating the complexities of self-acceptance and belonging. Felix’s journey is deeply moving, as he grapples with questions about his identity and self-worth while facing external challenges, including transphobia and racism. Callender’s nuanced portrayal of Felix’s internal struggles and triumphs is both relatable and empowering, offering readers a story that feels authentic and deeply personal.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its unapologetic representation of marginalized identities. Felix’s experiences as a transgender teen are handled with care and honesty, making the story an essential read for readers seeking to see themselves reflected on the page. Beyond Felix, the novel features a diverse cast of characters who add depth and richness to the narrative, highlighting the importance of intersectionality and inclusivity in storytelling.
Callender’s writing captures the raw emotions of adolescence with striking precision. Felix’s yearning for love—both romantic and familial—is profoundly relatable, as is his struggle to reconcile his insecurities with his desire to live authentically. The novel is filled with moments of vulnerability and growth that resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s arts scene, the novel brims with creativity and energy. Felix’s passion for art serves as a powerful metaphor for his journey of self-expression and discovery. The city itself feels like a character, its diversity and vibrancy mirroring the complexities of Felix’s world.
At its core, „Felix Ever After“ is a love story—about loving others and, most importantly, learning to love oneself. Through his relationships with friends, family, and potential romantic partners, Felix comes to understand that love is messy, multifaceted, and ultimately transformative. The novel’s emphasis on the power of self-love is a message that will resonate with readers of all ages.
My only critique would be that while Callender ambitiously tackles many important topics, at times the narrative feels overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues it tries to address. This can dilute the impact of individual moments, making certain themes feel underexplored or rushed.
„Felix Ever After“ is a beautifully crafted novel that captures the essence of self-discovery and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self. With its heartfelt prose, unforgettable protagonist, and powerful message of acceptance, the book is a testament to the importance of visibility and representation in literature. Kacen Callender has created a story that is both a mirror for those who need to see themselves and a window for those who need to understand others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing, Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
I listened to this book with Libby through my library.
Brief Summary: Felix Love is a 17-year-old dreaming of attending Brown University to become an artist. As he navigates his high school summer art program and spends time with his friends, Felix's life is turned upside down when someone steals his old Instagram images and plasters them across the school lobby with his dead name. As Felix tries to uncover the person behind the heinous act, he finds himself in a complicated relationship triangle. While Felix navigates the bullying and his feelings Felix also begins to learn more about himself than he thought possible.
Thoughts: Callender captures the chaos of high school. The heightened emotions, the volatile friendship dynamics, the hope of what college will open up for you, and the awful nature of being on the cusp of adulthood with no idea who you are. All of that Callender is displayed on the page.
Felix is such a sweet and real teenage character on the page. Callender accurately describes the terrifying nature of being on the cusp of adulthood. Felix wants to go to Brown so badly that he is so paralyzed by his fear of not achieving his goal that he is self-sabotaging himself by not working on his art portfolio. This interwoven with Felix's journey to greater self-discovery also felt so natural.
I also appreciated how Felix's love interests experienced fear about their desire to pursue art for their careers too. The way that Callender integrated the uncertainty of youth with the larger socioeconomic dynamics was an interesting discussion throughout the book.
Felix is my favourite character in the book. I was emotionally invested in his story and once I started listening I did not want to stop. My second favourite character was Leah. She was entertaining and so supportive. I love how her and Felix's relationship developed throughout the book.
I enjoyed the romantic relationship triangle throughout the book. I am also overjoyed that Felix ended up with Ezra and not Declan. I did appreciate Declan's arc throughout the book, but it wasn't a relationship I was rooting for. Callender did an excellent job of bringing that arc to a close without it feeling forced or making either Felix or Declan out to be the villain of that dynamic.
However, I wished we had another chapter at the end that focused a bit more on how Ezra and Felix's relationship developed. Callender gave us a lovely discussion about Felix and Ezra's fight, but it just felt that the romance sort of dropped off.
The ending of this book, like the entirety of this book, was beautifully written. If you love coming-of-age, first-love books with messy friendships and love triangles this book is for you.
Brief Summary: Felix Love is a 17-year-old dreaming of attending Brown University to become an artist. As he navigates his high school summer art program and spends time with his friends, Felix's life is turned upside down when someone steals his old Instagram images and plasters them across the school lobby with his dead name. As Felix tries to uncover the person behind the heinous act, he finds himself in a complicated relationship triangle. While Felix navigates the bullying and his feelings Felix also begins to learn more about himself than he thought possible.
Thoughts: Callender captures the chaos of high school. The heightened emotions, the volatile friendship dynamics, the hope of what college will open up for you, and the awful nature of being on the cusp of adulthood with no idea who you are. All of that Callender is displayed on the page.
Felix is such a sweet and real teenage character on the page. Callender accurately describes the terrifying nature of being on the cusp of adulthood. Felix wants to go to Brown so badly that he is so paralyzed by his fear of not achieving his goal that he is self-sabotaging himself by not working on his art portfolio. This interwoven with Felix's journey to greater self-discovery also felt so natural.
I also appreciated how Felix's love interests experienced fear about their desire to pursue art for their careers too. The way that Callender integrated the uncertainty of youth with the larger socioeconomic dynamics was an interesting discussion throughout the book.
Felix is my favourite character in the book. I was emotionally invested in his story and once I started listening I did not want to stop. My second favourite character was Leah. She was entertaining and so supportive. I love how her and Felix's relationship developed throughout the book.
However, I wished we had another chapter at the end that focused a bit more on how Ezra and Felix's relationship developed. Callender gave us a lovely discussion about Felix and Ezra's fight, but it just felt that the romance sort of dropped off.
The ending of this book, like the entirety of this book, was beautifully written. If you love coming-of-age, first-love books with messy friendships and love triangles this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Grief, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Sexual content
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Misogyny, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief
challenging
emotional
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
An amazing, beautiful, heartbreaking, and uplifting book about Felix, an 18-year-old trans male who doesn’t feel that 'trans' accurately represents his identity. This story follows Felix as he finds his voice, discovers love, pursues his passion, and encounters true friendship.
Be sure to check the content warnings before opening this book.
Be sure to check the content warnings before opening this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content