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darkmattersoybean's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Transphobia, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Sexual content, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
westcdf's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
1.0
This book was an intense read! I didn’t go into it expecting there to be a lot of transphobia and homophobia as plot points, and that made it difficult to enjoy reading it. I thought it was going to be a cute, lighthearted read but it was not, and I wish it had been. I feel like there are plenty of books about trans people experienced violence, harassment and discrimination, and I wanted this book to be cute and fluffy, because we deserve happy trans stories too! Additionally the plot made little sense, there were constant issues that were quickly resolved, making them seem pointless to the book. Lastly the characters themselves were extremely unlikeable, rude, self centered and cruel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Outing, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
danielghurst's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor is a moving story of two boys, who used to date, competing for Homecoming King at their high school. The attention-loving cheerleader, Jeremy, is trans and dealing with a host of issues as he and the people around him adjust to his identity. Lukas, the football player who never could live up to the legacy of his older brother, who recently died, is dealing with a complicated family situation and trying to conceal his autism. They both have plenty of obstacles to get to the crown and will have to reckon with their unresolved feelings about one another, as well.
This book has a lot to praise, most significantly the important representation within both the two main characters and the supporting cast. Readers from myriad backgrounds and identities will see teenagers like them on the page. It's nice to see characters with serious flaws and supporting characters with thought-out arcs and full lives, even if much of it is off the page. We also see the characters face discrimination, which happens in various forms and in a range of severity.
I'm so glad this book is out in the world. I'd strongly recommend it for teen readers!
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook!
This book has a lot to praise, most significantly the important representation within both the two main characters and the supporting cast. Readers from myriad backgrounds and identities will see teenagers like them on the page. It's nice to see characters with serious flaws and supporting characters with thought-out arcs and full lives, even if much of it is off the page. We also see the characters face discrimination, which happens in various forms and in a range of severity.
I'm so glad this book is out in the world. I'd strongly recommend it for teen readers!
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Alcohol, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Misogyny, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Car accident
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