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redslug_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use
dogoodwithbooks'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
I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free audio e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
After being dumped for performing in a dress during the school talent show, Mark feels that he’s too much for someone to love him. With the encouragement of his older brother, Eric, and new crush, Ezra, at the costume store, things might be turning up for him. Yet, Mark realizes that his brother has struggles that he doesn’t know about or what to do to help him. When he wears the dress he got when he first met Ezra, Mark realizes that the dress could help him be how he wants to be seen.
Becoming a Queen is a book that can be full of wit and charm at one point and heart-wrenching at another point. A stellar debut from Clay, this book really dives into themes of loss and self-discovery and that reflects into Mark’s character development. From the first page, I enjoyed having Mark as an MC and I think that his journey with faith, grief, and being who you want to be is really something readers can resonate with.
For the narration, Clay takes the honor as the sole narrator for this 10 hour and 40 minute audiobook that can be easily listened to at 1.25x. While Clay makes a bold choice with doing his own narration for Becoming a Queen, it ultimately works for him. Clay brings about all the laugh out loud and heart-wrenching emotions in this book to life as well as every other emotion in between. Since there are plenty of short chapters, this is an easy-to-listen audiobook that’s perfect for multi-tasking. My only critique of Clay’s narration is to work on creating distinct voices for the female characters.
Nevertheless, I think this is a really good read. If you’re looking for an emotion-filled, queer coming-of-age novel, you are going to love Becoming a Queen.
After being dumped for performing in a dress during the school talent show, Mark feels that he’s too much for someone to love him. With the encouragement of his older brother, Eric, and new crush, Ezra, at the costume store, things might be turning up for him. Yet, Mark realizes that his brother has struggles that he doesn’t know about or what to do to help him. When he wears the dress he got when he first met Ezra, Mark realizes that the dress could help him be how he wants to be seen.
Becoming a Queen is a book that can be full of wit and charm at one point and heart-wrenching at another point. A stellar debut from Clay, this book really dives into themes of loss and self-discovery and that reflects into Mark’s character development. From the first page, I enjoyed having Mark as an MC and I think that his journey with faith, grief, and being who you want to be is really something readers can resonate with.
For the narration, Clay takes the honor as the sole narrator for this 10 hour and 40 minute audiobook that can be easily listened to at 1.25x. While Clay makes a bold choice with doing his own narration for Becoming a Queen, it ultimately works for him. Clay brings about all the laugh out loud and heart-wrenching emotions in this book to life as well as every other emotion in between. Since there are plenty of short chapters, this is an easy-to-listen audiobook that’s perfect for multi-tasking. My only critique of Clay’s narration is to work on creating distinct voices for the female characters.
Nevertheless, I think this is a really good read. If you’re looking for an emotion-filled, queer coming-of-age novel, you are going to love Becoming a Queen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I picked up this book based on the cover and title alone aka I didn't read the synopsis. Not what I thought the book would be, and it packed an emotional punch. I'm sure I would have eventually picked up the book if I read the synopsis, but I do avoid books where there's a chance of tears. So many tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Vomit, Medical content, and Outing
imstephtacular's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Homophobia
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
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