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emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Easily one of the best books I have read in the past 5 years. Felix Ever After came for my heart and left me crying happy tears for both Felix and myself. If you are lgbtq+, questioning, or want to be a good ally pick this book up. Its phenomenally done, showing how honestly messy teens and young adulthood is. Heed the content warnings of transphobia as the main conflict center around Felix being outed and getting revenge on the person terrorizing him. The way he deals with it and affirms himself is incredibly emotionally intelligent. I cannot explain how much I love this bookđź’•
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Deadnaming, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Medical content
The characters deadname is never actually written or seen in the book just mention of him being deadnamed and his reaction to it, discussions on classism and intersectionality. minor content warning for drugs alcohol and sex cause teenagers doing teenager things. Medical content is done in a informative, consensual, and healthy way.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Transphobia
Moderate: Sexism
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I do not know why it took me so long to read Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender but it might be my favorite book of the year! Felix and Ezra (and Leah! love her too) are fun, warm and loving characters who I want to befriend and hang out with every single day. (TW: transphobia, sexism and homophobia.)
It was such a big book in so many ways, dealing with really heavy topics such as sexuality and gender identity, but it’s still so incredibly relatable, light-hearted and fun. It’s a YA book but that just makes it stronger to me — because it’s not adults who are set in their ways having to push against boundaries, it’s about modern (but still flawed and biased) teenagers who are dealing, changing and growing constantly just like all teenagers ever since the history of time. Felix Ever After is the kind of book that would’ve totally changed my worldview in high school.
I love how art and specifically self-portrait plays a role in this story. It draws on so many literary themes, used by famous authors of yore, and yet turns them on their head as well. I’m particularly drawn to a comparison between this and The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, as both are about art, power and self-representation. I really want to write that essay (tbh, sometimes you just can’t leave the English major behind).
If you haven’t read Felix Ever After, please do so! I think it’s a great beginner read for learning more about trans individuals, since it’s highly readable and the information is digestible because it’s written for a younger audience, but it’s also just a delightful YA romance that gave me butterflies multiple times and lowkey made me wish I was a teen at a summer program in NYC. Callender has a fan for life, and I can’t wait to see what they put out next!
It was such a big book in so many ways, dealing with really heavy topics such as sexuality and gender identity, but it’s still so incredibly relatable, light-hearted and fun. It’s a YA book but that just makes it stronger to me — because it’s not adults who are set in their ways having to push against boundaries, it’s about modern (but still flawed and biased) teenagers who are dealing, changing and growing constantly just like all teenagers ever since the history of time. Felix Ever After is the kind of book that would’ve totally changed my worldview in high school.
I love how art and specifically self-portrait plays a role in this story. It draws on so many literary themes, used by famous authors of yore, and yet turns them on their head as well. I’m particularly drawn to a comparison between this and The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, as both are about art, power and self-representation. I really want to write that essay (tbh, sometimes you just can’t leave the English major behind).
If you haven’t read Felix Ever After, please do so! I think it’s a great beginner read for learning more about trans individuals, since it’s highly readable and the information is digestible because it’s written for a younger audience, but it’s also just a delightful YA romance that gave me butterflies multiple times and lowkey made me wish I was a teen at a summer program in NYC. Callender has a fan for life, and I can’t wait to see what they put out next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism