A review by matttruss
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A really good book, I have a few thoughts.  

1) I think Dante needs to have a little chat about consent.
 
2) I thought it was really cute and Ari was very relatable I felt like, I enjoyed his inner monologue very much and really liked his character 
 
3) The ending didn't quite click for me, but after reading Rick Riordan's review of the book, I think I know why, he said: "It didn’t end the way I expected it to, perhaps because of my own point-of-view and life experience, but I now see it ended the only way it could".  Which, same, Rick, same.  That's really cool and the reason we read diversly and thanks to Riordan for pointing that out and making that click for me.  Also reading another review, I think the mixed signals we got from Ari were a really great representation of what was going on in his head and the head of other queer folks as they navigate a cis-dominate world.  This didn't immediately land with me as a cis dude and I very much appreciate it in reflection.


I'll definitely be checking out book 2!
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