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wormiebrains's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
emisallbooked's review against another edition
4.0
So I really had no idea what I was getting into with this book. Sure I read the inner flap, but the novel exceeded my expectations and I ended up loving it! I would classify this as a coming of age novel in a Footloose-esque conservative town.
Rosary, California is a town that through local elections becomes governed by evangelical Christians that change everything from education curriculum to mandatory Vacation Bible School to the types of businesses that can operate. Helen is a high schooler trying to process the death of her mother years earlier, her dad wanting to remarry now, and the complicated social dynamics of high school. When she makes friends with the two new kids at school, Helen begins to see that maybe she’s not the only one with struggles.
I thought this book was great! Helen was a fully rounded character, and her dry, sarcastic remarks kept me laughing throughout. She was flawed, but not to the point of being cruel or annoying. None of the characters felt painfully “teenager” which I sometimes struggle with when reading YA or adult books featuring them.
I enjoyed the short chapters, the timeline was mostly linear with a few chapters describing flashbacks of what Helen’s mom was like. It really makes this book a quick read.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sarcastic humor and a well done coming of age story!
Rosary, California is a town that through local elections becomes governed by evangelical Christians that change everything from education curriculum to mandatory Vacation Bible School to the types of businesses that can operate. Helen is a high schooler trying to process the death of her mother years earlier, her dad wanting to remarry now, and the complicated social dynamics of high school. When she makes friends with the two new kids at school, Helen begins to see that maybe she’s not the only one with struggles.
I thought this book was great! Helen was a fully rounded character, and her dry, sarcastic remarks kept me laughing throughout. She was flawed, but not to the point of being cruel or annoying. None of the characters felt painfully “teenager” which I sometimes struggle with when reading YA or adult books featuring them.
I enjoyed the short chapters, the timeline was mostly linear with a few chapters describing flashbacks of what Helen’s mom was like. It really makes this book a quick read.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sarcastic humor and a well done coming of age story!
ryelees's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
This novel straddles the line between YA and NA fiction by depicting some of the uncomfortable realities of teenage life and transition. Don't listen to the prudes-- the explicit content is handled responsibly and advances the story without being gratuitous.
The style and form would be juvenile in the hands of a worse author, but instead they give a unique experience of a story told through vignette and memory.
The style and form would be juvenile in the hands of a worse author, but instead they give a unique experience of a story told through vignette and memory.
hereisenough's review against another edition
5.0
Gritty and funny and awful and sad and complex and sensual and simple and graphic and witchy and deconstruction-y and snarky and hopeful.
angelsbeforeman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.25
read this because of the fun title and the cat on the cover, and it was actually kind of good. it's a coming of age story that focuses on helen and her friend group, who live in an isolated religious town called rosary. together, they engage in things the town wouldn't approve of and call themselves the dickheads.
there's not much plot to it, but i feel like the character development was pretty solid. purely because the characters felt real, especially helen since she's the most developed one. i liked that the book explored some important issues such as gender identity, grief, loss, change, etc. this being written in very short chapters is honestly so fitting and such a good choice.
i didn't like the girls' relationship with eddie because it was so incredibly uncomfortable to read. i also really disliked the amount of edginess and angst incorporated because it just didn't do anything for me. i understand it's realistic, but it's not particularly memorable.
there's not much plot to it, but i feel like the character development was pretty solid. purely because the characters felt real, especially helen since she's the most developed one. i liked that the book explored some important issues such as gender identity, grief, loss, change, etc. this being written in very short chapters is honestly so fitting and such a good choice.
i didn't like the girls' relationship with eddie because it was so incredibly uncomfortable to read. i also really disliked the amount of edginess and angst incorporated because it just didn't do anything for me. i understand it's realistic, but it's not particularly memorable.
prey4thefemale's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
slow-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
4.0
discostell's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
cami19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
5.0
starness's review against another edition
5.0
Hot diggity damn I love this book so much. Yes it’s teenagey and angsty but gosh darn the writing is so exciting and refreshing! It’s rare I get so excited about a new author and this has been a wonderful discovery! There are too many reasons to list why I loved this book so I’ll let you all discover it for yourself. Probably one of my top reads of the year!
arilaurel's review against another edition
5.0
Tupelo Hassan writes these characters with such brave and self-assured voices, so unlike my own when I was young and questioning everything. But these voices are also very young, and their willfulness doesn't conceal their vulnerability. Helen Dedleder is at tuning her own self-understanding and power in a small town that is rich with intricacies and social dynamics. Together, the Dickheads follow honor codes of loyalthy, quick comebacks, and solidarity against the messed up adult-built institutions in Rosary. The book culminates to an emotional and resonant ending that requires Helen have the spiritual strength and self knowledge to survive this place.