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bibliomania_express's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book is also about the shitty things people will do to each other, and the importance of learning and making amends. There's a wide span of friendship issues, family issues, and high school administration issues. I liked that the major subplot of fighting to amend the Code of Conduct to include verbal bullying and harrassment was given a lot of page time. I also love how the whole Homecoming Court vote shook out.
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Grief, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
dylansday_'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
4.5
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Transphobia, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
Minor: Death
bashsbooks'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
5.0
A gripe I usually have with queer fiction - especially queer YA fiction - is that the queer characters are not allowed to be messy disasters. There is a very limited amount of disaster allowed for queer characters before they have to be consumed by guilt and apologies.
That is not a problem here! These guys - the two main characters, Jeremy and Lukas - are selfish and angry and hurting and think that ruling a high school via Homecoming Court can fix that. I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that it obviously can't. There are some truly painful moments in here, but I loved that. I loved that they did awful things that I totally would've also done if I'd been in their scared and miserable positions when I was seventeen. This is not making excuses for them, though - they are completely in the wrong most of the time- just, it makes their character growth wayyy more satisfying than usual.
This author clearly has a very nuanced understanding of queerness, and he approached how transitioning goes from a number of angles, including an important one that I don't usually see - that trans people themselves need to grow into their genders and resist toxic behaviors for the sake of validity.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the autistic representation in Lukas, which I wasn't aware of before I started reading this. I appreciate that a trans gay guy and an autistic got to be assholes and not use their identities as an excuse, but that those identities were integral to how they process the world. That's a fine line to balance, and I think Ellor did a great job.
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism and Classism
-F-slur used a few timessundaysunshine'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
3.75
Teenage books rely on emotion and interesting relatable characters to really hit yk and Ellor definitely hits the mark with this one.
Practically every character in this book is wonderfully written and fleshed out and so are topics like transphobia, bullying, and sexism. What I liked is how Ellor managed to accurately demonstrate bigotry and the emotional and physical damage it causes to young teenagers without letting it down by becoming 2 dimensional or stereotypical.
Its portrayed in a range of ways and characters including in the MCs.
And the MCs.... messy af. But like in a Katniss Everdeen way like I'm shaking my head but also cheering you on, yk?
All of their flaws are like actual flaws, frustrating to read but so satisfying for them to manage in a healthy way.
Such a beautiful portrayal of trans identity, Ellor allows it to be celebrated and take centre stage and also to manifest in Jeremy's anger, bitterness and defensive (if not slightly misguided) survival mindset.
Anyways, #SOL4PRESIDENT2024
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
hbaier94'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
5.0
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Dysphoria
thainerezende'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
4.25
Only downside is really teen PG
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Misogyny, and Dysphoria
gigi785's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
ambaright'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
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
ikeastorage'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Ableism
heathersbooks100's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Ableism, Death, and Toxic relationship