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slprincess's review
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? No
5.0
I loved this book. Not only was it great to revisit Otto and Russel’s friendship but to see truly have each others backs throughout was spectacular.
I sincerely hope that the teased Nomad Years are still in the works and that this isn’t the last we have seen of Otto, Russel, Kevin, Min, Gunnar (and maybe even Greg? I personally hope so)
I sincerely hope that the teased Nomad Years are still in the works and that this isn’t the last we have seen of Otto, Russel, Kevin, Min, Gunnar (and maybe even Greg? I personally hope so)
jugglingpup's review against another edition
4.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
I have been reading Hartinger since I was in late middle school/early high school. I even met him once when he was presenting at the True Colors Conference. I doubt he will remember me, but meeting him was the highlight of my year that year. I literally came out as trans that day to all of my friends and started my social transition, but meeting Hartinger beat that. I still have the temporary tattoos he handed out. I am that level of a fan.
This book shows that the boys really are growing up. I was skeptical of leaving Russel behind. I grew up with Russel. I love Russel. I am so emotionally invested in Russel. Seeing Otto though is something I am glad I got to do. Otto was my favorite partner for Russel. I could write a very convincing essay on why Otto/Russel is better than Kevin/Russel, just saying.
Otto’s story has a theme of body acceptance, but also one of don’t given in to others. Otto has to confront both his feelings over his body and the feelings others have for his body. I know that getting validation from a partner and it not being internalized is a no-no is the body positivity movement, but Otto had those moments where his own acceptance of his body came partially from his experiences with Russel. I can related to this so hard. Sometimes having someone be attracted to you, not despite parts of you, but those parts being included can give that spark towards feeling pride and acceptance. It helps quiet those voices. There were so many scenes where Otto’s feelings broke my heart and I understood him so intensely that I almost didn’t miss Russel.
The plot is really interesting for most of the book. The ending gets a bit ridiculous. It feels like Hartinger hasn’t fully pulled himself out of writing YA. The book does read as a bit older, but it still follows the YA formula. I am hoping that the next series is a bit more mature, which means I will be reading the next series. Of course I will. Hartinger has hooked me and he did something so many authors haven’t. His characters have grown the right amount to keep up with me. When Russel was just coming out, so was I. When they were living on their own, so was I. It made the stories and the characters feel more like home and more real for me. This book felt less like home, but it also hit me at exactly the right time in my life.
Overall, the book is fun. The characters are unique and wonderful. There are call backs to other books that happen a bit too frequently. I don’t need the constant reminders that Otto and Russel dated, both because I remember and because it is rubbing it in my face that my couple didn’t make it.
As always, Min deserves more attention. She was always my favorite character. I hope that she gets her own book or series or maybe just a bigger role. This should just be added to every review and thought I have on Hartinger’s work, even the books that aren’t related. Min should just be in them.
I got an ARC of this book.
I have been reading Hartinger since I was in late middle school/early high school. I even met him once when he was presenting at the True Colors Conference. I doubt he will remember me, but meeting him was the highlight of my year that year. I literally came out as trans that day to all of my friends and started my social transition, but meeting Hartinger beat that. I still have the temporary tattoos he handed out. I am that level of a fan.
This book shows that the boys really are growing up. I was skeptical of leaving Russel behind. I grew up with Russel. I love Russel. I am so emotionally invested in Russel. Seeing Otto though is something I am glad I got to do. Otto was my favorite partner for Russel. I could write a very convincing essay on why Otto/Russel is better than Kevin/Russel, just saying.
Otto’s story has a theme of body acceptance, but also one of don’t given in to others. Otto has to confront both his feelings over his body and the feelings others have for his body. I know that getting validation from a partner and it not being internalized is a no-no is the body positivity movement, but Otto had those moments where his own acceptance of his body came partially from his experiences with Russel. I can related to this so hard. Sometimes having someone be attracted to you, not despite parts of you, but those parts being included can give that spark towards feeling pride and acceptance. It helps quiet those voices. There were so many scenes where Otto’s feelings broke my heart and I understood him so intensely that I almost didn’t miss Russel.
The plot is really interesting for most of the book. The ending gets a bit ridiculous. It feels like Hartinger hasn’t fully pulled himself out of writing YA. The book does read as a bit older, but it still follows the YA formula. I am hoping that the next series is a bit more mature, which means I will be reading the next series. Of course I will. Hartinger has hooked me and he did something so many authors haven’t. His characters have grown the right amount to keep up with me. When Russel was just coming out, so was I. When they were living on their own, so was I. It made the stories and the characters feel more like home and more real for me. This book felt less like home, but it also hit me at exactly the right time in my life.
Overall, the book is fun. The characters are unique and wonderful. There are call backs to other books that happen a bit too frequently. I don’t need the constant reminders that Otto and Russel dated, both because I remember and because it is rubbing it in my face that my couple didn’t make it.
As always, Min deserves more attention. She was always my favorite character. I hope that she gets her own book or series or maybe just a bigger role. This should just be added to every review and thought I have on Hartinger’s work, even the books that aren’t related. Min should just be in them.
biteintobooks's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so happy when Brent Hartinger sent me an email that a new Otto Digmore book was being published! I remember being really fond of the first book and I couldn't wait to read this one too. This book made me remember why I loved the first book so much and I enjoyed every second of this second book. I'm sure I'll read more by Brent Hartinger in the future.
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
This series only contains two books, because Brent Hartinger wrote that this is the final book. It's easy to read and I totally recommend people to pick up these two books. I can't imagine that people won't fall in love with Otto!
I was so happy when Brent Hartinger sent me an email that a new Otto Digmore book was being published! I remember being really fond of the first book and I couldn't wait to read this one too. This book made me remember why I loved the first book so much and I enjoyed every second of this second book. I'm sure I'll read more by Brent Hartinger in the future.
A longer review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
This series only contains two books, because Brent Hartinger wrote that this is the final book. It's easy to read and I totally recommend people to pick up these two books. I can't imagine that people won't fall in love with Otto!
brgtul's review against another edition
2.0
Almost a DNF. Otto’s incessant whining and second guessing made for a mind numbing read.
aquaboi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
mollyringle's review
5.0
I got to read this in advance, and it was so much fun! I'm always fascinated with behind-the-scenes stories of acting and filmmaking, and this book delivers, though Hollywood's business practices definitely do not come off looking good.
Two friends, a screenwriter (Russel) and an actor (Otto), both of whom arrived in L.A. with starry-eyed hope the way everyone does, quickly learn how rough and mean the film industry is. Otto especially feels it, since as someone with highly noticeable scars on his face, he's considered difficult to cast by all those image-obsessed producers.
Then when they finally do get a movie into production, written by Russel and with Otto as one of the main actors, the outlook is still bleak, because the director keeps making terrible artistic decisions. So though Russel and Otto are good guys to their cores, they begin to realize that for the sake of their own artistic integrity, they might have to pull something of a heist.
Naturally I'm biased as a fellow writer and underdog, but I truly felt for these guys and was cheering for their success the whole way, even if they had to be underhanded at times to achieve it. Maybe especially then, because that's juicy to read! I loved the cast as a whole (except the obvious despicable ones)--the fellow actors, the crew, the friends at home trying to do their best to help their loved ones. They were funny, sometimes sweet, sometimes snarky, and entirely easy to relate to.
I look forward to more adventures from these characters!
Two friends, a screenwriter (Russel) and an actor (Otto), both of whom arrived in L.A. with starry-eyed hope the way everyone does, quickly learn how rough and mean the film industry is. Otto especially feels it, since as someone with highly noticeable scars on his face, he's considered difficult to cast by all those image-obsessed producers.
Then when they finally do get a movie into production, written by Russel and with Otto as one of the main actors, the outlook is still bleak, because the director keeps making terrible artistic decisions. So though Russel and Otto are good guys to their cores, they begin to realize that for the sake of their own artistic integrity, they might have to pull something of a heist.
Naturally I'm biased as a fellow writer and underdog, but I truly felt for these guys and was cheering for their success the whole way, even if they had to be underhanded at times to achieve it. Maybe especially then, because that's juicy to read! I loved the cast as a whole (except the obvious despicable ones)--the fellow actors, the crew, the friends at home trying to do their best to help their loved ones. They were funny, sometimes sweet, sometimes snarky, and entirely easy to relate to.
I look forward to more adventures from these characters!
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
This second of Otto's books finds him still a struggling actor, looking hard for parts. His burn scars mean he tends to get called for only certain roles, and he's not having a lot of luck. But his best friend Russel Middlebrook has written a Middle-Ages caper movie that is actually going into production, and in it Russel has written a character specifically with Otto in mind. For once, he's the top contender for a part, and one with emotional resonance for him.
But the director on the project turns out to have gotten his job in traditional Hollywood "who you know, not how good you are" fashion. He seems intent on turning the movie into one more stale, snarky carbon copy of past mediocre efforts. For both guys, it's heartbreaking to think this big chance will be turned into dreck in the hands of someone who isn't even malicious, just incompetent, but who holds all the power.
They aren't the only ones in the cast and crew noticing, or hoping for a better outcome. And so Operation Get Around the Director is agreed upon. But there's no guarantee it will have any effect on the final film, and it just might end both their careers.
This was fun, touching at times, frustrating in a familiar way to anyone who has worked under an incompetent boss, and in the end satisfying. This is a buddy book, not a romance - neither man's significant other is really on the pages, and it's Otto's friendship with Russel that is highlighted here. I enjoyed seeing both these guys again, particularly Otto, loved some of the little twists, and look forward to seeing more of Russel in an upcoming series.
But the director on the project turns out to have gotten his job in traditional Hollywood "who you know, not how good you are" fashion. He seems intent on turning the movie into one more stale, snarky carbon copy of past mediocre efforts. For both guys, it's heartbreaking to think this big chance will be turned into dreck in the hands of someone who isn't even malicious, just incompetent, but who holds all the power.
They aren't the only ones in the cast and crew noticing, or hoping for a better outcome. And so Operation Get Around the Director is agreed upon. But there's no guarantee it will have any effect on the final film, and it just might end both their careers.
This was fun, touching at times, frustrating in a familiar way to anyone who has worked under an incompetent boss, and in the end satisfying. This is a buddy book, not a romance - neither man's significant other is really on the pages, and it's Otto's friendship with Russel that is highlighted here. I enjoyed seeing both these guys again, particularly Otto, loved some of the little twists, and look forward to seeing more of Russel in an upcoming series.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: More Mature
Drinking Buddy: Champagne
MPAA Rating: R (nudity, adult situations, strong language)
Talky Talk: Power Bottom
Bonus Factors: Movie Making, Disfigurement
Bromance Status: Digital Nomads
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: More Mature
Drinking Buddy: Champagne
MPAA Rating: R (nudity, adult situations, strong language)
Talky Talk: Power Bottom
Bonus Factors: Movie Making, Disfigurement
Bromance Status: Digital Nomads
Read the full book report here.
bookwormjt's review against another edition
5.0
There was a lot going on here behind the scenes of a movie and beyond Hollywood itself. The way the author was telling this story has opened my eyes about pretty much everything. And of course the characters were just as great as the story. I love this series. I love the growth of all the characters that we been following for years.
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