Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves

6 reviews

its_vendetta's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

Ugh this book was so good i’m so upset that it’s over!! This book hit me in ways others didn’t. Enrique‘s descriptions of his mental health and his insecurities surrounding himself in comparison to other queer people around him is so relatable it hurts. The discussion around biphobia was especially personal to me as well, and was done perfectly. 
All the side characters were so incredibly well written!! I had an emotional attachment to everyone in this book and I honestly did not know how this book would end, which I loved!
Overall this is an amazing and touching novel that dives into issues surrounding queer communities, racism, religious bigotry, and so many more topics that need to be more discussed in our society.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Hate crime, Violence, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Islamophobia

Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, and Drug use

the f slur is used quite often in the book. it’s used both from queer people and from non queer people in a derogatory context

dagaezoomer19's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content

Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Islamophobia

theemangomami's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

This book was super freaking cute. I was basically kicking my feet and giggling for like 85% of the book. The author touched on serious mental health topics which were handled beautifully and even though I’m not a 17 year old boy, I felt represented as a young bisexual with mental illness (depression and anxiety) figuring themselves out in this big wild strange world. Highly highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Islamophobia and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, and Biphobia

legalplanner's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Where do i even begin for this one. 

First of all, love the diversity of the cast of characters. It didn't feel as if we were given diverse characters just to fill a void or have a token character.  I really really enjoyed the fact that our lead (Enrique) is bi and he discuesses so much of the bi erasure that bi folx experience which was wonderful.

This is an ode to figuring out who you are and going out on a limb a bit to try and find someone and all of the problems that can arise from attempting to find someone. BUT, this one was also an odyssey of mental health. We watch as Enrique struggles with real and honest issues that others deal with. While some of the topics are heavy they are super important to teens and may provide them the opportunity to see themselves in Enrique.

I think that the humor thorughout the book was amazing and didn't feel over the top like someone was just using humor to hide the characters or be funny. I found myself crying at the end because of how much Enrique's journey resonated wwith me and my heart physically hurt for him. Hands down a 5/5 star read for me and love the last paragraph of the authors note

Last but not least, thank you, reader. If you see a piece of your soul reflected in this book, I love you. We'll make it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Biphobia

imstephtacular's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Mental illness

Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Ableism, Biphobia, Islamophobia, Vomit, Xenophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Bullying, Classism, Colonisation, Mass/school shootings, Racism, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Excrement, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Grief, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pedophilia

elizabeth_delozier's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

A moment of silence in appreciation for the wonderfully bisexual cover. 

This story was a delightful YA bisexual exploration of sexuality, which covers some really difficult themes (see TWs below). While YA contemporary LGBTQ+ stories can often be a coming out story/ an exploration of the MC's identity, this MC has a somewhat firm grasp on his identity and is taking time to develop a relationship and comfortability with his sexuality. The main character is also trying to find a way to get over an unrequited love, which plays a role in this relationship he is trying to cultivate. 

This story was both fun and uncomfortable, in very relatable ways. Particularly with the MC's inner dialogue, as many of us have likely had similar thoughts throughout adolescence. I would like to mention that the content of the book is more upper YA, with some mild sexual content throughout.

Trigger Warnings: racism, homophobia, biphobia/bi-erasure, mental health, passive and active suicidal thoughts, physical violence.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Alejandro Ruiz, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Biphobia, Homophobia, and Racism

Moderate: Violence, Bullying, and Sexual content

Minor: Cultural appropriation