You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
thequeertoad 's review for:
The Pairing
by Casey McQuiston
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was worse than I expected. Also, out this in the fantasy section because there's no way an AMERICAN in EUROPE is able to get laid every night by a European because they're sooooo fucking hot and irresistable. Gtf outta here.
First of all, this is a gay book, not a queer book ("politics don't matter", forgetting that aspect folks exist in the 2SLGBTQIA+, inaccessible spaces and communities, etc type of vibe).
2. the MCs are loaded with money. They are nepo babies and their constant cosplaying of poverty is absolutely rage-inducing. I don't give a FUCK about the rich unless they are class-traitors but these people are not. They are so out of touch to humanity it's no wonder why they have no friends. These people just view other human beings as objects to fuck and get fucked by, ex their "body count competition". It's disgusting.
Oh, and like, these MCs are so narcissistic and view themselves are essentially the same people?? So they're just fucking themselves?? But also they grew up together so there's a little incesty vibe??
3. This book just romanticizes Europe. Not one person questions the colonial systems that allows Europe to be all cute and nice and pretty and filled with good food. Ex, "Barcelona was the first city in Europe to introduce chocolate." HOW DID THEY DO THAT? WHERE DOES IT GROW? HOW IS COCOA COLLECTED?! people please engage the brain. Also, the "New World Old World" comment?? ew.
4. There is literally no plot to this book and the characters feel hollow, this book is literally just two people fucking their way through Europe and there is only one mention of prophylaxis used and it is only used to prevent pregnancy. Otherwise there is no mention of condoms or dental dams or mention of routine check-ups for STIs!! That is such a shame because condoms!! Are not just supposed to be used to avoid pregnancy!! These people are 1000% carriers of disease and are happy to infect everyone that they fuck. Have we forgotten our own queer history?! Have people forgotten about all the queer elders we lost to HIV/AIDS?!? There is no community care in this book. The hyper-individualisation and constant focus on sex being the best thing in life is everything that is wrong with the gay community. There is no pride in genocide and that includes happily infecting people with diseases.
I'm also so disappointed in how CMQ, an enby author, wrote Theo. Why were we explicitly told that Theo was non-binary towards the end of the book? Why was this not established at the beginning? This book was not about Theo's self-discovery. It was stated that they have identified as non-binary for at least over a year and all their ""friends""" knew about it. So why was this not established to the reader at the beginning? Why keep it as a secret/semi-implied throughout the beginning of the book but not explicitly stated either?? That's just fucking weird.
Anyways. This book sucks. I'm so disappointed. Now I understand why CMQ sent out unsolicited sex toys to readers without thought or care about other people's experiences and living situations. It tracks with how awful the MCs and this book are. I guess CMQ really is just not a safe person and that is reflected in this book.
First of all, this is a gay book, not a queer book ("politics don't matter", forgetting that aspect folks exist in the 2SLGBTQIA+, inaccessible spaces and communities, etc type of vibe).
2. the MCs are loaded with money. They are nepo babies and their constant cosplaying of poverty is absolutely rage-inducing. I don't give a FUCK about the rich unless they are class-traitors but these people are not. They are so out of touch to humanity it's no wonder why they have no friends. These people just view other human beings as objects to fuck and get fucked by, ex their "body count competition". It's disgusting.
Oh, and like, these MCs are so narcissistic and view themselves are essentially the same people?? So they're just fucking themselves?? But also they grew up together so there's a little incesty vibe??
3. This book just romanticizes Europe. Not one person questions the colonial systems that allows Europe to be all cute and nice and pretty and filled with good food. Ex, "Barcelona was the first city in Europe to introduce chocolate." HOW DID THEY DO THAT? WHERE DOES IT GROW? HOW IS COCOA COLLECTED?! people please engage the brain. Also, the "New World Old World" comment?? ew.
4. There is literally no plot to this book and the characters feel hollow, this book is literally just two people fucking their way through Europe and there is only one mention of prophylaxis used and it is only used to prevent pregnancy. Otherwise there is no mention of condoms or dental dams or mention of routine check-ups for STIs!! That is such a shame because condoms!! Are not just supposed to be used to avoid pregnancy!! These people are 1000% carriers of disease and are happy to infect everyone that they fuck. Have we forgotten our own queer history?! Have people forgotten about all the queer elders we lost to HIV/AIDS?!? There is no community care in this book. The hyper-individualisation and constant focus on sex being the best thing in life is everything that is wrong with the gay community. There is no pride in genocide and that includes happily infecting people with diseases.
I'm also so disappointed in how CMQ, an enby author, wrote Theo. Why were we explicitly told that Theo was non-binary towards the end of the book? Why was this not established at the beginning? This book was not about Theo's self-discovery. It was stated that they have identified as non-binary for at least over a year and all their ""friends""" knew about it. So why was this not established to the reader at the beginning? Why keep it as a secret/semi-implied throughout the beginning of the book but not explicitly stated either?? That's just fucking weird.
Anyways. This book sucks. I'm so disappointed. Now I understand why CMQ sent out unsolicited sex toys to readers without thought or care about other people's experiences and living situations. It tracks with how awful the MCs and this book are. I guess CMQ really is just not a safe person and that is reflected in this book.