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roseswithoutthorns's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This book was clearly written by a cis author who knows nothing about trans people. One character is called by her deadname until close to the end of the book. Additionally, the book graphically describes a character being hate crimed with no warning, which was very triggering to me as a trans person. Every character was unlikable, and i couldn't enjoy any part of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Outing, Transphobia, and Hate crime
dark_221b's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Outing, Transphobia, and Sexual assault
earftoalex's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
really good book with realistic characters with raw emotions but also lighthearted and true to the teenage experience. slightly outdated in some ways regarding trans people (from a trans person) but overall really good :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, Sexual assault, Deadnaming, and Alcohol
wai's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
3.25
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. As a trans man, it's still obvious to me that this was written by a cisgender author for a cisgender audience - but I've read a few books like this now and this one was the closest to realistic for me, and the most palatable by far. There are some issues particularly with the way that the trans girl, Kate, is referred to, particularly in sections narrated by Leo, who is also trans and thus should be more conscious of/aware of things like the use of names and pronouns. But they are also young characters so there is a bit that can be explained away by them being young and thus making mistakes. It just felt like it was more done to ensure cis readers didn't get confused which felt clunky and inauthentic.
All in all though, this is a pretty cute YA book with fairly good trans representation. I would've liked to have a book like this when I was in high school. Since it is still in the minority, I would recommend this to teens despite minor issues especially if they are queer/trans.
Slight content warning: there is a situation where Leo is physically assaulted by bullies and there is an implication it was the beginning of a sexual assault, but does not actually go that far.
All in all though, this is a pretty cute YA book with fairly good trans representation. I would've liked to have a book like this when I was in high school. Since it is still in the minority, I would recommend this to teens despite minor issues especially if they are queer/trans.
Slight content warning: there is a situation where Leo is physically assaulted by bullies and there is an implication it was the beginning of a sexual assault, but does not actually go that far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
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