Reviews

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman

megana's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad 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

4.0

I really enjoyed this and it took me through a lot of strong emotions. Angel’s POV was fascinating to see how she idolized “her boys” and same with Jimmy’s and how he thought of the fans as “our girls”. But also the fanatical fans who would literally tear apart the person they adored and do it out of “love”. My only complaint is that the ending felt a little too abrupt and I felt like I needed more closure. 

isisiis's review against another edition

5.0

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH, I LOVE THE CHARACTERS, THE PLOT, THE RELATIONSHIP <333

i related to everything sm lol

mjauamaja's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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? Yes

4.5

A lot happens very quickly at the end of the book, but it makes the book wrap up nicely.

paulawoelfl's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

4.25

jrblack321's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring 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? Yes

4.25

madi_wimmer's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted sad 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

adamdj's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.5

tiff_rose's review against another edition

3.0

Actual rating: 2.5/5 stars

I love Alice Oseman and what she has done in young adult literature, but this book didn't hit for me like her others have. I think my main problem was that I haven't experienced the "obsession with fandom" that Angel did, or, at least, not in the same way that she has. Whenever I have gotten really into something, I've always been simultaneously aware that I shouldn't let it consume me, and if I do start experiencing that feeling of consumption, I feel guilty about it! I tell myself, "C'mon Tiff, you need to get up and DO something!" Angel didn't really seem to grapple with these feelings of guilt, so it was personally hard for me to relate to her, or any of the characters.

I think part of the reason I found Angel difficult to relate to derives from the fact that because she has made the fandom her personality, the reader doesn't get to see much more of her character. The parts I did see I loved...but I feel like I need another novel where Angel works on her transformation, and I get to know HER. This novel almost felt like a prelude to something more...but that something more doesn't exist.

As for Jimmy and the other bandmates...none of them really captivated me, and they fought so much it was hard to believe they ever loved each other. My favorite character was Jimmy's grandad. I wish we could have seen more of him.

Also, (SPOILER ALERT) - the accidental stabbing of Lister felt overdramatic and out of left field to me. I couldn't feel emotionally invested in that part because it felt so...out of place. On the other hand, the brick-throwing at Rowan felt very serious, and I did get invested...but I felt like Oseman kind of brushed it away, and it was just a blip in the plot, when I think it could have been highlighted more.

That being said, I still love Alice's style of writing, and I finished this book in two sittings.

heartzfromli_'s review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted reflective 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

emilycherriezx's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0