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A review by jugglingpup
Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
3.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
I am not genderqueer, but I am a binary trans man. That means that some of this makes so much sense it hurts and some of it doesn’t at all. The pronouns being such a big part of Carey’s life hit so hard on my heart that I wanted to beat up every single person that even thought of misgendering Carey. The switching pronouns made a bit less sense, but Carey should be respected if I fully understand or not. For the sake of the review and in an attempt to be respectful, I will cycle through the pronouns that Carey used as they are not able to be consulted about the best pronoun for today.
I had some issues with this book. The romance felt a bit forced. There was no interactions really before they started kissing and dating. Then the needless drama of not talking things through just got to me. I really didn’t want them together. I wanted them both to move on and realize they were being obnoxious. I, of course, did not get my wish as that is not how YA books go. The other characters were also really extreme in every way. There was never a moment that felt like real people interacting. Everyone was larger than life.
I loved being able to see a AMAB genderqueer character exist. So much of the gender stuff seems to be binary trans women and AFAB everything. I am glad others are being able to be seen. I am glad Carey got a story and that she exists. I loved that he had a supportive mother. I loved that they were in therapy and the therapist wasn’t completely awful. There were so many important parts of this book, but there was so much I didn’t like as well.
For all that it is worth, this read like the YA version of the middle grade book George. The same general plot of non-cis kid wants to be in the school plat in a role others think they shouldn’t have and all that goes into that. It was much better done than George. Though it still relies heavily on homophobia and transphobia being the main driving force of the plot. This had a bit more substance, but it still felt like it was a SUPER basic queer story. Of course, the queer kid gets bullied. Give me something new. Give me something more exciting. It is still three stars, because I never felt like I was being taught about gender or sexuality. It always felt like that was just an aspect of things.
I got an ARC of this book.
I am not genderqueer, but I am a binary trans man. That means that some of this makes so much sense it hurts and some of it doesn’t at all. The pronouns being such a big part of Carey’s life hit so hard on my heart that I wanted to beat up every single person that even thought of misgendering Carey. The switching pronouns made a bit less sense, but Carey should be respected if I fully understand or not. For the sake of the review and in an attempt to be respectful, I will cycle through the pronouns that Carey used as they are not able to be consulted about the best pronoun for today.
I had some issues with this book. The romance felt a bit forced. There was no interactions really before they started kissing and dating. Then the needless drama of not talking things through just got to me. I really didn’t want them together. I wanted them both to move on and realize they were being obnoxious. I, of course, did not get my wish as that is not how YA books go. The other characters were also really extreme in every way. There was never a moment that felt like real people interacting. Everyone was larger than life.
I loved being able to see a AMAB genderqueer character exist. So much of the gender stuff seems to be binary trans women and AFAB everything. I am glad others are being able to be seen. I am glad Carey got a story and that she exists. I loved that he had a supportive mother. I loved that they were in therapy and the therapist wasn’t completely awful. There were so many important parts of this book, but there was so much I didn’t like as well.
For all that it is worth, this read like the YA version of the middle grade book George. The same general plot of non-cis kid wants to be in the school plat in a role others think they shouldn’t have and all that goes into that. It was much better done than George. Though it still relies heavily on homophobia and transphobia being the main driving force of the plot. This had a bit more substance, but it still felt like it was a SUPER basic queer story. Of course, the queer kid gets bullied. Give me something new. Give me something more exciting. It is still three stars, because I never felt like I was being taught about gender or sexuality. It always felt like that was just an aspect of things.