popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: I Kissed Alice
Author: Anna Birch and Victoria Ying (illustrator)
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Lesbian/bi main characters (not sure exactly how they define themselves). f/f romance
Recommended For...: romance, contemporary, mixed media, LGBT, f/f romance
Publication Date: July 28, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight sexual content, language)
Publisher: Macmillan/Imprint
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Rhodes and Iliana couldn't be more different, but that's not why they hate each other.
Hyper-gifted artist Rhodes has always excelled at Alabama’s Conservatory of the Arts despite a secret bout of creator's block, while transfer student Iliana tries to outshine everyone with her intense, competitive work ethic. Since only one of them can get the coveted Capstone scholarship, the competition between them is fierce.
They both escape the pressure on a fanfic site where they are unknowingly collaborating on a graphic novel. And despite being worst enemies in real life, their anonymous online identities I-Kissed-Alice and Curious-in-Cheshire are starting to like each other...a lot. When the truth comes out, will they destroy each other's future?
Review: Oh. My. Bi. Heart. I loved this book so much! I immediately fell in love with the story and I loved the duel POVs. It was both exciting and cringy as the girls stumbled through their love story. The voices were very distinct and the writing well done. The book also mentioned periods… which WIN FOR PERIOD NORMALCY! The book is also in a mixed media format, showing the girls text messages and their comic they write and illustrate.
The only complaint I had was the confusing beginning. The book kind of throws you into the girls feud and you have to wade through it, kinda like their stuck-in-the-middle best friend.
Verdict: Definitely recommend!
Book: I Kissed Alice
Author: Anna Birch and Victoria Ying (illustrator)
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Lesbian/bi main characters (not sure exactly how they define themselves). f/f romance
Recommended For...: romance, contemporary, mixed media, LGBT, f/f romance
Publication Date: July 28, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight sexual content, language)
Publisher: Macmillan/Imprint
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Rhodes and Iliana couldn't be more different, but that's not why they hate each other.
Hyper-gifted artist Rhodes has always excelled at Alabama’s Conservatory of the Arts despite a secret bout of creator's block, while transfer student Iliana tries to outshine everyone with her intense, competitive work ethic. Since only one of them can get the coveted Capstone scholarship, the competition between them is fierce.
They both escape the pressure on a fanfic site where they are unknowingly collaborating on a graphic novel. And despite being worst enemies in real life, their anonymous online identities I-Kissed-Alice and Curious-in-Cheshire are starting to like each other...a lot. When the truth comes out, will they destroy each other's future?
Review: Oh. My. Bi. Heart. I loved this book so much! I immediately fell in love with the story and I loved the duel POVs. It was both exciting and cringy as the girls stumbled through their love story. The voices were very distinct and the writing well done. The book also mentioned periods… which WIN FOR PERIOD NORMALCY! The book is also in a mixed media format, showing the girls text messages and their comic they write and illustrate.
The only complaint I had was the confusing beginning. The book kind of throws you into the girls feud and you have to wade through it, kinda like their stuck-in-the-middle best friend.
Verdict: Definitely recommend!
statesofpeace's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
katie_in_creativeland_'s review against another edition
4.0
Rhodes and Iliana
They are both rivals after a prestigious art scholarship. At times they were enemies based on something that happened the previous year. But they are also secretly writing to each other anonymously through a fanfiction site and meet as fans of Alice in wonderland fan fic. Through this site they become closer and closer before finally agreeing to meet up. I really enjoyed this cute, lighthearted sapphic romance. At times it felt long winded but overall this was a fun read.
They are both rivals after a prestigious art scholarship. At times they were enemies based on something that happened the previous year. But they are also secretly writing to each other anonymously through a fanfiction site and meet as fans of Alice in wonderland fan fic. Through this site they become closer and closer before finally agreeing to meet up. I really enjoyed this cute, lighthearted sapphic romance. At times it felt long winded but overall this was a fun read.
emdowd's review against another edition
3.0
This was more about relationships (friendships, romance, family) than fandom, which wasn't what I was expecting. Rhodes and Iliana weren't so much rivals in their art, although they both have different styles, mediums, and connections/approaches, but in their social lives.
The slow burn shift from friends rivals to lovers was satisfying and felt authentic with a good balance of internal vs. external motivators moving the plot along. I also like Iliana's fascination with tarot cards and the universality of stories - it was a subtle way to connect fandom and fan art to a wider tradition.
I felt I understood Rhodes much better than Iliana by the end of the story, although the book is told through both of their perspectives.
The slow burn shift from friends rivals to lovers was satisfying and felt authentic with a good balance of internal vs. external motivators moving the plot along. I also like Iliana's fascination with tarot cards and the universality of stories - it was a subtle way to connect fandom and fan art to a wider tradition.
I felt I understood Rhodes much better than Iliana by the end of the story, although the book is told through both of their perspectives.
basementbookcase's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
happy56's review
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
foreverfindingx's review
2.0
Hard to keep track of dialogue. It didn’t wow me, just didn’t seem believable.
ellie_caro's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
a_jayne222's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.25
jordb1213's review against another edition
3.0
I... don't know how to feel about this. On the one hand, it had so many things I love. On the other hand, there were so many things I hated. On paper, this is the perfect book for me; it has all my favorite things- enemies to lovers, fandom, sapphics, mistaken identity, Alice in Wonderland. I should have loved this. But I couldn't get into it. For one, the plot focused much more on the art competition plotline than the romance, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but really isn't what I was looking for. But the bigger issue was that all of the main characters were legitimately horrible people. Not like messy and human and make mistakes bad, I LOVE those kinds of characters. Like manipulative and nasty people who I didn't want to be rooting for and had so much to work through between starting a relationship. The writing was nice and I enjoyed the comic elements, so I may give Anna Birch another chance but... this was a letdown