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A review by abooknomad
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is one of those books that should be required reading.
Felix Ever After is a precious and important YA contemporary novel about a young black transgender boy and his quest towards figuring out his identity and discovering romantic and self-love. It provides a compassionate, organic, and real discussion about gender, feeling worthy of love, and falling in love for the first time.
Although it’s a story that feels very much YA in terms of prose and language, I was constantly struck by the way Kacen Callender managed to portray the characters in such a layered way and approach these topics with so much depth.
I’m a cis woman, I don’t know what it’s like to question my gender identity, but I found so many bits of myself in Felix. To the people who say they have difficulty relating to and connecting with characters from different races, gender identities, and sexual orientations, let me ask you: what’s that supposed to mean, and what books have you been reading?
Yes, my existence cannot be separated from the colour of my skin, Felix’s cannot be separated from his, and his gender identity, we might have different experiences, but one thing we have in common is being human: we are touched by art, we make mistakes, we look for love and are scared of it, we forge new friendships and fall out of old ones, and we feel insecure. And all of this was so beautifully portrayed by the author. This is a story about Felix finding who he really is, but it’s also a book about navigating the highs and lows of life and your passions (Felix and all the characters go to art school).
I’m so insanely grateful that this book exists, and I’m filled with so much joy for the young people and adults that found themselves, their struggles, reflections, and questions in Felix’s story. Representation is so important.
I cannot recommend this book enough, for its themes but also the amazing characters (it's also very easy to read and dynamic).
Although it’s a story that feels very much YA in terms of prose and language, I was constantly struck by the way Kacen Callender managed to portray the characters in such a layered way and approach these topics with so much depth.
I’m a cis woman, I don’t know what it’s like to question my gender identity, but I found so many bits of myself in Felix. To the people who say they have difficulty relating to and connecting with characters from different races, gender identities, and sexual orientations, let me ask you: what’s that supposed to mean, and what books have you been reading?
Yes, my existence cannot be separated from the colour of my skin, Felix’s cannot be separated from his, and his gender identity, we might have different experiences, but one thing we have in common is being human: we are touched by art, we make mistakes, we look for love and are scared of it, we forge new friendships and fall out of old ones, and we feel insecure. And all of this was so beautifully portrayed by the author. This is a story about Felix finding who he really is, but it’s also a book about navigating the highs and lows of life and your passions (Felix and all the characters go to art school).
I’m so insanely grateful that this book exists, and I’m filled with so much joy for the young people and adults that found themselves, their struggles, reflections, and questions in Felix’s story. Representation is so important.
I cannot recommend this book enough, for its themes but also the amazing characters (it's also very easy to read and dynamic).