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aloha_wendys_fries 's review for:
All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages
by Saundra Mitchell
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
La Roja: 4/5
I enjoyed the story a lot. I liked the characterization we got and the story and background we got. My only complaint is I wish it was longer.
The Sweet Trade: 2/5
I think this story could have done more, even with the length it was given. I wish there was more chemistry between Pearl and Clara. The romance felt rushed and there didn't seem to be much pull between the two to be honest, which really took away from the story.
And They Don't Kiss At The End: 3/5
This one was alright. I wish there had been more conversation around her asexuality. I also wish the couple had been shown together more, so we could get a better feel for their relationship.
Burnt Umber: 3.5/5
This one was cute and well written but, again, I wish there was more depth/chemistry between the love interests and less time spent on the fake-out love interest.
The Dresser and the Chambermaid: 4/5
I enjoyed this one a lot. I do think the conflict between our ladies was silly, but I like how it was solved.
New Year: 2/5
The writing was good but I just wasn't as big a fan of this one. I feel like it could've leaned a heavier into the theme of the anthology, but maybe that's just me.
Molly's Lips: 4/5
This was really sweet and I liked the ending, but I did find it maybe an odd choice to base the whole thing around Kurt Cobain's suicide.
The Coven: 3/5
I liked the idea. I feel like it could've been really good but it needed more. I didn't feel like I got enough character or story.
Every Shade of Red: 5/5
This one was really good. I enjoyed the retelling of Robinhood and I liked our little cast of characters. The ending was so sad though 😔
Willows: 2/5
I liked the concept behind it but I feel like the ending just kind of fell flat. It was also rather confusing overall.
The Girl with the Blue Lantern: 5/5
I loved this one. It was well written and adorable. I'd love to read a novel version to be honest. I loved the way the relationship blossomed and the ending was really wholesome.
The Secret Life of a Teenage Boy: 3/5
This was pretty middle of the road. It wasn't the best and it wasn't the worst.
The End of the World As We Know It: 1/5
This was the only story I really didn't like. The premise was bland and Katie is an AH.No communication on her part, leaving Ez to flounder without her after her ghosting, getting mad at Ez for having valid questions after they do talk again. I also can't stand cheating tropes. There's no reason she couldn't have broken up with her boyfriend before going to make out with Ez. I feel like it just furthers my point that she's an AH. In all, I just didn't enjoy this one.
Three Witches: 3.5/5
This was good but the ending left me feeling like there were still loose ends to tie up.
The Inferno and the Butterfly: 5/5
I enjoyed this one a lot. I liked the relationship development and the overall story.
Healing Rosa: 5/5
This was another favorite of mine. I enjoyed the romance, it was very sweet and I liked the ending and the redemption of it.
Overall, I did enjoy this read but I do have some critiques. Namely, the inequality in representation: we really only get 3 ace characters (including one aro-ace) character, but only one is an MC. We also see only two trans characters, but both are men. I would've loved to have seen even one trans woman. I also would've loved to have seen even one non-binary character. There's still great representation in here but I was a little disappointed to not have had those last two in the stories, especially a non-binary character (being a non-binary individual myself). I also would've liked to see some bi or pan characters, and I especially would've liked more of the stories to be based somewhere other than America. I think this could've been made even more diverse then it was and it would've done it a lot of good.
Averaged rating: 3.4
I enjoyed the story a lot. I liked the characterization we got and the story and background we got. My only complaint is I wish it was longer.
The Sweet Trade: 2/5
I think this story could have done more, even with the length it was given. I wish there was more chemistry between Pearl and Clara. The romance felt rushed and there didn't seem to be much pull between the two to be honest, which really took away from the story.
And They Don't Kiss At The End: 3/5
This one was alright. I wish there had been more conversation around her asexuality. I also wish the couple had been shown together more, so we could get a better feel for their relationship.
Burnt Umber: 3.5/5
This one was cute and well written but, again, I wish there was more depth/chemistry between the love interests and less time spent on the fake-out love interest.
The Dresser and the Chambermaid: 4/5
I enjoyed this one a lot. I do think the conflict between our ladies was silly, but I like how it was solved.
New Year: 2/5
The writing was good but I just wasn't as big a fan of this one. I feel like it could've leaned a heavier into the theme of the anthology, but maybe that's just me.
Molly's Lips: 4/5
This was really sweet and I liked the ending, but I did find it maybe an odd choice to base the whole thing around Kurt Cobain's suicide.
The Coven: 3/5
I liked the idea. I feel like it could've been really good but it needed more. I didn't feel like I got enough character or story.
Every Shade of Red: 5/5
This one was really good. I enjoyed the retelling of Robinhood and I liked our little cast of characters. The ending was so sad though 😔
Willows: 2/5
I liked the concept behind it but I feel like the ending just kind of fell flat. It was also rather confusing overall.
The Girl with the Blue Lantern: 5/5
I loved this one. It was well written and adorable. I'd love to read a novel version to be honest. I loved the way the relationship blossomed and the ending was really wholesome.
The Secret Life of a Teenage Boy: 3/5
This was pretty middle of the road. It wasn't the best and it wasn't the worst.
The End of the World As We Know It: 1/5
This was the only story I really didn't like. The premise was bland and Katie is an AH.
Three Witches: 3.5/5
This was good but the ending left me feeling like there were still loose ends to tie up.
The Inferno and the Butterfly: 5/5
I enjoyed this one a lot. I liked the relationship development and the overall story.
Healing Rosa: 5/5
This was another favorite of mine. I enjoyed the romance, it was very sweet and I liked the ending and the redemption of it.
Overall, I did enjoy this read but I do have some critiques. Namely, the inequality in representation: we really only get 3 ace characters (including one aro-ace) character, but only one is an MC. We also see only two trans characters, but both are men. I would've loved to have seen even one trans woman. I also would've loved to have seen even one non-binary character. There's still great representation in here but I was a little disappointed to not have had those last two in the stories, especially a non-binary character (being a non-binary individual myself). I also would've liked to see some bi or pan characters, and I especially would've liked more of the stories to be based somewhere other than America. I think this could've been made even more diverse then it was and it would've done it a lot of good.
Averaged rating: 3.4