fell4's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.0
This book was wrenching to read. Knowing what this kid had to go through - the racism and homophobia, dealing with OCD... It just reminds me of the people I care about, and what they've had to go through and it makes me so mad. Also, every time a parent accepts their child, it makes me cry, I love books. Especially children's books where things work out. I like how Brent was a foil.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Body shaming, Medical content, and Racial slurs
ocd, wheelchairemily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Let’s start with the good stuff! I’m a huge fan of a flawed MC doing their best, and Rahul is definitely that. The relationships in this book were super heartwarming, especially the one between Rahul and Bhai. I also liked the Mathletes stuff and how the competitions worked.
My big issue with this book is that I wasn’t a huge fan of how the plot was carried out. There was so much time spent in the beginning setting up various plot points, that there wasn’t enough time left to meaningfully resolve them. There just wasn’t enough space given to explore the really complex challenges Rahul was facing so that his change in character felt really sudden and not the result of gradual development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Domestic abuse, Vomit, Death, Misogyny, Ableism, Physical abuse, Sexism, Car accident, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Self harm, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Blood, Excrement, and Grief
Graphic: internalised racism Moderate: internalised colourism, toxic masculinity Minor: ageism, climate change/global warming, loss of a loved one, colourism 1 HP reference.
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