shanban0303's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.5

I loved the first Ari and Dante book. This one was amazing, as well, but the first narrowly wins for me. It was great reading about Ari's growing up, in a mirage of ways. I almost cried at some parts, which is saying something, coming from someone who rarely cries when it comes to books. The story and the mix of depth and lightheartedness is one of the strengths of this author that was present in both this book and the first. I'll definitely come back to this one a number of times, as I did with AADDTSOTU. 

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wordswoods's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I got this as an ARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

ARISTOTLE AND DANTE <3 <3 <3 

This second book follows Ari and Dante. They have just discovered that they're in love with each other, but in 1980s El Paso, Texas, to be gay is not a walk in the park. The reader follows Ari's story of falling in love and navigating his first relationship, finally making friends and surviving his last year of high school against the backdrop of the raging AIDS pandemic that is on the news all the time.
The story builds up slowly and several plot twists make it to be an interesting story to tell, as we see Ari, Dante and their friends growing up from teens to young adults throughout this last year of school. 
Ever the romantic, Benjamin Alire Sáenz uses pensive, reflective writing about big topics that are beautiful, but do sound a bit jarring at times coming from a 17-year-old. As you get used to this as a reader, though, it allows the author to delve into important topics such as homosexuality, feminism, death, relationships with lovers, friends and family, and learning to let go.
A love story from beginning to end, this second novel - just as the first one - isn't just a cheesy tale of some teenagers falling in love. It explores deeper topics and shows the reader experiences that greatly impact these young characters, who try to navigate life among heavy and lighter, day-to-day, problems. 

I definitely recommend this if you read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. 

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