jyguybookjourney's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I didn't really like this book unfortunately. I feel like there was real potential but the characters didn't feel real to me. The pacing was a bit off. Big time jumps were a bit jarring (especially at times where I was interested). Constant over-explaining to try and paint a picture of what something or someone looked like or what the situation felt like. I didn't hate it, and again I feel like there's something there that's good, but overall I was not into this book; never truly got hooked. (Also, reading about the sexual desires of a ~14 year old girl was deeply uncomfortable no thank you take all those bits out for the love of God.)
caedocyon's review against another edition
2.0
Another book where the queer dies and it's an uplifting lesson for everybody else. Narrator not likeable. Just way too much crammed into this ridiculous thing.
It's pretty readable, which is why I'm giving it more than one star, but the plot is obnoxious.
It's pretty readable, which is why I'm giving it more than one star, but the plot is obnoxious.
kasiabrenna's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, and in the beginning I did. I think it is an important topic, I liked narrators voice, I liked that her reaction to Leonard seemed realistic, Leonard was adorable. I liked that it was set up as a mystery. HOWEVER. This book needed an editor more than any book I have ever read. There is no reason it needs to be almost 500 pages. I felt like the author was trying to cram in way too many topics that were not important to the core story of a hate crime (the Iraq war? Check. Death penalty? Check. Sexual abuse? Check.) At one point toward the end, he spent 4 paragraphs discussing the items on a priests desk! I almost threw the book across the room.
*spoiler* Also, the "mystery" is a little ridiculous. There was only one character in the book that could possibly be the killer.
I would still recommend this book to teens, but damn was it frustrating.
*spoiler* Also, the "mystery" is a little ridiculous. There was only one character in the book that could possibly be the killer.
I would still recommend this book to teens, but damn was it frustrating.
cam_alain's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
iluvbooks13's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up at the library because the title sounded interesting and what i read of the review sounded intriuging. Little did i know that this book would become one of my absolute favorites (no pun intended). On the summary next to the publication date, it says "Phoebe's life is changed when her gay cousin comes to live with her". If i had known that before i checked it out, i probably wouldn't have. But this book "haunted" me the rest of the day after i finished it. I think that all girls 12 and up would enjoy this wonderful book that gave me a new perspective people on life.
thatwitchpaula's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing story. The writing flows nicely and it was a very quick enjoyable read.
mhall's review against another edition
3.0
The cover of this is so unsuitable, and doesn't at all match the book inside. It's about a flamboyant gay teenager named Leonard who comes to live with his cousins in a small town. He's the type of boy who makes his own platform sneakers by gluing together the soles of a dozen pairs of flip-flops and who is thrilled with his new dingy basement 'room' made up of stacks of old boxes forming haphazard walls. In other words, he is determined to be who he is, and determined to be happy. Unlike [b:Boy Meets Boy|93723|Boy Meets Girl (Boy, #2)|Meg Cabot|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21WJSRCGN7L._SL75_.jpg|2425604], though, Leonard lives in the real world, and things take a tragic turn when he disappears.
valhecka's review against another edition
Giving up after first 150 pages. Like What Happened to Lani Garver, but with a bunch of padding strapped around it and the corners all nice and rounded off. Feh. It's cute, I guess, but I can't get into it.
booksandbraids's review against another edition
4.0
I was shocked. I honestly thought it would be something.... scifi because of magic.... But then Leonard went was died and i relized it was the magic of him the sleeve was talking about. I got liking it at the end.