elicevw's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
k_whitlow's review against another edition
5.0
I was literally crying by the time I finished this book.
I know that some people were not a fan of this book due to some of its characters but let’s break it down shall we.
Pony- the main character of this book a trans man is struggling to find his identity and who he wants to be aside from just a man. I think that he deals with the same struggles that most trans people have with being deadnamed and mis gendered. Additionally he is struggling with the fact that at his old school he was the token trans kid. He just wants to be normal and be passing.
Georgia- Georgia struggles with problems of wanting to keep her identity in tact. She loves pony and that is obvious from the very beginning but finding out that he is trans is a problem for her. She like most other high school girls thinks that what other people think of her is all that matters and she has some questions about her own identity when it comes to falling for pony. Questions that I think are normal for someone in that situation who has been sheltered from the LGBTQ+ world.
Max- max is gunning for answers. He is overly supportive of pony’s transition which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. From the perspective of the book it seems like max had a smooth and supportive transition and feels like pony just trying to pass isn’t good enough. This is a hard character to love on a few levels. One we love him because he is supportive but at some point his support seems conditional on pony being out and that is not okay.
Overall this book warmed my heart and made me so happy by the end of it.
I know that some people were not a fan of this book due to some of its characters but let’s break it down shall we.
Pony- the main character of this book a trans man is struggling to find his identity and who he wants to be aside from just a man. I think that he deals with the same struggles that most trans people have with being deadnamed and mis gendered. Additionally he is struggling with the fact that at his old school he was the token trans kid. He just wants to be normal and be passing.
Georgia- Georgia struggles with problems of wanting to keep her identity in tact. She loves pony and that is obvious from the very beginning but finding out that he is trans is a problem for her. She like most other high school girls thinks that what other people think of her is all that matters and she has some questions about her own identity when it comes to falling for pony. Questions that I think are normal for someone in that situation who has been sheltered from the LGBTQ+ world.
Max- max is gunning for answers. He is overly supportive of pony’s transition which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. From the perspective of the book it seems like max had a smooth and supportive transition and feels like pony just trying to pass isn’t good enough. This is a hard character to love on a few levels. One we love him because he is supportive but at some point his support seems conditional on pony being out and that is not okay.
Overall this book warmed my heart and made me so happy by the end of it.
abinthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
I think I'm going to settle on a 3.75 for this, (rounded to 4). I enjoyed this, but I also had a few issues with it. I also didn't love the last 100 pages. I'll write a longer review hopefully tomorrow with more coherent thoughts!
I think I'm going to settle on a 3.75 for this, (rounded to 4). I enjoyed this, but I also had a few issues with it. I also didn't love the last 100 pages. I'll write a longer review hopefully tomorrow with more coherent thoughts!
babyleo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia, Violence, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, and Injury/injury detail
heatherofbooks's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.0
mxbluet18's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Trigger warnings for Stay Gold include: transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming, homophobia and suicidal ideation.
☆
☆
🔷“Pony, you are not alone. All these people love and support you without even meeting you. This hard time will pass. You just be strong.”🔷
•
This book is everything I could want in a romance book. It's fairly light-hearted for the most part, but still discusses some more sensitive topics with due care.
~
It had trans representation, in multiple forms, both from the perspective of out and proud trans people, and stealth trans people. I also like that the romance was present but not exactly the full focus (which is how I prefer my YA romance books to be).
~
It might sound stupid, but even in fiction, having a trans or non-binary character's deadname brought up feels gross and wrong. That's one piece of information I'd never once even think of wanting to know about any trans person, nor would I ever use it for them (unless asked) even if I didn't like them.
~
🔷“Well, now you have a son named Pony, and if you don’t accept that, you will lose him. Maybe we all will.”🔷
•
I think this is an important note to end on, even if it's somewhat of a delicate and hard topic to talk about. Accepting trans people, and using the name and pronouns they ask is literally suicide prevention. The statistics of trans youth who either make an attempt on their life, or sadly end their life, are far too high. But making small changes to the words used to talk about and to those trans people might just save a life.
☆
☆
🔷“Pony, you are not alone. All these people love and support you without even meeting you. This hard time will pass. You just be strong.”🔷
•
This book is everything I could want in a romance book. It's fairly light-hearted for the most part, but still discusses some more sensitive topics with due care.
~
It had trans representation, in multiple forms, both from the perspective of out and proud trans people, and stealth trans people. I also like that the romance was present but not exactly the full focus (which is how I prefer my YA romance books to be).
~
It might sound stupid, but even in fiction, having a trans or non-binary character's deadname brought up feels gross and wrong. That's one piece of information I'd never once even think of wanting to know about any trans person, nor would I ever use it for them (unless asked) even if I didn't like them.
~
🔷“Well, now you have a son named Pony, and if you don’t accept that, you will lose him. Maybe we all will.”🔷
•
I think this is an important note to end on, even if it's somewhat of a delicate and hard topic to talk about. Accepting trans people, and using the name and pronouns they ask is literally suicide prevention. The statistics of trans youth who either make an attempt on their life, or sadly end their life, are far too high. But making small changes to the words used to talk about and to those trans people might just save a life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
bunnybookslife's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? No
3.0
Mixed feelings, again, but overall I actually really enjoyed this, it felt real enough but also some moments of.. really? That would never happen x) But it was still enjoyable. :)
queerloras's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Hate crime, Body shaming, Outing, Physical abuse, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Dysphoria, Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia