garbutch's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, Body shaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Medical content, Transphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, and Sexual violence
molluska's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
glorytowers05's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Racism, Vomit, Cursing, Dysphoria, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
dany_olvera's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
becandbooks's review
Trigger warnings:
I will be transparent and state that my original reading of this book was something I found enjoyable. However, since then I have read a lot of criticism about the way race, Semitic, and some queer discussions were handled that have led me to choose to not rate or further promote this book. I do not know where I stand on this discussion, but I also recognise that it is largely not my place as a white, cis-gendered person to comment on the way certain experiences are portrayed and handled.
I do think that there is a discussion here about whether a story is problematic or whether a character is simply portrayed as problematic. They are not one and the same. However, I will be blunt and say that I am not sure where this book lies in this discussion.
Please, look to other reviews posted here on Goodreads, and other platforms, from POC, queer, and Semitic reviewers. They are the voices we should be hearing in this discussion.
Spoiler
Transmisia, misgendering, homomisia, racism & racial slurs, sexism & misogynistic slurs, ableism, alcohol consumptionI will be transparent and state that my original reading of this book was something I found enjoyable. However, since then I have read a lot of criticism about the way race, Semitic, and some queer discussions were handled that have led me to choose to not rate or further promote this book. I do not know where I stand on this discussion, but I also recognise that it is largely not my place as a white, cis-gendered person to comment on the way certain experiences are portrayed and handled.
I do think that there is a discussion here about whether a story is problematic or whether a character is simply portrayed as problematic. They are not one and the same. However, I will be blunt and say that I am not sure where this book lies in this discussion.
Please, look to other reviews posted here on Goodreads, and other platforms, from POC, queer, and Semitic reviewers. They are the voices we should be hearing in this discussion.
Note: Review copy received from NetGalley. This does not impact opinions within this review.
blog • trigger warning database • more links
katrinaeames's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is emotional and plot-driven. It is a book with characters that actually feel like teenagers - teenagers who are imperfect humans, occasionally self-centered, self-righteous, and irritating. People who make mistakes even when they're trying their best.
That said, it is a white queer book. Aside from our love interest, the non-white characters don't really have as much depth as the white characters. And although I am happy to bash the anti-Asian racism that is the entire premise of Thourghly Modern Millie any day of the week, alluding to the racism of the show that will likely still have thousands of high school productions this year is not a stand-in for actually looking at the way race is impacting the people in the narrative here. This novel can look at the glaring and obvious examples of racism, but it doesn't handle the topic of race with any real nuance.
I would also say as someone who works in politics - the dream of a high schooler to move to DC, become a member of congress, and change the world is relatable; but the constant dismissal of other theories of change, of work that makes a difference in our communities everyday, and the way that Finch's stubbornness caused them to look down on doing actual political work was disappointing at best. It presents a narrative that I think harms teenagers' ability to see themselves taking action.
I think this is a book that tries. It could have been better. At its core this is a friends-to-lovers YA romance that feels a bit rushed in places. But the first-person POV let's us really dig into the feelings and complicated relationships of a support system that exists even when you don't feel like you have a lot of support.
That said, it is a white queer book. Aside from our love interest, the non-white characters don't really have as much depth as the white characters. And although I am happy to bash the anti-Asian racism that is the entire premise of Thourghly Modern Millie any day of the week, alluding to the racism of the show that will likely still have thousands of high school productions this year is not a stand-in for actually looking at the way race is impacting the people in the narrative here. This novel can look at the glaring and obvious examples of racism, but it doesn't handle the topic of race with any real nuance.
I would also say as someone who works in politics - the dream of a high schooler to move to DC, become a member of congress, and change the world is relatable; but the constant dismissal of other theories of change, of work that makes a difference in our communities everyday, and the way that Finch's stubbornness caused them to look down on doing actual political work was disappointing at best. It presents a narrative that I think harms teenagers' ability to see themselves taking action.
I think this is a book that tries. It could have been better. At its core this is a friends-to-lovers YA romance that feels a bit rushed in places. But the first-person POV let's us really dig into the feelings and complicated relationships of a support system that exists even when you don't feel like you have a lot of support.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Biphobia
Minor: Vomit
liyanakey's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.5
peyton_'s review
3.0
I wouldn’t label this as a romance, since it is not the central story in this book. This is much more about Finch (and Jonah) finding themselves.
The story is good, I’m finding a lot of teen books have debaters as their main characters in order to provide a platform for the message that they want to get across. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s starting to feel a tad repetitive. I feel like a lot of the topics in this book have been brought up in several other books I’ve read. Now I’m just trying to find something new.
The story is good, I’m finding a lot of teen books have debaters as their main characters in order to provide a platform for the message that they want to get across. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s starting to feel a tad repetitive. I feel like a lot of the topics in this book have been brought up in several other books I’ve read. Now I’m just trying to find something new.
drugstoreperfume's review
as someone who spends too much time on tumblr i cannot BELIEVE it took me seeing bill hader in the inspiration section of the acknowledgements to put together who the author of this was
bbewnoremac's review
emotional
funny
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? No
4.75