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mstormodolge's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Honestly I wanna start this review with a statement: I don’t think my review for this book is the most important review for this book. I am not trans and as a cis woman it’s hard to understand and fathom some of the struggle that Pony goes through within this story. However, with that being said I did see a LOT of the struggle he faced being queer in a red state and his mental health issues as someone who has faced both of those. And with that being said:
I think this book was really beautiful. It was genuine and mature while also giving into that ‘teenage’ angst that isn’t always as serious as it feels. I love how quickly they fall in love and how deeply slight drama hit home- but I also appreciate the issues that were also faced that even many adults haven’t faced. Idk how to describe it lol but from what I’ve experienced, a lot of the pain Pony feels is realistic. To the point where his mental health stuff was not smart for me to be reading in the mindset I was in lmao but it was realistic. The ending was good and very teen vibes but the struggle to that ending point? Spoiler here: but the way that the asshole characters physically assault Pony at the prom is despicable. It’s disgusting and I know it’s realistic and I hate that. I was hoping to give this book to Jay as a ‘here’s a trans masc story woo!!’ But what pony goes through makes me hesitate bc I can’t imagine putting Jay through reading about that. I know something had to happen, but why that? Why so much detail? It hurt even me.
Overall, I thought this book was interesting. I think the main two characters are really well made and I think the banter and interactions they have are well done. Sometimes this book felt more like mansplaining queer/trans troubles but honestly I’ll take it haha because the rest of it was really good. I enjoyed the internal battles both leads faced about how to show themselves and I liked their personal growth. I wish it just hadn’t come at the cost of this book being triggering imo
I think this book was really beautiful. It was genuine and mature while also giving into that ‘teenage’ angst that isn’t always as serious as it feels. I love how quickly they fall in love and how deeply slight drama hit home- but I also appreciate the issues that were also faced that even many adults haven’t faced. Idk how to describe it lol but from what I’ve experienced, a lot of the pain Pony feels is realistic. To the point where his mental health stuff was not smart for me to be reading in the mindset I was in lmao but it was realistic. The ending was good and very teen vibes but the struggle to that ending point? Spoiler here: but the way that the asshole characters physically assault Pony at the prom is despicable. It’s disgusting and I know it’s realistic and I hate that. I was hoping to give this book to Jay as a ‘here’s a trans masc story woo!!’ But what pony goes through makes me hesitate bc I can’t imagine putting Jay through reading about that. I know something had to happen, but why that? Why so much detail? It hurt even me.
Overall, I thought this book was interesting. I think the main two characters are really well made and I think the banter and interactions they have are well done. Sometimes this book felt more like mansplaining queer/trans troubles but honestly I’ll take it haha because the rest of it was really good. I enjoyed the internal battles both leads faced about how to show themselves and I liked their personal growth. I wish it just hadn’t come at the cost of this book being triggering imo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Deadnaming and Lesbophobia
yikeslou's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
2.5
Pony is a sweet, hilarious, and relatable MC who is surrounded by a troop of assholes (mostly teens which is semi excusable, they're still finding themselves and learning etc etc, kids are inherently a little self centered, still frustrating to read). Everything wrapped up VERY quickly compared to the slow burning romance plot, but hey I love a happy ending so I can't complain too much
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Deadnaming, Death, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, Outing, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
capriqueen's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
2.0
The main theme of this book is about how fitting in is about hiding your true self, and doing that is never worth it, esp when it’s to fit in with jerks. It accomplishes it fine enough
I don’t love the notes of misogyny in the beginning with Pony’s thoughts about Georgia being a cheerleader, and I especially don’t like Max. I found him to be a toxic friend with all his ultimatums and demands of performative activism
I don’t love the notes of misogyny in the beginning with Pony’s thoughts about Georgia being a cheerleader, and I especially don’t like Max. I found him to be a toxic friend with all his ultimatums and demands of performative activism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, and Outing
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Toxic friendship
There is a graphic hate crime assaultkaywhiteley's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’m all for characters learning and changing but this was just unrealistic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Transphobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia
bwithwings's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
bookobsessedmommy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.25
Pony is a trans boy who decides to go stealth at his new school, which isn't a proble until he falls for a cheerleader, Georgia, and needs to tell her his secret. This book was equal parts heartbreaking, infuriating, and sweet. These kids have to deal with the typical Hugh school concerns of popularity and reputation, but when you add in being trans, especially in the south, things get a lot more complicated and even dangerous. Pony's relationship with Georgia is central, but I wanted more with his friend Max. His sister Rocky is my hero. 💜 I would love a little epilogue, but the ending really suited the story well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Outing, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deadnaming and Toxic friendship
cadriel221's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
5.0
This book made me cry but in a good way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Deadnaming
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Death and Suicidal thoughts
sjeast17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, and Dysphoria
paydendyer's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Wish I would've read the other reviews before reading this. It started out good but had quite a lot of triggering things, especially for it being a YA novel. The ending felt very rushed, and the hate crime towards the end was alarming and graphic. I didn't like how the book focused so much on Pony not being out, and how everyone around him pressured him to be out. I think the author was maybe attempting to make a point of why it's not always safe for trans people to be out with the scene towards the end, but it just felt like a terrible way to do that. I don't like the idea that trans people have to be educating other people- some people choose to but nobody should have to. I didn't like Georgia's character and I definitely didn't like how it took Pony being hate crimed to make her want to be with him. Also the dad's words were very triggering as well. Realistic I guess, but just not the type of trans media I was searching for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Transphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse