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40x40

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Hot Dog Girl in Books

Aug 20, 2020  
Hot Dog Girl
Hot Dog Girl
Jennifer Dugan | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. Lou's mom left when Lou was a kid and Magic Castle means the world to Lou--it's where her parents shared memories and then Lou later on. Its closing devastates her and she's shocked that the owner has no desire to save it. Coupled with her hopeless crush on Nick, Lou is a pool of self-pity in the beginning of the book and, truly, a bit of a downer. (Although, seriously, I wouldn't want to wear a giant hot dog costume at a roasting hot theme park either, so she has me there.)

But once you get into the rhythm of Lou, this is a fun and really lovely book. There's great queer representation, between Lou's lesbian best friend, Seeley and Lou herself, who is bi. Seeley has recently broken up with her girlfriend, so Lou is also determined to set her up (sometimes with disastrous consequences). Setting a book at an amusement park is great. I love theme parks and while this was just a small town place, it was an enjoyable and fun location to read about, especially when it involved a group of teens.

Dugan captures teens really well, too. Lou, Seeley, Nick, his girlfriend--they all jump off the page. They seem real, and I enjoy that they seemed like actual teens. Not disaffected teens, not rich boarding school teens trying to hide a body, but honest teens whom you would actually meet and be friends with.

There were pages where I found myself laughing out loud. As a bi person, I loved having characters I could empathize with and relate to--this book is sweet and heartwarming. Lou's journey (and Seeley's) is great and makes for an excellent read.

Overall, this is a lovely, touching and also humorous read about love, friendship, and teens growing up. 4 stars.
  
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Erika (17789 KP) rated A Crash of Fate (Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge) in Books

Sep 28, 2019 (Updated Sep 28, 2019)  
A Crash of Fate (Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge)
A Crash of Fate (Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge)
Zoraida Córdova | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
5
6.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was trying sooo hard to mimic @Lost Stars (Star Wars) , you can't help but compare them. This definitely hurt this book.
Firstly, the author did not develop the two main characters' childhood friendship enough to understand the bond they had. Therefore, I didn't understand or care about the romance that developed between the characters. The story line was tired and predictable. The characters just weren't developed enough.
The only thing I did like about the book was the description of Bantuu, and the Black Spire Outpost. It's good background for Galaxy's Edge, the new theme parks at Disney World and Disney Land.

Also, the book kept mentioning Hondo, but he never appeared. How old is he by now? His first appearance was the first season of @Star Wars: The Clone Wars . From pictures, I know he wanders around the park.

So, basically, this lame-o YA romance novel was only worth reading for details on Bantuu.