kitschkin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
hellscape_princess's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is complicated because it took me months to get through, and then I restarted it knowing it up to halfway in. There are many racial stereotypes and other things that were unnecessary however there were also parts that were genuinely sweet. The second half of the series is definitely better than the first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Cultural appropriation, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Drug use
Minor: Racial slurs
3dl's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
I haven't read this book in years (10+ years) but remember loving it when I read it in high school. Have no idea if I reread it today if it would still hold up.
morgoagogo's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
danslalune's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nharkins's review
1.0
i'm gonna sound like some fundamentalism old fart here,
but i really think this book is NOT appropriate for "young adults"
because it paints teen pregnancy with the author's
trademark modern-fairy-tale brush.
i'm sorry, but a teenage girl purposefully having children with
two gay teenagers is NOT a realistically stable environment for
the children of those children^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hyoung adults.
nina argued that this kind of book can help kids who were
victims of fucked-up situations pull out of spiraling into more
victimizing circumstances by not thinking that they're "broken".
it's an interesting observation, which makes me think of literature
as *prescription* medicine... which can be dangerous when used
recreationally/without the symptoms.
i do admire books which take me out of my comfort zone (see also
China Mieville's 'Perdido Street Station'), which this one obviously did,
but i very much object to its marketing targeting young adults.
I'll even make the assertion that kids who seek out non-young-adult
books on their own (probably many of us* :), can more critically handle
the concepts therein, because it's a different trip when you weren't
*expecting* to get dosed.
* - shit, i've read way more young-adult novels after 30
than i ever did when i actually was a "young adult",
thanks to authors like Philip Pullman.
but i really think this book is NOT appropriate for "young adults"
because it paints teen pregnancy with the author's
trademark modern-fairy-tale brush.
i'm sorry, but a teenage girl purposefully having children with
two gay teenagers is NOT a realistically stable environment for
the children of those children^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hyoung adults.
nina argued that this kind of book can help kids who were
victims of fucked-up situations pull out of spiraling into more
victimizing circumstances by not thinking that they're "broken".
it's an interesting observation, which makes me think of literature
as *prescription* medicine... which can be dangerous when used
recreationally/without the symptoms.
i do admire books which take me out of my comfort zone (see also
China Mieville's 'Perdido Street Station'), which this one obviously did,
but i very much object to its marketing targeting young adults.
I'll even make the assertion that kids who seek out non-young-adult
books on their own (probably many of us* :), can more critically handle
the concepts therein, because it's a different trip when you weren't
*expecting* to get dosed.
* - shit, i've read way more young-adult novels after 30
than i ever did when i actually was a "young adult",
thanks to authors like Philip Pullman.
doomluz's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I started reading this book years ago, but got too busy with school and never finished it. I remember the names and some of the things the characters would say sounded weird, but it was harder to get into it now as a 29 year old. I liked the magical realism and appreciated some of the descriptions of LA, especially West Hollywood and the punk scene. Though at times it felt over-romanticized, it helped ground the story and made it somewhat relatable to me.
rosetyper9's review
3.0
This a collection of stories called 'The Weezie Bat Books' that was first released in the late 80's early 90's and now re-released in one book, with a gorgeous cover.
I assumed the ultimate goal of these stories was to raise awareness in young adults about homosexuality and other issues. I also believe that when they were written the tales were perfect for the goal audience but physically written all wrong. The stories are decent, kept a decent pace, and fit for the genre but the writing itself was atrocious. I couldn't stay with the story because it was like I was reading at a 4th grade reading level yet the stories are geared for teenagers.
I coudln't handle the juxtaposition or the use and disuse of consonants in random places. If you are a young adult who usually only focus on the story than this would be an excellent book for you, if you need deep rich writing, perhaps not.
I assumed the ultimate goal of these stories was to raise awareness in young adults about homosexuality and other issues. I also believe that when they were written the tales were perfect for the goal audience but physically written all wrong. The stories are decent, kept a decent pace, and fit for the genre but the writing itself was atrocious. I couldn't stay with the story because it was like I was reading at a 4th grade reading level yet the stories are geared for teenagers.
I coudln't handle the juxtaposition or the use and disuse of consonants in random places. If you are a young adult who usually only focus on the story than this would be an excellent book for you, if you need deep rich writing, perhaps not.
kodi_rae's review
3.0
While there are many beautiful, poetic passages in all 5 of Block's books (Witch Baby was probably the one I liked best), they were often overshadowed by her rampant cultural appropriation and use of stereotypes. For me, it sullied the magic and whimsy that she was trying to create.
libscote's review
4.0
Taking these five books as a whole, this is a very enjoyable series. I found the first book to be the one I struggled with the most, but after that I really enjoyed all of them. I think the character of Witch Baby is the most fleshed out and I can see why Block relates most to her.