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crispycaulfield's reviews
17 reviews
Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Ahhh, I really thought this was going to be a four stars but that resolution/ending was so rushed and way too easy, so I can't in good conscience give it 4 stars when it was fumbled like that.
I really had fun reading this, though. It's funny and lighthearted but some moments were still really cute and heartwarming. I think it's also a really good conversation starter about religions, especially at a YA level since that's a subject the age group doesn't treat very often. It was really interesting!
The only thing that icked me was the way Michael spoke of the love interest, sometimes the more sexual comments felt out of place and more "textbook cliché teenage boy" than necessary. Since the book is written by a woman, it just felt forced. And, considering the love interest's faith, I think it was a missed opportunity to go further into the subject of purity culture and discuss teenage sexuality in that context. Sure, there was a big section on something similar, but I think it would've been nice for the subject to be developed directly through the character I have in mind, and it didn't achieve what I would've loved to see from it.
Either way, it was a nice book and I've had it on my TBR for so long, I can't believe I've finally read it!
I really had fun reading this, though. It's funny and lighthearted but some moments were still really cute and heartwarming. I think it's also a really good conversation starter about religions, especially at a YA level since that's a subject the age group doesn't treat very often. It was really interesting!
The only thing that icked me was the way Michael spoke of the love interest, sometimes the more sexual comments felt out of place and more "textbook cliché teenage boy" than necessary. Since the book is written by a woman, it just felt forced. And, considering the love interest's faith, I think it was a missed opportunity to go further into the subject of purity culture and discuss teenage sexuality in that context. Sure, there was a big section on something similar, but I think it would've been nice for the subject to be developed directly through the character I have in mind, and it didn't achieve what I would've loved to see from it.
Either way, it was a nice book and I've had it on my TBR for so long, I can't believe I've finally read it!
Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This has been on my physical TBR for so long, which is why it's a little bit unfortunate that my main takeaway was how much more I would've enjoyed this if I had read it closer to when I got the book instead of now.
In other words, it's perfect YA. It made me feel, think, hope. It's unbelievable that a story like this has existed since 2014. I can't help but think about how much it must've meant when it came out in a market that didn't have as much LGBTQ+ representation as we do now.
I loved the characters, especially Ava because she was so well thought out, I loved the Hollywood vibes, I loved the cinematic universe, it was genuinely really fun and introspective and I had a blast.
If you love movies in any way, you'll adore this. I studied Cinema in College and I loved reminiscing about my times in the movie world.
I only removed some stars because 5 stars, to me, are books that kind of haunt you and cross your mind once in a while, and I can't imagine this book having this kind of effect on me. If I had read it as a teen, though, it probably would've changed my life!
In other words, it's perfect YA. It made me feel, think, hope. It's unbelievable that a story like this has existed since 2014. I can't help but think about how much it must've meant when it came out in a market that didn't have as much LGBTQ+ representation as we do now.
I loved the characters, especially Ava because she was so well thought out, I loved the Hollywood vibes, I loved the cinematic universe, it was genuinely really fun and introspective and I had a blast.
If you love movies in any way, you'll adore this. I studied Cinema in College and I loved reminiscing about my times in the movie world.
I only removed some stars because 5 stars, to me, are books that kind of haunt you and cross your mind once in a while, and I can't imagine this book having this kind of effect on me. If I had read it as a teen, though, it probably would've changed my life!
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use