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jenny_librarian's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
While the beginning is pretty cute, it’s not an easy read. There’s a lot of queer pain and queerphobia in this book, which made it a bit harder for me to get through. I am very much a reader of queer joy and – while the ending was worth it – it was rough getting there.
I’m not a Mariah fan, but I recognize the fangirling (term used as genderneutral here) and obsession of a specific artist that you feel understands you better than you sometimes understand yourself.
There is one mention of HP that completely took me out the story, and that I find extremely disappointing, especially coming from a genderqueer author who has to know how harmful that woman is. It was a tiny thing, a single word used as a comparison, and I wish it had been changed before publishing.
As a whole, it is a hard but inspiring story of standing up for yourself, of friends having your back and of fighting for those who can’t use their voice yet.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Biphobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, Hate crime, Terminal illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
seawarrior'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
4.0
I began this story feeling that I couldn't see much of myself in Carey and was somewhat at odds with their melodramatic perspective of the world. Yet after reading further, I quickly became invested in their life and their dreams. Their wish to just exist authentically without having to make a political statement to do so is painfully close to my heart. I loved that as Carey grew kinder to themselves, they learned to apply similar kindness and understanding towards the people they were close to. It's very rewarding to watch a character who's a self-described diva learn to de-center themselves and prioritize their loved ones, along with those they have the power to inspire. Carey's love towards themselves and their friends and family made me love and respect them too as a reader. The supporting characters don't feel like props in Carey's play of life. Instead they are written with their own dreams, and anxieties they learn to overcome over the course of the story.
Really my only significant criticism of this story was that some of the character's speeches read more like a well-plotted lecture than organic dialogue that would realistically occur between people. However, I understand how difficult these moments must be to create as a writer, especially when your character is representing a piece of yourself. For the most part I felt this story was refreshing and inspiring, and the characters' voices will likely stick with me for a long time.
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism, Religious bigotry, and Vomit
imstephtacular's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Hate crime
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing
Minor: Death
thiscubed'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? It's complicated
Graphic: Dementia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, and Religious bigotry