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melancholymegs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Outing, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Biphobia, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Death, and Cursing
Minor: Blood, Vomit, Violence, and Alcohol
the_true_monroe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Transphobia, Death, Homophobia, Bullying, Dementia, and Violence
Moderate: Outing, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny
Minor: Racism and Gun violence
mortimerdeadsea's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book can be really rough to read; it shows a lot of violent homophobia and transphobia, both from peers and from people in positions of power. I think there are two very important things this book showcases through its story:
1. The most important thing you can have in life is people on your side. Casey would not have been able to do what they did alone, and its only because they had so many people willing to fight for and beside them that they were able to maintain the starring role in the school musical and continue their dreams of being a diva. From their mom, to their queer teacher, to their lifelong best friends, to their newfound friendships, and their newfound romantic interest, they needed everyone's help. The best things happen together, and community and solidarity is one of the most important things marginalized people can have in the fight for rights and liberation.
2. Unfortunately, you won't achieve everything you set out for.
The two major criticisms I've heard about the book are often about how tough the book can be to read and about the way the characters of color are portrayed. As I said, the book can be really tough to read, and I think it could be especially tough to read as a young queer and trans teen. Unfortunately, it is realistic, and as tough as it is, I do think it will do a lot for good in the right hands. I do think the criticism surrounding the characters of color is valid, given how the the white main character is able to keep their starring role thanks to the work and sacrifices of the people of color around them. I think the author was trying to show community and solidarity at work, however, I think it would have been better coming from an author of color as opposed to a white author.
Ultimately, I did enjoy the book and I will continue to read Steven Salvatore's future work.
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
dlrosebyh's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, and Transphobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Grief
radiosilent8's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
aspring's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
the writing is full of drama and passion and a deeply desperate need to be loved, understood and accepted. it is brutal and honest and not entirely a happy story.
but it gives you hope and shows you that fighting for who you are is always worth it. even if you shouldn’t have to.
this was surprisingly heavy and it did take my by surprise so please please check trigger warnings for this if you need them <3
but i love this authors writing style and the way they write their characters. phenomenal as always.
also, the relationship isn’t the focus! don’t go into it expecting it to be :) this is, at its core, carey’s story of their fight to be recognised and treated like everyone else <3 (the lil bits of romance was very cute though! (and heartbreaking :,))
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, and Suicidal thoughts
kmudzy07's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Transphobia, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Hate crime
pm_corbett's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, and Violence
cardanrry's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Biphobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
readbyquinn's review
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Medical content