Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - Rick

Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

Rick by Alex Gino

12 reviews

emily_mh's review against another edition

lighthearted 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? No

4.5

I’ll always love a book with aroace rep and this was no different. Being aspec as a middle-grader is a unique experience, because people dismiss you on the basis of your age - even if they can accept allo kids knowing they’re allo. This is represented here, as is the confusion of trying to understand your aroace feelings in an allonormative world. I will say, and this isn’t a critique, that the aroace rep in Rick is less foregrounded than the trans rep in Melissa. (Again, not a bad thing, just setting expectations.) Instead, the focus here is on friendship.

Gino looks at friendship in two ways. The first is in the toxic friendship Rick shares with Jeff. Rick starts to realise that not only does this friendship make him feel bad, but that Jeff is an all-round jerk. In the meantime, Rick is also finding more positive relationships in the queer community of his school. Seeing this community grow and thrive was a joy, as was seeing Rick becoming more involved in it.

On top of its focus on friendship, the novel displays beautiful intergenerational love between Rick and his Grandpa Ray (who does DRAG!). Both benefit so clearly from this connection. I love seeing these kinds of relationships portrayed in media.

Although Rick claims to be a stand-alone companion novel, I would encourage you to read Melissa first as then both books will pack their full punch.

Rep: questioning aroace-spec MC

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eni_iilorak's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.75

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ashylibrarian's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-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? Yes

3.0

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queerreaderchaos's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

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anna_wa's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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_nem_'s review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

It was great to hear about someone discovering that they might be asexual so young. There were lots of little moments of joy all through this book when Rick found his people and started to open up and become his true self without worrying what anyone else would think.

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rain08's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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innastholiel's review against another edition

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emotional informative lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

This is a really informative and well done book for younger kids questioning if they are on the asexual/aromantic spectrum(s). I liked the characters - especially the growing relationship with Rick and Grandpa Ray!! It was so nice to see how they grew close and opened up to each other, felt they could be themselves.
I feel so conflicted about the ending - I both loved it and felt like it was missing something? I can't quite figure out what, but I just felt like it needed a little more. That's just me though 😅

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rayne_1906's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.75

Audiobook - 1 hour 42 minutes - I enjoyed this book more than Melissa. I liked seeing Rick grow from an insecure person ruled by his best friend into someone with more self-confidence, independence, and a sense of his own identity. I also enjoyed how this book focused on the questioning of identity - it is a stereotype that all queer kids know who they are or that they are 'different' from extremely young ages, and I liked how this book is telling young people that its okay not to know, or that its okay to change your identity as you grow if that's what fits best. Some parts felt a little forced and unnecessary, but for the most part this was a good read.

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