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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
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, Transphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
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:
Complicated
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: Bullying, Transphobia
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Drug use, Hate crime, Racism, Grief
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.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Toxic relationship
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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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, Transphobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use