Scan barcode
A review by ktrecs
I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book felt like the embodiment of the hearteyes emoji.
Contemporary YA isn't usually my preferred genre, but <i>I'll Be the One</i> represents the best of it, diverse and emotional and fun.
YA is at its best for me when it cuts away from the mainstream, and I was lucky enough to get two separate, enriching experiences from this book. On the one hand, Skye made me feel so seen. The moments where she freezes, assumes people are thinking the worst of her and her body, could have been plucked right out of my head and spilled across the page. Her excitement at meeting other queer girls, at finding out she shares her bisexuality withHenry was so endearing and relatable. On the other, I was thrilled by the nuanced perspective of Korean-American culture, with which I am unfamiliar. Aren't those exactly the two purposes representation like this is meant to serve?
I also loved the way Lee complicated the genre expectations of Skye's emotional relationships. That the emotional conflict wasn't neatly wrapped up at the end in the way I expected speaks to the author's eye for complexity. I expected the competition to fall into catty stereotypes the moment we were introduced to Lana and I was delighted to be proven wrong. Instead, we get this wonderful view of strong, supportive female friendships right from the beginning, and the only villainy comes from real conflict, not just jealousy or gender; fetishization and appropriation, fatphobia and bullying, are much richer and more relevant both narratively and emotionally speaking, and the book's (and Skye's) views on these are framed very well in the context of the book.
Now, the flaws. The relationship was sweet, but not particularly compelling. It did not lack for build-up; the scenes between Henry and Skye are extremely endearing, especially when they got a bit awkward. But I never felt the romance of it. Especially with how the book was marketed, i have to admit I expected to get swept away a bit more in the thrill of it. The dialogue too, felt forced or clinical in places, throwing a wrench in the easy pace of the novel. I also found the plot to be a bit predictable, formulaic in the way the characters and relationships were not; not necessarily a weakness, but in this case it really took the power away from the final scene to have anticipated how it would go.
All of this to simply say: I wish I had read this at 16. I'm so glad other folks will get to. And that sort of speaks for itself in this genre, doesn't it?
3.75 ⭐
Book #5 of 2021
Four Nations Readathon; Water Tribe, Level 9 (A book where music is an important part of the story).
Contemporary YA isn't usually my preferred genre, but <i>I'll Be the One</i> represents the best of it, diverse and emotional and fun.
YA is at its best for me when it cuts away from the mainstream, and I was lucky enough to get two separate, enriching experiences from this book. On the one hand, Skye made me feel so seen. The moments where she freezes, assumes people are thinking the worst of her and her body, could have been plucked right out of my head and spilled across the page. Her excitement at meeting other queer girls, at finding out she shares her bisexuality with
I also loved the way Lee complicated the genre expectations of Skye's emotional relationships. That the emotional conflict wasn't neatly wrapped up at the end in the way I expected speaks to the author's eye for complexity. I expected the competition to fall into catty stereotypes the moment we were introduced to Lana and I was delighted to be proven wrong. Instead, we get this wonderful view of strong, supportive female friendships right from the beginning, and the only villainy comes from real conflict, not just jealousy or gender; fetishization and appropriation, fatphobia and bullying, are much richer and more relevant both narratively and emotionally speaking, and the book's (and Skye's) views on these are framed very well in the context of the book.
Now, the flaws. The relationship was sweet, but not particularly compelling. It did not lack for build-up; the scenes between Henry and Skye are extremely endearing, especially when they got a bit awkward. But I never felt the romance of it. Especially with how the book was marketed, i have to admit I expected to get swept away a bit more in the thrill of it. The dialogue too, felt forced or clinical in places, throwing a wrench in the easy pace of the novel. I also found the plot to be a bit predictable, formulaic in the way the characters and relationships were not; not necessarily a weakness, but in this case it really took the power away from the final scene to have anticipated how it would go.
All of this to simply say: I wish I had read this at 16. I'm so glad other folks will get to. And that sort of speaks for itself in this genre, doesn't it?
3.75 ⭐
Book #5 of 2021
Four Nations Readathon; Water Tribe, Level 9 (A book where music is an important part of the story).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Biphobia