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tuckeralmengor's review against another edition
1.0
well, folks we may just have our next A.J. Finn
article 1
article (reddit thread) 2
Art vs. Artist
I urge you to read this article before reading any of Russo's books.
none of these articles are absolute or definite and I do not stand by any offensive terms or language that may be used within them
i'm not trying to completely dissuade you from reading this author's books. i just want to make people aware of this so they can make an informed decision.
Trigger warning for domestic abuse and suicide
Domestic Abuse Hotline [https://www.thehotline.org/]
Suicide Prevention Hotline [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/]
| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
article 1
article (reddit thread) 2
Art vs. Artist
I urge you to read this article before reading any of Russo's books.
none of these articles are absolute or definite and I do not stand by any offensive terms or language that may be used within them
i'm not trying to completely dissuade you from reading this author's books. i just want to make people aware of this so they can make an informed decision.
Trigger warning for domestic abuse and suicide
Domestic Abuse Hotline [https://www.thehotline.org/]
Suicide Prevention Hotline [https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/]
| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
winnimartha's review against another edition
4.0
Captivating and really well done. It's not all that emotionally sophisticated, so maybe better for slightly younger teens.
jonezeemcgee's review against another edition
3.0
3.00
Unpopular and brutally honest opinion time:
While this book and its subject matter is so very important (Transgender/Depression). The fact that it was written by a Transgender female and even the model on the cover is a transgender is even better. However, while I am so very happy that this book exists, the foundation of the story in and of itself does not make for a good story. Content, characters, plot and how the material is handled is what makes a good book. Unfortunately I felt that this book fell a little flat in that department.
** Spoilers**
Content & Plot: I wrestled with how to rate this book because of the fanciful nature of how Amanda’s (main character) world wrapped up so neatly with a nice little bow. Amanda is a transgender female who, while definitely dealing with some major bullying and hate, makes a fresh start living with her father (in the homophobic south, no less) who is still pretty accepting if only slightly wary and disappointed at the loss of his son. Amanda is beautiful, she is popular, her hormone therapy seems to have gone well and (somehow) her family was able to afford the incredibly expensive final surgery (which is not very often the case). It is almost Utopian circumstances. Amanda is even voted homecoming queens because her popularity in this new town has earned her the love and admiration of many of her classmates. In the end Amanda transcends issues by finding confidence that is bolstered by a group of people (family and friends) that are all together (almost unanimously) accepting. This is why I wrestled. I think it is amazing that this book gives a message of love and hope. The author herself recognizes in her authors note that she took liberties with this story to make it work and that it is not a true and authentic picture with the reality she knows. I can fully support this and that is why I choose to allow the almost too perfect conclusion and somewhat ideal circumstances live on, because I like to believe in the fairytale as well.
Characters: Amanda as a character is, dare I say it, a Mary Sue. The characters surrounding her are the archetypal ones you see in any YA contemporary where the main character is somehow struggling with being different. There is the Bully, the love interest, the jealous character, and the cast of friends that think the main character is nothing short of amazing. As a love interest Grant sort of fell flat. He had the potential to be rounded out and given more dimension, but the book never succeeded in making him anything more than Mr. Perfect that falls for the main character and makes her feel hopeful. In the end, after secrets are revealed he still comes off as understanding and loving.
All in all this was a quick and enjoyable read. It wasn’t all roses; there were quite a few thorns in Amanda’s world. This book is, like I said before, also an important one and the type of book I hope to see more of in the future. Because this book lacked some layers, was a little formulaic, and it really had no meat, I gave it an average rating.
Unpopular and brutally honest opinion time:
While this book and its subject matter is so very important (Transgender/Depression). The fact that it was written by a Transgender female and even the model on the cover is a transgender is even better. However, while I am so very happy that this book exists, the foundation of the story in and of itself does not make for a good story. Content, characters, plot and how the material is handled is what makes a good book. Unfortunately I felt that this book fell a little flat in that department.
** Spoilers**
Content & Plot: I wrestled with how to rate this book because of the fanciful nature of how Amanda’s (main character) world wrapped up so neatly with a nice little bow. Amanda is a transgender female who, while definitely dealing with some major bullying and hate, makes a fresh start living with her father (in the homophobic south, no less) who is still pretty accepting if only slightly wary and disappointed at the loss of his son. Amanda is beautiful, she is popular, her hormone therapy seems to have gone well and (somehow) her family was able to afford the incredibly expensive final surgery (which is not very often the case). It is almost Utopian circumstances. Amanda is even voted homecoming queens because her popularity in this new town has earned her the love and admiration of many of her classmates. In the end Amanda transcends issues by finding confidence that is bolstered by a group of people (family and friends) that are all together (almost unanimously) accepting. This is why I wrestled. I think it is amazing that this book gives a message of love and hope. The author herself recognizes in her authors note that she took liberties with this story to make it work and that it is not a true and authentic picture with the reality she knows. I can fully support this and that is why I choose to allow the almost too perfect conclusion and somewhat ideal circumstances live on, because I like to believe in the fairytale as well.
Characters: Amanda as a character is, dare I say it, a Mary Sue. The characters surrounding her are the archetypal ones you see in any YA contemporary where the main character is somehow struggling with being different. There is the Bully, the love interest, the jealous character, and the cast of friends that think the main character is nothing short of amazing. As a love interest Grant sort of fell flat. He had the potential to be rounded out and given more dimension, but the book never succeeded in making him anything more than Mr. Perfect that falls for the main character and makes her feel hopeful. In the end, after secrets are revealed he still comes off as understanding and loving.
All in all this was a quick and enjoyable read. It wasn’t all roses; there were quite a few thorns in Amanda’s world. This book is, like I said before, also an important one and the type of book I hope to see more of in the future. Because this book lacked some layers, was a little formulaic, and it really had no meat, I gave it an average rating.
milica's review against another edition
4.0
Girls protecting Girls. Girls accepting each other no matter what. I freaking loved it. I'm so glad I picked this up because it was my first time reading about a trans character and given the fact I've never really met (not that I know of) a trans person it was so informative and eye opening. Amanda is such an amazing character, so strong and sweet despite everything she's been through. I just loved this book so much.
lindseeey's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t love this book, but it was surely an easy read that deals with very serious changes and the strength it takes to find joy and become the person you were meant to be. I have never read a book about this, certainly not one that was as young adult driven as this book. This is a very real topic and for me it lacked the depth I was needing from the main character.
kirahaynes's review against another edition
2018 review : 4 stars
2024 review: dnf at pg 112 , it made me anxious waiting for Amanda to get outed
I definitely need to read more trans fiction, I haven’t loved the trans books I’ve read recently and idk if that’s some subconscious prejudice or that I don’t like books with homophobia/ transphobia or if it’s just the books
2024 review: dnf at pg 112 , it made me anxious waiting for Amanda to get outed
I definitely need to read more trans fiction, I haven’t loved the trans books I’ve read recently and idk if that’s some subconscious prejudice or that I don’t like books with homophobia/ transphobia or if it’s just the books
alerasaul0's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
lyraggs's review against another edition
4.0
Con una protagonista que poco a poco se va fortaleciendo y el resto de personajes que te dan diversos sentimientos lo hace un libro ligeramente crudo pero corto y bueno.
Transgénero...
La manera de como manejan las situaciones, no tan trágicas o problemáticas pero tampoco todo suave, me agradó.
Vemos personajes complicados, con un pasado crudo y lleno de culpa como "Bee" (me da tanta lastima y tristeza porque ella sola se hundió más en culpas). Amigos con creencias y otros homosexuales, populares llegan a entender este asunto o tratar de digerirlo para ver la persona y no la apariencia.
Y el amor, un chico comprensivo pero que pueda o no sobrellevar o entender a alguien transexual.
Crudo, triste pero también con sus momentos alegres, lo hacen una buena lectura que te permite conocer un poquito más de lo que viven las personas transgénero.....
Transgénero...
La manera de como manejan las situaciones, no tan trágicas o problemáticas pero tampoco todo suave, me agradó.
Vemos personajes complicados, con un pasado crudo y lleno de culpa como "Bee" (me da tanta lastima y tristeza porque ella sola se hundió más en culpas). Amigos con creencias y otros homosexuales, populares llegan a entender este asunto o tratar de digerirlo para ver la persona y no la apariencia.
Y el amor, un chico comprensivo pero que pueda o no sobrellevar o entender a alguien transexual.
Crudo, triste pero también con sus momentos alegres, lo hacen una buena lectura que te permite conocer un poquito más de lo que viven las personas transgénero.....
thebookishlibrarian's review against another edition
Amanda is the new girl at her high school. As if being the new girl isn’t hard enough, she’s keeping a secret from her new classmates. In fact, that secret is the exact reason she transferred schools in the first place. She becomes close to Grant and starts to open up to him, but she fears that he will ultimately reject her when he finds out her secret: that she used to be Andrew.