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avacadosocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Biphobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Homophobia
quasinaut's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And while I adore Elliot and his (mis)adventures the most, I also deeply love how the author has built this world that's filled with magical creatures and adventure, but also militaristic hubris and sexism and xenophobia.
So good. No notes.
Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment
fragrant_stars's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Abandonment, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Alcohol, War, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Body horror, Infertility, Bullying, Death, Slavery, and Violence
turrean's review
- 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
I started the book having read only a few reader reviews and so found myself constantly thinking I’d plumbed the story’s depths…and then having to revise.
**Just a note that I felt mislead by the occasional illustrations into thinking I was reading a book for middle graders.**
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Body horror, Death, and Infidelity
axel_p's review
- 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
Minor: Abandonment, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, War, Alcohol, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Body horror, Xenophobia, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Slavery, and Violence
alibrarymouse's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This is a coming-of-age story that turns everything you expect in a fantasy on its head while exploring all the different types of love.
Elliott is the most abrasive main character, but he isn’t hard to love. He was so likable from the beginning when he admits what the rest of us think: when you have the potential to live in a fantasy story, you have to take it. But instead of being just like any other portal fantasy, Elliott learns life isn’t unicorns and rainbows… in fact, unicorns are kind of jerks.
But the best part of this book was that Brennan admits there are so many ways to love, even when we feel unlovable. Elliott was rude, he had a difficult home life, and he didn’t know how to love the way he thought he should. Yet he found family, friends, and a place to belong while pointing out that violence isn’t always the answer. He explored sexuality and how important it is to value yourself. Love is special, and we should choose love, even if it doesn’t look like what we expected.
The commentary on war, peace, and love were gorgeous; delivered naturally and without seeming contrived. I genuinely liked all of the characters here, and everyone grew up and faced different challenges in their own ways. Dark topics were given their due, but honestly, this was one of the coziest books I’ve ever read while confronting thoughts, emotions, and experiences that everyone has difficulty facing.
Graphic: Gore, Biphobia, Death, Murder, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, War, and Violence
phantomgecko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Secondly, you need to accept that the main character is unrealistically mature in certain areas and childish in others. And that's okay. Elliot embodies the ideals of an unprejudiced person (not racist, not sexist, not homophobic) and treats breakups, friend zones and rejection with grace and acceptance. This is not a book about a guy struggling with his sexuality. He knows what he likes and it's fine with him.
He's not a perfect character; he just has different faults. He's actually kinda an antihero because he's an obnoxious jerk.
Also, the magic land (that doesn't actually have magic, just creatures) is fascinating. From the only slightly hyperbolic matriarchal elves to the realistically colonial and species-ist humans to the choice in creatures in general. Harpies and mermaids are not usually included as sentient races in fantasy like this. I'd expect centaurs and, like, fairies or something to come first. Love it.
This book is funny. I commend that.
Relationships are a huge part of the book. Platonic, familial, and romantic. All the romance-y bits are like high school drama mixed with college drama, neither of which I care for. A lot of the love drama drives the plot, so it is necessary...to an extent. The love bits stretched on longer than I was interested. Thus four stars instead of five.
Still, a good read. Happy pride.
Moderate: Colonisation, Sexual harassment, War, Bullying, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
tetedump's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Child abuse, Violence, and War
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is entirely character based. Do not expect to understand worldbuilding or plot until later in the book. The dialugues and proze are next level amazing. I cannot describe how amazing and real the characters feel. This is *the* definition of coming of age.
Everybody needs to experience this book, especially teens, especially gifted kids, but everyone. Do yourself a favor, get a friend, and read it together.
I have never saved so many passages in my life. You will want these words and situations forever in your brain.
And it's so gay.
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Abandonment, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Racism, Body horror, and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Kidnapping, Medical content, Self harm, Torture, Alcohol, Biphobia, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Outing, and Sexual harassment
toadstoolsnshit's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Blood, Sexism, and Child abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, and Injury/Injury detail