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prehistoricpotatoes's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A bit young for me now and more plot focused than character focused, but informative and wholesome. Enjoyed the ensemble!
aivilo611's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
SUCH an amazing book!! You can tell how much passion the author poured into this story. I was so inspired by Carey, and I might be a Mariah Carey Stan now because of this book lol
nomomstayandread's review against another edition
3.0
I thought parts of the message were very important but this plot was all over the place. I appreciated that Carey was kind of a hot mess because they were a teenager and every teenager is a hot mess. I appreciated they had a fairly solid support system when everything else started unraveling.
I am infuriated that the teacher wasn't removed for being horrible, just lucked out that their papers weren't in order.
I am infuriated that the teacher wasn't removed for being horrible, just lucked out that their papers weren't in order.
bluebeereads's review against another edition
For the most part, I did enjoy this. I loved the diversity, especially the fact that the MC is genderqueer because we need more books like that! I appreciated that the chapter titles were the MC's pronouns at any given moment. I adored Carey's relationship with their mom and liked the overall plot.
BUT, I didn't quite connect to this as much as I hoped I would. I didn't really click with the characters, or the romance, so I always felt a little disconnect while I was reading. I'm not sure what rating I should give it at this point because it wasn't a bad book whatsoever, so giving it a lower rating feels unfair. But because I just didn't connect, I also don't feel right giving a higher rating either. So for now, no rating.
If you love or want to read books about genderqueer characters living their best life, please check this out! Or if you just love LGBTQIAP+ books, then read this too.
BUT, I didn't quite connect to this as much as I hoped I would. I didn't really click with the characters, or the romance, so I always felt a little disconnect while I was reading. I'm not sure what rating I should give it at this point because it wasn't a bad book whatsoever, so giving it a lower rating feels unfair. But because I just didn't connect, I also don't feel right giving a higher rating either. So for now, no rating.
If you love or want to read books about genderqueer characters living their best life, please check this out! Or if you just love LGBTQIAP+ books, then read this too.
travelsinfiction's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
safeblanckreadingjourney's review against another edition
4.0
➳ four mariah carey stars.
this was wonderful!! i loved carey as a main character. and i did enjoy seeing their growth through the chapters. the strength they showed, even when they were dealing with difficult situations, was eye-opening and empowering.
as the author themselves said:
“i wanted desperately to give carey a drama-free story that had nothing to do with their identity [...] but after mining my own experience and working with many queer students of varying identities in the classroom [...] i knew this had to be an honest, real story that shows that light can shine in the dark when young people fight the good fight and push for progress.”
this debut novel is indeed filled with trauma, sadness, and grief, but most importantly it talks about a group of fierce personalities (carey is only one of many) who don’t back down, despite being faced with aggressions, bullying, discrimination, and so on. there are heartbreaking moments, yes, but the focus is on how carey is able to find the strength to keep going and regains control of their voice. furthermore, it’s gorgeously written and engaging all the way through. this debut novel deserves all the attention it’s getting, if not more. read it now!!
content warnings: abuse, anxiety, blood, bullying, car accident, death of a loved one, degenerative illness, gender dysphoria, grief, gun violence (someone mimics holding a gun), hate crime, homophobia, misgendering (on multiple occasions), physical assault, suicidal ideation, violence.
this was wonderful!! i loved carey as a main character. and i did enjoy seeing their growth through the chapters. the strength they showed, even when they were dealing with difficult situations, was eye-opening and empowering.
as the author themselves said:
“i wanted desperately to give carey a drama-free story that had nothing to do with their identity [...] but after mining my own experience and working with many queer students of varying identities in the classroom [...] i knew this had to be an honest, real story that shows that light can shine in the dark when young people fight the good fight and push for progress.”
this debut novel is indeed filled with trauma, sadness, and grief, but most importantly it talks about a group of fierce personalities (carey is only one of many) who don’t back down, despite being faced with aggressions, bullying, discrimination, and so on. there are heartbreaking moments, yes, but the focus is on how carey is able to find the strength to keep going and regains control of their voice. furthermore, it’s gorgeously written and engaging all the way through. this debut novel deserves all the attention it’s getting, if not more. read it now!!
content warnings: abuse, anxiety, blood, bullying, car accident, death of a loved one, degenerative illness, gender dysphoria, grief, gun violence (someone mimics holding a gun), hate crime, homophobia, misgendering (on multiple occasions), physical assault, suicidal ideation, violence.
anigirl524's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
brennieree33's review against another edition
4.0
Carey's story was such a wonderful one, and one that I'm so glad I read. I loved all of the characters, other than Max, Mr. Jackson, and other homophobic members of the school staff, but I wasn't supposed to like them so it's fine. The dialogue that the teen characters had felt very real and not at all like "hello fellow kids," which I really appreciate. The Savage Six's rally for change really make me feel inspired and empowered, and really gave me hope that someday we can all rally together and realize that we're not all that different from each other, and that it shouldn't matter how others live their lives as long as they aren't harming anyone or anything. Some people need to realize this.
TW: discrimination, homophobia (I believe that’s the correct word for this situation but I’m not entirely sure), riots, assault and attacks because of homophobia, the American school system, bullying
The good:
- I love how even though Carey is the underdog, they're not a perfect character. They still screw up, they still hurt people, but they realize their flaws and works to make up for them. Sometimes with underdog characters they're portrayed as perfect in comparison to the oppressors, but this wasn't a problem here and I'm so glad, as normal people aren't perfect. They have flaws, regardless of their moral standpoint.
-I love that they’re just casually screaming in the park
TW: discrimination, homophobia (I believe that’s the correct word for this situation but I’m not entirely sure), riots, assault and attacks because of homophobia, the American school system, bullying
Spoiler
The good:
- I love how even though Carey is the underdog, they're not a perfect character. They still screw up, they still hurt people, but they realize their flaws and works to make up for them. Sometimes with underdog characters they're portrayed as perfect in comparison to the oppressors, but this wasn't a problem here and I'm so glad, as normal people aren't perfect. They have flaws, regardless of their moral standpoint.
-I love that they’re just casually screaming in the park
periburton's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Halfway through the book looked like a 3 star read, but the last 150 pages were really good. I found myself much more invested in the story and characters.
nonidude's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
This just wasn't totally my jamz... too many pop culture references... too predictable (but also not a good predictable imo).
The gender queer story line was done well I thought, but overall the story was just a liiittle too cheesy with a too prettily put together happy ending.
Fave parts: grandma storyline and side characters (hot take? cris and carey are a bad combo that won't last; the author should've stuck with carey and joey.
It was a fine, fast read, but I don't need to own it and would rarely recommend it.
The gender queer story line was done well I thought, but overall the story was just a liiittle too cheesy with a too prettily put together happy ending.
It was a fine, fast read, but I don't need to own it and would rarely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Blood, and Vomit