Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

166 reviews

dean196717's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Really loved the character development of this one and the way it talked about identity and how that change as well as how family reacts and adjusts when a child is queer. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Drug use

42_books_42's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

4.75

It was an extremely nice book. I stayed awake until nearly 2am to finish this book. I just kinda love the character development and now the “chase” evolves in so many different ways. Furthermore I like that you kinda are able to tell some little things from the beginning that you stop believing in during the book but turne out to be right at the end. The book just feels so lovable and I just love the plot of you deserve love even if you don’t think you do. All in all I just really liked this book

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug use, Dysphoria, and Hate crime

yvo_about_books's review against another edition

4.0

 Finished reading: October 3rd 2023

"It's easier to accept hurt and pain, sometimes, than love and acceptance."

I've been meaning to read Felix Ever After for quite some time now... When I needed a banned book for the POPSUGAR challenge, I decided to give in and finally read it. I know that I don't read a lot of YA anymore, but I would recommend this book for both teenagers and adults alike. The topic is such an important one, and it's an own voices story at that; there is no doubt that Felix Ever After has a big impact, and it really is an eye-opener. That said, I do have to say that there were certain aspects about the main character Felix that I didn't like as much. I get his struggles and they are both portrayed realistically and basically heartbreaking. BUT. He is also pretty selfish and vindictive, and the fact that others are hurting him is no excuse to do the same. I can't say that I was a fan of the whole love triangle vibe either, which kind of put a damper on things for me... In fact, I wasn't really a fan of the romance nor how it was developed and incorporated in general. I'm still giving this story four stars though just for its impact and how it can help people discover their identity and tribe. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Lesbophobia, Transphobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Outing, and Racism

istheloving's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.5

I loved Ezra from the first minute and I wanted to punch Felix a little bit for most of the book. But the story grew on me and I ended up really liking it's. Now I'm just sad there's not too much Fanart available.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, and Deadnaming

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Drug use

val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Drug use, Cursing, Deadnaming, Bullying, and Transphobia

knockoffrainbow's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Hate crime, Outing, Drug use, Bullying, Cursing, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexual content and Medical content

bookishperseus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Outing, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Drug use, Homophobia, Hate crime, Abandonment, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Self harm, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness

bookswithlauren's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, Outing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Body shaming, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Deadnaming, Cursing, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, and Homophobia

knunderb's review against another edition

challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I mostly liked this book. It was paced well and the characters had great growth. Felix was kind of a judgmental dick, though. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content and Violence

proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition

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

4.0

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: Deadnaming, Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Abandonment, and Transphobia

Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use