Cover Image: All of the Above

All of the Above

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Member Reviews

I love Juno's writing but sadly could not get into this one. The characters were quite overwhelming and I didn't gel with any of them.

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I requested this title back before my blogging break. I have ended up with a number of titles that are overwhelming to catch up on now I am back from my blogging break. I am regretfully not going to be reading and reviewing this title, but now I am back from my blogging break, I am looking forward to reading and reviewing some of your future titles. Thank you so much for the opportunity and apologies.

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I was so looking forward to this book mainly for its ace rep but I found it really underwhelming. It was hard to like and connect with any of the characters and I just found myself getting frustrated with the novel. DNF at 43%

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I couldn't really get into this even though I'm a fan of Juno Dawson, this just felt a little slow. But would still recommend for readers.

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Another fabulous Juno novel full of characters with so much heart and complexity. At this point Juno is a must-read author for me!

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I think I am probably a little too old for this book. This follows Victoria 'toria' grand a 17 year old girl that has just moved to Brompton on sea and starting sixth form. This follows her making friends, getting herself a boyfriend, discovering her sexuality and everything in between.
As I said I don't think I'm the right audience for this book. It talks a lot about virginity and discovering your sexuality when your 16/17. I didn't really like the characters....toria always seemed so forced and would say things like 'ladyboner' and penis virginity'.... Who says that?!?! I didn't like Polly and all the swearing that was blocked out with ***** all the time.
I felt this book was just trying to be to down with kids and ended up a bit trashy and forced.

This book comes with trigger warnings for death, self-harm, eating disorders and alcoholism.

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While I'm generally a huge fan of Juno's, this missed the mark - too many obnoxious characters I couldn't bring myself to care about, and the much-vaunted ace representation didn't work at all for me.

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I just didn’t enjoy this one that much, I was really disappointed. It felt poorly researched/carried out

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Eventful, outrageous and biting, All of the Above is practically bursting with character: between artistically talented newcomer Toria, fierce but secretive Daisy, bolshy pack leader Polly, awkward Beasley, book-mad Freya, uber-cool musician Nico, permanently-entwined-and-coolly-disinterested Alex and Alice, and of course, Geoff the cross-dressing squirrel, readers are from the off confronted with a colourful cast of teenagers - and the knowledge that some of these friendships will not survive the book. Polly, Daisy and Nico were the stars of the ensemble for me, but the story itself is championed by heroine Toria.

Chatty, frank and uproariously funny, Toria's narration was one of my favourite things about the book. Brutally honest and littered with pop culture references, it both keeps you reading and packs a punch. Toria's experiences as a biracial British-Punjabi teenager only occasionally influence the plot but inform her forthright ("Brompton-on-Sea isn't exactly a cultural melting pot") and warmly wry ("Worst. Hindu. Ever") voice. It is through Toria's humour and Dawson captures the chaos of teenage experience.

Arriving at Brompton Cliffs, Toria finds that the year which follows is one torrid whirlwind of sexual confusion, startling revelations and surprisingly bittersweet heartbreak. Relying on the base ingredients of the YA tradition - opening with an arrival in a new place, focusing on friendship drama and coming-of-age issues - Dawson adds few twists to the general formula, but packs the book with themes relevant to modern audiences: mental health, sexuality, alcoholism, break-ups, make-ups, strained family relationships, music, hormones.

Fans of Alice Oseman's Radio Silence, Liz Kessler's Read Me Like A Book and Lisa Williamson's All About Mia will find this lively, if occasionally overbusy, contemporary companion appeals. Funny, sharp, and distinctive.

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