Scan barcode
A review by phoenixs
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
5.0
Most likely my last read of the year and what a note to end on! This volume was very well-paced, in spite of it being one of the longer ones. I loved how Oseman handled the discussions about sex, virginity, and societal expectations for teens becoming sexually active. Nothing felt cheap or rushed in that regard.
Lastly, I don't know exactly how Oseman does it, but they're spot-on with portraying a wide array of different emotional highs and lows one experiences during their teen years. This is one of the few exceptions of stories featuring teens that I feel comfortable reading as an adult, as it has some wonderful nostalgic vibes that aren't twee or overly dramatic. I find most coming-of-age stories super formulaic these days. Heartstopper is one of the few series that manages to transcend the typical arcs of teenage angst and relationship dynamics, in my opinion.
Lastly, I don't know exactly how Oseman does it, but they're spot-on with portraying a wide array of different emotional highs and lows one experiences during their teen years. This is one of the few exceptions of stories featuring teens that I feel comfortable reading as an adult, as it has some wonderful nostalgic vibes that aren't twee or overly dramatic. I find most coming-of-age stories super formulaic these days. Heartstopper is one of the few series that manages to transcend the typical arcs of teenage angst and relationship dynamics, in my opinion.