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emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
a story abt love, identity, friendship that's insightful, important and refreshingly queer. i wish i liked it more, but the writing and some parts of the story just didnt click w/ me.
there were abt a thousand 'i guess'-es in this book; it was annoying as hell and actually put me on edge lol.. and the teen characters all had the same voice, they didnt sound very distinct from one another. i also didnt feel like the declan-lucky subplot have a lot of plausibility; for someone supposedly very on guard, he was surprisingly--almost unrealistically--trusting of a random stranger on ig.
those were my two qualms, but felix ever after also had a plethora of positives: great depiction of the messiness of ppl's feelings and relationships; insightful and layered exploration of the issues around and w/in the lgbtqiap+ community esp in regards to the intersectionality of class, race, and gender, reinforcing that they're not a monolith; ezraaaa who's hands down my fav character--he was just so supportive and sweet but also complex; and ofc, prolly the best rep for a trans character ive ever read. felix's struggles were surprisingly relatable, and his questioning and inner thoughts were so insightful and revealing; i learned a lottt abt ftm trans folks from this book.
felix ever after might not have totally clicked w/ me, but it's a surpremely important book--esp an #ownvoices one--that i cant wait to reread for all the hints and clues.
there were abt a thousand 'i guess'-es in this book; it was annoying as hell and actually put me on edge lol.. and the teen characters all had the same voice, they didnt sound very distinct from one another. i also didnt feel like the declan-lucky subplot have a lot of plausibility; for someone supposedly very on guard, he was surprisingly--almost unrealistically--trusting of a random stranger on ig.
those were my two qualms, but felix ever after also had a plethora of positives: great depiction of the messiness of ppl's feelings and relationships; insightful and layered exploration of the issues around and w/in the lgbtqiap+ community esp in regards to the intersectionality of class, race, and gender, reinforcing that they're not a monolith; ezraaaa who's hands down my fav character--he was just so supportive and sweet but also complex; and ofc, prolly the best rep for a trans character ive ever read. felix's struggles were surprisingly relatable, and his questioning and inner thoughts were so insightful and revealing; i learned a lottt abt ftm trans folks from this book.
felix ever after might not have totally clicked w/ me, but it's a surpremely important book--esp an #ownvoices one--that i cant wait to reread for all the hints and clues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a YA coming-of-age story about Felix, a Black, trans, queer teen who loves art and hanging out with his best friend. But when someone posts photos of him pre-transition and begins bullying him online, he decides to fight back by catfishing the person he thinks is responsible.
One of the main things I liked about this book is the way it portrays teenagers being messy and complicated, and gives them the space to grow and make mistakes. Felix's actions aren't always well-thought out or honorable, but they come from a place of wanting to stand up for injustices and defend himself.
Something else I loved about this book is the way the author encourages us, through the narrative, to be our authentic selves. Felix wants to be able to be his authentic self without worrying about prejudice but he fears that he's 'one label too many'. Throughout the story, we see him begin to accept every aspect of who he is, while also discovering new things about himself, like the fact that he's a demiboy.
The book also shows is the beauty of unconditional love from parents, even those who make mistakes. Felix's father makes a lot of missteps throughout the story (misgendering and deadnaming Felix) while he's trying to unpack his own internalised transphobia. This irritates Felix at first, but he begins to realise that his father is really trying and only wants him to be happy and loved.
Friends-to-lovers is so underrated (especially when it's childhood friends or they've been friends for YEARS) and Felix Ever After does it so well. The gradual realisation that Felix likes his best friend romantically is exciting because he has an inkling that those feelings are mutual. Plus, the two of them already know each other so well that Felix can envision how good they'd be together in a romantic relationship.
The only downsides to this book are that I think I lost some of my connection to the characters by listening to it on audio and there were also a lot of HP references that didn't really need to be there.
Other than that, this was a hopeful, uplifting story of love, friendship, and acceptance. It feels like a heart-felt love letter to trans and queer readers and teens saying, you're loved and you're enough.
Content warnings for transphobia and homophobia, outing, deadnaming (Felix's deadname is never mentioned on-page) and misgendering, bullying and cyber bullying, toxic friendships, absentee parent, casual use of drugs.
One of the main things I liked about this book is the way it portrays teenagers being messy and complicated, and gives them the space to grow and make mistakes. Felix's actions aren't always well-thought out or honorable, but they come from a place of wanting to stand up for injustices and defend himself.
Something else I loved about this book is the way the author encourages us, through the narrative, to be our authentic selves. Felix wants to be able to be his authentic self without worrying about prejudice but he fears that he's 'one label too many'. Throughout the story, we see him begin to accept every aspect of who he is, while also discovering new things about himself, like the fact that he's a demiboy.
The book also shows is the beauty of unconditional love from parents, even those who make mistakes. Felix's father makes a lot of missteps throughout the story (misgendering and deadnaming Felix) while he's trying to unpack his own internalised transphobia. This irritates Felix at first, but he begins to realise that his father is really trying and only wants him to be happy and loved.
Friends-to-lovers is so underrated (especially when it's childhood friends or they've been friends for YEARS) and Felix Ever After does it so well. The gradual realisation that Felix likes his best friend romantically is exciting because he has an inkling that those feelings are mutual. Plus, the two of them already know each other so well that Felix can envision how good they'd be together in a romantic relationship.
The only downsides to this book are that I think I lost some of my connection to the characters by listening to it on audio and there were also a lot of HP references that didn't really need to be there.
Other than that, this was a hopeful, uplifting story of love, friendship, and acceptance. It feels like a heart-felt love letter to trans and queer readers and teens saying, you're loved and you're enough.
Content warnings for transphobia and homophobia, outing, deadnaming (Felix's deadname is never mentioned on-page) and misgendering, bullying and cyber bullying, toxic friendships, absentee parent, casual use of drugs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia
Moderate: Cursing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Dysphoria
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
This was such a good book!! The energy/vibe that Felix gives off is a mood, it was chapter one and I already knew I loved his character. Overall most of the characters and friendships were great, but I kinda would have liked to see more of Declan and Felix working out their problems more and being friends again, they have such a great dynamic.
As far as plot twists go it was well done, I didn't expect who did the gallery, but once it was revealed it made perfect sense. On that note, Leah is freaking awesome, I loved her character so much and when she went off on the person behind the gallery—I was so proud of her. Not to mention she was actually a decent person unlike some of Felix's "friends”.
The ending was really satisfying to read, it was nice to see Felix find himself a bit more and surround himself by better people and cut ties with the toxic ones. Super happy to have read this.
As far as plot twists go it was well done, I didn't expect who did the gallery, but once it was revealed it made perfect sense. On that note, Leah is freaking awesome, I loved her character so much and when she went off on the person behind the gallery—I was so proud of her. Not to mention she was actually a decent person unlike some of Felix's "friends”.
The ending was really satisfying to read, it was nice to see Felix find himself a bit more and surround himself by better people and cut ties with the toxic ones. Super happy to have read this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Transphobia, Gaslighting
Minor: Deadnaming, Dysphoria
emotional
inspiring
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
*4.5 stars*
"It's easier to accept hurt and pain, sometimes, than love and acceptance."
Look at me! I'm late for the party! Again! Honestly, because of the hype that this book got when it let's try". Turns out I really liked this book. It has really good character development (especially when it comes to issues of identity). True, sometimes, Felix came across as a little whiny to me (look, I understand that a lot that happened in the book was horrible, and for the most part I was on team "Felix", but there were instances when I was rolling my eyes because I don't have patience for "teen/ schoolyard bullshit"), but I still was rooting for him and I really liked his development as a character because that development felt realistic and measured, not rushed.
Another thing that I really appreciated was the pacing. Things were not rushed and everything fell into place at the right time, giving time to the characters to digest everything good and bad that happened. It also gave time to the readers to get to know the major characters. Also, I couldn't figure out who was the one to outed Felix, and that's a thing that I liked about books that involved mysteries because it gets me engaged in the book.
I think that the only thing a little more negative that I have to say is that I don't agree with the end. Look, this has nothing to do with the book itself because the end actually makes a lot of sense, it just that the trope used its not my kind of trope. It's more of a "me thing" than a "book thing".
Overall, I really recommend this book. It's a solid story about discovering your identity, perfect for every lover of "YA" literature.
"It's easier to accept hurt and pain, sometimes, than love and acceptance."
Look at me! I'm late for the party! Again! Honestly, because of the hype that this book got when it let's try". Turns out I really liked this book. It has really good character development (especially when it comes to issues of identity). True, sometimes, Felix came across as a little whiny to me (look, I understand that a lot that happened in the book was horrible, and for the most part I was on team "Felix", but there were instances when I was rolling my eyes because I don't have patience for "teen/ schoolyard bullshit"), but I still was rooting for him and I really liked his development as a character because that development felt realistic and measured, not rushed.
Another thing that I really appreciated was the pacing. Things were not rushed and everything fell into place at the right time, giving time to the characters to digest everything good and bad that happened. It also gave time to the readers to get to know the major characters. Also, I couldn't figure out who was the one to outed Felix, and that's a thing that I liked about books that involved mysteries because it gets me engaged in the book.
I think that the only thing a little more negative that I have to say is that I don't agree with the end. Look, this has nothing to do with the book itself because the end actually makes a lot of sense
Spoiler
(but, I'm a sucker for the "enemies to lovers" trope and, because of that, I would prefer that Felix ended up with Declan instead of Ezra)Overall, I really recommend this book. It's a solid story about discovering your identity, perfect for every lover of "YA" literature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Outing, Gaslighting, Dysphoria
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Gaslighting
Minor: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This was amazing. I loved Felix. I loved the friendships/relationships. I also loved the topics this discusses. This is intsalovey and Felix and the characters make dumb decisions but their teenagers. While this does deal heavily with transphobia, this is also really just a story about Felix falling in love with himself and others and I think that is beautiful. I highly recommend this because it’s such an important story to tell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Transphobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Mental illness, Transphobia, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
emotional
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Abandonment, Dysphoria
Moderate: Drug use, Gaslighting
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing, Dysphoria
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship