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A review by sauvageloup
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amazing, stunning, funny, poignant, I loved it!
pros:
- the characters are all so loveable, their dialogue feels realistic as well as witty. The development from enemies to friends (Art and Gwen) and acquaintances to lovers (Art and Gabriel and Gwen and Bridget) felt well written and not rushed.
- I loved how their flaws were written and developed throughout, Gwen being cowardly/afraid, Gabriel very rigid in his ideas of kingliness, Art's recklessness and difficulty in talking about his feelings, and Bridget.. well she doesnt have any major flaws I think!
- it's a chunky book but feels the exact right length and i loved the whole story with its twists and turns.
- i felt especially for Art, who suffers from depression, coming from an abusive father and his previous lover who rejected him cruelly, and Art's struggle to keep his head above water, while being so daring and loving and big hearted, was both so painful and emotional.
- the shameless trope inclusive of gays with swords and fake dating was brilliant, while other tropes were flipped a bit, with Gabriel being both bookish and badass with a sword.
- I was really relieved they all made it at the end, I dont think my heart could've taken it otherwise!
- I also loved the inclusion of Bridget and Art not being white, with representation of how the middle ages wasnt a white wash. I wouldve maybe liked a bit more information on their backgrounds and families.
- I loved the setting too, with the mix of medieval times but not the "real" king Arthur characters, how their mythology had carried on till their time. I also really enjoyed how magic was hinted at buy never confirmed, with the helpful magician and the crow and the protective amulets from Elaine.
- there was also disability rep with Bridget suffering from what I assume was endometriosis, and I felt like Gwen had some signs of autism, with her desire to stick to routines and her difficulty understanding Art's motives at times. Also Gabriel ends up having part of his arm amputated after the battle and this is never brought up negatively, or like Art might not love Gabriel any more
- they all struggle with accepting their homosexuality (though I think it's more internal for Art) in the time period, but I love how this was handled, and how interpretations of the arthurian lore and characters was incorporated and used by Croucher.
cons:
- I think only negatives was that I felt some things weren't quite concluded, like Art didnt seem to find help for his depression or therapy-like treatment or meds, just that he was meant to be healed by getting away from his dad (valid) and Gabriel's love (less valid).
- I felt we saw less of Art and Gabriel's romance overall than Gwen and Bridget's, but that might be wrong.
but overall, I adored the book and the writing and seeing that Croucher also uses all pronouns made me love them more! will definitely read more of their books.
pros:
- the characters are all so loveable, their dialogue feels realistic as well as witty.
- I loved how their flaws were written and developed throughout, Gwen being cowardly/afraid, Gabriel very rigid in his ideas of kingliness, Art's recklessness and difficulty in talking about his feelings, and Bridget.. well she doesnt have any major flaws I think!
- it's a chunky book but feels the exact right length and i loved the whole story with its twists and turns.
- i felt especially for Art,
- the shameless trope inclusive of gays with swords and fake dating was brilliant, while other tropes were flipped a bit, with Gabriel being both bookish and badass with a sword.
-
- I also loved the inclusion of Bridget and Art not being white, with representation of how the middle ages wasnt a white wash. I wouldve maybe liked a bit more information on their backgrounds and families.
- I loved the setting too, with the mix of medieval times but not the "real" king Arthur characters, how their mythology had carried on till their time.
- there was also disability rep with Bridget suffering from what I assume was endometriosis, and I felt like Gwen had some signs of autism, with her desire to stick to routines and her difficulty understanding Art's motives at times.
- they all struggle with accepting their homosexuality (though I think it's more internal for Art) in the time period, but I love how this was handled, and how interpretations of the arthurian lore and characters was incorporated and used by Croucher.
cons:
- I think only negatives was that I felt some things weren't quite concluded, like Art didnt seem to find help for his depression or therapy-like treatment or meds, just that he was meant to be healed by getting away from his dad (valid) and Gabriel's love (less valid).
- I felt we saw less of Art and Gabriel's romance overall than Gwen and Bridget's, but that might be wrong.
but overall, I adored the book and the writing and seeing that Croucher also uses all pronouns made me love them more! will definitely read more of their books.