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_raachreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.5
hannahoude's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Bit too much teenaged angst, but it brought it round in the end.
axel_p's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-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? Yes
3.0
From an abusive relationship to a toxic one. Upgrades people, upgrades!
courtneyschnabel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
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
3.5
toonyballoony's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Hate crime, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Slavery, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry
3amonline's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley, House of Anansi Books Press, and Groundwood Books for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review!
I was really interested in, "Who We Are in Real Life" by Victoria Koops because of the teen romance centered around loving DND, which I haven't read before. The DND aspects of the book are the most entertaining and atmospheric parts of the book, but they can sometimes feel shoehorned in since they are utilized to further explain the characters actions and feelings. Unfortunately the main characters, Darcy and Art, were not very likable. Darcy is rude to everyone around her including her moms because she was forced to move away from her city (which felt like an extreme reaction). Art is a doormat who rarely stands up for himself, Darcy, or his sister when it came to defending them against homophobia directed to them by his father. The romance between these two characters ended up feeling forced because of how much their morals clashed and the overall lack of chemistry. Based on the actions of the characters I felt like they should not have stayed together. DND was truly the only thing these characters had in common. The plot didn't kick off until half-way through the book and the ending was underwhelming since the main conflict was not high stakes to begin with. I give this book a 2 stars because the fantasy elements were enjoyable.
I was really interested in, "Who We Are in Real Life" by Victoria Koops because of the teen romance centered around loving DND, which I haven't read before. The DND aspects of the book are the most entertaining and atmospheric parts of the book, but they can sometimes feel shoehorned in since they are utilized to further explain the characters actions and feelings. Unfortunately the main characters, Darcy and Art, were not very likable. Darcy is rude to everyone around her including her moms because she was forced to move away from her city (which felt like an extreme reaction). Art is a doormat who rarely stands up for himself, Darcy, or his sister when it came to defending them against homophobia directed to them by his father. The romance between these two characters ended up feeling forced because of how much their morals clashed and the overall lack of chemistry. Based on the actions of the characters I felt like they should not have stayed together. DND was truly the only thing these characters had in common. The plot didn't kick off until half-way through the book and the ending was underwhelming since the main conflict was not high stakes to begin with. I give this book a 2 stars because the fantasy elements were enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
bookwyrm_kate's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
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
chelsearm's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Biphobia, and Domestic abuse
samrushingbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I wanted to LOVE this book, but overall I simply like it. There's more I'll say when the full review comes to my blog in another week or two, but this was a decent YA story that bounces between in game and out of game storylines and both have similar story beats and arcs. And I read this in only a couple hours so it definitely was a nice quick read.
I wanted to LOVE this book, but overall I simply like it. There's more I'll say when the full review comes to my blog in another week or two, but this was a decent YA story that bounces between in game and out of game storylines and both have similar story beats and arcs. And I read this in only a couple hours so it definitely was a nice quick read.