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lenareadsstuff's Reviews (89)
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love how the book puts you in the headspace of its main character. I've been a fan of Heartstopper before but this book made me love Tori as a character so, so much more (and Michael Holden now too). Reading this felt like a very authentic exploration of depressive thoughts, loneliness, and friendship among other things.
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Das Buch schneidet immer wieder sehr interessante Themenbereiche an, die mich zum Nachdenken gebracht haben, stellt aber gleichzeitig auch zu viele Fragen, denen es nur stückweise und (für mich) nicht gründlich genug nachgeht. Der lineare Aufbau des Buches hat mich eher an das Nachgehen von Gedankengängen erinnert - was für mich teils fesselnd war, aber auch befremdlich zu lesen.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was definitely not for me. The writing felt on the nose, the story's messages were delivered in a kind of patronizing way, and I disliked how the plot unfolded. All characters came across as rather flat and sometimes, their sudden change in behavior gave me whiplash. The story also gave me a lot of déjà-vu because it would recycle and reuse main talking points often word for word.
The story also included an instance of sexual assault as a mean to drive the plot forward - but even if you ignore that fact, the whole situation was not properly handled (with the victim later saying the consequences of that situation were on them because they did not stop the assault in time, or how the perp was very sweet afterwards and maybe they should be friends).
Overall, I sadly have very few good things to say about the novella. I think it'd be better suited for readers who prefer quickly developed sapphic romances with a bit of spice, loose fantasy settings, and dragons/mating stories.
The story also included an instance of sexual assault as a mean to drive the plot forward - but even if you ignore that fact, the whole situation was not properly handled (with the victim later saying the consequences of that situation were on them because they did not stop the assault in time, or how the perp was very sweet afterwards and maybe they should be friends).
Overall, I sadly have very few good things to say about the novella. I think it'd be better suited for readers who prefer quickly developed sapphic romances with a bit of spice, loose fantasy settings, and dragons/mating stories.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Ich kann dieses Buch wirklich nur wärmstens empfehlen (insbesondere an alle, die an intersektionalen und feministischen Diskussionen interessiert sind). Das Buch hat mich immer wieder zum Nachdenken und Reflektieren angeregt. Mir hat die Art und Weise, wie das Buch aufgebaut ist und die einzelnen Themenbereiche anhand von (meist persönlichen) Beispielen veranschaulicht wurden, sehr gut gefallen. Der einzige Grund, weswegen es für mich keine 5 Sterne sind, ist das etwas zu kurz geratende Endkapitel (wobei das hier wirklich Meckern auf hohem Niveau ist).
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Normalerweise lese ich keine historical fiction, aber dieses Buch war wirklich interessant. Man merkt, dass hinter jedem Detail eine Menge Recherche steckt. Die Geschichte hat einige sehr wichtige und faszinierende Themen angesprochen, hat jedoch für mich die Landung letztlich nicht ganz geschafft. Das Ende hat sich nicht wirklich wie ein Ende angefühlt und hat eher viele Fragen unbeantwortet gelassen. Trotzdem hat es sich gelohnt, dieses Buch zu lesen - vor allem wegen des Blicks auf lesbische & chinesisch-amerikanische Geschichte.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This is the kind of book I wish I had when I was younger. I am incredibly happy this book exists! The book works super well as a first introduction to the asexual and aromantic spectrum. If you're questioning yourself, read it. It gently guides you through relevant concepts and explains them fairly simple. I related to most of the experiences the author described which felt really uplifting. That being said, the experience depicted here is (of course) only one many, many others.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Was mich am meisten an dieser kurzen Biografie beeindruckt, ist die Offenheit und Ehrlichkeit, mit der Giese auf seine Vergangenheit zurückblickt und von sich erzählt. Das hat mich stellenweise sehr mitgenommen. Aus diesem Grund finde ich, dass das Buch einen wunderbaren Einblick in Gieses Blickwinkel gibt und was es für ihn bedeutet, u.a. trans, queer und gender-nonconforming zu sein.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm absolutely in love with this book! I loved how the supernatural/fantasy aspects, the depiction of a Latinx family, and the main character's (gender) identity were intertwined with each other. Everything felt very organic and authentic. And even though this book discusses some pretty serious issues, this book has an uplifting outlook and an overall great message. I just finished reading it and I immediately want to dive into it again.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes