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boooksforbreakfast's review against another edition
2.0
This book delves into crucial themes like homophobia, conversion therapy, bullying, abuse, mental health, and racism, which is commendable. Sadly I did not feel a connection with any of the characters. The growth of the protagonist felt rushed, lacking realism. The love interest of the book is Native American which is a very underrepresented minority in books. So I was excited to see that representation in this book, but this portrayal left much to be desired. The book's representation of Native Americans was disappointing, featuring racism, slurs, and hate crimes, which felt particularly inappropriate considering the author is white.
If anyone knows of books with authentic portrayals of queer Native American characters by Native American authors, I'd love recommendations!
If anyone knows of books with authentic portrayals of queer Native American characters by Native American authors, I'd love recommendations!
jade_ls_lee's review against another edition
4.0
Wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am!
Not what I expected but still good - maybe because of that. Nice to see a YA contemporary which can break out of the usual story beats.
Not what I expected but still good - maybe because of that. Nice to see a YA contemporary which can break out of the usual story beats.
lightlux's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
3.5
adambwriter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.75
sofii_825's review against another edition
4.0
really angsty and cute at the same time. enjoyed Web's backstory, taught me a lot of the Indigenous people. the ending is very vague but hopeful
bookishfaye's review against another edition
Was just reading a tad too young for me
and_so_she_reads_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
mo_mentan's review against another edition
4.0
2020
*3.5
- someone doesn't like the rolling stones
- i know too little about why it is a problem if non-own-voice authors write slurs in their books (in a way that the context obviously condems their use). i should probably educate myself about that
- i am, however, a little uncomfortable about a white author writing about native american (and even black) culture. maybe i am just a little too sensitive now or i am just scared of doing things wrong myself, because actually i think it is great to have this kind of representation
- the writing IS a little over the top in places but i actually don't mind too much
- the ending is strange and a little too much but overall ok
- i don't think the hal thing was necessary
- i loved how grey his father was as a character
- i didn't like the way the people at the trailor park were portrayed, as just lazy and violent. they had no depth to them, they were just bad people. which, sure, racism is bad and inexcusable and we do not have to talk about that, but they are still humans with motivations and problems and sorrows
all in all it seemed a little rough around the edges, but i mean it's a debut and would surely read the next book by this author
2023 correction: the author IS in fact native american, i dunno why i thought otherwise (in general but especially if it was based on looks it is of course very problematic and i am sorry!)
*3.5
- someone doesn't like the rolling stones
- i know too little about why it is a problem if non-own-voice authors write slurs in their books (in a way that the context obviously condems their use). i should probably educate myself about that
- i am, however, a little uncomfortable about a white author writing about native american (and even black) culture. maybe i am just a little too sensitive now or i am just scared of doing things wrong myself, because actually i think it is great to have this kind of representation
- the writing IS a little over the top in places but i actually don't mind too much
- the ending is strange and a little too much but overall ok
- i don't think the hal thing was necessary
- i loved how grey his father was as a character
- i didn't like the way the people at the trailor park were portrayed, as just lazy and violent. they had no depth to them, they were just bad people. which, sure, racism is bad and inexcusable and we do not have to talk about that, but they are still humans with motivations and problems and sorrows
all in all it seemed a little rough around the edges, but i mean it's a debut and would surely read the next book by this author
2023 correction: the author IS in fact native american, i dunno why i thought otherwise (in general but especially if it was based on looks it is of course very problematic and i am sorry!)
elisebian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
3.0
coco_lolo's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
While the story of Ziggy, Stardust and Me was solid, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters in large part due to the writing. This is a YA book, but the prose style felt very young and relied too heavily on ellipses, em dashes, and sound effects that didn't really work for me. I liked that we got a novel looking at things like the moon landing, the Watergate scandal, conversion therapy, and bringing awareness to the struggles of indigenous Americans, but the characters fell pretty flat for me. Beyond Jonathan, we don't get a good look inside characters like Starla or Web, or at least to the extent I was hoping for. I read a review where someone mentioned they thought this would have been a great graphic novel, and I'd have to agree: the visuals this novel offers would have translated better in a different medium.
Not so much a case of a bad book, more an issue of personal taste.
While the story of Ziggy, Stardust and Me was solid, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters in large part due to the writing. This is a YA book, but the prose style felt very young and relied too heavily on ellipses, em dashes, and sound effects that didn't really work for me. I liked that we got a novel looking at things like the moon landing, the Watergate scandal, conversion therapy, and bringing awareness to the struggles of indigenous Americans, but the characters fell pretty flat for me. Beyond Jonathan, we don't get a good look inside characters like Starla or Web, or at least to the extent I was hoping for. I read a review where someone mentioned they thought this would have been a great graphic novel, and I'd have to agree: the visuals this novel offers would have translated better in a different medium.
Not so much a case of a bad book, more an issue of personal taste.