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jjpope's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, and Outing
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Medical content, and Sexual content
the_write_to_cry's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I'm not really the target audience for this book, so my review needs to be read with a grain of salt. This book is brave in that it's so unapologetically queer. I appreciate the subjects this book tackles and can see the story would mean a lot to younger folks, but overall I don't think it was executed as well as people make it out to be. The romance part felt very rushed. Overall the story takes place within one month. I think it would've been better if that aspect had more buildup.
On the other hand, this book is much more centered on character than plot. To be honest, I found Felix to be a bit irksome at times. There were very few instances of him being an actual nice, kind person. Most of the time he just complained about other characters and his own problems, and even got into arguments with a few that came across as "woe-is-me." And I get it, Felix has been through a lot in his short life, but still, something still felt off about his character.What I disliked most about Felix was how he never knew how he felt romantically despite going on and on about how he wanted to know what love was like. I feel like he only started to like certain characters after they confessed to him first. Because of that, I didn't like the ending as much. I thought it really lacked the necessary build up to make it satisfying.
Anyway, it was a decent, quick read. Not bad, but not the best either. I think YA can only improve from here on.
On the other hand, this book is much more centered on character than plot. To be honest, I found Felix to be a bit irksome at times. There were very few instances of him being an actual nice, kind person. Most of the time he just complained about other characters and his own problems, and even got into arguments with a few that came across as "woe-is-me." And I get it, Felix has been through a lot in his short life, but still, something still felt off about his character.
Anyway, it was a decent, quick read. Not bad, but not the best either. I think YA can only improve from here on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug use, Outing, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Abandonment and Deadnaming
darkmattersoybean's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Abandonment and Sexual content
mezzarella's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Kacen Callender delivers again with a thoughtful and wonderfully diverse story about messy teenagers learning to celebrate who they are. Felix is a trans boy who wants to experience love and learns what it means to love in return. This story's synopsis makes Callender's story seem simple, but in reality the story is incredibly layered and realistic. The characters in this story--the queer characters included-- are able to make mistakes and be messy in their relationships with others. Underappreciated beats in this story includes Felix coming to terms with his father's perception of his identity, and other more appreciated beats like the incorporation of art and the "best friends to lovers" trope hit wonderfully. This story is simply a great read and fits its teenage demographic beautifully in a nuanced way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
massivepizzacrust's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
Hm, a very tough one to review and a very emotional read. I loved Felix and wanted to shout at him, and the other characters. In ways a very realistic portrait of what it's like to be a teenager (though most teenagers don't have to deal with the terrible act Felix has committed against him at the start of the book, or one of their parents abandoning them). I, very personally and subjectively, disagree with who he ends up with and was more interested in the other love interest (very personal opinion). But I also find it very believable. This book touches on so many topics in gender, identity, hate, growing up and finding out who you want to be, I think it could be a life-changing read for someone out there. I, like Felix, don't enjoy pride parades that much, but I almost cried during that whole scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Bullying
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, and Racism
The main character is outed and deadnamed in a terrible public way very early in the book. We are never told the deadname. During the course of the book he is told terrible things about his gender and identity that could be very triggering.libraryghost's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, and Hate crime
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Toxic relationship
sunpuddles's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ writing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
I love that this book exists for young adults. I wish I could have read this in high school or college. Seeing the world through Felix’s eyes is so powerful and it is clear that Callender is sharing lived experiences. This portrait of coming of age and first love is joyful and heartbreaking and triumphant. The writing is very raw, vulnerable and true and the drama and intensity with which these young adult characters live their lives is so realistic to my own emotions and experiences in high school. Finding out who you want to be and wondering wether or not you are worthy of love is such a universal experience. Being trans, queer and a Demiboy are much more specific and really open the reader’s heart to important issues of acceptance of others, no matter how you relate. This was such an enjoyable, powerful read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
I love that this book exists for young adults. I wish I could have read this in high school or college. Seeing the world through Felix’s eyes is so powerful and it is clear that Callender is sharing lived experiences. This portrait of coming of age and first love is joyful and heartbreaking and triumphant. The writing is very raw, vulnerable and true and the drama and intensity with which these young adult characters live their lives is so realistic to my own emotions and experiences in high school. Finding out who you want to be and wondering wether or not you are worthy of love is such a universal experience. Being trans, queer and a Demiboy are much more specific and really open the reader’s heart to important issues of acceptance of others, no matter how you relate. This was such an enjoyable, powerful read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use
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