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A review by aingram
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.0
It's a very fun read, I wouldn't say I'm going to remember it for a long time or anything. It's not the kind of thing that "stays with you". But it's a fun queer book that includes discussion of homophobia in the world but ultimately the central characters are surrounded by good people. The "climax" events of the plot I didn't find overwhelming or unsurprising but there's a few things that might warrant a trigger warning.
Overall, it's a great fiction romance story surrounding queer characters.
Overall, it's a great fiction romance story surrounding queer characters.
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Stalking, and Gaslighting
The trigger warnings are mostly minor, if labelled as moderate it's because they come up a number of times. But nothing is described in any great detail. Even homophobia which is the most like significant is only in a certain high level sense and direct to a main character from other characters that do have a mild redemption. Overall it's an ensemble of characters who deeply care and respect each other. Also given the position of the main characters (politically, which I believe is in the book blurb) the discussion of homophobia and some of the other factors makes a lot of sense.
This isn't meant to be a fictional universe like Schitts Creek (TV show reference) where the world has no misogyny or homophobia. It's meant to be a universe that has those things but paints a picture of progress.