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colormecaro's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I was ready to give up on this book until I got to about 40%. I didn’t click with the at times unrealistic/cheesy writing (might be because I’m not used to reading YA). I also felt that at the beginning of the book the very emotionally heavy topics seemed to lack depth and there were some jumps in the timeline where big developments happened to the main character but the reader isn’t part of them.
I also don’t think the Arab-American aspect was fully fleshed out. It was hinted at occasionally but never explored with enough depth, and I think this could have been a really interesting angle.
I wasn’t a particular fan of Indigo who is essentially the MC’s manic pixie dream person, and a lot of their conversation just seemed too unrealistic.
That all aside, the emotional depth in the second half of the book makes up for all the things I didn’t like, and often brought tears to my eyes.
I also don’t think the Arab-American aspect was fully fleshed out. It was hinted at occasionally but never explored with enough depth, and I think this could have been a really interesting angle.
I wasn’t a particular fan of Indigo who is essentially the MC’s manic pixie dream person, and a lot of their conversation just seemed too unrealistic.
That all aside, the emotional depth in the second half of the book makes up for all the things I didn’t like, and often brought tears to my eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Islamophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Dysphoria
blakeandbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
What a raw, honest, gorgeous, heartbreaking, joyful, witty, beautiful exploration of authenticity, love, and self-exploration. McCarthy not only shows you River’s experiences, but you feel them as if they were your own. Following River from their high school to college years while discovering what makes them feel the most comfortable and authentically themselves was an experience I feel so grateful to have read. Working through and processing in real time pronouns, name change, dysphoria, and more felt so authentic and true to River’s character. Watching them discover such a full and authentic life was such a joy. River and Indy’s relationship, how they come together, fall apart, and find one another again, was so complicated and beautiful and messy. The ending of the book truly reminded me that there are books that are essential in this world, and I believe this is one of them.
The ending acknowledgements from McCarthy were so kind and left me emotional. Like River, Knowing that McCarthy is also an Arab-American, nonbinary trans person, who also swam competitively, was so incredible to know how important this story was to McCarthy and his experience.
Finally, E.R. Fightmaster did an outstanding job narrating this book.
The ending acknowledgements from McCarthy were so kind and left me emotional. Like River, Knowing that McCarthy is also an Arab-American, nonbinary trans person, who also swam competitively, was so incredible to know how important this story was to McCarthy and his experience.
Finally, E.R. Fightmaster did an outstanding job narrating this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Islamophobia and Medical content
felishacb's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
This might be the best fiction book I've read about a young person exploring and discovering their gender identity. Man o' War is an own voices tale from a transmasc nonbinary author who is Irish and Arab American.
As a cis person who is "constantly exploring the evolution of my relationship to gender as a construct, and my own indentit(ies),"* I also think this book is a generous bridge offered to cis folks.
Cis folks and conventional tropes of heteronormativity are referred to as 'dinosaurs' or 'the way of the dinosaurs' in this book, with familiarity, exhaustion, derision, and acceptance. I can see why people who are scared of removing boxes and barriers might find this scary, but trans people (and this book) make it very clear that you are invited to expand, too. Find out what lies beneath and between the labels you did not pick
McCarthy doesn't only show, rather than tell you, River's story in Man O' War; McCarthy's words help the reader *feel* the story.
The metaphor and parallels with marine biology and the man of war, specifically, offer an extra layer to understand the main character's story. McCarthy talks about how this piece helped illustrate the "cultural captivity" River feels being closeted, and how McCarthy felt growing up.
One reason this book will stick with me is the ability that McCarthy has to show the fluidity and flexibility of gender and expression in an authentic, organic way for both Indy and River. (The best names, btw!).
McCarthy also explores how River's Lebanese mother and background play into their life. There are discussion of race, Islamaphobia and colorism while still allowing River to exist as an individual who experiences life through a variety of lenses.
*quote from Rebecca Minor
As a cis person who is "constantly exploring the evolution of my relationship to gender as a construct, and my own indentit(ies),"* I also think this book is a generous bridge offered to cis folks.
Cis folks and conventional tropes of heteronormativity are referred to as 'dinosaurs' or 'the way of the dinosaurs' in this book, with familiarity, exhaustion, derision, and acceptance. I can see why people who are scared of removing boxes and barriers might find this scary, but trans people (and this book) make it very clear that you are invited to expand, too. Find out what lies beneath and between the labels you did not pick
McCarthy doesn't only show, rather than tell you, River's story in Man O' War; McCarthy's words help the reader *feel* the story.
The metaphor and parallels with marine biology and the man of war, specifically, offer an extra layer to understand the main character's story. McCarthy talks about how this piece helped illustrate the "cultural captivity" River feels being closeted, and how McCarthy felt growing up.
One reason this book will stick with me is the ability that McCarthy has to show the fluidity and flexibility of gender and expression in an authentic, organic way for both Indy and River. (The best names, btw!).
McCarthy also explores how River's Lebanese mother and background play into their life. There are discussion of race, Islamaphobia and colorism while still allowing River to exist as an individual who experiences life through a variety of lenses.
*quote from Rebecca Minor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Sexual content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Minor: Confinement, Deadnaming, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Blood, Islamophobia, and Medical content
mj_86's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Any words I could use to describe this book would come up short. A heart-wrenching journey of self, McCarthy weaves a tale that reverberates truth down to its core. This book is a must read, especially for allies and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Racism, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
mattyb's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
niararain's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Vomit, Islamophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Acephobia/Arophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
libscote's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
River McIntyre is a teen who is angry all the time and doesn't seem to quite know why. Over the course of the book their identity unfolds in a messy yet realistic way, charting a journey that is painful to witness at times (especially as River makes choices you know will hurt them). This story of searching for identity and living an authentic life will resonate with many teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Racism, and Acephobia/Arophobia
lynnlovegreen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
Man O’War by Cory McCarthy is the newest edition to my favorite book list! River McIntyre is drawn to the Sea Planet theme park. When they meet a happy queer person there, they start a journey through gender dysphoria to self-acceptance and true love. Heart-wrenching at times, hysterically funny at others, you’ll be glad you joined River on their coming-of-age trip.
Thanks to McCarthy for writing such a brilliant, life-giving book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
It sounds dark, but this book is life-affirming overall.betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
I'm honestly not 100% sure how to rate this book because the beginning was a bit all over the place for me. The overall pacing of the book felt off, and at times, it was a little difficult to follow what was happening. There were some time jumps, and they weren't necessarily consistent, which definitely made the story difficult to follow a lot of the time.
But! I do think this is an important story. River is not the most likeable main character, especially at the beginning. They're very sarcastic, guarded, and have definitely taken on the beliefs of their small town in Ohio. Like, at times, it's painful to read their inner thoughts and how they interact with other people. But I also think this was kind of the point? There are a lot of trans people who do grow up in these situations, and McCarthy gives them a voice in this.
My favorite aspect of this was probably the core relationship, which wasn't always healthy but still felt realisitc. You're rooting for River and Indy, and you get to see how they both evolve throughout the book. By the end, I had come to love them both, and the book was difficult to put down.
Despite my mixed feelings about the pacing and the voice, I get why this one is getting buzz. If you're looking for an unflinching, a bit dark look at a trans experience, I'd recommend picking this one up.
But! I do think this is an important story. River is not the most likeable main character, especially at the beginning. They're very sarcastic, guarded, and have definitely taken on the beliefs of their small town in Ohio. Like, at times, it's painful to read their inner thoughts and how they interact with other people. But I also think this was kind of the point? There are a lot of trans people who do grow up in these situations, and McCarthy gives them a voice in this.
My favorite aspect of this was probably the core relationship, which wasn't always healthy but still felt realisitc. You're rooting for River and Indy, and you get to see how they both evolve throughout the book. By the end, I had come to love them both, and the book was difficult to put down.
Despite my mixed feelings about the pacing and the voice, I get why this one is getting buzz. If you're looking for an unflinching, a bit dark look at a trans experience, I'd recommend picking this one up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Racism, and Sexual content