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bookishmillennial'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
“Don’t.
Don’t come out unless you want to. Don’t come out for anyone else’s sake. Don’t come out because you think society expects you to.
Come out for yourself.
Come out to yourself.
Shout, sing it.
Softly stutter.
Correct those who say they knew before you did.
That’s not how sexuality works, it’s yours to define.”
This is a YA novel-in-verse about Michael, a half Jamaican, half Greek-Cyprian young man growing up in the UK, going to college, and amidst trying to join clubs like the Greek Society and the LGBTQIA+ Club, he still feels like he doesn't quite fit in. He finally joins the Drag Club and begins to come into himself.
I loved following Michael's journey, as he named his feelings, had curious conversations with friends, and figured shit out for himself. It was vulnerable, confusing, and ultimately, hopeful.
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicide, and Lesbophobia
melist6'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? No
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Transphobia and Toxic friendship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Transphobia
brookey8888'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
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Racism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
lucystolethesky'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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
readandfindout's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Graphic: Racial slurs and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Suicide, and Lesbophobia
sarah984'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
3.0
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, and Transphobia
taelights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I've never read a book in verse before and I wasn't sure how I'd like it because I've never been super into poetry, but I loved this one so much. The writing style was absolutely beautiful and so enjoyable to me.
The book itself was raw and emotional, exploring important topics of self acceptance, growing into your true self, and dealing with both homophobia and racism. A lot of the author's words were just very true and sincere and hit so hard. It had just a lot of important messages within the story.
I thought Michael was a fantastic character, very intriguing, and he felt so real to me. I loved getting to read his story and watch him grow.
My only issue with the book is I wish it was longer, I felt like a lot of areas could have been explored more so I really wish some sections were more fleshed out and explored deeper.
Overall this was a very easy and fast read that I would highly recommend. It was very emotional and powerful and it's a story that deserves to be heard.
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse
Internalized homophobia and internalized racism are also topics explored which I feel like deserve separate content warning tags.eloiseisreading'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
5.0
Graphic: Drug use and Homophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Sexual content
shaunaxx'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
5.0
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry