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littleraysofsunshine's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
mrtvavrana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
john_the_captain's review against another edition
5.0
This book and the previous are by far some of my fave books of all time. For this reason I'll be posting a full review of this and Ari and Dante's first adventure over the holidays. For now go out and grab a copy for the holiday period. Seriously, go now, get your copy!
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
Ari’s and Dante’s relationship picks up where it left off in “Discover the Universe.” It’s 1988, and the boys are navigating their senior year of high school. Ari has come to terms with his sexuality, but thinks deeply about the AIDS pandemic and the hatred targeted at the gay community by much of the world. He slowly opens his friendship circle beyond just Dante, and comes to love and rely on Susie and Gina and Cassandra and Danny in what will be a year of challenges and loss. Ari’s parents provide opportunities for Ari to explore some of his views of the world more deeply… their constant wisdom is inspiring, if a little off-putting.
I was torn between three and four stars. Saenz’s prose is beautiful as always, but can dip into overly sentimental. Where “Discover the Universe” is about 360 pages, this one comes in at 528, and sections of the book drag. And some of the contemplations— about racism, about pandemics versus epidemics— seem to be filtered through the lens of our current times.
Still, Ari’s and Dante’s continuing story will have wide appeal, and I’m grateful to Simon & Schuster and to NetGalley for the electronic arc.
I was torn between three and four stars. Saenz’s prose is beautiful as always, but can dip into overly sentimental. Where “Discover the Universe” is about 360 pages, this one comes in at 528, and sections of the book drag. And some of the contemplations— about racism, about pandemics versus epidemics— seem to be filtered through the lens of our current times.
Still, Ari’s and Dante’s continuing story will have wide appeal, and I’m grateful to Simon & Schuster and to NetGalley for the electronic arc.
pommcaramel_'s review against another edition
funny
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
4.75
The only reason I don't give this book 5 stars is because I only grade a book five stars if I want to read it again as soon as I finish the last page and this book is too emotionally heavy for me to immediately read it again. But this book is so fucking beautiful.
I wrote in my review for the first book that what I enjoy the most was the development happening between Aristotle and his parents. For this one, the highlight is definitely Aristotle and the friendship he made along the road. This second book is everything I wanted the first one to touch upon. It dives into Aristotle and Dante's relationship, the ups and the downs; it tackles the AIDS pandemic and how Aristotle feels about it, and how he feels about being gay and coming out ; we can see how Aristotle grows up and opens himself to the people around him. I found that, in the first book, there weren't a strong character's development but in this one, it is very satisfactory. I find that Cassandra and Susie and Gina are well rounded characters and I loved every interaction those girls had with Ari.
I read someone commenting how the dialogue wasn't very realistic. I agree. But at the same time, I found them deeply poetic. I love the different arguments and replies they offer to each other. It is awesome.
The only flaw I would say this book has it is that sometimes it rushes a bit. The ending especially feels a bit unfinished, I don't know. I like open endings, but I feel like there is no tension before the big finaly.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading a whole bunch. I recommend it to everyone who felt a bit unsatisfied by the previous book's ending. This one feels a looot more consistent.
I wrote in my review for the first book that what I enjoy the most was the development happening between Aristotle and his parents. For this one, the highlight is definitely Aristotle and the friendship he made along the road. This second book is everything I wanted the first one to touch upon. It dives into Aristotle and Dante's relationship, the ups and the downs; it tackles the AIDS pandemic and how Aristotle feels about it, and how he feels about being gay and coming out ; we can see how Aristotle grows up and opens himself to the people around him. I found that, in the first book, there weren't a strong character's development but in this one, it is very satisfactory. I find that Cassandra and Susie and Gina are well rounded characters and I loved every interaction those girls had with Ari.
I read someone commenting how the dialogue wasn't very realistic. I agree. But at the same time, I found them deeply poetic. I love the different arguments and replies they offer to each other. It is awesome.
The only flaw I would say this book has it is that sometimes it rushes a bit. The ending especially feels a bit unfinished, I don't know. I like open endings, but I feel like there is no tension before the big finaly.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading a whole bunch. I recommend it to everyone who felt a bit unsatisfied by the previous book's ending. This one feels a looot more consistent.
lucialovesreading's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
amyparker_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
frankanalysis's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t like it as much as the first book but still read it in one day (like I did the first book) so that’s gotta mean something!