rharrison_'s review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ferris_mx's review against another edition
5.0
Awkward and touching and beautiful, everything a collection of stories about queer people in various stages of coming out should be and could be. Oh god, so beautiful.
clarice17's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
amandalucas's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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? Yes
3.0
emrichards's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dark and messy
flibbertigibbetmaria's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Racism
redheadreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Highlight of this collection for me was Sunny Talks, looking at an older non-binary perspective on coming out that struck a strangely bittersweet note that I'm still pondering. Pioneers was also great at capturing a moment on the cusp of realisation, the transition into knowledge of oneself.
As a whole, this collection was uncomfortable, which I'm sure in many ways is the point. It's telling stories that explore darkness and sharpness that aren't always focused on in queer experience. Whilst I can appreciate this as a concept, I just wanted to feel more from the execution. Some of these topics like sexual abuse, sexualisation of teenagers, etc just felt strangely present without really doing anything other than feel gross? Mainly I just wish I liked this more than I did.
As a whole, this collection was uncomfortable, which I'm sure in many ways is the point. It's telling stories that explore darkness and sharpness that aren't always focused on in queer experience. Whilst I can appreciate this as a concept, I just wanted to feel more from the execution. Some of these topics like sexual abuse, sexualisation of teenagers, etc just felt strangely present without really doing anything other than feel gross? Mainly I just wish I liked this more than I did.
empathephant's review against another edition
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Racism and Suicide
sashdb's review against another edition
4.0
wondering if Conklin has lived multiple lives just to share these stories.