Felix Ever After

Felix Love is a seventeen-year-old Black transgender teen attending an elite summer arts program in New York City. After someone publicly displays his deadname and pre-transition photos at school, Felix launches a plan to uncover the culprit's identity. While navigating this crisis, Felix must balance his college portfolio preparation, complex friendships, and his first experiences with romance. His relationship with his single father, who struggles to fully understand Felix's identity, adds another layer of tension to his summer journey. The novel takes place in a contemporary art school setting where Felix and his diverse group of friends explore their creative passions while dealing with typical teenage concerns alongside deeper questions of identity and belonging. This coming-of-age story tackles themes of self-discovery, gender identity, and the universal search for love, while challenging assumptions about how identity shapes personal relationships and artistic expression.

Readers emphasize the authentic portrayal of a transgender teen's journey of self-discovery and first love. Many note the book's handling of complex identity questions and multiple forms of discrimination. Readers liked: - Complex, flawed characters who feel real - Discussion of art, creativity, and privilege - Representation of questioning gender identity while already being out as transgender - Depiction of supportive friendships and found family Readers disliked: - Pacing in the middle section - Some felt the romance subplot was predictable - A few found Felix's actions frustrating at times Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (900+ ratings) Common reader comment: "This book would have meant everything to me as a teen questioning my identity." Several reviewers noted the book fills a gap in YA literature by centering a Black, queer, transgender protagonist without focusing solely on trauma.

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🌟 The author, Kacen Callender, came out as trans and non-binary in 2019, the year before publishing this groundbreaking novel. 🎨 The book's art school setting was inspired by New York City's real-life Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. 💫 Felix Ever After was awarded the 2021 Stonewall Book Award for exceptional merit relating to LGBTQ+ experience. 📚 The novel made history as one of the first YA books to feature a Black, queer, transgender protagonist written by a Black, queer, transgender author. 🎬 Amazon Studios acquired the rights to adapt Felix Ever After into a television series, with Field Trip Productions set to produce.