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eloise_bradbooks's Reviews (801)
Many ideas for this book were interesting. I appreciate the different family dynamics, especially representing an abusive parent, and found family that comes with being in a boyband.
And of course the main story, aka how not being allowed to be your true self can be damaging beyond belief, is great.
But for some reason it just didn't work for me?
It fell short on many levels, felt a bit bland, almost surface level.
The characters were ok, the romance wasn't anything special.
I wanted to love it.
I didn't dislike anything but I didn't love anything either... I could have felt so much more with these topics but I didn't.
It was, simply put, ok.
And I'll be honest, for a Sophie Gonzales book, I'm disappointed.
And of course the main story, aka how not being allowed to be your true self can be damaging beyond belief, is great.
But for some reason it just didn't work for me?
It fell short on many levels, felt a bit bland, almost surface level.
The characters were ok, the romance wasn't anything special.
I wanted to love it.
I didn't dislike anything but I didn't love anything either... I could have felt so much more with these topics but I didn't.
It was, simply put, ok.
And I'll be honest, for a Sophie Gonzales book, I'm disappointed.
(whoops, I'm not used to writing long ass reviews but I feel the need to explain all that was good but also why I personally wasn't into it as much as I wanted to be) : 3.5 / 5.
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What's this book about?
A YA coming of age about a young Latino boy's last year of high school, dealing with accidentally coming out and how it affects (positively and negatively) people around him whilst also dealing with figuring out what to do after high school AND keeping a long distance relationship.
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It deals with great topics I feel particularly drawn to, and which were altogether well developed:
- Last year of high school, making the most of the time you've got left with friends while figuring out what's next = this is the subject that will always and forever make me cry and this was no exception. The friendships were perfect. Special hugs to Jordan and Lou.
- First love, online long distance relationship = I think maybe I'm not a fan of long distance relationships? They were cute I guess? But I didn't feel connected to them and their romance as much as I wanted to.
- DECIDING TO MOVE AWAY FROM AN ABUSIVE PARENT : this is what, to me, was the most touching and important element in this story.
- A sibling endorsing the role of gardian and making sure their little brother gets to live the life he wants = YAS!!! But Xo clearly didn't get the recognition she deserved...
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Despite dealing with issues I hold close to my heart, this book didn't quite manage to end up as a fave five star read.
And I believe that two small, very personal, things were to blame:
- at times, I felt "too old for this". Language and thoughts and mannerisms that obviously come with the age of the main characters but simply didn't make me click with them like I might have done when I was younger + the romance didn't move me so much;
- i felt tired reading about how everyone was constantly thinking about sex and so little else when it came to the couples in this book... Like anytime they were left alone everyone around them HAD to make a comment about them having sex. I appreciate sex being part of most people's lives and appreciate when it's discussed in YA books, but this was over the top almost abusive for me. #AsexualProblems?
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What's this book about?
A YA coming of age about a young Latino boy's last year of high school, dealing with accidentally coming out and how it affects (positively and negatively) people around him whilst also dealing with figuring out what to do after high school AND keeping a long distance relationship.
.
It deals with great topics I feel particularly drawn to, and which were altogether well developed:
- Last year of high school, making the most of the time you've got left with friends while figuring out what's next = this is the subject that will always and forever make me cry and this was no exception. The friendships were perfect. Special hugs to Jordan and Lou.
- First love, online long distance relationship = I think maybe I'm not a fan of long distance relationships? They were cute I guess? But I didn't feel connected to them and their romance as much as I wanted to.
- DECIDING TO MOVE AWAY FROM AN ABUSIVE PARENT : this is what, to me, was the most touching and important element in this story.
- A sibling endorsing the role of gardian and making sure their little brother gets to live the life he wants = YAS!!! But Xo clearly didn't get the recognition she deserved...
.
Despite dealing with issues I hold close to my heart, this book didn't quite manage to end up as a fave five star read.
And I believe that two small, very personal, things were to blame:
- at times, I felt "too old for this". Language and thoughts and mannerisms that obviously come with the age of the main characters but simply didn't make me click with them like I might have done when I was younger + the romance didn't move me so much;
- i felt tired reading about how everyone was constantly thinking about sex and so little else when it came to the couples in this book... Like anytime they were left alone everyone around them HAD to make a comment about them having sex. I appreciate sex being part of most people's lives and appreciate when it's discussed in YA books, but this was over the top almost abusive for me. #AsexualProblems?
Simply knowing that Rick Riordan continues to write new books, even beyond our beloved world of PJO, makes me so happy I'm literally crying.
I want to put Uncle Rick's books in the hands of everyone, especially younger teens for whom these books are primarily aimed at.
You know it's going to be fast paced, funny, full of action and with a super diverse cast of lovely characters.
.
THIS BOOK SHOWS A TEEN GIRL TAKING OVER A SHIP WHILE DEALING WITH MENSTRUAL PAIN (as well as grief and other issues but PERIODS ARE ACTUALLY A THING IN A BOOK FOR TEENS OMG YES THANK YOU).
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The representation is as amazing as ever for a middle grade book. Indian American MC, black Mormon SC, autistic SC, animals, intelligent mechanical creatures, and A SIDE CHARACTER NAMED ELOISE OMGomgomg.
The greatest thing about all of these characters was how their relationships made me melt they were so perfect. THE FRIENDSHIPS IN THIS BOOK!!!! Help me I'm crying.
I even though we'd have a romance but NO! It's a girl-biy friendship!!!
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Now I don't know too much about 20000 leagues under the sea but this story clearly told us what we needed to know in order to understand the stakes.
I can't say I cared as much as I feel I should have for the whole school rivalry and historical plot... And honestly the whole school system felt so much like Harry Potter houses meets Divergent and a little eye roll worthy (where's the originally in that, Rick?).
But as it was a fast paced story with really interesting developments, I stayed hooked.
It was a really enjoyable read.
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In conclusion:
Plot: 3/5
Storytelling: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Rick Riordan: GOAT
I want to put Uncle Rick's books in the hands of everyone, especially younger teens for whom these books are primarily aimed at.
You know it's going to be fast paced, funny, full of action and with a super diverse cast of lovely characters.
.
THIS BOOK SHOWS A TEEN GIRL TAKING OVER A SHIP WHILE DEALING WITH MENSTRUAL PAIN (as well as grief and other issues but PERIODS ARE ACTUALLY A THING IN A BOOK FOR TEENS OMG YES THANK YOU).
.
The representation is as amazing as ever for a middle grade book. Indian American MC, black Mormon SC, autistic SC, animals, intelligent mechanical creatures, and A SIDE CHARACTER NAMED ELOISE OMGomgomg.
The greatest thing about all of these characters was how their relationships made me melt they were so perfect. THE FRIENDSHIPS IN THIS BOOK!!!! Help me I'm crying.
I even though we'd have a romance but NO! It's a girl-biy friendship!!!
.
Now I don't know too much about 20000 leagues under the sea but this story clearly told us what we needed to know in order to understand the stakes.
I can't say I cared as much as I feel I should have for the whole school rivalry and historical plot... And honestly the whole school system felt so much like Harry Potter houses meets Divergent and a little eye roll worthy (where's the originally in that, Rick?).
But as it was a fast paced story with really interesting developments, I stayed hooked.
It was a really enjoyable read.
.
In conclusion:
Plot: 3/5
Storytelling: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Rick Riordan: GOAT
4.5 ~ Un très beau roman graphique sur l'acceptation de soi, surtout de son identité sexuelle.
J'adore ce concept de "coming-in", comme un coming-out mais a soi même. Le temps qu'il faut pour se convaincre qu'on n'est pas hétéro comme le monde nous l'infligerait.
Ce témoignage peut parfois être difficile à lire, parfois difficile à comprendre si on ne l'a pas traversé. Mais c'est une bonne représentation d'une femme queer qui apprend à accepter qui elle est.
La dessin, et notamment les couleurs, est plutôt sympa également !
J'adore ce concept de "coming-in", comme un coming-out mais a soi même. Le temps qu'il faut pour se convaincre qu'on n'est pas hétéro comme le monde nous l'infligerait.
Ce témoignage peut parfois être difficile à lire, parfois difficile à comprendre si on ne l'a pas traversé. Mais c'est une bonne représentation d'une femme queer qui apprend à accepter qui elle est.
La dessin, et notamment les couleurs, est plutôt sympa également !
3.5 ~ sweet.
Different to the usual SDH books which in some ways felt nice. In other ways, I missed the pure SDHness that make his books speak to me on a level I rarely witness elsewhere.
Anyhow, it was a nice book, interesting, though I don't think the story or the characters will stay with me for a long time.
Different to the usual SDH books which in some ways felt nice. In other ways, I missed the pure SDHness that make his books speak to me on a level I rarely witness elsewhere.
Anyhow, it was a nice book, interesting, though I don't think the story or the characters will stay with me for a long time.
3.5 Honestly? I felt a little underwhelmed. I was expecting to feel much more from TJ Klune.
I'm not sure exactly why, but I couldn't seem to get attached to the characters as much as Klune wanted me to.
Wallace starting as an egotistical bummer and learning to be a nicer person was so eyeroll worthy. Especially as he didn't seem to take long to unlearn the way he's been living for thirty something years...
That being said, Hugo was the best part of this book, and just for him I give multiple stars.
I'm not sure exactly why, but I couldn't seem to get attached to the characters as much as Klune wanted me to.
Wallace starting as an egotistical bummer and learning to be a nicer person was so eyeroll worthy. Especially as he didn't seem to take long to unlearn the way he's been living for thirty something years...
That being said, Hugo was the best part of this book, and just for him I give multiple stars.
3.5/5
SHORT REVIEW
A book about geeky-ness and making the most of summer before leaving for college, about family and best friends... Or maybe lovers? Maybe summer is the time to figure that question out.
Though it felt a little long and dragging at times, many elements were done really well.
It remained a nice enjoyable read.
IN DEPTH REVIEW
What's this book about?
Isaac, a Black Mexican gay boy prepares for his last summer before leaving for college, leaving his family, leaving his best friend Diego.
So he plans to make it incredible. Geeking out to his favourite comic, going to his fave convention, and all of this with Diego, with whom he wants to spend every second.
But bumping into Davi, the cute guy from the school who recently came out as bi, turns all his plans upside down.
My thoughts:
Although the first half dragged a bit, had some very long scenes I wasn't really interested in, the second half picked up quite a bit and ultimately I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed the geeky elements, how the main character sees himself represented for the first time ever in comics, how he struggles to make friends but finds a home with fellow geeks.
I loved his different relationships with different members of his family, especially after a divorce. I really understood the struggles of that and found them to be really well dealt with.
Most importantly I loved that this was a friends-to-lovers story. I don't read enough of them but think I really like them. Their bond was already so strong and sweet and their relationship just made sense.
Yeah, mistakes were made, but it made the characters grow. I'm glad they were forgiven, though I'm not 100% sure I would have forgotten so easily...
SHORT REVIEW
A book about geeky-ness and making the most of summer before leaving for college, about family and best friends... Or maybe lovers? Maybe summer is the time to figure that question out.
Though it felt a little long and dragging at times, many elements were done really well.
It remained a nice enjoyable read.
IN DEPTH REVIEW
What's this book about?
Isaac, a Black Mexican gay boy prepares for his last summer before leaving for college, leaving his family, leaving his best friend Diego.
So he plans to make it incredible. Geeking out to his favourite comic, going to his fave convention, and all of this with Diego, with whom he wants to spend every second.
But bumping into Davi, the cute guy from the school who recently came out as bi, turns all his plans upside down.
My thoughts:
Although the first half dragged a bit, had some very long scenes I wasn't really interested in, the second half picked up quite a bit and ultimately I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed the geeky elements, how the main character sees himself represented for the first time ever in comics, how he struggles to make friends but finds a home with fellow geeks.
I loved his different relationships with different members of his family, especially after a divorce. I really understood the struggles of that and found them to be really well dealt with.
Most importantly I loved that this was a friends-to-lovers story. I don't read enough of them but think I really like them. Their bond was already so strong and sweet and their relationship just made sense.
Yeah, mistakes were made, but it made the characters grow. I'm glad they were forgiven, though I'm not 100% sure I would have forgotten so easily...
"No one should face their monsters alone, Virgil."
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Shaun David Hutchinson has always been an auto-read author for me. And despite his last couple of books being 3 star reads, he still remains an author I admire, that I know will write books full of emotion.
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Ultimately, this is story of abuse and trauma and finding hope where there first seemed to be none.
And that was beautifully told.
But the problem for me was how sad and angry and depressed it made me feel all along. The hope and slight nice elements only really came at the very end, after hours of suffering. And of course this is a story that needs to be told, we need stories of hurt and trauma and how abuse can make people feel so lonely and sad and anxious.
But it just wasn't really what I was looking for especially this pride month, and the blurb clearly doesn't say much about what this book is actually about.
.
Shaun David Hutchinson has always been an auto-read author for me. And despite his last couple of books being 3 star reads, he still remains an author I admire, that I know will write books full of emotion.
.
Ultimately, this is story of abuse and trauma and finding hope where there first seemed to be none.
And that was beautifully told.
But the problem for me was how sad and angry and depressed it made me feel all along. The hope and slight nice elements only really came at the very end, after hours of suffering. And of course this is a story that needs to be told, we need stories of hurt and trauma and how abuse can make people feel so lonely and sad and anxious.
But it just wasn't really what I was looking for especially this pride month, and the blurb clearly doesn't say much about what this book is actually about.