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bumblemee's review
emotional
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
4.0
First up: This cover is just so, soooo pretty, I love it a lot!! The colours, the illustration style, it's simply amazing.
As for the story itself, I liked it a lot. Books including theater will always have it easier with me than other stories and this was no exception (even though I don't know much about musical theater). A lot of aspects reminded me of my theater group in high school, which was nice.
I get why I read in a few reviews that some people didn't like August that much. He is so insecure of so many things, which causes him to be a little annoying sometimes. The way he's stepping into roles in his private life, trying to be whoever the person in front of him might want him to be (according to himself at least) .. ngl, you can roll your eyes at that. - I personally related to this aspect of him in a lot of ways, maybe that's why I didn't have a problem with him, because I have a lot of empathy for my teenage self. The amount of unnecessary lies were a bit much, but I understood where they were coming from so they didn't put me off too much either.
Sometimes I got a little overwhelmed with the amount of characters, because we spent little time with a lot of them, which made it a little hard to connect to some of the emotional scenes. I also thought the pacing was a little weird. I can't really put my finger on why that is, but it felt like there was so much going on with Grease and afterwards a shitload of character development happened in a very short amount of time. I would've liked a little more space fot it to happen instead of people just telling August time and time again to be himself and him refusing to do so. Again: Understandable, totally understandable, but since this is a book and not real life it would've been okay to speed it up a tiny bit.
As for the story itself, I liked it a lot. Books including theater will always have it easier with me than other stories and this was no exception (even though I don't know much about musical theater). A lot of aspects reminded me of my theater group in high school, which was nice.
I get why I read in a few reviews that some people didn't like August that much. He is so insecure of so many things, which causes him to be a little annoying sometimes. The way he's stepping into roles in his private life, trying to be whoever the person in front of him might want him to be (according to himself at least) .. ngl, you can roll your eyes at that. - I personally related to this aspect of him in a lot of ways, maybe that's why I didn't have a problem with him, because I have a lot of empathy for my teenage self. The amount of unnecessary lies were a bit much, but I understood where they were coming from so they didn't put me off too much either.
Sometimes I got a little overwhelmed with the amount of characters, because we spent little time with a lot of them, which made it a little hard to connect to some of the emotional scenes. I also thought the pacing was a little weird. I can't really put my finger on why that is, but it felt like there was so much going on with Grease and afterwards a shitload of character development happened in a very short amount of time. I would've liked a little more space fot it to happen instead of people just telling August time and time again to be himself and him refusing to do so. Again: Understandable, totally understandable, but since this is a book and not real life it would've been okay to speed it up a tiny bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Minor: Torture
babyleo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
skye_era_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
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
4.5
What an amazing read about a transgender boy. The author did an amazing job at showing the challenges of being trans with religious, non-accepting parents and I could feel all of August’s emotions throughout the book. I also loved the theater aspect of this book. It fully took me back to high school drama club. Please check trigger warnings before reading and take care of yourself first and foremost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Outing
jodierose14's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Gaslighting
wiktoria_bojda's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia
xendude's review
emotional
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
4.5
I really enjoyed this! As a trans dude whose into theater and closeted from religious parents in pa, this book called me by name. August was relatable for me, and I can relate to losing yourself in safety. Every single one of August's struggles I had felt too. Honestly almost cried. Been on a binge for more books with kids like me, but this one may not be topped. I recommend if you want feels and found family!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship and Violence
starasphodel's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Dysphoria
kaylaellis's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
- 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
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Suicide, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
aimzthereader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Outing and Alcohol
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Abandonment
mystic_bookwyrm's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
I liked this book overall, but the thing I had trouble with was the way August was always acting a part…. Now it gets addressed later and it makes sense, I just didn’t feel like the author went about it quite the right way. A lot of times it didn’t feel like it was coming from a place of self preservation but of trying to get what he wanted from other people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Self harm, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia