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grayghostbby's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Terminal illness, Ableism, Vomit, Medical trauma, Chronic illness, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Biphobia, Medical content, Racism, Terminal illness, Vomit, Cancer, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child death, Body shaming, Cursing, Antisemitism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Misogyny
scarlettskyes'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
4.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Vomit, Ableism, Medical content, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Antisemitism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Sexism
brokenbodybitch'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
5.0
The way disability is shown in this book is nothing short of amazing. I read it for the first time in 2020(through iBooks); during a time when my health issues were getting significantly worse, very quickly along with my mental health, and I immediately fell in love with this book within a few pages. My ‘Sasha’ may not have been a single person but starting to learn that I wasn’t ‘less then’ or a burden because of my health was truly life changing.
Isabel has RA and she has a lot of internalized ableism but when she meets Sasha who is also chronically ill (with gaucher’s) he helps her realize that it’s completely ok to be chronically ill and to need accommodations. This book discusses the daily things that come with chronic pain in a way that made me feel seen to an extent I’ve never felt before. Again I can go on for hours about specifics so if you want to see some annotations check out my Instagram @brokenbodybitch .
The story itself is adorable and I love the dialogue between Sasha and Isabel, they are funny, and have the type of spoonie humour that just hits the spot. I liked how Sasha’s bi-ness was so casually mentioned as I too was someone who very casually came out to majority of people in my life. Also, the side characters are well done and the way the teens talk to each other in a way that was very realistic from personal experience. Her dad and a few of her friends are quite awful and hate-able at times; however it was intentionally done (at least I think) in a way that was a good illustration of how dangerous casual ableism can be and how disabled people are treated by able bodied people regularly, including, by drs and loved ones. Although it is good to keep in mind the privilege these characters would’ve had and how much worse it can be, though they do touch lightly on this.
It can be triggering to read this book if you are disabled but it is also incredibly validating and can be a great way to explain things to your non chronically ill friends.
My original review:
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Vomit, Ableism, Antisemitism, Chronic illness, and Medical content