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hobbithopeful's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I have two great loves in this world; video games, and books. When I saw this book in the library I knew that I had to read it, and I am so glad I did! Noah is a self identified "gaymer", he loves nothing more then staying in his room all day playing computer RPG games with his online friend (and only confidant) Magepants69. Internet safety is very important and so all they really know about each other are that they are both gay, love cat videos, and computer games. Noah is half in love with Magepants69 and fantasizes about meeting him one day and having an epic love story. Magepants69 lets slip one day that he "just got back from rehearsals" serendipitously aligning with the fact that Noah's musical Mother has been hounding him about joining in on a show she is in. (They are in need of more male dancers!) While being onstage is the absolute least fun activity Noah would ever want to participate in, he knows he has to do it for a chance to meet his online love in real life. If only it were that simple as he quickly realizes he is in over his head, and becomes entangled in a web of lies. How do you tell your new found crush and maybe boyfriend that you are actually also his online best friend? (Who has been giving advice about his new crush!)
Messy characters always make me want to tear my hair out, but they are so endearing I couldn't help but root for Noah and his quest for love. Readers should note there is a lot of bullying in this, and our intrepid main character has an incredibly rough time at school. (Seriously y'all. It was difficult to read at times) An absentee Father, a sister off at school, and a Mother more focused on her fame then her son, add to the troubles on our poor main characters shoulders.
At its heart this is a story about love, theater, and the importance of being honest with yourself and others. I can't wait to read more from the author!
The Cover
I positively adore the cover! Noah and Magepants69 (I'll avoid his name, because spoilers!) are facing each other, with health bars next to their faces. You can immediately tell this book is about video games from the headphones they both wear, the pixeled font, and the little theater video game scene below them. This is probably one of my favorite covers this year! It perfectly conveys the topics and subjects the story deals with, while being modern. The symbolism you get from the characters avatars being on stage with spotlights facing an audience, while their real life personas are above them. *chefs kiss* It is almost like the cover is saying we are all putting on a persona, or life is a stage. (Either way I love it!)
Cover design by Kylie Alexander
Illustration by Ryan Johnson
Messy characters always make me want to tear my hair out, but they are so endearing I couldn't help but root for Noah and his quest for love. Readers should note there is a lot of bullying in this, and our intrepid main character has an incredibly rough time at school. (Seriously y'all. It was difficult to read at times) An absentee Father, a sister off at school, and a Mother more focused on her fame then her son, add to the troubles on our poor main characters shoulders.
At its heart this is a story about love, theater, and the importance of being honest with yourself and others. I can't wait to read more from the author!
The Cover
I positively adore the cover! Noah and Magepants69 (I'll avoid his name, because spoilers!) are facing each other, with health bars next to their faces. You can immediately tell this book is about video games from the headphones they both wear, the pixeled font, and the little theater video game scene below them. This is probably one of my favorite covers this year! It perfectly conveys the topics and subjects the story deals with, while being modern. The symbolism you get from the characters avatars being on stage with spotlights facing an audience, while their real life personas are above them. *chefs kiss* It is almost like the cover is saying we are all putting on a persona, or life is a stage. (Either way I love it!)
Cover design by Kylie Alexander
Illustration by Ryan Johnson
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Outing, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
remainwonderful's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
imagine: a non-theater kid joining a community production of chicago to try and win the heart of the boy he likes (and has up to this point only known anonymously in the context of online gaming) whilst knowing NOTHING about musical theater. the results were surprisingly hilarious.
this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and it totally lived up to the hype! although the secondhand stress of noah trying to maintain the balancing act of his situation was VERY real, i found myself so invested that i couldn’t put it down. the family dynamics in this book were so interesting and unlike anything i’ve ever read in the YA space before especially.
as far as content warnings go, there was some intense bullying that occurred and sexual harassment/public humiliation, body shaming, fire/fire injury, infidelity, emotional manipulation, and homophobia.
this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and it totally lived up to the hype! although the secondhand stress of noah trying to maintain the balancing act of his situation was VERY real, i found myself so invested that i couldn’t put it down. the family dynamics in this book were so interesting and unlike anything i’ve ever read in the YA space before especially.
as far as content warnings go, there was some intense bullying that occurred and sexual harassment/public humiliation, body shaming, fire/fire injury, infidelity, emotional manipulation, and homophobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Emotional abuse
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