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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
vatodd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I don't want to understate how important I am sure this book is to a lot of people for its representation. It is a much needed prospective both in a representation of a trans youth's experience, biracial experience and generational trauma. That being said some of this book was just too cringe for me. YA can read like this so some I will just give toe not being the target audience but some are just plot choices I don't agree with. For instance, I think too much decision power was given to the people in River's life. I don't think they fully grew out of that. A lot was decided because it was someone else's idea that sounded right which can be a great way to discover things but some were a bit too over the top blatant. Also the concept of things being dinosaur if they are mainstream and therefore bad got come on real quick. There were was again some resolution in that but not enough for me.
annineamundsen's review
4.0
This is a pretty heavy read, at least the first half. Filled with depression, dysphoria and internalised trans- and homophobia. It does have a happy ending, and it shows the complexity of understanding your own gender and sexuality.
CW: homophobia, transphobia, body dysphoria, self harm, toxic relationship, misgendering, queerphobia
CW: homophobia, transphobia, body dysphoria, self harm, toxic relationship, misgendering, queerphobia
worm_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ebarrett3's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
chatty64's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
kaiazania's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
sweet. thoughtful. beautifully simple writing. thought provoking. intense beautiful depiction of affirmative loving relationships of various kinds. a very sweet story.
livlovebooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book is such a beautiful narrative that discusses the journey of a transgender individual finding joy and embracing their identity as a man, queer, and Lebanese. I want every one of my transgender clients to read this - it is such an incredible representation. And for people who are interested in understanding the experience of a transgender person, this is a great starting place. This book deals with emotions, wins, and acceptance.
mika_ryan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Dysphoria