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liesljrowe's review against another edition
5.0
"The Backstagers" is an unashamed love letter to theatre, with some ghosts and supernatural activity thrown in, and I love it. Once again, this latest installment in the Backstagers series combines an interesting fighting the supernatural plot with the process of running the latest school show. "Tammy" is a very obvious reference to "Tommy" and knowing the show quite well, I had fun picking up the different references to how they were staging the production. This book also starts getting into the overarching plot of the series, which looks very promising. Secret society trying to "make theatre pure again"? Yep, definitely a great antagonist there. What I particularly enjoyed, though, was the light-hearted way in which the book approaches serious issues such as Jory's depression or how deaf parts should be played by deaf actors. I look forward to seeing how the plot continues to unfold.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
ex_libris_volantes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
I didn’t love it quite as much as the first, but even though the theme was very driven to highlighting the drawbacks of a world so tied up in social media interactions (something I agree with), it removed from some of the natural flow I felt in the story of book one.
On the other hand though, pushing so many boundaries toward inclusivity in such a beautiful way had me in tears for the ending, so it still ranks high for ratings in my book. Can’t wait for book 3 now!
On the other hand though, pushing so many boundaries toward inclusivity in such a beautiful way had me in tears for the ending, so it still ranks high for ratings in my book. Can’t wait for book 3 now!
mittymyers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
omgbeansgoreadabook's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this one up shortly after I finished the previous book and was not let down in this one either. Fantastically imaginative and fun.
In this novel, the Backstagers are putting on a show called Tammy, where the main characters is deaf. I loved the idea of having an actual deaf person playing the lead in a play, super inclusive!
Technology plays a massive role in this novel as well. It shows how much we seem to rely on it to make our lives look perfect, when in reality we all know that's far from the truth.
Not to mention the fact that all of a sudden there's a secret society who's be-all end-all is to make theater "pure" again. Spooky!
In this novel, the Backstagers are putting on a show called Tammy, where the main characters is deaf. I loved the idea of having an actual deaf person playing the lead in a play, super inclusive!
Technology plays a massive role in this novel as well. It shows how much we seem to rely on it to make our lives look perfect, when in reality we all know that's far from the truth.
Not to mention the fact that all of a sudden there's a secret society who's be-all end-all is to make theater "pure" again. Spooky!
spacecadelliot's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good sequel to the first story and a great addition to the whole series!! I love this band of misfits so much
shamelesslyash's review against another edition
4.0
Another great edition to this storyline. Can’t wait to see what happens next! Looks like the McQueen twins will be separated and will be at odds with one another for a little bit longer.
Can’t wait for the next book!
Can’t wait for the next book!
booksandbigideas's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley!
Review originally published on my blog, Books and Big Ideas
I read and reviewed the first Backstagers book last year and I’ve been looking forward to the sequels, and here we are! These books, written by Broadway actor Andy Mientus, are actually a continuation from a comics series that I haven’t read yet. Because of this, it took me a little bit to become accustomed to the fantasy world and alternate reality, and while the second book contains enough background information it can be read on its own, I still found it easier to jump into. I also think the worldbuilding is also more frontloaded in this one by way of catching readers up.
This book is explicitly inspired by Andy’s experience in the Deaf West production of Spring Awakening (apparently the final copy is dedicated to that) and it propels the plot of the whole series in a very interesting and important direction. This book introduces Adrienne (who apparently does appear in the comics), a Deaf girl who uses both hearing aids and ASL. Bailey, the girl always cast as the lead, is cast in Tammy (the rock musical about a Deaf girl who becomes a Skee-Ball star…sound familiar? I also love how Andy wrote about the representation issues he noticed in Tommy when he was literally playing the lead role) as the lead role, but through Adrienne the group realizes that hearing actors playing deaf often botch ASL and there are so few opportunities for Deaf actors. And Adrienne has always wanted to be on stage…she just has never had the opportunity, and as she’s Deaf her singing isn’t comparable to hearing actors. So they construct a way for her to play Tammy while Bailey sings for her and provides cues on stage, very much like Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, and this impacts other technical elements as well.
But not everyone is thrilled, and I won’t spoil it, but this leads to a more specific introduction to the villains of the whole series and their motivations…of making theater pure again, less inclusive and not embracing of new technology. (Totally fictional, right?)
Meanwhile, Jory starts suffering from voices in his head–anxiety that leads to panic attacks and depression. His newfound fame on social media (“Instasnap”) makes it worse. He sets off on his own journey, and this makes his relationship with Hunter, the rest of the Backstagers, and also impinges his work with Tammy as costume designer. He can’t seem to believe his designs are good anymore, and he struggles to get out of bed. All of this was absolutely relatable, and I’m just SO HAPPY this is included in a middle grade book. There is a particular moment where therapy is discussed and THAT is so important. One of the Backstagers thinks that the voice might be something fantastical like so much of what they encounter, but no…it’s just a very real problem we all in the real world might face.
Some other things I liked: references to Greek theater, students enthusiastically learning ASL with a teacher named Mrs. Matlin, Jory and Hunter dealing with real relationship issues any couple could have in a way appropriate for ten year olds (we often don’t see much of this with queer relationships, and especially not for this age range), the Muse spirit character described with they/them pronouns, a reference to the musical Companions about how awful marriage is, the Adrienne and Bailey friendship, Aziz learning ASL for Adrienne, inclusion of specific ASL signs in the text and illustrations, the witch kid from the first book who still cracks me up…basically, I LOVED THIS BOOK. Even more than the first one, which I did really enjoy!! Now I need to find a finished copy and see the finished illustrations from Ryan Sygh…
Review originally published on my blog, Books and Big Ideas
I read and reviewed the first Backstagers book last year and I’ve been looking forward to the sequels, and here we are! These books, written by Broadway actor Andy Mientus, are actually a continuation from a comics series that I haven’t read yet. Because of this, it took me a little bit to become accustomed to the fantasy world and alternate reality, and while the second book contains enough background information it can be read on its own, I still found it easier to jump into. I also think the worldbuilding is also more frontloaded in this one by way of catching readers up.
This book is explicitly inspired by Andy’s experience in the Deaf West production of Spring Awakening (apparently the final copy is dedicated to that) and it propels the plot of the whole series in a very interesting and important direction. This book introduces Adrienne (who apparently does appear in the comics), a Deaf girl who uses both hearing aids and ASL. Bailey, the girl always cast as the lead, is cast in Tammy (the rock musical about a Deaf girl who becomes a Skee-Ball star…sound familiar? I also love how Andy wrote about the representation issues he noticed in Tommy when he was literally playing the lead role) as the lead role, but through Adrienne the group realizes that hearing actors playing deaf often botch ASL and there are so few opportunities for Deaf actors. And Adrienne has always wanted to be on stage…she just has never had the opportunity, and as she’s Deaf her singing isn’t comparable to hearing actors. So they construct a way for her to play Tammy while Bailey sings for her and provides cues on stage, very much like Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, and this impacts other technical elements as well.
But not everyone is thrilled, and I won’t spoil it, but this leads to a more specific introduction to the villains of the whole series and their motivations…of making theater pure again, less inclusive and not embracing of new technology. (Totally fictional, right?)
Meanwhile, Jory starts suffering from voices in his head–anxiety that leads to panic attacks and depression. His newfound fame on social media (“Instasnap”) makes it worse. He sets off on his own journey, and this makes his relationship with Hunter, the rest of the Backstagers, and also impinges his work with Tammy as costume designer. He can’t seem to believe his designs are good anymore, and he struggles to get out of bed. All of this was absolutely relatable, and I’m just SO HAPPY this is included in a middle grade book. There is a particular moment where therapy is discussed and THAT is so important. One of the Backstagers thinks that the voice might be something fantastical like so much of what they encounter, but no…it’s just a very real problem we all in the real world might face.
Some other things I liked: references to Greek theater, students enthusiastically learning ASL with a teacher named Mrs. Matlin, Jory and Hunter dealing with real relationship issues any couple could have in a way appropriate for ten year olds (we often don’t see much of this with queer relationships, and especially not for this age range), the Muse spirit character described with they/them pronouns, a reference to the musical Companions about how awful marriage is, the Adrienne and Bailey friendship, Aziz learning ASL for Adrienne, inclusion of specific ASL signs in the text and illustrations, the witch kid from the first book who still cracks me up…basically, I LOVED THIS BOOK. Even more than the first one, which I did really enjoy!! Now I need to find a finished copy and see the finished illustrations from Ryan Sygh…
shamelesslyash's review
4.0
Another great edition to this storyline. Can’t wait to see what happens next! Looks like the McQueen twins will be separated and will be at odds with one another for a little bit longer.
Can’t wait for the next book!
Can’t wait for the next book!