nissahh's review
3.0
I received this for review courtesy of the publisher and Goodreads for an honesty review.
I was hoping that I was going to really like this, but it was an okay read. It's hard to describe and I feel like I will be sounding like I don't support anything that these characters stood for. But it seemed like the author was putting in a lot of causes in this book. That sounded so bad and I don't mean that in a negative way, it was just so much.
As for the characters they're not that memorable for me to be honest. I really didn't connect with any of them and that's okay. Ellen is the main character and I really have any feelings towards her or her friends or what was going on with her love life.
I'm not Latinx/e (I hope that is right, if not I'm so sorry), so I can't really comment on her relationship with her step mom and sister, because I don't know how those dynamics works.
To be honest I don't have any type of feelings for this and it's a 3 because the ending made me cry. The writing is easy and even though it's long, it's a quick read and hard to put down. I know this because I read a bout 80 pages and wanted to dnf, but ended up picking it up again and finishing it the next day.
I was hoping that I was going to really like this, but it was an okay read. It's hard to describe and I feel like I will be sounding like I don't support anything that these characters stood for. But it seemed like the author was putting in a lot of causes in this book. That sounded so bad and I don't mean that in a negative way, it was just so much.
As for the characters they're not that memorable for me to be honest. I really didn't connect with any of them and that's okay. Ellen is the main character and I really have any feelings towards her or her friends or what was going on with her love life.
I'm not Latinx/e (I hope that is right, if not I'm so sorry), so I can't really comment on her relationship with her step mom and sister, because I don't know how those dynamics works.
To be honest I don't have any type of feelings for this and it's a 3 because the ending made me cry. The writing is easy and even though it's long, it's a quick read and hard to put down. I know this because I read a bout 80 pages and wanted to dnf, but ended up picking it up again and finishing it the next day.
melhara's review
2.0
1.5/5
Quidditch
Expectation:
vs.
Reality:
This is mainly a book about Quidditch (real-world Quidditch, that is). Ellen Lopez-Rourke was grounded for her rude behaviour and interactions with her stepmother. Which means she's banned from going out all summer. But her dad agreed that the only activity she be allowed to participate in that summer was Quidditch practice (because physical activity is important).
This was a good book to learn about how Quidditch is played in real life, and about the real-world Quidditch community.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of the story or the characters. In fact, I really didn't like Ellen. Her whole "I'm-more-woke-than-you-are-therefore-I'm-better-than-you" attitude was disconcerting. She's very passionate about pretty much every cause out there - feminism, racism, homophobia, environmental issues, etc. and calls everyone out (especially her family) on every little thing. Don't get me wrong, it's good to be passionate about a cause and to call people for being racist or sexist or homophobic... but people who are constantly trying to force their own views on others, who refuses to listen to other opinions, and who is constantly whining about the injustices in society, are so annoying.
For the most part, it felt like there were too many social issues that were crammed into this book for discussion. One second, Ellen is explaining how veganism can help save the planet, the next moment she's having a sexuality identity crisis, but oh wait! let's also toss in racial identity crisis into the mix as well. And let's not forget about feminism and sexism as well, because those are also important topics that should be briefly discussed but not explored in depth
Quidditch
Expectation:
vs.
Reality:
This is mainly a book about Quidditch (real-world Quidditch, that is). Ellen Lopez-Rourke was grounded for her rude behaviour and interactions with her stepmother. Which means she's banned from going out all summer. But her dad agreed that the only activity she be allowed to participate in that summer was Quidditch practice (because physical activity is important).
This was a good book to learn about how Quidditch is played in real life, and about the real-world Quidditch community.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of the story or the characters. In fact, I really didn't like Ellen. Her whole "I'm-more-woke-than-you-are-therefore-I'm-better-than-you" attitude was disconcerting. She's very passionate about pretty much every cause out there - feminism, racism, homophobia, environmental issues, etc. and calls everyone out (especially her family) on every little thing. Don't get me wrong, it's good to be passionate about a cause and to call people for being racist or sexist or homophobic... but people who are constantly trying to force their own views on others, who refuses to listen to other opinions, and who is constantly whining about the injustices in society, are so annoying.
For the most part, it felt like there were too many social issues that were crammed into this book for discussion. One second, Ellen is explaining how veganism can help save the planet, the next moment she's having a sexuality identity crisis, but oh wait! let's also toss in racial identity crisis into the mix as well. And let's not forget about feminism and sexism as well, because those are also important topics that should be briefly discussed but not explored in depth
charireads's review
4.0
THIS IS HOW WE FLY is a fun, coming of age YA read that is focused on Ellen during the summer after graduating high school, as she finds quidditch as the lifeline she may need as she grapples through friendships and identity. Her stepmom is a constant thorn in her side and grounds her after an emotional outburst. However, her dad agrees to allow her to "exercise" while participating in a local Quidditch club. The misfit team works and plays hard - making her summer complete. #NetGalley #ThisIsHowWeFly #Quidditch
whatemilysreading's review
3.0
HI I'm obsessed with the fact that Quidditch is a real international sport and I'm jealous of people who play in college. This was an easy breezy YA book with great representation and a lot of conversation about feminism, racism, and gender, but at times it felt a little too preachy for me. It took me a bit to get into but ended up really enjoying it and it had some really touching family moments.
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
4.0
While I enjoyed this book I do not exactly understand how it is remotely a Cinderella retelling. In this book we follow Ellen who is vegan, a feminist, and an environmentalist. She is passionate about all three things to the point of confrontation with her step-mother constantly throughout the book. She does not have any evil stepsisters, nor is her father dead or has he left her with her step-mother.
Throughout the story we see Ellen try and find herself during the summer between high school and college. A period of time when friends change and people move away. She joins a Quidditch team with one of her high school friends to pass the time and ends up finding something she loves to do and people who she loves to be around. Her world changes though when she gets grounded and is forced to do her step-mothers bidding and cleaning chores.
Overall, this book had some good discussions about feminism/environmentalism and how JKR has turned into a piece of trash. It also just shows a small slice of life and parts of what can be the real teenage experience. I know things around the Harry Potter world have become just a dumpster fire and I really tried to remove myself from that part of this book but because this book would still promote people to look into that world, I cannot recommend this book. I am not going to lower my rating because of this, I think that is unfair. This book is well written, discusses a lot of good topics, and has so very meaningful conversations in it. I just wish Ellen had joined literally any other sports team.
Throughout the story we see Ellen try and find herself during the summer between high school and college. A period of time when friends change and people move away. She joins a Quidditch team with one of her high school friends to pass the time and ends up finding something she loves to do and people who she loves to be around. Her world changes though when she gets grounded and is forced to do her step-mothers bidding and cleaning chores.
Overall, this book had some good discussions about feminism/environmentalism and how JKR has turned into a piece of trash. It also just shows a small slice of life and parts of what can be the real teenage experience. I know things around the Harry Potter world have become just a dumpster fire and I really tried to remove myself from that part of this book but because this book would still promote people to look into that world, I cannot recommend this book. I am not going to lower my rating because of this, I think that is unfair. This book is well written, discusses a lot of good topics, and has so very meaningful conversations in it. I just wish Ellen had joined literally any other sports team.
yapha's review
4.0
This was a really fun read. Very angsty, about changing friendships between high school and college, combining a Cinderella story line with Quidditch. Lots of fun pop culture references to Tumbler and other social media forms. Recommended for grades 10 & up.
megs_s's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
mckaylarose99's review
5.0
Even if you haven’t immersed yourself in Harry Potter, this book is a must read for anyone who enjoys books that tackle gender/race, family dynamics, sports, and the struggles that come with that weird time when you’re basically an adult, but not really.
Adding this to the list of books I tell everyone to read. BRB trying to find a quidditch team near me.
Adding this to the list of books I tell everyone to read. BRB trying to find a quidditch team near me.
laura_bird's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Summary: Recently graduating high school, Ellen knows she has just a few months to spend with her high school best friends before they're all sent their separate ways at separate colleges. But when she winds up in so much trouble the only way she can even spend time with her friend Melissa is by joining a Quidditch team, Ellen finds herself quite literally flexing new muscles. What follows is a heartfelt story about growing up and all the pangs it brings, from evolving friendship, to family ties, and finding one's identity.
Reaction: I'm truly in awe of Anna Meriano right now. I haven't read a print book in years, my ADHD preferring to listen to audiobooks while I walk. But the print copy was all I could get my hands on and after loving "It Sounds Like This" to the moon and back, and finding out that there was a "prequel" of sorts, I needed this book like, well, like a feminist vegan Quidditch player needs a black bean taco.
Ellen is idealistic, almost to a fault, but loveable and strong. As a former athlete I loved the descriptions of Ellen's struggles but love to play the sport. She struggles with rejection sensitivity and questions even the love of her father throughout the book, which, to my utmost delight, turns into the sportiest nerd (or nerdiest sport?) modern retelling of the Cinderella story, with Ellen finding her passed away mother's old soccer cleats and losing one to a "prince" who returns it to her at the big Quidditch tournament of the summer. Utterly genius.
I cannot gush about this story or author enough. It's everything I would have loved as a teen and still somehow need as a never-you-mind-how-old adult. I'm so grateful books like this exist in the world.
Reaction: I'm truly in awe of Anna Meriano right now. I haven't read a print book in years, my ADHD preferring to listen to audiobooks while I walk. But the print copy was all I could get my hands on and after loving "It Sounds Like This" to the moon and back, and finding out that there was a "prequel" of sorts, I needed this book like, well, like a feminist vegan Quidditch player needs a black bean taco.
Ellen is idealistic, almost to a fault, but loveable and strong. As a former athlete I loved the descriptions of Ellen's struggles but love to play the sport. She struggles with rejection sensitivity and questions even the love of her father throughout the book, which, to my utmost delight, turns into the sportiest nerd (or nerdiest sport?) modern retelling of the Cinderella story, with Ellen finding her passed away mother's old soccer cleats and losing one to a "prince" who returns it to her at the big Quidditch tournament of the summer. Utterly genius.
I cannot gush about this story or author enough. It's everything I would have loved as a teen and still somehow need as a never-you-mind-how-old adult. I'm so grateful books like this exist in the world.