yozhuan's review against another edition
funny
fast-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
3.0
thereadingwren's review against another edition
5.0
Second Read in 2021:
5/5
I still love this and everything I thought the first time around is exactly the same. I adore these characters and this wholesome and realistic world. It's such a great book that both times reading it I couldn't put it down and read it in a single day. I wish more people talked about this book.
I do need to mention the huge amount of HP references in this book, one character is a serious fan of HP and it gets mentioned A LOT. Be aware if it triggers you, it usually does for me but in this book I was able to enjoy the book anyways.
First Read in 2020:
4.5/5
This is one of the only books to make me physically feel something, it was that good. Every time Ariel talked about the work he had to do or what he was giving up to complete that work had my heart racing and my stomach twisting. I was feeling his anxiety and stress. It was intense but in a good way. I’m incredibly grateful I read this during uni break, I would not have handled that stress on top of my own school stress.
I honestly loved this. It felt very real and none of the characters felt at all stereotypical. I adored the family aspects most of all. There was such a focus on family and nurturing that bond that it made me feel hopeful. It wasn’t just Ariel’s family that was this close but Amir’s too, which made it all the sweeter.
The relationship was so utterly sweet and wonderful. There was no angst for the sake of angst, no lies or manipulation. They were just two boys that liked each other in such an uncomplicated way. It’s really refreshing to have a good relationship in YA.
Ariel is a great main character and I really liked him. I honestly don’t think there’s anything about him that I disliked. The bisexual rep here is great. The term is used multiple times, the sexuality is defined and defended, and there’s no homophobia or stereotyping. The bisexuality almost doesn’t factor into the story because it’s not the most important part of Ariel’s character and this isn’t a coming out story. As a bisexual, I think it was wonderful rep.
This book was chock full of diversity. Plus size, lesbian, Korean person. Gay Pakistani person. Bisexual Jewish person. There might have been more, there was that much diversity. I don’t identify with any of the nationalities or religions so I can’t speak for that. It was really amazing to read about Jewish culture and religion though. I’d like to read more Jewish stories for sure.
I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future. Such a wonderful book with a great message.
5/5
I still love this and everything I thought the first time around is exactly the same. I adore these characters and this wholesome and realistic world. It's such a great book that both times reading it I couldn't put it down and read it in a single day. I wish more people talked about this book.
I do need to mention the huge amount of HP references in this book, one character is a serious fan of HP and it gets mentioned A LOT. Be aware if it triggers you, it usually does for me but in this book I was able to enjoy the book anyways.
First Read in 2020:
4.5/5
This is one of the only books to make me physically feel something, it was that good. Every time Ariel talked about the work he had to do or what he was giving up to complete that work had my heart racing and my stomach twisting. I was feeling his anxiety and stress. It was intense but in a good way. I’m incredibly grateful I read this during uni break, I would not have handled that stress on top of my own school stress.
I honestly loved this. It felt very real and none of the characters felt at all stereotypical. I adored the family aspects most of all. There was such a focus on family and nurturing that bond that it made me feel hopeful. It wasn’t just Ariel’s family that was this close but Amir’s too, which made it all the sweeter.
The relationship was so utterly sweet and wonderful. There was no angst for the sake of angst, no lies or manipulation. They were just two boys that liked each other in such an uncomplicated way. It’s really refreshing to have a good relationship in YA.
Ariel is a great main character and I really liked him. I honestly don’t think there’s anything about him that I disliked. The bisexual rep here is great. The term is used multiple times, the sexuality is defined and defended, and there’s no homophobia or stereotyping. The bisexuality almost doesn’t factor into the story because it’s not the most important part of Ariel’s character and this isn’t a coming out story. As a bisexual, I think it was wonderful rep.
This book was chock full of diversity. Plus size, lesbian, Korean person. Gay Pakistani person. Bisexual Jewish person. There might have been more, there was that much diversity. I don’t identify with any of the nationalities or religions so I can’t speak for that. It was really amazing to read about Jewish culture and religion though. I’d like to read more Jewish stories for sure.
I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future. Such a wonderful book with a great message.
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
1.0
I know I should just stop reading YA altogether. Almost every time the same thing happens: I read it, I hate it, I write a 1 star review and I feel bad about it. This is a well-intentioned book. Some people appear to love it. Why not just peace out and let people read bad books in peace? On the other hand, I believe that teenagers deserve good backs and I also know that the majority of YA readers aren't actually teenagers. So: this is a bad book. It's silly. The main characters are one-dimensional. There is no drama. There is no conflict. There is... nothing to keep you engaged. Liking Harry Potter isn't a substitute for having a character.
I know it's old-fashioned, but if I read a book that involves a relationship between a Jewish boy and a Muslim boy, I am not very interested in this make-believe fairy world where NO ONE has a problem with them. Of course, the parents are all happy. Of course, there is no conflict. Not about homosexuality, not about religion, about nothing. All fluff all the time.
I know it's old-fashioned, but if I read a book that involves a relationship between a Jewish boy and a Muslim boy, I am not very interested in this make-believe fairy world where NO ONE has a problem with them. Of course, the parents are all happy. Of course, there is no conflict. Not about homosexuality, not about religion, about nothing. All fluff all the time.
sadpiratepanda's review against another edition
4.0
Tenía bajas expectativas, pero la verdad me gusto mucho y pude identificarme con el protagonista.
El romance fue tierno y disfrute cuando el protagonista hablaba de judaísmo y lo que para él significaba.
El romance fue tierno y disfrute cuando el protagonista hablaba de judaísmo y lo que para él significaba.
catpanda1's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
sylvanshine's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
yasharulz1010's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-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
diogoafsimoes's review against another edition
4.0
Esta história, apesar de elementos muito rápidos, fala da pressão absurda colocada nos jovens estudantes com promessas de futuros melhores. Com passagens coniventes, é um mote para inicio de conversas deveras importantes.
O final acaba por ser o mais surpreendente, pois o facto de não termos resposta quanto à preocupação do protagonista demonstra o próprio crescimento do mesmo.
O final acaba por ser o mais surpreendente, pois o facto de não termos resposta quanto à preocupação do protagonista demonstra o próprio crescimento do mesmo.
leslieklein's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
3.5