Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

53 reviews

bellas__book_nook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Outing

Moderate: Stalking

Minor: Sexual assault and Drug abuse

aingram's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

It's a very fun read, I wouldn't say I'm going to remember it for a long time or anything. It's not the kind of thing that "stays with you". But it's a fun queer book that includes discussion of homophobia in the world but ultimately the central characters are surrounded by good people. The "climax" events of the plot I didn't find overwhelming or unsurprising but there's a few things that might warrant a trigger warning.

Overall, it's a great fiction romance story surrounding queer characters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual assault

Minor: Gaslighting, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, and Racism

The trigger warnings are mostly minor, if labelled as moderate it's because they come up a number of times. But nothing is described in any great detail. Even homophobia which is the most like significant is only in a certain high level sense and direct to a main character from other characters that do have a mild redemption. Overall it's an ensemble of characters who deeply care and respect each other. Also given the position of the main characters (politically, which I believe is in the book blurb) the discussion of homophobia and some of the other factors makes a lot of sense. This isn't meant to be a fictional universe like Schitts Creek (TV show reference) where the world has no misogyny or homophobia. It's meant to be a universe that has those things but paints a picture of progress.

ellaticonstellation's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Spoiler

This is my first book from Casey and I must say, it didn't disappoint. I love Alex's smart mouth and the fact that he was named after Hamilton was awesome (I'm a big fan of the musical.) The enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and royal tropes were neatly done. Henry was charming and interesting. Every character from Alex's side was amazing. I'm so sad about Raf's experience. I can truly say that the world today is more open-minded about queer people today more than ever. I also love that there was a "we against the world" type of feeling. Damn, the monarch was cruel at the least, but I'm happy that most of Henry's family members were supportive of him. Oh, Zahra, my girl, you are my spirit animal❤️ Btw, I was surprised a bit that this was spicy; I devoured every bit nonetheless. Overall, I love that this is about family, friendship, and love. I'll read all your books, Casey, that's for sure✨ P. S. I'm super excited to see the movie adaptation.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Homophobia

Moderate: Addiction

Minor: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

ohdeerboi's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Outing

Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Incest, Rape, Stalking, Slavery, Colonisation, and Vomit

katyfayyyx's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

Make America Gay Again! 🌈

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Biphobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, Grief, Mental illness, Outing, and Sexual content

Moderate: Racism, Drug abuse, Addiction, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Cancer, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Terminal illness, Classism, Sexism, Colonisation, Sexual assault, and Slavery

leerasb335's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Homophobia

Moderate: Stalking

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, War, and Sexual harassment

rubadubindabathtub's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Stalking, Religious bigotry, Drug use, and Drug abuse

cultbyproxy's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

“Seventy-eight percent probability of latent bisexual tendencies”

I read this book in just over 4 straight (hehe) hours and absolutely did not regret a single minute. From the second we were introduced to Alex and Henry and thrown into their world of politics, diplomacy and rivalry, there was no doubt in my mind that it was going to be a fun ride. 

The pacing of the book felt rather rushed to me, with no room for actual tension to build and the characters establishing a friendship/relationship rather quickly (so much for slow-burn enemies to lovers); however outside of that, and the very graphic sexual content — am I turning into a prude? what happened to my wattpad era self? — there was so much to love about this book. The camaraderie between the White House Trio — Alex, Nora and June — brought the perfect amount of comedic relief that had me outwardly laughing, and enough deep meaningful conversations to have me crying, and internally screaming at the characters to get their shit together and release themselves from the shackles of familial obligation! 

“That kind of love is rare, even if it was a complete disaster.” He sucks his teeth, considering. “Sometimes you just jump and hope it’s not a cliff.”

The conversations around sexuality and self exploration between all the characters in the midst of a fiery presidential election campaign allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of them, but also ourselves as a society (particularly those had between Alex and Nora, his father Oscar, and his mentor Rafael Luna). The comparisons between American and British culture, politics and history brought about many laughs and the integration of literature and historical love letters via email exchanges between Alex and Henry left my heart souring. Overall, I am glad the movie adaptation trailer convinced me to immediately start reading. 

I have closed this book with one simple takeaway. A concept that has changed history, changed lives and keeps me hopeful for all of us little queer hopefuls…

“Love is indomitable.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing and Abandonment

Moderate: Homophobia, Biphobia, and Death of parent

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, and Addiction

deetabz's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Outing

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexual content, Racism, Death of parent, and Grief

Minor: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Stalking, Cancer, Colonisation, and Drug use

cdoubet's review against another edition

emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Outing, Sexism, Bullying, and Misogyny

Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Racism

Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Vomit, Alcohol, Cancer, and Sexual harassment