ninasri's review
1.0
This book rubbed me the wrong way the entire way through. It often felt like a chore when I came back to pick up where I'd left off and that's hardly ever a good sign for me.
On top off that, Cece from Problemsofabooknerd pointed out that the author hadn't done enough research on intersexuality and intersex identity and I feel like it definitely shows in this book.
Also, trigger warnings for homophobia, transphobia, abuse (both mental and physical) some of it even on-page.
Alex' parents didn't feel likeable at all, not even in the end and her mother's blog entries were deeply disturbing for me and at times I found them so offensive and damaging that I had to take a break from the book before I could continue reading. Yes, I understand that this might (strong emphasis on might!) portray a realistic experience of an intersex person but considering that this isn't own-voices, I didn't buy into it and felt it wasn't genuine at all.
On top off that, Cece from Problemsofabooknerd pointed out that the author hadn't done enough research on intersexuality and intersex identity and I feel like it definitely shows in this book.
Also, trigger warnings for homophobia, transphobia, abuse (both mental and physical) some of it even on-page.
Alex' parents didn't feel likeable at all, not even in the end and her mother's blog entries were deeply disturbing for me and at times I found them so offensive and damaging that I had to take a break from the book before I could continue reading. Yes, I understand that this might (strong emphasis on might!) portray a realistic experience of an intersex person but considering that this isn't own-voices, I didn't buy into it and felt it wasn't genuine at all.
epiphany_ori's review
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
abookwithreview's review
2.0
I was going to give this book one star but honestly it is a quick read and there are a couple of great relatable quotes but honestly this book is mostly just disgusting wish fulfilment porn of a stereotype of an intersex teen from the mind of a cisgender woman.
She leans into the trans and intersex people are disgusting perverts thing, she makes the mom absolutely batshot crazy instead of giving us a view of just generally unsupportive parents (the mom doses the MC with testosterone in their food, and assaults a 15 year old), and then everything ends in a modeling contract and the 15 year old MC getting to live in their own apartment.
Idk what else I can say
She leans into the trans and intersex people are disgusting perverts thing, she makes the mom absolutely batshot crazy instead of giving us a view of just generally unsupportive parents (the mom doses the MC with testosterone in their food, and assaults a 15 year old), and then everything ends in a modeling contract and the 15 year old MC getting to live in their own apartment.
Idk what else I can say
sde's review against another edition
2.0
This looks like another new YA book about a transgender teen that seem to be coming out by the bucketload. Instead, the main character is intersex. I didn't find the book convincing since it was set in the current day. I can't imagine the approach in Australia would be that different than in the US. The main character, Alex, has no idea that he is intersex until well into the book. He just knows he wants to be a girl. In real life, this kid would have been undergoing surgeries and going through therapy, knowing full well what his/her situation was. When I was a young child way back in the 1970s I had to go to Boston Children's Hospital for months, and we met all kinds of patients, including a child like this - that was 40 years ago!
I also didn't understand what was going on with the parents. I understand that they were under a lot of stress, but the mother's craziness seemed unrealistic. The father was incredibly awkward, but at least he was more believable. I did like the character of the attorney, Crockett, and would have liked to see more of him in the book.
I also didn't understand what was going on with the parents. I understand that they were under a lot of stress, but the mother's craziness seemed unrealistic. The father was incredibly awkward, but at least he was more believable. I did like the character of the attorney, Crockett, and would have liked to see more of him in the book.
evelynpinacolada's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty short and not as heavy as I expected it to be. I think I would have liked it more if it delved into the characters a little more, but it was nevertheless enjoyable.
sarahthornton's review
1. There are not enough books about intersex people
2. The first chapter felt really off
3. The parents were spot on. The victim complex is both unreal which makes it all the more realistic. It's not a conversation or series of conversations most people want to have but ignoring it doesn't make it go away, and when an intersex kid doesn't know they're actually intersex because you lied to them and drugged them, the response when they tell you they're the wrong gender should always not be hitting them in the face
4. People who don't want their children taken away shouldn't treat said children like shit. Best like of the book.
I'm still very angry about the parent's blog and wilful abuse, but the split personality based on binary gender didn't work for me. Then again Alex has been drugged against her knowledge for a long time with one parent in clear psychosis so it's not outside the realms of realism.
2. The first chapter felt really off
3. The parents were spot on. The victim complex is both unreal which makes it all the more realistic. It's not a conversation or series of conversations most people want to have but ignoring it doesn't make it go away, and when an intersex kid doesn't know they're actually intersex because you lied to them and drugged them, the response when they tell you they're the wrong gender should always not be hitting them in the face
4. People who don't want their children taken away shouldn't treat said children like shit. Best like of the book.
I'm still very angry about the parent's blog and wilful abuse, but the split personality based on binary gender didn't work for me. Then again Alex has been drugged against her knowledge for a long time with one parent in clear psychosis so it's not outside the realms of realism.
mxbluet18's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Trigger warnings for Alex As Well include: abusive parents, assault, bullying, emotional & physical abuse; public outing and transphobia.
☆
☆
I do recognise that this book is not good representation for the intersex community and that many of the reviews I have read see this book as being very harmful in the descriptions used.
~
I don't think I'm informed enough to comment on whether the portrayal of being intersex is accurate and realistic or not. However, I will say that the way it's been written, the way the parents don't exactly understand their child, and they aren't completely willing to try to, it feels the same way that unaccepting parents react to their child being trans or non-binary.
~
I don't really know what to make of this book quite honestly. I think maybe Alex was hasty in her decision to emancipate herself from her parents, but ultimately, when they weren't truthful with her from an age where she could understand the situation, I'm not entirely surprised it ended as it did.
~
I do like that some of her friends were at least a little bit supportive of who she was, and that she had someone she could talk to about the whole situation.
☆
☆
I do recognise that this book is not good representation for the intersex community and that many of the reviews I have read see this book as being very harmful in the descriptions used.
~
I don't think I'm informed enough to comment on whether the portrayal of being intersex is accurate and realistic or not. However, I will say that the way it's been written, the way the parents don't exactly understand their child, and they aren't completely willing to try to, it feels the same way that unaccepting parents react to their child being trans or non-binary.
~
I don't really know what to make of this book quite honestly. I think maybe Alex was hasty in her decision to emancipate herself from her parents, but ultimately, when they weren't truthful with her from an age where she could understand the situation, I'm not entirely surprised it ended as it did.
~
I do like that some of her friends were at least a little bit supportive of who she was, and that she had someone she could talk to about the whole situation.
abookwithreview's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I was going to give this book one star but honestly it is a quick read and there are a couple of great relatable quotes but honestly this book is mostly just disgusting wish fulfilment porn of a stereotype of an intersex teen from the mind of a cisgender woman.
She leans into the trans and intersex people are disgusting perverts thing, she makes the mom absolutely batshot crazy instead of giving us a view of just generally unsupportive parents (the mom doses the MC with testosterone in their food, and assaults a 15 year old), and then everything ends in a modeling contract and the 15 year old MC getting to live in their own apartment.
Idk what else I can say 🤷
She leans into the trans and intersex people are disgusting perverts thing, she makes the mom absolutely batshot crazy instead of giving us a view of just generally unsupportive parents (the mom doses the MC with testosterone in their food, and assaults a 15 year old), and then everything ends in a modeling contract and the 15 year old MC getting to live in their own apartment.
Idk what else I can say 🤷
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Transphobia
la_bibliofille89's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0