1.34k reviews by:

imstephtacular

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

This was dark and intense, but also sharp and dryly humorous in the way only books about teenagers can be. King really knows how to capture an authentic teen voice. I also really liked the mixed POV and the use of flashback. 

My only issues with this story lie in the outdated language— this book is now 15 years old so there’s a little grace. But the terminology around sex work and slut shaming and addictive was a little tired for me as a modern reader 

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Absolutely heartbreaking, raw, and compelling. Kantor really understands the young adult voice. My only complaint was the lack of trans-inclusive language around the topics of pregnancy and abortion 

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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emotional hopeful sad tense medium-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

Gosh, I knew I was going to love this as soon as I picked it up and I was right!!! Sweet and joyful and full of love underneath the tough, real, hard topics inside. 

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

What a delightful debut! I loved all the nerdiness and quippy interactions. I do think you need to be at least somewhat familiar with nerd/gaming culture to appreciate this one, but I personally was the right reader!

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emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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Baby X

Kira Peikoff

DID NOT FINISH: 22%

Fascinating premise, but I just wasn’t loving it