The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
devynreadsnovels's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, Racism, and Sexual assault
_mariah_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Racism
Minor: Emotional abuse and Violence
thebakersbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book gripped me in the first chapter and didn't let go until the end; I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading it before making myself go to sleep and save the climax and ending for morning. Author Eric Smith's teenagers don't necessarily read as their correct age in all regards (increasingly an issue in YA books), but the friendships ring true for what I remember of being a teen, as does the emotional immediacy. I enjoyed how it brought up financial insecurity with Divya and her mom and parents projecting their dreams onto their kids with Aaron and *his* mom. Overall, this book deals well with a number of heavy issues.
I do, however, question the validity of making police the "good guys" in this plot. Particularly when juxtaposed with one of the MCs' parents being Palestinian, it's both unrealistic and not a good look. (For those who might be unaware, occupied Palestine is a testing ground for a lot of the weapons, gear, and tactics that U.S. cops use, often for police brutality against protestors and BIPOC.) Also, the book starts out mentioning how Divya's friend was assaulted and harassed yet the police couldn't/wouldn't do anything about her attackers, so it's weird to me that the same set of cops not only believe Divya and take her online harassment seriously, but take major steps to keep her safe.
Don't Read the Comments was a wonderful book; its few flaws didn't prevent me from enjoying it at all. It does feel a bit like it was written for adults rather than teens, but I think the older YA set would still find it enjoyable. Finally, the mention of the Desi Geek Girls podcast made my heart grow a million sizes and I'd rec this book based on that alone.
Content notes: mention of sexual assault, the perpetrators sharing a video of it publicly, and the victim's resulting trauma; sexual harassment; online harassment; doxxing and real-life threats; attempted harm by deliberately trying to induce a seizure
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
lynnlovegreen's review
- 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
When they meet online, they have no idea that sexist haters and a lying game developer will lead to them meeting face-to-face.
Moderate: Sexism, Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
Minor: Sexual assault
heather077's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Racism, Sexism, and Stalking
katilovesthewoods's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual assault
kmcdonell's review
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
kaseyrlili's review
3.5
Moderate: Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Racism, Sexism, Stalking, and Violence
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- 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
The audiobook is also lovely! The narrators really bring the characters to life.
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault
esmeralda's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Although I did not love this book, after all I'm not a gamer in stretch of the imagination, I certainly do not regret reading it (although I do have mild regrets about ignoring my school work for it...).
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault