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A review by loony_lucy
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This first book from Leah Johnson is black queer magic and I am so happy to have read this. It was cheesy, breezy with poignant parts that speak volumes without shouting.
We follow Liz as she is trying to navigate her senior year before going off to college. After not getting the scholarship to Pennington she enrols in the Prom Queen competition to win the money she needs so desperately to attend college. But, while in the competition she gets distracted by Mack, the new girl in town and people's bias' start to show in small-town Indiana that may destroy Liz's dream of attending Pennington.
The representation of sick cell disease, sexuality, race and class is great to see in "You Should See Me In A Crown". I loved Liz's character and her development in her confidence. Her relationship with Mack was so sweet and wholesome. Jordan was a grower especially by "Week Three" we eventually stan him. However, Rachel is a complete racist, homophobia a*shole that needs to take a good long look at herself. I also was not on board with G, so was very annoying, bossy and completely invalidated Liz's feelings - she could have grovelled a little more...
We follow Liz as she is trying to navigate her senior year before going off to college. After not getting the scholarship to Pennington she enrols in the Prom Queen competition to win the money she needs so desperately to attend college. But, while in the competition she gets distracted by Mack, the new girl in town and people's bias' start to show in small-town Indiana that may destroy Liz's dream of attending Pennington.
The representation of sick cell disease, sexuality, race and class is great to see in "You Should See Me In A Crown". I loved Liz's character and her development in her confidence. Her relationship with Mack was so sweet and wholesome. Jordan was a grower especially by "Week Three" we eventually stan him. However, Rachel is a complete racist, homophobia a*shole that needs to take a good long look at herself. I also was not on board with G, so was very annoying, bossy and completely invalidated Liz's feelings - she could have grovelled a little more...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Medical content