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A review by mezzarella
Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ryan La Sala's second literary release Be dazzled is written unapologetically for the queer nerds of secondary school. As the main character competes in a cosplay contest, he must come to term with his own ambitions and past love experiences. This book revels in geeky interests like anime and intertwines it with light-hearted competition. Readers who attended big fan events like Comic Con will relate to the excitement and camp written in the pages of this novel. Those who have not experienced cosplay before will be able to follow along seamlessly with descriptions which do not feel overly forced or dry. Regardless of a reader's comfort with cosplay, anime, or video games--the competitive aspect of the story will likely satiate anyone who has enjoyed shows like "Project Runway" in the past.
This novel is predictable and leads a fairly simple plot line. The prose is about what you would expect from a YA novel, with the emphasis on character interactions and feelings over details and complex concepts. This aside, Be dazzled is a fun, easy read which would be a kind companion on a lazy afternoon.
Thank you Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Reviewers, my score is my own honest opinion based on my own reading experience.
This novel is predictable and leads a fairly simple plot line. The prose is about what you would expect from a YA novel, with the emphasis on character interactions and feelings over details and complex concepts. This aside, Be dazzled is a fun, easy read which would be a kind companion on a lazy afternoon.
Thank you Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Reviewers, my score is my own honest opinion based on my own reading experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use and Transphobia
This story involves the main character teaming up with his ex in order to compete in the cosplay competition. While the story ends with the best possible outcome for the main character , messy (romantic/platonic) relationships are a highlight in this novel. In addition, there are alcohol mentions and fears of rejection caused by the sexual identity addressed by at least one character in the novel. There is also a Harry Potter reference made in the book (Transphobia).