Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

189 reviews

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

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emotional reflective 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: Yes

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful informative 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: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional hopeful informative 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: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional informative 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: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

Kacen Callender is just an amazing author!!! I really love their writing style, it's so beautiful, and also so affirming. I've wanted to read "Felix Ever After" for years and I'm glad I got around to it! 

One of the things I like about Kacen's writing is that their characters are always complex and two-dimensional - like human beings, they make mistakes. And yes Felix does make some pretty big mistakes in this, but he also learns from it and takes accountability and grows. I love so many of the messages at the end, and I think that's what tipped it over to five stars for me, the messages of self love and acceptance and not chasing people's love who only hurt you. 

I will say that this book is also sadder than I thought it would be! Felix goes through some really tough things, including horrible transphobia and bullying. I found that a bit hard sometimes, but I promise the end is worth it.

I also liked that Felix is questioning his identity throughout the book, as this is not something that is frequently talked about, but is something I've experienced and I know many others have to. A lot of this book as really relatable. The guilt, the confusion, the trying his best. It's just really well done. 

I also loved Ezra and Felix's dynamic. Ezra was just such a good ally to felix and always so ready to defend him and celebrate his trans identity. I loved this! 

I also thought the sub-plot with his mom was interesting. As someone who has some family in my life that I no longer talk to/no longer talk to me,  I know how hard it is, and how much of a hole it rips into your being. I thought this was handled sensitively. 

The discussions on privilege were also interesting, particular in relation to Ezra who is super- rich but has neglectful parents. 

Overall it's just a great read and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA/romance and wants to learn more about trans issues 🏳️‍⚧️❤️

Also, about who the transphobe is:
I am putting this here as I am the kind of neurodivergent where sometimes I need to know a spoiler to help me get through something, which was the case here; after I was about halfway through I skipped ahead to find out who it was as it was killing me, so if you're like me and would like to know, then the answer is: Austin

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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. 

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emotional hopeful informative tense 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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.

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