Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith

72 reviews

luxxltyd's review against another edition

emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Hate crime, and Outing

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Deadnaming

whosfernn's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

I knew almost nothing about this book when I picked it up. Looking at the cover and the blurb, I assumed it would be a cute coming-of-age romance. What it actually is is probably the best, most moving tale of a trans boy I've ever read. It's a very realistic look at the trans experience, especially how it can be to be trans in southern America. Beautiful. One of my favourites, probably my favourite read of 2023 so far. Please read this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Medical content, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death, Drug use, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia

Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Bullying

Minor: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Grief, and Religious bigotry

yakman's review against another edition

inspiring

4.25

It's not a literary masterpiece and some of the stuff feels outdated but fun overall, tbh I cried a little.
It felt like I got sucker punched

Spoiler

 when they started beating Pony up and the thoughts going through his head, because that's like my biggest fear 

but it also made me think of the Nimona movie which I believe has a very similar message. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia and Violence

infariveronaa's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

💕🥺❤️💕

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, and Bullying

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

beastbark's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Hate crime, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Sexual content

elskabee's review against another edition

funny hopeful 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

3.5

 It's hard to say much about this book because it's painfully generic. Like almost every teen romcom trope feels like it's here except one of the main characters is trans. Buuuut being really stereotypical doesn't make it bad, just not a standout. I laughed at a decent amount of the jokes and the characters are complex and I was rooting for their relationship. 

I'd say please check for trigger warnings especially to do with transphobia and suicidal ideation. This book has a happy ending and for most of it a fairly light tone but it's not exactly cosy. It is about queer youth in Texas after all. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Violence, Outing, and Hate crime

Moderate: Dysphoria, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Alcohol and Drug use

katieduffy151's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

3.5

A great book to highlight the significant daily struggles of trans youth and what is unfortunately an all too common experience. The book is quite joyful and light-hearted at the beginning but a warning is needed because takes a drastic turn toward the end with incredibly violent scenes but I understand why it was included.

I would maybe suggest that this is a really insightful book for cisgender people to read in order to more fully understand the struggles of trans people (particularly teenagers), but a warning that it might be very triggering for those who are trans. I would like to think there are better books out there to read that highlight trans joy and love.

I still maintain Pony deserves better than Georgia. I also felt uncomfortable that his friend wouldn't respect his decision to go stealth given the potential safety risks, but I understand the issue of visibility is a complex one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Dysphoria, Bullying, Deadnaming, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, and Transphobia

Minor: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship

babyleo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Transphobia, Violence, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail

adig13's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

sobbing my eyes out. loved every thing about this. so sad I finishd it so soon. tobly mcsmith is truly one of the best authors of our time. now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to read the outsiders.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia and Violence

laura_keoski's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Bullying, and Transphobia

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Hate crime, Sexual harassment, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Outing

Minor: Deadnaming