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A review by circesophelia
Loveless by Alice Oseman
4.5
This only came out today, and I've already read it. Really speaks to my love of Alice Oseman.
This, like many of her books, is a book that will break through the general facade of YA literature and actually shine a light on real people. It's a story that people will feel seen by, and will certainly relate to.
Loveless is a character-driven story. The plot in itself is about the internal struggles of the MC, as an aro-ace person, as opposed to some external device. This means that the story delves deep into each of the characters, and all of them are fantastic.
The real star of this book though is definitely the relationships. In our heteronormative society, we have come to view romantic relationships as bigger and better than those of a platonic nature, and this book challenges that perception by showing how 'true love' can be found in our platonic relationships, and how they're just as important as our romantic ones. It takes traditionally romantic scenes and puts them through a platonic lens, and this was so profound, that I sobbed. Furthermore, like most of the Oseman books, this challenges the YA narrative that coming-of-age must be linked to romance, or losing your virginity, it shows us that we are whole and complete without an S/O. As well as this, the enemies to lovers sapphic subplot is perfect and everything I never knew I needed.
I would like to also give a little shoutout to Sunil, an ace, gay, non-binary character who's sheer inclusion in the narrative made me tear up a little with the hope that soon the world will more inclusive to those who don't fit on the Kinsey scale, or in the gender binary.
This book is going to be monumental for so many people, and in my opinion, for that alone, it deserves every star.
This, like many of her books, is a book that will break through the general facade of YA literature and actually shine a light on real people. It's a story that people will feel seen by, and will certainly relate to.
Loveless is a character-driven story. The plot in itself is about the internal struggles of the MC, as an aro-ace person, as opposed to some external device. This means that the story delves deep into each of the characters, and all of them are fantastic.
The real star of this book though is definitely the relationships. In our heteronormative society, we have come to view romantic relationships as bigger and better than those of a platonic nature, and this book challenges that perception by showing how 'true love' can be found in our platonic relationships, and how they're just as important as our romantic ones. It takes traditionally romantic scenes and puts them through a platonic lens, and this was so profound, that I sobbed. Furthermore, like most of the Oseman books, this challenges the YA narrative that coming-of-age must be linked to romance, or losing your virginity, it shows us that we are whole and complete without an S/O. As well as this, the enemies to lovers sapphic subplot is perfect and everything I never knew I needed.
I would like to also give a little shoutout to Sunil, an ace, gay, non-binary character who's sheer inclusion in the narrative made me tear up a little with the hope that soon the world will more inclusive to those who don't fit on the Kinsey scale, or in the gender binary.
This book is going to be monumental for so many people, and in my opinion, for that alone, it deserves every star.