Scan barcode
emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.25
This was a lovely romance. Jackson and Tomas were incredibly sweet together, and I loved seeing the character development they both went through. Not only that but Lonesborough captures the Australian summer SO. PERFECTLY. I was transported, and actually felt a little homesick for a place I rarely feel homesick for.
There were just a couple of things that brought the rating down. The first is that I felt the narrative needed a bit more structure. The second is that it wasn’t clear from the beginning that Jackson had been questioning his sexuality since he was 12 - I think that giving this information earlier would have given better context to the overall story, and made his exploration of his sexuality feel less like it came out of nowhere.
There were just a couple of things that brought the rating down. The first is that I felt the narrative needed a bit more structure. The second is that it wasn’t clear from the beginning that Jackson had been questioning his sexuality since he was 12 - I think that giving this information earlier would have given better context to the overall story, and made his exploration of his sexuality feel less like it came out of nowhere.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Outing, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Horse racing, homophobic slurs, internalised homophobia, incarceration, disowning, child birth, gambling, references to the Stolen Generationforeverinastory's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Scholastic for a finished copy in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this one. Made me so soft.
Ready When You Are is the US publication of The Boy from the Mish. It's the story of young Jackson, an Aboriginal Australian young man. He's finished his second to last year of high school and he doesn't know if he'll go back after the summer break. When his family comes to visit for Christmas, he doesn't expect Tomas, a boy his auntie is looking after. The two are forced to spend time together and as they begin to open up to each other, they both realize there might something different than friendship between them.
This was a really beautiful story of questioning and coming out. Jackson has so many factors he has to consider before he can even think about coming out. His culture is not outwardly homophobic, but the fear of being shut out is hard to overcome in a small group where there are almost zero queer people. This story really shows how much damage queer invisibility can do. There are so many invisible obstacles and having no one as a role model can make it even harder.
I'm really glad I read this book because I loved getting a look in Aboriginal culture and history. Jackson's culture and identity is important to him. He spends time in his Koori men's group and seeing spaces like this was amazing. The world needs more spaces like this for marginalized groups, especially groups with intersectional identities. I loved seeing Jackson connect to his people and traditions through stories and art.
Jackson and Tomas's relationship was so well developed. Both of them are unsure of each other and themselves, but I loved seeing them navigate it together. The ending was a bit sad and emotional but there was so much hope for the future. I hope we get more stories like this and ones with queer Aboriginal characters achieving their dreams or in SFF stories!
Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male MC, Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male love interest, multiple Aboriginal Australian side characters, white gay male side character.
CWs: Homophobia/homomisia, racism, racial slurs, alcohol consumption (underage), cursing, drug use (marijuana), violence, police brutality, hate crime, colonisation. Moderate: sexual content, outing, vomit, bullying, blood, injury/injury detail. Minor: Alcoholism, addiction, past mentions of domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, medical content.
I really enjoyed this one. Made me so soft.
Ready When You Are is the US publication of The Boy from the Mish. It's the story of young Jackson, an Aboriginal Australian young man. He's finished his second to last year of high school and he doesn't know if he'll go back after the summer break. When his family comes to visit for Christmas, he doesn't expect Tomas, a boy his auntie is looking after. The two are forced to spend time together and as they begin to open up to each other, they both realize there might something different than friendship between them.
This was a really beautiful story of questioning and coming out. Jackson has so many factors he has to consider before he can even think about coming out. His culture is not outwardly homophobic, but the fear of being shut out is hard to overcome in a small group where there are almost zero queer people. This story really shows how much damage queer invisibility can do. There are so many invisible obstacles and having no one as a role model can make it even harder.
I'm really glad I read this book because I loved getting a look in Aboriginal culture and history. Jackson's culture and identity is important to him. He spends time in his Koori men's group and seeing spaces like this was amazing. The world needs more spaces like this for marginalized groups, especially groups with intersectional identities. I loved seeing Jackson connect to his people and traditions through stories and art.
Jackson and Tomas's relationship was so well developed. Both of them are unsure of each other and themselves, but I loved seeing them navigate it together. The ending was a bit sad and emotional but there was so much hope for the future. I hope we get more stories like this and ones with queer Aboriginal characters achieving their dreams or in SFF stories!
Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male MC, Aboriginal Australian (Koori) gay-questioning male love interest, multiple Aboriginal Australian side characters, white gay male side character.
CWs: Homophobia/homomisia, racism, racial slurs, alcohol consumption (underage), cursing, drug use (marijuana), violence, police brutality, hate crime, colonisation. Moderate: sexual content, outing, vomit, bullying, blood, injury/injury detail. Minor: Alcoholism, addiction, past mentions of domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, medical content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
I loved being able to read a queer, Indigenous Australian story and it really doesn’t disappoint! Not only is the wholesome friendship and budding romance between Jackson and Tomas beautifully written but so is the exploration of Jackson’s culture and spirituality. Jackson introducing Tomas to the ceremonies and rituals of his local mob and connecting with the local elders are some of the most touching parts of the story.
Jackson is an excellently written 1st person POV too, in terms of being an authentic teenager (when EVERYTHING annoys you at that age!). I also loved reading the depiction of an Aussie summer Christmas; something you almost never see in Northern hemisphere-centric novels. I experienced some serious nostalgia recalling all those hot, lazy days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
In the end, the message of hope for black, queer boys is a powerful one and even more so in it’s raw authenticity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism
jams's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Alcoholism
teatales's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
An absolutely beautiful love story. Reminded me of Ari and Dante in the best way
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, and Police brutality
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty