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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
lee_noel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Hate crime
Minor: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
melancholymegs's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Outing, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, and Grief
Minor: Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
the_true_monroe's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, and Dementia
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Gun violence and Racism
mortimerdeadsea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I've definitely heard mixed things about this book. Overall, I did enjoy it, but I also understand where the criticism is coming from.
This book can be really rough to read; it shows a lot of violent homophobia and transphobia, both from peers and from people in positions of power. I think there are two very important things this book showcases through its story:
1. The most important thing you can have in life is people on your side. Casey would not have been able to do what they did alone, and its only because they had so many people willing to fight for and beside them that they were able to maintain the starring role in the school musical and continue their dreams of being a diva. From their mom, to their queer teacher, to their lifelong best friends, to their newfound friendships, and their newfound romantic interest, they needed everyone's help. The best things happen together, and community and solidarity is one of the most important things marginalized people can have in the fight for rights and liberation.
2. Unfortunately, you won't achieve everything you set out for.The homophobic teacher they were trying to get fired ultimately only got fired because he didn't actually have teaching credentials. If not for that, they would never would have been able to get him fired because the school board just didn't care enough about the harm he was causing students because it wasn't physically violent. It's a sad but unfortunate truth that no matter how hard you work, you aren't always going to win the fight. But that isn't a reason to stop trying or celebrate the victories you do get.
The two major criticisms I've heard about the book are often about how tough the book can be to read and about the way the characters of color are portrayed. As I said, the book can be really tough to read, and I think it could be especially tough to read as a young queer and trans teen. Unfortunately, it is realistic, and as tough as it is, I do think it will do a lot for good in the right hands. I do think the criticism surrounding the characters of color is valid, given how the the white main character is able to keep their starring role thanks to the work and sacrifices of the people of color around them. I think the author was trying to show community and solidarity at work, however, I think it would have been better coming from an author of color as opposed to a white author.
Ultimately, I did enjoy the book and I will continue to read Steven Salvatore's future work.
This book can be really rough to read; it shows a lot of violent homophobia and transphobia, both from peers and from people in positions of power. I think there are two very important things this book showcases through its story:
1. The most important thing you can have in life is people on your side. Casey would not have been able to do what they did alone, and its only because they had so many people willing to fight for and beside them that they were able to maintain the starring role in the school musical and continue their dreams of being a diva. From their mom, to their queer teacher, to their lifelong best friends, to their newfound friendships, and their newfound romantic interest, they needed everyone's help. The best things happen together, and community and solidarity is one of the most important things marginalized people can have in the fight for rights and liberation.
2. Unfortunately, you won't achieve everything you set out for.
The two major criticisms I've heard about the book are often about how tough the book can be to read and about the way the characters of color are portrayed. As I said, the book can be really tough to read, and I think it could be especially tough to read as a young queer and trans teen. Unfortunately, it is realistic, and as tough as it is, I do think it will do a lot for good in the right hands. I do think the criticism surrounding the characters of color is valid, given how the the white main character is able to keep their starring role thanks to the work and sacrifices of the people of color around them. I think the author was trying to show community and solidarity at work, however, I think it would have been better coming from an author of color as opposed to a white author.
Ultimately, I did enjoy the book and I will continue to read Steven Salvatore's future work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
dlrosebyh's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Carey Parker aspires to be a diva and rock the house with her singing. Every note of all the greatest pop and Broadway tunes can be struck by them. Despite their brilliance, Carey finds it more difficult to discover their voice because of emotional wounds from an encounter with a homophobic classmate and their grandmother's developing dementia.
Once Carey meets guitarist/singer Cris, for the first time in their life, they feel noticed. The excitement of a brand-new romance gives Carey the courage to audition for the part of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the school musical, which sparks prejudice from her tormentor and other students. Carey, Cris, and their pals must stand up for their rights, and they won't be intimidated.
It was difficult for me to read this book since I didn't enjoy the writing style. The message is fantastic, and it's undoubtedly a touching read. I adore the plot, except for the last part. I believed that the resolution of all the problems was hastened. For my taste, there were also much too many pop references. If the pop culture references were toned down, I would have given this book a better rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
radiosilent8's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
The writing and pacing of the book were not my favourite and the characters felt kind of flat and often only did tjings for the sake of plot movemen (hence the 3 stars). Also, this books was pretty much just 400 pages of miscommunication, and that was quite annoying as one of my least favourite tropes. However, i really loved the discussions of gender and the queer rep was incredible. As annoying as i sometimes fpund Carey, they were also really relatable at times and really inspiring in their confidence and ability to stabd up for themself. I also loved the musical aspects of the book, even though i thought that Careys lyrics were kind of awful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
aspring's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i’m pretty sure steven salvatore writes specifically to hurt me. ouch.
the writing is full of drama and passion and a deeply desperate need to be loved, understood and accepted. it is brutal and honest and not entirely a happy story.
but it gives you hope and shows you that fighting for who you are is always worth it. even if you shouldn’t have to.
this was surprisingly heavy and it did take my by surprise so please please check trigger warnings for this if you need them <3
but i love this authors writing style and the way they write their characters. phenomenal as always.
also, the relationship isn’t the focus! don’t go into it expecting it to be :) this is, at its core, carey’s story of their fight to be recognised and treated like everyone else <3 (the lil bits of romance was very cute though! (and heartbreaking :,))
the writing is full of drama and passion and a deeply desperate need to be loved, understood and accepted. it is brutal and honest and not entirely a happy story.
but it gives you hope and shows you that fighting for who you are is always worth it. even if you shouldn’t have to.
this was surprisingly heavy and it did take my by surprise so please please check trigger warnings for this if you need them <3
but i love this authors writing style and the way they write their characters. phenomenal as always.
also, the relationship isn’t the focus! don’t go into it expecting it to be :) this is, at its core, carey’s story of their fight to be recognised and treated like everyone else <3 (the lil bits of romance was very cute though! (and heartbreaking :,))
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, and Suicidal thoughts
kmudzy07's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Hate crime and Lesbophobia
pm_corbett's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent