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Breaking Free
Raimi Carter is finally a girl, just like she always knew she was meant to be. At a new school where nobody knows she’s had gender reassignment surgery, she hopes to finally live the normal life she’s longed for, happy in her own skin.
Life is great until she discovers a dangerous bully is blackmailing head cheerleader, Clare Strickland, threatening to reveal her secret: she’s gay. As Raimi fights to free Clare from his clutches, the two girls move beyond friendship. But secrets from their pasts and their own fears of coming out tear them apart—maybe forever. Baring their souls to each other could cost them everything. For two girls trapped and desperately in love, only strength, courage, and trust in each other will help them break free and claim their future.
Life is great until she discovers a dangerous bully is blackmailing head cheerleader, Clare Strickland, threatening to reveal her secret: she’s gay. As Raimi fights to free Clare from his clutches, the two girls move beyond friendship. But secrets from their pasts and their own fears of coming out tear them apart—maybe forever. Baring their souls to each other could cost them everything. For two girls trapped and desperately in love, only strength, courage, and trust in each other will help them break free and claim their future.
180 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 11, 2014
**ARC, kindly provided by Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.**
Ah, where do I start with this one. The synopsis promised an interesting read - Raimi Carter has just started high school after two years of being home-schooled, and then finally gender reassignment surgery.
Listen, there aren't enough books in the world dealing with LGBTQ+ issues, especially Young Adult ones. Most books in the YA section of a bookstore are about cis/het individuals, who are more often than not, white. I've learnt to take what I can get regarding LGBTQ+ fiction - problematic relationships, bad writing, horrible characters, stereotypes galore... but gosh, I don't think I have ever read something this bad that wasn't written by a twelve year old on a fanfiction site.
I really, really wanted to enjoy this book, and I did... for the first two paragraphs, and then it all went downhill from there. Raimi is clearly the epitome of a Mary Sue - literally perfect at everything and oh-so-beautiful. She also looks down upon her peers and judges them, even though she herself would not want to be judged. The characters are little more than caricatures of stereotypes, which was evident from the moment Raimi's Spanish and Calculus teachers were introduced, and it did not get any better as we met the supporting cast.
The book didn't seem all that realistic, either, as Raimi has already had surgeries and hormones that usually are expensive and also generally illegal for minors. I get that this book was written by somebody still in high school, so I'm trying not to be too harsh. Page can spin a story, but I just think they need more practice and life experience, as evidenced by the events of the story and the horrible ending - which was way too sudden, and also, did I mention, horrible?
I think with a few re-writes and a good editor, this book could be really good and Page shouldn't be discouraged by the bad reviews. Rome was not built in a day and neither were best sellers. My advice to Page would be to keep going - there is potential for a great story here.
Ah, where do I start with this one. The synopsis promised an interesting read - Raimi Carter has just started high school after two years of being home-schooled, and then finally gender reassignment surgery.
Listen, there aren't enough books in the world dealing with LGBTQ+ issues, especially Young Adult ones. Most books in the YA section of a bookstore are about cis/het individuals, who are more often than not, white. I've learnt to take what I can get regarding LGBTQ+ fiction - problematic relationships, bad writing, horrible characters, stereotypes galore... but gosh, I don't think I have ever read something this bad that wasn't written by a twelve year old on a fanfiction site.
I really, really wanted to enjoy this book, and I did... for the first two paragraphs, and then it all went downhill from there. Raimi is clearly the epitome of a Mary Sue - literally perfect at everything and oh-so-beautiful. She also looks down upon her peers and judges them, even though she herself would not want to be judged. The characters are little more than caricatures of stereotypes, which was evident from the moment Raimi's Spanish and Calculus teachers were introduced, and it did not get any better as we met the supporting cast.
The book didn't seem all that realistic, either, as Raimi has already had surgeries and hormones that usually are expensive and also generally illegal for minors. I get that this book was written by somebody still in high school, so I'm trying not to be too harsh. Page can spin a story, but I just think they need more practice and life experience, as evidenced by the events of the story and the horrible ending - which was way too sudden, and also, did I mention, horrible?
I think with a few re-writes and a good editor, this book could be really good and Page shouldn't be discouraged by the bad reviews. Rome was not built in a day and neither were best sellers. My advice to Page would be to keep going - there is potential for a great story here.
Read
May 30, 2014Oh I so wanted to like this more than I did. Overall this was a good enough book, but there were a LOT of eye rolling moments. Knowing that the book was written by a high school freshman makes me a little more lenient, but still, someone should have stopped some of the more cliche things from happening.
Overall it was a decent story, but the ending was rushed and pretty dumb when taken along with the rest of the book!
Also, even though it was nice to read a book about a trans character who is cool with being trans, so much of the medical stuff was vague or unrealistic for a main character this age. Probably wouldn't be so obvious for younger readers.
Overall it was a decent story, but the ending was rushed and pretty dumb when taken along with the rest of the book!
Also, even though it was nice to read a book about a trans character who is cool with being trans, so much of the medical stuff was vague or unrealistic for a main character this age. Probably wouldn't be so obvious for younger readers.
May 9, 2014
Ms. Page takes a refreshingly new look at an old subject, love. Raimi Carter is the one struggling to find love and acceptance, or is she? A myriad cast of characters are looked at in their desire to love and be loved, but they each have a secret threatening to tear them apart. Ms. Page, you made this English teacher cry.
Want to Read
May 1, 2014**ARC, kindly provided by Netgallery, in exchange for an honest review. Many Thanks.**
March 11, 2018
Well, it's not the worst thing I've ever read, but it was written by a High School Freshman, and it reads exactly that way. Some of the premises are completely ridiculous, the ending is incredibly stupid and cliche, and what the heck is up with the entire thing being in Raimi's voice except for two totally random little sections told from Claire's? It's a mess.
September 11, 2023
This book was written by a 14-year-old, and judging by that, the prose is pretty good. What I expected to be a feel-good story about a trans lesbian teen ended up being filled with a lot of triggering and dark content, so it definitely isn't a light read. Also, I feel like the frequent date-rape in the book was not really treated as seriously - instead almost like it was "normal".
March 28, 2021
If you have something else then read it. It is OK but just.
May 27, 2014
Most people go through life dealing with a range of ups and downs that challenge, but seldom defeat them. Even most teenagers survive the trauma of high school with little more than a few psychological bruises – most. But what if a young person’s experience of growing up is so awful, that he or she is driven to attempted suicide and self-harming? What kind of problems can be so devastating that they almost over-whelm a young person?
Raimi Carter, the heroine of Winter Page’s new LGBT novel for young adults, Breaking Free, can tell you, tell you in vivid, gory detail about the cat-calling, beatings and threats that made her life in a Texas high school intolerable. Raimi was a transgender child, a girl born into a boy’s body. Reading this powerfully evocative book, I found myself thinking about my teenage years. How out of place and not-belonging I felt. The only thing that kept me going was the dream of getting into college and escaping that narrow-minded, bigoted, little Massachusetts town. I know my experience was and is shared by many, many other young people around the developed world. Nothing that couldn’t be remedied by a change of scene and companions.
What Raimi needed, however, was a much more radical transformation. She needed to become a girl and get to grow up somewhere that no one would remember her earlier self. Time and better makeup wasn't going to do the job. The Raimi of this book was lucky. Her parents, especially her mother, were incredibly supportive. The necessary treatment was arranged, her mother, a Harvard educated lawyer was able to find work half-a-continent away, in Little, Connecticut. Everything is going to be perfect – right?
The book begins on Raimi’s first day in her new high school. Immediately we know the battle for safety, security and happiness is just beginning. She falls instantly in love with the most beautiful girl she has ever seen, the movie-star perfect, blond beauty, Clare Strickland. Clare however is in thrall to Brad, ‘the Beast’, thus setting up the other two major themes of this novel, ‘coming out as gay’ and ‘violence by men against women’.
I was reading this book in between reading the accounts of that horrible self-centred California misogynist’s murder of girls he couldn't have. The juxtaposition left me sick to my stomach and feeling very low. The blurb at the back of Breaking Free, tells us Winter Page is a high school freshman in Texas. She writes of the high school experience with such veracity and directness, I also found myself anxious for her. Is life in our children’s middle years really so full of violence and danger? The headlines in CNN, NBC and the BBC seem to suggest that tragically this is the case. Gays are regularly beaten up and abused in schools and other public places. Gang rapes of college girls are not only common-place, but attempts to cover up or excuse these are justified by, “We need these boys for our team.” Or worse, as the corrupt mayor of a region in India said recently, “Boys will be boys”, days before two girls in Utar Pradash were gang raped, murdered and left hanging from a tree.
In a world where such violence seems to be a daily occurrence, it is important, I think for young people to have well written books to read that posit a successful resolution to the traumas of growing up gay or trans-gender. “You are not alone. You are not the only person to go through this. Together, we can succeed.” Breaking Free is such a book. In fact I would recommend that any teens having difficulty communicating their experiences should buy and give this book to the adults in their lives.
This is new title in a very interesting list of books from Harmony Ink Press, a Florida based publisher committed to bringing out quality LGBT books for YA and older teens. If Breaking Free is representative of this, I wish them a long life and much success.
I do have one or two reservations. While I am very happy for Raimi that her parents were so supportive and that her transition experience was so straight-forward, there is a strong element of wish–fulfilment here. The majority of my trans-gender friends and the people I know through them, have not had similar experiences. Their paths to becoming the people they knew they should be, have been fraught with challenges, both psychological and legal. Even today, in the UK, successful transwomen are being attack and harassed by a virulent group of TERF’s (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists). The battle for trans-people is far from over.
I do realise, however, that one book can’t do everything, and this does dissect a number of very potent issues within a context that is accessible to young people. Moreover, this weeks’ gorgeous Time magazine cover with Lavern Cox, does offer the spectre of hope.
So, an excellent read, with a few quibbles: 4****
Raimi Carter, the heroine of Winter Page’s new LGBT novel for young adults, Breaking Free, can tell you, tell you in vivid, gory detail about the cat-calling, beatings and threats that made her life in a Texas high school intolerable. Raimi was a transgender child, a girl born into a boy’s body. Reading this powerfully evocative book, I found myself thinking about my teenage years. How out of place and not-belonging I felt. The only thing that kept me going was the dream of getting into college and escaping that narrow-minded, bigoted, little Massachusetts town. I know my experience was and is shared by many, many other young people around the developed world. Nothing that couldn’t be remedied by a change of scene and companions.
What Raimi needed, however, was a much more radical transformation. She needed to become a girl and get to grow up somewhere that no one would remember her earlier self. Time and better makeup wasn't going to do the job. The Raimi of this book was lucky. Her parents, especially her mother, were incredibly supportive. The necessary treatment was arranged, her mother, a Harvard educated lawyer was able to find work half-a-continent away, in Little, Connecticut. Everything is going to be perfect – right?
The book begins on Raimi’s first day in her new high school. Immediately we know the battle for safety, security and happiness is just beginning. She falls instantly in love with the most beautiful girl she has ever seen, the movie-star perfect, blond beauty, Clare Strickland. Clare however is in thrall to Brad, ‘the Beast’, thus setting up the other two major themes of this novel, ‘coming out as gay’ and ‘violence by men against women’.
I was reading this book in between reading the accounts of that horrible self-centred California misogynist’s murder of girls he couldn't have. The juxtaposition left me sick to my stomach and feeling very low. The blurb at the back of Breaking Free, tells us Winter Page is a high school freshman in Texas. She writes of the high school experience with such veracity and directness, I also found myself anxious for her. Is life in our children’s middle years really so full of violence and danger? The headlines in CNN, NBC and the BBC seem to suggest that tragically this is the case. Gays are regularly beaten up and abused in schools and other public places. Gang rapes of college girls are not only common-place, but attempts to cover up or excuse these are justified by, “We need these boys for our team.” Or worse, as the corrupt mayor of a region in India said recently, “Boys will be boys”, days before two girls in Utar Pradash were gang raped, murdered and left hanging from a tree.
In a world where such violence seems to be a daily occurrence, it is important, I think for young people to have well written books to read that posit a successful resolution to the traumas of growing up gay or trans-gender. “You are not alone. You are not the only person to go through this. Together, we can succeed.” Breaking Free is such a book. In fact I would recommend that any teens having difficulty communicating their experiences should buy and give this book to the adults in their lives.
This is new title in a very interesting list of books from Harmony Ink Press, a Florida based publisher committed to bringing out quality LGBT books for YA and older teens. If Breaking Free is representative of this, I wish them a long life and much success.
I do have one or two reservations. While I am very happy for Raimi that her parents were so supportive and that her transition experience was so straight-forward, there is a strong element of wish–fulfilment here. The majority of my trans-gender friends and the people I know through them, have not had similar experiences. Their paths to becoming the people they knew they should be, have been fraught with challenges, both psychological and legal. Even today, in the UK, successful transwomen are being attack and harassed by a virulent group of TERF’s (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists). The battle for trans-people is far from over.
I do realise, however, that one book can’t do everything, and this does dissect a number of very potent issues within a context that is accessible to young people. Moreover, this weeks’ gorgeous Time magazine cover with Lavern Cox, does offer the spectre of hope.
So, an excellent read, with a few quibbles: 4****
November 3, 2014
I read through ‘Breaking Free’ really fast which is a good sign because I enjoyed it a lot. It’s a YA book about Raimi, a trans girl who starts over in a new school in a new state after being homeschooled and transitioning into the body of the person she was always meant to be. As if that’s not enough, she is also a lesbian and falls for the head cheerleader who is being blackmailed into a relationship with a football jock. Whew. That’s the mini summary which sounds like A LOT actually but don’t worry.
Naturally, Raimi is very reluctant about revealing that she was born into the body of a boy to anyone, not even Clare, whom she falls in love with. I get that, there probably never is a good time to tell someone that even if it shouldn’t mean that much but we are all just human. While I understand how terrible it must be, being trapped in the wrong body and I fully support everyone’s decision to follow their own heart, I also know that it would throw me off if my girlfriend would tell me she is trans. It is a lot to take in at first. That is just to say I understand why she is reluctant to reveal this information about herself.
Raimi isn’t the only one keeping secrets though, so are both Clare and Brad and while I didn’t guess Clare’s revelation, Brad’s was pretty obvious from where I was standing.
Breaking Free is mostly written in first person narrative, which always throws me off a bit, I can’t quite explain why since I write this blog in the same way. Just when I pick up a book, I don’t always expect it, not that it isn’t a legit choice. And it works for this story.
Raimi is still lucky, she has a hugely supportive mother, rich parents and well, an alcoholic father but in comparison to Eleanor & Park, her family is pooping rainbows. Towards the end, when Brad outs her to the entire school (btw, never out someone, that really isn’t cool at all!!), we see how violent and terrible the reactions of her peers are. I mean, they were bad when she and Clare came out but revealing you’re trans is something else entirely which also makes me really sad for our society.
Like I said up top, I enjoyed this story. Sure, it is a bit heavy handed at times. For example, the alcoholic father wasn’t necessary. He didn’t add much to the story in my opinion and Brad’s revelation at the end, well, it was obvious but also maybe a bit too stereotypical?! I’m not sure. Taking all of this into consideration I was shocked to see Breaking Free was written by a freshman in High School. Umm. Yeah. Like, whoa. I remember the crap I wrote in high school and none of that is worth publishing so kudos to you, Winter Page. Keep on writing because I’m very interested to see what will become of you with more experience both in writing itself and life in general.
I am beyond happy though, that this kind of book exists because there are people like Raimi out there, and Clare and Brad and they all deserve to have their stories told. I’m not sure how the market for YA books about trans teenagers looks but judging from what I see when I browse the Netgalley Gay&Lesbian section, there probably isn’t that much. And while I don’t mind at all to read all the great heterosexual teen books out there by all the amazing authors, it makes my heart sing to find one with my people as protagonists. So keep these books coming, publishers!
Naturally, Raimi is very reluctant about revealing that she was born into the body of a boy to anyone, not even Clare, whom she falls in love with. I get that, there probably never is a good time to tell someone that even if it shouldn’t mean that much but we are all just human. While I understand how terrible it must be, being trapped in the wrong body and I fully support everyone’s decision to follow their own heart, I also know that it would throw me off if my girlfriend would tell me she is trans. It is a lot to take in at first. That is just to say I understand why she is reluctant to reveal this information about herself.
Raimi isn’t the only one keeping secrets though, so are both Clare and Brad and while I didn’t guess Clare’s revelation, Brad’s was pretty obvious from where I was standing.
Breaking Free is mostly written in first person narrative, which always throws me off a bit, I can’t quite explain why since I write this blog in the same way. Just when I pick up a book, I don’t always expect it, not that it isn’t a legit choice. And it works for this story.
Raimi is still lucky, she has a hugely supportive mother, rich parents and well, an alcoholic father but in comparison to Eleanor & Park, her family is pooping rainbows. Towards the end, when Brad outs her to the entire school (btw, never out someone, that really isn’t cool at all!!), we see how violent and terrible the reactions of her peers are. I mean, they were bad when she and Clare came out but revealing you’re trans is something else entirely which also makes me really sad for our society.
Like I said up top, I enjoyed this story. Sure, it is a bit heavy handed at times. For example, the alcoholic father wasn’t necessary. He didn’t add much to the story in my opinion and Brad’s revelation at the end, well, it was obvious but also maybe a bit too stereotypical?! I’m not sure. Taking all of this into consideration I was shocked to see Breaking Free was written by a freshman in High School. Umm. Yeah. Like, whoa. I remember the crap I wrote in high school and none of that is worth publishing so kudos to you, Winter Page. Keep on writing because I’m very interested to see what will become of you with more experience both in writing itself and life in general.
I am beyond happy though, that this kind of book exists because there are people like Raimi out there, and Clare and Brad and they all deserve to have their stories told. I’m not sure how the market for YA books about trans teenagers looks but judging from what I see when I browse the Netgalley Gay&Lesbian section, there probably isn’t that much. And while I don’t mind at all to read all the great heterosexual teen books out there by all the amazing authors, it makes my heart sing to find one with my people as protagonists. So keep these books coming, publishers!
June 4, 2014
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm giving an extra star to the book because according to its blurb, the author is still in high school. The book's prose is sometimes clunky and the dialogue strained, but if the author is this young, she/he should improve with practice and deserves the chance to try.
The story revolves around Raimi, a high school age post-op trans-sexual who is entering a new high school and making a fresh start with people who don't have memories of her as a boy. I'm not sure how realistic it is that a fifteen year old would be able to have these surgeries, but I'm certainly not an expert. BTW, I do apologize if I misstep here with any terminology- I intend no offense but I may not be aware of the best expressions for these concepts. You can educate me in comments if you like.
Anyway, Raimi falls hard for a cheerleader named Claire who is with a real jerk of a boyfriend because he "has something on her". This something turns out to be that Claire has experimented with girls. I was taken aback by the utter ostracism that Claire experiences when this inevitably comes out (no pun intended). It felt very Footloosey to me, the narrowmindedness and bigotry that the entire high school unleashed. I expected them to forbid dancing next. Don't kids these days tend to be slightly more open minded about this? I'd be sad to be wrong.
So, Claire ceases to care what anyone thinks about her, since the worst has happened. Raimi has stood up for her in various ways since the start of the book, and the two fall deeply in love. This part of the book is probably the best. They are very sweet, affectionate, and accepting of each other.
There are a lot of conversations that never really happen in this book. Claire comes across as far more grown up than a high school student after she comes out, and actually I'm not sure how genuine Raimi feels as a high school student either. There are several sentences that refer to the "high school code of conduct" or "teenage ways" that I don't think any real teenager would ever think- it feels condescending to teens in a way that a teen voice wouldn't be. It even makes me doubt the veracity of the author's teenage self, because some of the writing felt like it came from more of a mom-like perspective.
The worst part of the book is the end. Jerk boyfriend comes back and shoots Raimi! Out of the blue! And then kills himself! And leaves a note! He was secretly gay (!) and acted like such a jerk because of self-loathing, and only through shooting Raimi and then himself could he atone for his jerkness and get everybody to see Claire as a victim rather than a monster! Or something. It was very over-the-top and made no sense, and that end did feel like something a teen would write for maximum drama.
So, there was some sweetness of characterization there that I liked. But these teens didn't feel like teens to me, the writing was a mixed bag, and the ending was awful. I'd be willing to see what this author can do in the future, though.
I'm giving an extra star to the book because according to its blurb, the author is still in high school. The book's prose is sometimes clunky and the dialogue strained, but if the author is this young, she/he should improve with practice and deserves the chance to try.
The story revolves around Raimi, a high school age post-op trans-sexual who is entering a new high school and making a fresh start with people who don't have memories of her as a boy. I'm not sure how realistic it is that a fifteen year old would be able to have these surgeries, but I'm certainly not an expert. BTW, I do apologize if I misstep here with any terminology- I intend no offense but I may not be aware of the best expressions for these concepts. You can educate me in comments if you like.
Anyway, Raimi falls hard for a cheerleader named Claire who is with a real jerk of a boyfriend because he "has something on her". This something turns out to be that Claire has experimented with girls. I was taken aback by the utter ostracism that Claire experiences when this inevitably comes out (no pun intended). It felt very Footloosey to me, the narrowmindedness and bigotry that the entire high school unleashed. I expected them to forbid dancing next. Don't kids these days tend to be slightly more open minded about this? I'd be sad to be wrong.
So, Claire ceases to care what anyone thinks about her, since the worst has happened. Raimi has stood up for her in various ways since the start of the book, and the two fall deeply in love. This part of the book is probably the best. They are very sweet, affectionate, and accepting of each other.
There are a lot of conversations that never really happen in this book. Claire comes across as far more grown up than a high school student after she comes out, and actually I'm not sure how genuine Raimi feels as a high school student either. There are several sentences that refer to the "high school code of conduct" or "teenage ways" that I don't think any real teenager would ever think- it feels condescending to teens in a way that a teen voice wouldn't be. It even makes me doubt the veracity of the author's teenage self, because some of the writing felt like it came from more of a mom-like perspective.
The worst part of the book is the end. Jerk boyfriend comes back and shoots Raimi! Out of the blue! And then kills himself! And leaves a note! He was secretly gay (!) and acted like such a jerk because of self-loathing, and only through shooting Raimi and then himself could he atone for his jerkness and get everybody to see Claire as a victim rather than a monster! Or something. It was very over-the-top and made no sense, and that end did feel like something a teen would write for maximum drama.
So, there was some sweetness of characterization there that I liked. But these teens didn't feel like teens to me, the writing was a mixed bag, and the ending was awful. I'd be willing to see what this author can do in the future, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2014
2 stars, for actual content. 5 stars for what the book was trying to do.
When I found out that this book had been written and published by a high school student, it explained a lot. I really wanted to like it - goodness knows, there aren't enough books out there about LGBTQA characters, and especially about transgender teens. And the idea was solid for a YA novel. However, the execution depended so much on tropes, and stereotypes, and obvious plot developments, that I found it a little hard to get into. I kept being popped out of the story by thinking, well, hang on now.
The good:
1) It was great to see a family that was so accepting and supportive of their transgender teen. I know there are a number of such real-life families out there, but you hear about the difficult, painful stories so much more often.
2) Interesting premise - kind of like Openly Straight in that the character just wanted to start over as unremarkable for once.
3) For a high school student? Amazing job. I can't wait to see what she writes when she has had more practice writing.
The less than desirable:
1) Just. Too. Idyllic. People are not that nice - and if they are, it's actually not all that interesting to read about. That's just one example of a part that just seemed too good to be true to me. Like how the world should be instead of how it really is. Yes, we're heading toward a much-deserved acceptance of more and more categories of people who are different, and it's okay to write a little beyond what the current acceptance rate is. Not everyone has to suffer. However, humans are still humans and have foibles and make mistakes and often don't take things well, even when they have really solid, open, core beliefs.
2)
3) Aforementioned use of tropes and obvious plot machinations, and lack of depth of emotion in the characters even when really shocking things happen.
Anyway, like I said, I really wanted to like it, and appreciate what she was trying to do.
When I found out that this book had been written and published by a high school student, it explained a lot. I really wanted to like it - goodness knows, there aren't enough books out there about LGBTQA characters, and especially about transgender teens. And the idea was solid for a YA novel. However, the execution depended so much on tropes, and stereotypes, and obvious plot developments, that I found it a little hard to get into. I kept being popped out of the story by thinking, well, hang on now.
The good:
1) It was great to see a family that was so accepting and supportive of their transgender teen. I know there are a number of such real-life families out there, but you hear about the difficult, painful stories so much more often.
2) Interesting premise - kind of like Openly Straight in that the character just wanted to start over as unremarkable for once.
3) For a high school student? Amazing job. I can't wait to see what she writes when she has had more practice writing.
The less than desirable:
1) Just. Too. Idyllic. People are not that nice - and if they are, it's actually not all that interesting to read about. That's just one example of a part that just seemed too good to be true to me. Like how the world should be instead of how it really is. Yes, we're heading toward a much-deserved acceptance of more and more categories of people who are different, and it's okay to write a little beyond what the current acceptance rate is. Not everyone has to suffer. However, humans are still humans and have foibles and make mistakes and often don't take things well, even when they have really solid, open, core beliefs.
2)
3) Aforementioned use of tropes and obvious plot machinations, and lack of depth of emotion in the characters even when really shocking things happen.
Anyway, like I said, I really wanted to like it, and appreciate what she was trying to do.
June 25, 2014
I discovered after I'd already begun reading this book that its author is a high school freshman. This is good news, really, because most of my criticisms turn into compliments when faced with this kind of extreme creative youth. So first, a message to the author: you don't need to read this review. Seriously. This is not about you. One day you will write other books, and they will be much better than this one, and you, as all creative people do, will take an air of amused embarrassment about the things you used to make when you were young. Some people will probably still not like them, and I might even be one of them, but I pretty much promise you will improve and improve and improve because you have drive and raw skills. They just aren't refined yet. That's okay. You're doing pretty good. But don't read the rest of this review.
Is she gone?
Good.
If I'd known this book had been written by a high school freshman, I would not have started it. This book very much reinforces the prejudices I have against novels by teenagers. The characterization is clumsy, the plot alternating between fantastical and dull, and the writing, while technically sound, is weighed down by excessive detail and clunky hand-wavy passages (paragraph-long physical descriptions of your characters: just say no). The entire book is written in first person narration from Raimi's point of view, except for one chapter which, for reasons unknown, changes to follow Clare in the third person. In addition to being frighteningly unrealistic in terms of how it portrays trans teenagers, Breaking Free simply doesn't portray people very well, a far more egregious problem with a relatively easy solution (that solution is to spend at least five more years interacting with people).
The main characters are startlingly ill-suited to romance with one another, and the high school bully is more a cartoon villain than a believable person. The families are conspicuously and conveniently absent as the plot demands, allowing teenage girls free reign without the barest hint of supervision. Plots are hinted at and then dropped forever (Clare's dad said something about sending her to a facility to "pray the gay away"? And then?)The subplot involving Raimi's best friends Cam and Freddie is boring at best, rounding a corner into icky as Raimi takes narrative breaks to soliloquize about the moral rightness of Cam dating Freddie. The tone vacillates awkwardly between dark comedy, epic romance, and teen angst, failing at accomplishing any of the three to any genuine effect. As for the ending... well. It's better if I not even touch on how disturbingly tidily it wraps things up, and how completely it sidesteps any engagement of real human problems.
One of five stars, for sheer potential. Stay away.
Is she gone?
Good.
If I'd known this book had been written by a high school freshman, I would not have started it. This book very much reinforces the prejudices I have against novels by teenagers. The characterization is clumsy, the plot alternating between fantastical and dull, and the writing, while technically sound, is weighed down by excessive detail and clunky hand-wavy passages (paragraph-long physical descriptions of your characters: just say no). The entire book is written in first person narration from Raimi's point of view, except for one chapter which, for reasons unknown, changes to follow Clare in the third person. In addition to being frighteningly unrealistic in terms of how it portrays trans teenagers, Breaking Free simply doesn't portray people very well, a far more egregious problem with a relatively easy solution (that solution is to spend at least five more years interacting with people).
The main characters are startlingly ill-suited to romance with one another, and the high school bully is more a cartoon villain than a believable person. The families are conspicuously and conveniently absent as the plot demands, allowing teenage girls free reign without the barest hint of supervision. Plots are hinted at and then dropped forever (Clare's dad said something about sending her to a facility to "pray the gay away"? And then?)The subplot involving Raimi's best friends Cam and Freddie is boring at best, rounding a corner into icky as Raimi takes narrative breaks to soliloquize about the moral rightness of Cam dating Freddie. The tone vacillates awkwardly between dark comedy, epic romance, and teen angst, failing at accomplishing any of the three to any genuine effect. As for the ending... well. It's better if I not even touch on how disturbingly tidily it wraps things up, and how completely it sidesteps any engagement of real human problems.
One of five stars, for sheer potential. Stay away.
June 2, 2014
After two years of homeschooling while completing her gender reassignment, Raimi decides to complete that last two years of high school in a new school in a new town. Of course, it gets complicated.
I did not like Breaking Free at all. The writing is terrible (but I forgave Winter Page for that, considering she’s a freshman in high school), including a couple of strange perspective changes that just felt like a lazy way to make parts of the story work. The high school parties seemed way over the top (unbelievable amounts of drinking and casual use of roofies). If that’s how teenagers party these days, I’m glad I’m an adult, and I just may have to lock my son in his room after school (not really…maybe). And some of the things that happened on school grounds, especially the cafeteria, were just beyond bizarre. Raimi manages to interrupt a rape-in-progress, and there are a couple of times where kids are beaten up in the middle of the cafeteria (where there are no staff members, and every single student refuses to intercede). May have to consider homeschooling if that’s what high school is like these days. I was just completely incredulous for most of the book, and it only got worse in the last couple of chapters. My eyebrows took up residence in my hairline for at least fifty pages. I stayed up late to finish it, just to see how weird things could possibly get. How weird? Twilight Zone weird. You’ll have to read it to believe it.
Now let me tell you why I think you should read Breaking Free, despite its shortcomings. Although her writing isn’t the best, I have to give Winter Page props for her courage in writing something like this. I’ve never heard of a book like this before, about a transgendered teenager who also happens to be gay (has to be rough). The first person narrative of Raimi is pretty powerful as far as her descriptions of how awful it was to be in a boy’s body when she knew it was wrong. I can only barely imagine how awful that would be. Makes my skin crawl. Although the gay rights movement has made some great strides, I think transgendered people are far from a wide level of acceptance. A book like this can go a long way towards that. Plus, the relationship between Raimi and Clare is really well done, focusing more on their love rather than the physical relationship, which makes Breaking Free a lot more palatable for the squeamish than something like Almost Perfect. If we read more books like this, books that may make us uncomfortable, we will all be better people. I like to think I am.
Take It
P.S. I hope those in the LGBT community will forgive me for any ignorance and/or misuse of terms (e.g. transgender).
I did not like Breaking Free at all. The writing is terrible (but I forgave Winter Page for that, considering she’s a freshman in high school), including a couple of strange perspective changes that just felt like a lazy way to make parts of the story work. The high school parties seemed way over the top (unbelievable amounts of drinking and casual use of roofies). If that’s how teenagers party these days, I’m glad I’m an adult, and I just may have to lock my son in his room after school (not really…maybe). And some of the things that happened on school grounds, especially the cafeteria, were just beyond bizarre. Raimi manages to interrupt a rape-in-progress, and there are a couple of times where kids are beaten up in the middle of the cafeteria (where there are no staff members, and every single student refuses to intercede). May have to consider homeschooling if that’s what high school is like these days. I was just completely incredulous for most of the book, and it only got worse in the last couple of chapters. My eyebrows took up residence in my hairline for at least fifty pages. I stayed up late to finish it, just to see how weird things could possibly get. How weird? Twilight Zone weird. You’ll have to read it to believe it.
Now let me tell you why I think you should read Breaking Free, despite its shortcomings. Although her writing isn’t the best, I have to give Winter Page props for her courage in writing something like this. I’ve never heard of a book like this before, about a transgendered teenager who also happens to be gay (has to be rough). The first person narrative of Raimi is pretty powerful as far as her descriptions of how awful it was to be in a boy’s body when she knew it was wrong. I can only barely imagine how awful that would be. Makes my skin crawl. Although the gay rights movement has made some great strides, I think transgendered people are far from a wide level of acceptance. A book like this can go a long way towards that. Plus, the relationship between Raimi and Clare is really well done, focusing more on their love rather than the physical relationship, which makes Breaking Free a lot more palatable for the squeamish than something like Almost Perfect. If we read more books like this, books that may make us uncomfortable, we will all be better people. I like to think I am.
Take It
P.S. I hope those in the LGBT community will forgive me for any ignorance and/or misuse of terms (e.g. transgender).
November 12, 2014
Sixteen-year-old Raimi Carter and her family have moved from Texas to Connecticut, where she will begin high school and also a new chapter in a very different life. Raimi is transgender. She was born with a male body, and is somewhat thankful that the name her parents gave her at birth is unisex. She is also grateful that the face she was born with required no surgery to make her look more feminine. Getting to where she is wasn't easy. She had her ups and downs, was home-schooled for a while after her parents discovered the bullying and emotional issues she faced being trapped in the wrong body, and had love and support while she made the physical transformation to make her outside match who she knew she was inside. Now, as she starts her life over, things seem to be pretty fantastic. The boys notice her sexy little figure, she is comfortable with who she sees in the mirror, her Harvard law mom and her business man dad seem to have no issues with her transformation (except maybe dad's drinking...), and her little brother just loves her no matter what. Fantastic, right? A little too fantastic. This was one of my issues in reading Breaking Free. It was a little too perfect. Raimi's life was a bit too easy. Things fell into place way too simply. Even the plot twists were a little too predictable. That being said, from an adult's point of view, I do think that high school students will love this book. It was written by one of their own, after all, which may be the reason for the "too fantastic" feel I had. Winter Page is a freshman in high school, and it seems she wrote this book not because this is an issue she struggles with or has a deep understanding of, but to support a transgender teacher. That being said, I think Winter Page has a gift for writing and with experience and knowledge can become a very good YA writer. Students will embrace this book and her because while the story is too simple and "fantastic" for this middle-aged mom, those very things will appeal to them. Transgenders may enjoy this Cinderella, sans wicked step-mother, who gets her princess because it will give them a bit of hope to embrace. Others will perhaps feel a bit voyeuristic, occasionally shocked or "grossed out", but may step away with at least a bit more compassion for those who struggle with who they are and who they want to be. Perhaps everyone will listen to Miss Page's plea to just be who you are and love those who love you. That would definitely make our world and our schools a much more peaceful and happy place.
May 22, 2014
Page, Winter. Breaking Free.
Raimi is trans*, and she has been homeschooled for the past two years while she underwent her transition. Now her family has moved to a new town and she has started high school as a junior. She falls in love with a girl at school and has to deal with the backlash as the girl's ex-boyfriend outs them to the school. And she's terrified that everyone will find out that she's trans*.
While I like the fact that this is a book about a trans* character who isn't coming to terms with her trans-ness, this book really didn't have much to offer in terms of good writing, character development, or reality. Raimi has already had several surgeries, apparently, which not only would be insanely expensive but also usually isn't done until after a person is eighteen. While it was nice to see her mom being so supportive of her gender identity, the medical details didn't match up.
Also, the author's writing is deplorable. She used the word "literally" incorrectly far too often. This would be perfectly acceptable if it was in a character's speech, but it detracted from the story itself as it was in the narration.
The ending of the book was too sudden and too unrealistic. SPOILER ALERT. Raimi and her girlfriend get home from getting tattoos (why the girlfriend would want to drive 2,000+ miles home with a fresh tattoo on her lower back is beyond comprehension). Raimi walks in the door and reads a note from her parents. The doorbell rings, and the ex-boyfriend is there. In the span of about five pages, he shoots her, shoots himself, and she wakes up in the hospital to find out that he was gay and hated himself and that's why he drugged and raped girls and shot her and killed himself - WHAT? That ending was just too sudden and way too unrealistic to be believable.
Then I read the author information - the author of this book is a high school freshman, which is why I gave the book 2 stars instead of 0 or 1. It's nice to have another book about a trans* character, but I would point people to other published works before turning to this one.
Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: drug use, alcohol, near rape, violence, language, homophobic slurs
Overall Rating: 2/5 stars
Read-Alike Suggestion: Almost Perfect
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley for the purposes of review.
Raimi is trans*, and she has been homeschooled for the past two years while she underwent her transition. Now her family has moved to a new town and she has started high school as a junior. She falls in love with a girl at school and has to deal with the backlash as the girl's ex-boyfriend outs them to the school. And she's terrified that everyone will find out that she's trans*.
While I like the fact that this is a book about a trans* character who isn't coming to terms with her trans-ness, this book really didn't have much to offer in terms of good writing, character development, or reality. Raimi has already had several surgeries, apparently, which not only would be insanely expensive but also usually isn't done until after a person is eighteen. While it was nice to see her mom being so supportive of her gender identity, the medical details didn't match up.
Also, the author's writing is deplorable. She used the word "literally" incorrectly far too often. This would be perfectly acceptable if it was in a character's speech, but it detracted from the story itself as it was in the narration.
The ending of the book was too sudden and too unrealistic. SPOILER ALERT. Raimi and her girlfriend get home from getting tattoos (why the girlfriend would want to drive 2,000+ miles home with a fresh tattoo on her lower back is beyond comprehension). Raimi walks in the door and reads a note from her parents. The doorbell rings, and the ex-boyfriend is there. In the span of about five pages, he shoots her, shoots himself, and she wakes up in the hospital to find out that he was gay and hated himself and that's why he drugged and raped girls and shot her and killed himself - WHAT? That ending was just too sudden and way too unrealistic to be believable.
Then I read the author information - the author of this book is a high school freshman, which is why I gave the book 2 stars instead of 0 or 1. It's nice to have another book about a trans* character, but I would point people to other published works before turning to this one.
Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: drug use, alcohol, near rape, violence, language, homophobic slurs
Overall Rating: 2/5 stars
Read-Alike Suggestion: Almost Perfect
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley for the purposes of review.
January 5, 2015
Breaking Free – Is well written for a young person writing a YA book on transgender issues. Miss Page has certainly done her homework here, I doubt there are many teenagers who could pull this off other than any young person going through gender transition themselves.
This story covers many issues that LGBTQ young people suffer while at school and at home from bullying by peers, parents acceptance and homophobia in society. Now there are some romantic elements throughout this book, teenagers falling in love, new friendships found and trusts built, but there is also suffering, pain, fear and heartbreak. Therefore in some places in this story it is not a pleasant read, in particular for any youngster going through any of the changes that are similar to the characters in the story. I'm not sure I would recommend this book to any young person at the early stages of their transition or questioning their sexuality as this could cause the young reader some considerable worry.
The story is told through Raimi's eyes, an intelligent teenager who is trans-female. Raimi is very conscious of her community and peers, she is more than aware that her gender change could cause her some negative attention if she is found out. Raimi and her family move to a new state, so that she can start afresh at a new school and live freely with her new identity as the girl she was meant to be. No one suspects a thing, and all appears to be good and well until she becomes entangled with Clare, another girl at her new school. Raimi's life is once again turned upside down, with brutal discrimination from someone she felt safe to call a friend, and a boy who sets his sites on inflicting as much pain as possible.
Clare is a head cheerleader and beautiful; she is dating Brad, who although he appears steady and popular within their group of friends, has a secret of his own. Unable to live with himself and the rejection he might face, he targets Raimi and Clare when he discovers a romance between the two girls. Brad has a hold over Clare already, but now he has to take control of Raimi too.
A good read from a young writer who has tackled a young person’s transgender experiences well.
Reviewed by Teddy
To see more of this review and others like it please visit us at Gay List Book Reviews at www.gaylistbookreviews.wordpress.com
This story covers many issues that LGBTQ young people suffer while at school and at home from bullying by peers, parents acceptance and homophobia in society. Now there are some romantic elements throughout this book, teenagers falling in love, new friendships found and trusts built, but there is also suffering, pain, fear and heartbreak. Therefore in some places in this story it is not a pleasant read, in particular for any youngster going through any of the changes that are similar to the characters in the story. I'm not sure I would recommend this book to any young person at the early stages of their transition or questioning their sexuality as this could cause the young reader some considerable worry.
The story is told through Raimi's eyes, an intelligent teenager who is trans-female. Raimi is very conscious of her community and peers, she is more than aware that her gender change could cause her some negative attention if she is found out. Raimi and her family move to a new state, so that she can start afresh at a new school and live freely with her new identity as the girl she was meant to be. No one suspects a thing, and all appears to be good and well until she becomes entangled with Clare, another girl at her new school. Raimi's life is once again turned upside down, with brutal discrimination from someone she felt safe to call a friend, and a boy who sets his sites on inflicting as much pain as possible.
Clare is a head cheerleader and beautiful; she is dating Brad, who although he appears steady and popular within their group of friends, has a secret of his own. Unable to live with himself and the rejection he might face, he targets Raimi and Clare when he discovers a romance between the two girls. Brad has a hold over Clare already, but now he has to take control of Raimi too.
A good read from a young writer who has tackled a young person’s transgender experiences well.
Reviewed by Teddy
To see more of this review and others like it please visit us at Gay List Book Reviews at www.gaylistbookreviews.wordpress.com
June 2, 2014
I recieved a copy from Negalley.
For the most part I really enjoyed this novel. The ending though was a real let down after such a good story. I sent off a request to view this as soon as I saw it on Negalley, I was really looking forward to seeing a novel with a transgender main character. Raimi started off as a pretty cool girl. She knew who she was, what skin she was comfortable in. She had a good strong voice and strong sense of ethics.
I'm not entirely sure I believe someone as young as her can get transgender surgery (I did google the legal age of consent) and a lot of that bit was rather vague I think it's something that I can over look from the point of the story. Her family were supportive. Her dad was a bit of a jackass but her mom was a really good parent which is always nice to see in YA books.
The story revolves around her befriending and falling in love with cheerleader Clare and helping her come out of the closet and dealing with Clare's asshole of a boyfriend Brad. The relationship is well developed as Raimi and Clare work through their feelings together and deal, with the small minded people from their high school. And it doesn't help that the ex boyfriend is making things very difficult and is a truly nasty piece of work.
Though I did find Raimi a little hypocritical in thinking how she needs to help Clare be true to herself and her nature, yet she has lots of secrets she can't bring herself to amidst. For the most part though, this is something that is dealt with remarkably well, and with plenty of emotion.
Only the ending of the novel really really let's it down. It felt....rushed and unrealistic. Though the twist with the ex boyfriend was good..the ending was not good which was disappointing when the rest of the novel was so good.
That being staid I would still recommend the novel for lovers of high school romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harmony Ink for approving my request to view the title.
For the most part I really enjoyed this novel. The ending though was a real let down after such a good story. I sent off a request to view this as soon as I saw it on Negalley, I was really looking forward to seeing a novel with a transgender main character. Raimi started off as a pretty cool girl. She knew who she was, what skin she was comfortable in. She had a good strong voice and strong sense of ethics.
I'm not entirely sure I believe someone as young as her can get transgender surgery (I did google the legal age of consent) and a lot of that bit was rather vague I think it's something that I can over look from the point of the story. Her family were supportive. Her dad was a bit of a jackass but her mom was a really good parent which is always nice to see in YA books.
The story revolves around her befriending and falling in love with cheerleader Clare and helping her come out of the closet and dealing with Clare's asshole of a boyfriend Brad. The relationship is well developed as Raimi and Clare work through their feelings together and deal, with the small minded people from their high school. And it doesn't help that the ex boyfriend is making things very difficult and is a truly nasty piece of work.
Though I did find Raimi a little hypocritical in thinking how she needs to help Clare be true to herself and her nature, yet she has lots of secrets she can't bring herself to amidst. For the most part though, this is something that is dealt with remarkably well, and with plenty of emotion.
Only the ending of the novel really really let's it down. It felt....rushed and unrealistic. Though the twist with the ex boyfriend was good..the ending was not good which was disappointing when the rest of the novel was so good.
That being staid I would still recommend the novel for lovers of high school romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harmony Ink for approving my request to view the title.
July 20, 2014
Goodreads Synopsis: Raimi Carter is finally a girl, just like she always knew she was meant to be. At a new school where nobody knows she’s had gender reassignment surgery, she hopes to finally live the normal life she’s longed for, happy in her own skin.
Life is great until she discovers a dangerous bully is blackmailing head cheerleader, Clare Strickland, threatening to reveal her secret: she’s gay. As Raimi fights to free Clare from his clutches, the two girls move beyond friendship. But secrets from their pasts and their own fears of coming out tear them apart—maybe forever. Baring their souls to each other could cost them everything. For two girls trapped and desperately in love, only strength, courage, and trust in each other will help them break free and claim their future.
My Review: I requested this book on netgalley, not really thinking I'd be accepted to review it. But I did. And I am so glad I did. This is an amazing story of Raimi, a transgendered women from texas, and Clare, a girl with an abusive, manipulative boyfriend who blackmails her with her true sexuality. The two girls meet, and work together, and eventually fall in love, all while fighting off everyone else. Once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. It's beautifully written, and an amazing story that more people should read. I was mostly surprised though by the ending, not the ending itself, but the author page at the back of the book. Winter Page is so young, but has an amazing insight for writing. I would have expected the author to be older, but they aren't. I will definitely check out more books by Winter Page, because of their writing skill, and their story ideas. I'm sure I'll love them too. This book pushes through bullying, through depression, and through people's problems, in an amazing way. It makes you feel good to read it. You should definitely check it out if you get the chance. (': Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
Life is great until she discovers a dangerous bully is blackmailing head cheerleader, Clare Strickland, threatening to reveal her secret: she’s gay. As Raimi fights to free Clare from his clutches, the two girls move beyond friendship. But secrets from their pasts and their own fears of coming out tear them apart—maybe forever. Baring their souls to each other could cost them everything. For two girls trapped and desperately in love, only strength, courage, and trust in each other will help them break free and claim their future.
My Review: I requested this book on netgalley, not really thinking I'd be accepted to review it. But I did. And I am so glad I did. This is an amazing story of Raimi, a transgendered women from texas, and Clare, a girl with an abusive, manipulative boyfriend who blackmails her with her true sexuality. The two girls meet, and work together, and eventually fall in love, all while fighting off everyone else. Once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. It's beautifully written, and an amazing story that more people should read. I was mostly surprised though by the ending, not the ending itself, but the author page at the back of the book. Winter Page is so young, but has an amazing insight for writing. I would have expected the author to be older, but they aren't. I will definitely check out more books by Winter Page, because of their writing skill, and their story ideas. I'm sure I'll love them too. This book pushes through bullying, through depression, and through people's problems, in an amazing way. It makes you feel good to read it. You should definitely check it out if you get the chance. (': Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)
November 12, 2014
The issues are important: sexuality, homosexuality, prejudice against deviants, bullying. The treatment is much naive, with a plot on the edge of the stereotype, where each of the protagonists does not offer any surprises. On the other hand it seems that the author is very young, and reading the story from this point of view you understand the many mistakes. For these mistakes you forgive the author but not who has published her: talent should be matured, not thrown as food to the public without having finished sharpening their weapons.
The three little stars are a reward to the good will of the author, and an exhortation to keep writing until she really master her instruments.
Thank Smith Publicity - Dreamspinner Press and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest revie
I temi sono importanti: la sessualità, l'omosessualità, il pregiudizio nei confronti dei diversi, il bullismo. La trattazione è invece molto ingenua, con una trama al limite dello stereotipo, dove ciascuno dei protagonisti non offre alcuna sorpresa. D'altra parte pare che l'autrice sia molto giovane, e leggendo la storia da questo punto di vista si capiscono i molti errori. Errori che si perdonano all'autrice ma non a chi l'ha pubblicata: i talenti vanno fatti maturare, non buttati in pasto al pubblico senza che abbiano finito di affilare le armi.
Le tre stelline sono un premio alla buona volontà dell'autrice e un'esortazione a continuare a scrivere fino ad essere davvero padrona dei suoi strumenti.
Ringrazio Smith Publicity - Dreamspinner Press e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
The three little stars are a reward to the good will of the author, and an exhortation to keep writing until she really master her instruments.
Thank Smith Publicity - Dreamspinner Press and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest revie
I temi sono importanti: la sessualità, l'omosessualità, il pregiudizio nei confronti dei diversi, il bullismo. La trattazione è invece molto ingenua, con una trama al limite dello stereotipo, dove ciascuno dei protagonisti non offre alcuna sorpresa. D'altra parte pare che l'autrice sia molto giovane, e leggendo la storia da questo punto di vista si capiscono i molti errori. Errori che si perdonano all'autrice ma non a chi l'ha pubblicata: i talenti vanno fatti maturare, non buttati in pasto al pubblico senza che abbiano finito di affilare le armi.
Le tre stelline sono un premio alla buona volontà dell'autrice e un'esortazione a continuare a scrivere fino ad essere davvero padrona dei suoi strumenti.
Ringrazio Smith Publicity - Dreamspinner Press e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
May 27, 2014
The best thing about this book is that it is a very quick read.
I was happy to find a modern book about a transgender-ed teen. Not only is Raimi transgender-ed but she has also completed her 'change' from a male body to a female body. She is starting a new life in a new town as a female. I was excited to read this as it is not a topic that is written about enough. However, I was very disappointed.
The actual writing is terrible. It is very sharp, for a lack of a better word. It seems more like an essay than a story. Sentences are to short, there is to much telling and not enough showing, if that makes any sense to anyone but me. Instead of saying something like " She tossed her long brown hair over her slim shoulders" it is written like "she has long, straight brown hair."
The characters are under developed and unrealistic. Raimi is a self righteous horror- she looks down on her peers and is very judgmental for someone who does not want to be judged. The writing is very cliched, filled with teen drinking, drugs, sex, bullying and rape. And it seems the entire teen population of the town all participated in one or more of these things. While I understand that this is the life some teens lead, it is not the life of all teens. The ending was abrupt and unexpected.
I think this book has potential. The plot and the characters need to be developed more. The style of writing needs to be more descriptive and not so cliched. In my opinion, it needs a re-write and a great editor!
I was happy to find a modern book about a transgender-ed teen. Not only is Raimi transgender-ed but she has also completed her 'change' from a male body to a female body. She is starting a new life in a new town as a female. I was excited to read this as it is not a topic that is written about enough. However, I was very disappointed.
The actual writing is terrible. It is very sharp, for a lack of a better word. It seems more like an essay than a story. Sentences are to short, there is to much telling and not enough showing, if that makes any sense to anyone but me. Instead of saying something like " She tossed her long brown hair over her slim shoulders" it is written like "she has long, straight brown hair."
The characters are under developed and unrealistic. Raimi is a self righteous horror- she looks down on her peers and is very judgmental for someone who does not want to be judged. The writing is very cliched, filled with teen drinking, drugs, sex, bullying and rape. And it seems the entire teen population of the town all participated in one or more of these things. While I understand that this is the life some teens lead, it is not the life of all teens. The ending was abrupt and unexpected.
I think this book has potential. The plot and the characters need to be developed more. The style of writing needs to be more descriptive and not so cliched. In my opinion, it needs a re-write and a great editor!
May 21, 2014
Raimi has been a girl in her heart for a long time, and now she’s finally a girl with her body as well. Moving to a new school with her family was the wisest choice. Now nobody knows she was once Raimi a boy, they only know the girl. Raimi wanted to skate by the last years of high school, until she met Claire.
Claire is head cheerleader and in a relationship with a jock. An abusive jock. When Raimi sees something about their relationship she knows Claire isn’t who she pretends to be and Raimi is falling fast for her.
There relationship is amazing and complicated and at times out of control. I wasn’t sure I relationship was healthy in any way. I honestly didn’t like Claire all that much in this story. I thought she was kind of rude and had no regard for anyone else’s problems but her own.
Raimi’s parents were a whole other story. Raimi’s father is a drunk and her mother while supportive took her brother on a trip to “get away from life.” The whole family was dysfunctional.
Breaking Free was definitely an interesting read. I’m very pro LGBTQA so I was quite excited to read this book. Sadly I wanted to like this book but it fell a bit short to me. The writing was nice and fluid, the story was good, but the characters were a bit of a fail to me.
All in all, I liked the story but I didn’t love it. I think this story is fantastic and unique. I would definitely recommend this story for those looking for a unique YA story to read.
Claire is head cheerleader and in a relationship with a jock. An abusive jock. When Raimi sees something about their relationship she knows Claire isn’t who she pretends to be and Raimi is falling fast for her.
There relationship is amazing and complicated and at times out of control. I wasn’t sure I relationship was healthy in any way. I honestly didn’t like Claire all that much in this story. I thought she was kind of rude and had no regard for anyone else’s problems but her own.
Raimi’s parents were a whole other story. Raimi’s father is a drunk and her mother while supportive took her brother on a trip to “get away from life.” The whole family was dysfunctional.
Breaking Free was definitely an interesting read. I’m very pro LGBTQA so I was quite excited to read this book. Sadly I wanted to like this book but it fell a bit short to me. The writing was nice and fluid, the story was good, but the characters were a bit of a fail to me.
All in all, I liked the story but I didn’t love it. I think this story is fantastic and unique. I would definitely recommend this story for those looking for a unique YA story to read.
June 2, 2014
Raimi is an interesting character. She has had such support in her transition from her family but it does little to negate the fear of starting her new life in a new school. Many trans people do not have the benefit of their family's support. There has also been some confusion about Raimi's description of her transition. I understood it to be that she had been on hormone replacement therapy and possibly the removal of the testes to help balance the hormones. Some believe that she had already had the extensive bottom surgery. I did not get that from the story. Personally, I believe that trans and intersex children should be given time to decide. I believe that puberty blockers can be very important for these kids. If they know they are trans or that their gender identity does not match their physical sex, they should have the suppressors to give them time to decide how they need to proceed with puberty. I think it could save a lot of physical damage and psychological trauma. It could be that Raimi did have extensive surgeries but I did not see that in her story explicitly. I will agree with other reviewers that the ending felt extremely rushed and could have done with some greater development. I did enjoy the story for what it was. I enjoyed seeing that even someone with great familial support for their transition can face external problems as a trans person.
May 23, 2014
I bought this book because I read that the author is a high school student, and I think that is highly commendable and I wanted to support someone who went after an accomplishment like that.
The novel itself -- well, it does read like it was written by a high school student, but knowing that made it an interesting perspective. There is a lot of heavy content in this book, but some more research and thorough exploration of that would have added to it some more. Mostly, the high school student who is transgendered but has gone through complete transitioning -- it was hard to believe someone of that age would have gone through the medical procedures and hormone therapy that quickly. But I'm no expert in such things, so I tried to put that aside in my mind and focus on what was there. Even so, the plot -- while mostly developed, was written too melodramatic and the ending seemed to come out of no where. The characters seemed to go through too much for too long for their actual age.
Still, kudos to this young author, who has a lot of potential for developing their writing style and working on these sort of things. I will still keep an eye out for future works, and wish her all the best.
The novel itself -- well, it does read like it was written by a high school student, but knowing that made it an interesting perspective. There is a lot of heavy content in this book, but some more research and thorough exploration of that would have added to it some more. Mostly, the high school student who is transgendered but has gone through complete transitioning -- it was hard to believe someone of that age would have gone through the medical procedures and hormone therapy that quickly. But I'm no expert in such things, so I tried to put that aside in my mind and focus on what was there. Even so, the plot -- while mostly developed, was written too melodramatic and the ending seemed to come out of no where. The characters seemed to go through too much for too long for their actual age.
Still, kudos to this young author, who has a lot of potential for developing their writing style and working on these sort of things. I will still keep an eye out for future works, and wish her all the best.
September 26, 2021
This reads like a high school kid wrote it. It's remarkably similar to stuff I used to write ages 14-17. having read the author bio I want to go easy on the author but what on earth was the publisher doing, and why is the English teacher crying instead of teaching?
I had to force myself to keep reading it. One strength was the chapter length (very short).
I'm giving it 2 stars (rather than the 1 I feel the writing deserves) because the world needs more books about queer and trans kids and there was one anti-climactic moment which was GOLD and sums up everything that is great about the up and coming generation but most of the dialogue was over the top. The characters over-reacted to the point where they were not relatable, there were contradictions, cliches, too many "big moments" and "big issues" crammed together and an improbable amount of drugs...I mean it makes Veronica Mars seems tame by comparison.
I feel the author has potential but wow they really need to work on grammar and dialogue. I also don't think most readers are going to relate to this level of wealth and privilege (I found it irritating). Every awesome writer was a teenager once, so hopefully Winter Page will read many wonderful books and develop their writing.
I had to force myself to keep reading it. One strength was the chapter length (very short).
I'm giving it 2 stars (rather than the 1 I feel the writing deserves) because the world needs more books about queer and trans kids and there was one anti-climactic moment which was GOLD and sums up everything that is great about the up and coming generation but most of the dialogue was over the top. The characters over-reacted to the point where they were not relatable, there were contradictions, cliches, too many "big moments" and "big issues" crammed together and an improbable amount of drugs...I mean it makes Veronica Mars seems tame by comparison.
I feel the author has potential but wow they really need to work on grammar and dialogue. I also don't think most readers are going to relate to this level of wealth and privilege (I found it irritating). Every awesome writer was a teenager once, so hopefully Winter Page will read many wonderful books and develop their writing.
May 28, 2014
I appreciate the idea behind this book - Raimi, a transgendered teen starts junior year at a new school and falls for Clare, the seemingly perfect head cheerleader - but the execution was inconsistent and many of the plot points seemed highly unrealistic. As a teacher, I can't imagine any school where kids are physically assaulted in the cafeteria and there aren't any adults who step in. I also had a hard time believing Raimi and Clare would become a serious couple after one date, especially since neither girl was out at school. The book is full of high school cliches - kids who live for getting trashed at parties, a head jock who bullies others because of his own insecurities, the sensitive art kid who quietly bucks the system, a father who's a preacher and thinks it's possible to pray the gay away - and by the end of the book I didn't particularly care about the drama of Raimi and Clare's relationship. I applaud Winter Page's idea and effort, but if you're looking for a high quality YA book about transgender issues, I'd stick with Parrotfish and Luna.
June 11, 2014
When I started Breaking Free it seemed a bit predictable and I felt like I have read this story before. However, as the book went on I saw the depth that this book took. This book is about Raimi a girl entering a new school with a big secret. She’s a transgender and a lesbian. Now she faces the trials of high school such as cruel friends, blackmailing bullies, drugs, and young love. This book deals with the problems that many teens have to face in today’s society. This book helps show the pain that people have to deal with. This book was beautiful written by an author who truly had something great to say. I highly recommend this book to all teens and anyone who as ever struggled. Though it’s a bit heart wrenching at time, not to mention the ending was so amazingly perfect and heartbreaking all at once.
June 21, 2014
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
The characters were stereotypical. Raimi and Clare were Mary Sues. Not a lot of what happened seemed believable. Most of the dialogue sounded overly dramatic or made me either cringe or think 'No one says that in real life.' Then I got to the end and I realized why the book sounded slightly outrageous: the author is a high school freshman. Not that it's a bad thing. But it did help me understand why the book is what it is; my high school self would've loved Breaking Free.
[spoiler] Making Brad gay felt unnecessary to me, though. It made me think of that show Secret Life of an American Teenager where everyone and their mommas--literally--got pregnant after one teen got knocked up. [/spoiler]
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
The characters were stereotypical. Raimi and Clare were Mary Sues. Not a lot of what happened seemed believable. Most of the dialogue sounded overly dramatic or made me either cringe or think 'No one says that in real life.' Then I got to the end and I realized why the book sounded slightly outrageous: the author is a high school freshman. Not that it's a bad thing. But it did help me understand why the book is what it is; my high school self would've loved Breaking Free.
[spoiler] Making Brad gay felt unnecessary to me, though. It made me think of that show Secret Life of an American Teenager where everyone and their mommas--literally--got pregnant after one teen got knocked up. [/spoiler]
June 6, 2014
I feel like a jerk for even having to write this review. I'll let the gif speak for me. The author is a younger teenager. That's honestly commendable. I hope she continues to chase after her writing dreams. But on the other hand, it was very obvious that this was written by someone younger. I just can't bring myself to critique the book. I can only hope that this author continues to write and work on her writing style.
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.
July 27, 2014
Given To Me For An Honest Review
Excellent book about teens and high school. This book is exceptional as it is about a transgender teen and one who is gay. Both not wanting people to find out and both worried of the harrasment. Great book, it is a MUST read. Once I started it I could not put it down. I gave 5 stars but wish I could give it a 10 plus stars. Fantastic read and highly recommended to all!!!!
Excellent book about teens and high school. This book is exceptional as it is about a transgender teen and one who is gay. Both not wanting people to find out and both worried of the harrasment. Great book, it is a MUST read. Once I started it I could not put it down. I gave 5 stars but wish I could give it a 10 plus stars. Fantastic read and highly recommended to all!!!!
November 2, 2014
I am amazed that this was written by a 14 year old. The story is captivating and emotional. It is well written and is also edited well. Told mostly by Raimi (aka Rain), and partly by Clare, it covers many issues that teenagers deal with including bullying, homosexuality, drugs, drinking, oppressive religion and family problems. I think that many teenagers will enjoy reading this story. I received this book free to review from Netgalley and I highly recommend it.
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