Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Damned If You Do

This is a book described as Queer Buffy about a stage manager, I was going to enjoy this book. I think this is a fun little romp and I would love to see more of the series in a monster of the week format. I liked the worldbuilding, characters, and emotional stakes a lot. I would kill for these kids. I am a notable friends to lovers hater so I was stressed a lot for the romance but it was quite cute. I was wondering why the stage manager is calling the show from backstage?? I also think there is better comparisons than Buffy but it is incredibly effective at finding the audience since I bought it immediately.

Content Warnings

amobrien's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny tense 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 thought I was going to enjoy this one much more than I did. The premise is so strong! Queer Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Filipino folklore sounds exactly up my alley, but Damned If You Do unfortunately didn't live up to my expectations.

My main complaint is the narrative voice. It felt very childish. I love young adult literature, and many times I feel YA books can provide a compelling story even for an older audience, but this was not one of those times. Maybe I would have liked this book more if I was younger, but I can't say I would recommend this story to anyone past high school age.

Something I thought this book did really well, however, was balance the heavier topics with humor and lighthearted moments. This story tackles issues of abuse and alcoholism, but it does so in a way that is accessible and appropriate for a young adult audience.

Overall, I was hoping for a lot more out of this story, but I could definitely see it being entertaining for a younger audience!

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

Content Warnings

e_liz's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark 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

3.5

This book was aptly marketed. It really did feel like a Buffy-esque story, except maybe with a bit more drama. I loved seeing a stage manager as an MC in a book like this (maybe a bit partial to the theatre since it’s my job). The romance sprinkled in the story felt very Willow, and it was pretty of cool to see a character that was not white inhabit both those personas. This book was preeeettty dark and dealt with some seriously heavy themes so make sure you check the TW before you dive in!

I was a bit disappointed in how easily the characters moved on from the death of a major influence and honestly think it was glossed over, like Blake’s death was a plot point that pushed it forward and not dealt with as an actual casualty. The bit at the very end where he was memorialized even felt as though it was rushed.

overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend to others. It was a solid, enjoyable read.

Content Warnings

jenniahw's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

From the start of the story to the very end Damned If You Do is a wonderful book. It takes you on the journey of Cordelia who has lived for year with what feels like a whole in who she is after making a deal with Fred, everyone's favorite guidance counselor and demon, to send her abusive father to Hell. She also asks to forget, but when the demon who founded the town is close to becoming bigger and badder with his 100th deal Fred gives her a chance to fill that hole. But from the start it's clear that having that piece of her soul back won't free Cordy from the fear of being just like her father and the guilt for what she's done.

We get to see Cordy navigate this major task of trapping a powerful demon, coming to terms with the choice that saved her in the moment and her and her mother in the long term, and being pushed into really addressing her feelings for her best friend Veronica. And though there are many moments where one or more of these things feel like they're going to be solved, they happen when they should. Taking on the burden over the town makes way for Cordy to handle her personal demon aka her father. And she does that while knowing she has people in her corner and that Veronica, someone she feared would turn their back on her, supports what she needs to do in order to be at peace. And navigating a new romance with your best friend in the world is hard to do when you have life threatening things going on, so it being right after she handles everything else just fits. And yet again it shows her and us that as she goes about dealing with the strained relationship with her mother - and the new possible threat to the town - Veronica will be there by her side in a role that doesn't have her panicking about who has her back.

I would happily take so many more books about this group of people and how they take on things like what they're rushing off to handle at the end of the book. I love them all so much and I think that anyone who gives them a chance will too.

Content Warnings

More...