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capriqueen's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The main theme of this book is about how fitting in is about hiding your true self, and doing that is never worth it, esp when it’s to fit in with jerks. It accomplishes it fine enough
I don’t love the notes of misogyny in the beginning with Pony’s thoughts about Georgia being a cheerleader, and I especially don’t like Max. I found him to be a toxic friend with all his ultimatums and demands of performative activism
I don’t love the notes of misogyny in the beginning with Pony’s thoughts about Georgia being a cheerleader, and I especially don’t like Max. I found him to be a toxic friend with all his ultimatums and demands of performative activism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, and Outing
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Toxic friendship
There is a graphic hate crime assaultiloveb00ks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Violence
inmyromancenovelera's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I happened upon this book while browsing a closing sale and am so incredibly thankful that I did. Everyone needs this book in their lives. It should be required reading as far as I'm concerned.
I truly have no words for how much I loved this book and I recommended it to at least 100 people before I even finished it because every second was that compelling.
Honest, important, heartwarming, relatable, staggering, genuine, inspiring, thought-provoking....this book is EVERYTHING. No matter who you are, where you come from, what you believe, you NEED to read this book. It will change your life for the best.
I truly have no words for how much I loved this book and I recommended it to at least 100 people before I even finished it because every second was that compelling.
Honest, important, heartwarming, relatable, staggering, genuine, inspiring, thought-provoking....this book is EVERYTHING. No matter who you are, where you come from, what you believe, you NEED to read this book. It will change your life for the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Deadnaming and Suicidal thoughts
tracey1981's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
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
3.5
This started off really strong. I think the first 20% was the best. There are some strong characters here and their introduction and the two MCs meeting was quite delightful. I liked Pony, the trans kid going stealth at his school, and Georgia, the cheerleader who is seeing the world and dynamics around her more clearly all the time. I also liked the sister character.
I think this book did a good job of introducing ideas about trans identity for readers who might be new to it, but also works for readers with a fair bit of knowledge already.
I didn’t love the Pony-works-for-an-old-closeted actor plot-line just because it felt far-fetched and older people are so often written so cartoonishly as was the case here. I also didn’t like the plummet into darkness and then soaring back out again at the end of the book. Although it felt believable, I wasn’t sure it was necessary for it to be so jarring. But then again, when I was reading YA as a younger teen, I loved books with names like Baby Alicia is Dying [actual title, I didn’t look it up, I just remember], so maybe this is the level of realness kids want to see….
I think this book did a good job of introducing ideas about trans identity for readers who might be new to it, but also works for readers with a fair bit of knowledge already.
I didn’t love the Pony-works-for-an-old-closeted actor plot-line just because it felt far-fetched and older people are so often written so cartoonishly as was the case here. I also didn’t like the plummet into darkness and then soaring back out again at the end of the book. Although it felt believable, I wasn’t sure it was necessary for it to be so jarring. But then again, when I was reading YA as a younger teen, I loved books with names like Baby Alicia is Dying [actual title, I didn’t look it up, I just remember], so maybe this is the level of realness kids want to see….
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Violence
bwithwings's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
violvioletvine's review against another edition
1.0
the writing is bad, but like campy bad. the book would have been fine if it didn’t decide to out of nowhere switch tones in the last quarter and get super dark. i was two seconds away from a panic attack for the last eighty pages so that was fun. genuinely this book fucked me up (/bad way) and i can’t give it anything higher than a one because of that.
tl;dr check the triggers on this book if you want to read it please
tl;dr check the triggers on this book if you want to read it please
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Violence
Minor: Deadnaming
bookobsessedmommy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
Pony is a trans boy who decides to go stealth at his new school, which isn't a proble until he falls for a cheerleader, Georgia, and needs to tell her his secret. This book was equal parts heartbreaking, infuriating, and sweet. These kids have to deal with the typical Hugh school concerns of popularity and reputation, but when you add in being trans, especially in the south, things get a lot more complicated and even dangerous. Pony's relationship with Georgia is central, but I wanted more with his friend Max. His sister Rocky is my hero. 💜 I would love a little epilogue, but the ending really suited the story well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Outing, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deadnaming and Toxic friendship
cadriel221's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
5.0
This book made me cry but in a good way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Deadnaming
sjeast17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, and Dysphoria
michaelion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My ex bought me this for our one month anniversary and I finally read it two years later hoping the book would be bad so I could give it away but it was so good! So cue so sweet. I shall be keeping it.
I was so sure that The Outsiders wasn't canon in this world and then she mentioned it! It's nitpicky but naming yourself after Ponyboy is much cooler than just naming yourself after an animal randomly. That boy got to senior year and didn't read The Outsiders?! It's so gay he would've loved it.
A great book for explaining what a trans person is to kids / teens. It has a perfect mixture of people familiar with the world and explaining to someone who knows nothing. Great writing. I laughed a plenty.
I was so sure that The Outsiders wasn't canon in this world and then she mentioned it! It's nitpicky but naming yourself after Ponyboy is much cooler than just naming yourself after an animal randomly. That boy got to senior year and didn't read The Outsiders?! It's so gay he would've loved it.
A great book for explaining what a trans person is to kids / teens. It has a perfect mixture of people familiar with the world and explaining to someone who knows nothing. Great writing. I laughed a plenty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity and Abandonment