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blakeandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
What a raw, honest, gorgeous, heartbreaking, joyful, witty, beautiful exploration of authenticity, love, and self-exploration. McCarthy not only shows you River’s experiences, but you feel them as if they were your own. Following River from their high school to college years while discovering what makes them feel the most comfortable and authentically themselves was an experience I feel so grateful to have read. Working through and processing in real time pronouns, name change, dysphoria, and more felt so authentic and true to River’s character. Watching them discover such a full and authentic life was such a joy. River and Indy’s relationship, how they come together, fall apart, and find one another again, was so complicated and beautiful and messy. The ending of the book truly reminded me that there are books that are essential in this world, and I believe this is one of them.
The ending acknowledgements from McCarthy were so kind and left me emotional. Like River, Knowing that McCarthy is also an Arab-American, nonbinary trans person, who also swam competitively, was so incredible to know how important this story was to McCarthy and his experience.
Finally, E.R. Fightmaster did an outstanding job narrating this book.
The ending acknowledgements from McCarthy were so kind and left me emotional. Like River, Knowing that McCarthy is also an Arab-American, nonbinary trans person, who also swam competitively, was so incredible to know how important this story was to McCarthy and his experience.
Finally, E.R. Fightmaster did an outstanding job narrating this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Sexual content, Self harm, Racism, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Medical content and Islamophobia
felishacb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
This might be the best fiction book I've read about a young person exploring and discovering their gender identity. Man o' War is an own voices tale from a transmasc nonbinary author who is Irish and Arab American.
As a cis person who is "constantly exploring the evolution of my relationship to gender as a construct, and my own indentit(ies),"* I also think this book is a generous bridge offered to cis folks.
Cis folks and conventional tropes of heteronormativity are referred to as 'dinosaurs' or 'the way of the dinosaurs' in this book, with familiarity, exhaustion, derision, and acceptance. I can see why people who are scared of removing boxes and barriers might find this scary, but trans people (and this book) make it very clear that you are invited to expand, too. Find out what lies beneath and between the labels you did not pick
McCarthy doesn't only show, rather than tell you, River's story in Man O' War; McCarthy's words help the reader *feel* the story.
The metaphor and parallels with marine biology and the man of war, specifically, offer an extra layer to understand the main character's story. McCarthy talks about how this piece helped illustrate the "cultural captivity" River feels being closeted, and how McCarthy felt growing up.
One reason this book will stick with me is the ability that McCarthy has to show the fluidity and flexibility of gender and expression in an authentic, organic way for both Indy and River. (The best names, btw!).
McCarthy also explores how River's Lebanese mother and background play into their life. There are discussion of race, Islamaphobia and colorism while still allowing River to exist as an individual who experiences life through a variety of lenses.
*quote from Rebecca Minor
As a cis person who is "constantly exploring the evolution of my relationship to gender as a construct, and my own indentit(ies),"* I also think this book is a generous bridge offered to cis folks.
Cis folks and conventional tropes of heteronormativity are referred to as 'dinosaurs' or 'the way of the dinosaurs' in this book, with familiarity, exhaustion, derision, and acceptance. I can see why people who are scared of removing boxes and barriers might find this scary, but trans people (and this book) make it very clear that you are invited to expand, too. Find out what lies beneath and between the labels you did not pick
McCarthy doesn't only show, rather than tell you, River's story in Man O' War; McCarthy's words help the reader *feel* the story.
The metaphor and parallels with marine biology and the man of war, specifically, offer an extra layer to understand the main character's story. McCarthy talks about how this piece helped illustrate the "cultural captivity" River feels being closeted, and how McCarthy felt growing up.
One reason this book will stick with me is the ability that McCarthy has to show the fluidity and flexibility of gender and expression in an authentic, organic way for both Indy and River. (The best names, btw!).
McCarthy also explores how River's Lebanese mother and background play into their life. There are discussion of race, Islamaphobia and colorism while still allowing River to exist as an individual who experiences life through a variety of lenses.
*quote from Rebecca Minor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, Outing, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Self harm, Medical content, Sexism, Racism, Islamophobia, Confinement, and Deadnaming
garlinds's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Racism
Minor: Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, and Toxic relationship
moxiemin's review
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
It won't let me give more then 5.75 stars, but if it would... I so would give it more. A great YA read, real coming of age story. Hits very close to home when you have a Trans Masc son, who happens to turn 18 the day after you finish reading this. (yes I know that is super specific). I don't want to give spoilers but this book both made my heart happy and sad, and yes I cried a little.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Xenophobia and Racism
mattyb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Dysphoria, and Transphobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Drug use, Sexual content, Racism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Grief, Islamophobia, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, and Pandemic/Epidemic
niararain's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Vomit, Dysphoria, Xenophobia, Racism, Outing, Sexual assault, Self harm, Biphobia, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Transphobia, Sexual violence, Acephobia/Arophobia, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Medical content, Body horror, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
eemilycolleen's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
oh man this is SO GOOD i loved it SO MUCH. so confidently paced! they really throw you into every time jump with such faith and it works so well. and all the water/swimming/marine bio metaphors!!! excellent. i loved river so deeply 😭 it’s about creating yourself and accepting support from the people who show up and letting go of the people who don’t. it’s so tough!!! it’s so joyous. i’m so grateful that the younger generation has stories like these 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Racism
libscote's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
River McIntyre is a teen who is angry all the time and doesn't seem to quite know why. Over the course of the book their identity unfolds in a messy yet realistic way, charting a journey that is painful to witness at times (especially as River makes choices you know will hurt them). This story of searching for identity and living an authentic life will resonate with many teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Dysphoria
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Deadnaming, and Acephobia/Arophobia
lynnlovegreen's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
Man O’War by Cory McCarthy is the newest edition to my favorite book list! River McIntyre is drawn to the Sea Planet theme park. When they meet a happy queer person there, they start a journey through gender dysphoria to self-acceptance and true love. Heart-wrenching at times, hysterically funny at others, you’ll be glad you joined River on their coming-of-age trip.
Thanks to McCarthy for writing such a brilliant, life-giving book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, Dysphoria, Racism, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Homophobia
It sounds dark, but this book is life-affirming overall.pucksandpaperbacks's review
CW: mention of COVID/pandemic toward the end, transphobia, internalized transphobia, depictions of gender dysphoria, mention of top surgery and scene at the hospital, homophobia, racism, self harm, unaccepting parent, underage drinking, alcohol
I received a digital galley from Penguin Teen in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Man O' War is a book every trans teen needs. It is a story about trans rage and how living in a small town that perpetuates harmful ideologies keeps LGBTQIA+ kids in the closet. We follow River, a transmasc Arab-American non-binary person throughout their journey of gender exploration from senior year of high school to their college yeears. This book shows the rawness and hardships that go along with exploring your gender and finding the words to fit you as River grapples with their own internalized homophobia and transphobia and feeling immense hatred toward themselves.
This book was so cathartic and I am really glad it exists.
I received a digital galley from Penguin Teen in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Man O' War is a book every trans teen needs. It is a story about trans rage and how living in a small town that perpetuates harmful ideologies keeps LGBTQIA+ kids in the closet. We follow River, a transmasc Arab-American non-binary person throughout their journey of gender exploration from senior year of high school to their college yeears. This book shows the rawness and hardships that go along with exploring your gender and finding the words to fit you as River grapples with their own internalized homophobia and transphobia and feeling immense hatred toward themselves.
This book was so cathartic and I am really glad it exists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Self harm, Racism, and Medical content
mention of COVID/pandemic toward the end, transphobia, internalized transphobia, depictions of gender dysphoria, mention of top surgery and scene at the hospital, homophobia, racism, self harm, unaccepting parent, underage drinking, alcohol