Reviews with content warning for Racism - Felix Ever After

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

takarakei's review against another edition

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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

4.0

I really loved Felix's journey to finding his/their identity, one which I know many people will likely see themselves in. I also liked that I thought I knew where this book was going (romance wise) and I actually didn't! There are some beautiful scenes of pure queer joy towards the end that had me teary eyed.

Content Warnings

chronicacademia's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Content Warnings

sapphicreader_'s review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sCREAMING cRYING thrOWING uP giGGLING blUSHING kICKING mY fEET THIS BOOK ABSOLUTELY CHANGED MY LIFE WHAT A MASTERPIECE it’s the kind of book where your heart soars but also hurts at the end because the book is over and you have to separate yourself from the characters and the story you love so dearly 🤧

Content Warnings

captainoliimar's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring mysterious 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

This book was quite an interesting read. I enjoyed the way it tackled identity and the ways that different identities interact and how you can be marginalised in some ways while also being discriminatory to those who are marginalised in different ways to you. I feel like I could recognise some of these characters in the people I knew when I was 17 like them. I enjoyed the exploration into identity, and the way that people with differing opinions on identity can coexist within the same community and how understanding your own identity doesn't always mean you get it right first time.

Characters - 7.5/10
Atmosphere/Setting - 7.25/10
Writing - 7.25/10
Plot - 8.75/10
Intrigue - 7.75/10
Logic - 8.5/10
Enjoyment - 7.75/10

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