Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

What is it about?

Felix Love has never been kissed, hell, he’s never even been in love and yearns to experience this magical feeling of butterflies, weak knees and everything that goes hand in hand with falling in love. The problem is that Felix often wonders if he deserves a happy ending because even though he is proud of his identity, he is also painfully aware of the fact that he fits into too many categories of marginalization: he’s Black, he’s queer, he’s transgender.

When he is publicly shamed by another student, Felix decides that enough is enough and goes on a warpath for revenge. Little did he know that this decision would lead to a love triangle that only complicates his already complicated feelings.

Is it any good?

I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this book. From the striking cover and the pretty book page edges to the fabulous story and its unforgettable characters, Felix Ever After was sublime from first sentence to last.

The novel tackles serious issues like transphobia, homophobia and gender identity with openness and honesty and shows how lost, alone and desperate one can feel when there’s nobody to guide you or lean on. And despite the heaviness and earnest undertone, Felix Ever After is a burst of sunshine, love and happiness – at least that’s how I felt after finishing this novel: it’s wholesome.

The author has created a main character that is so lovable and real that you can’t help but root for him from the first time you meet him. Felix isn’t perfect – quite the contrary, he’s still searching, he’s struggling and he makes mistakes, but these flaws make him human and so very approachable. Yet over the course of the book and his journey of self-discovery, Felix learns and grows so much; his character development feels so gratifying. While he is longing for love, he keeps everyone at arm’s length for fear of rejection, and this is his ultimate fear – that he’s not worthy to be loved, that he’s not enough.

It’s not only Felix that draws the reader in, it’s his whole universe. One strength of this novel is the description of Felix’s complex and nuanced relationships with the people around him – with his best friend Ezra, in particular (oh, I love Ezra as much as I love Felix), but also with his father, who tries to be supportive and yet can’t seem to fully accept the fact that Felix is transgender; with his absent mother; and even with his nemesis Declan, who may not be quite the villain that Felix has made him out to be.

Most memorable quote?

“It can be easier, sometimes, to choose to love someone you know won’t return your feelings. At least you know how that will end. It’s easier to accept hurt and pain, sometimes, than love and acceptance. It’s the real, loving relationships that can be the scariest.” (I feel this so, so, so much!)

Conclusion?

I have seen a lot of love for this book, which usually makes me a bit wary because I’m afraid I’ll end up disappointed – but all the hype, all the praise, it’s so well deserved. Felix Ever After will forever hold a special place in my heart. I actually enjoyed reading it so much that I found myself unable (or perhaps unwilling) to move on to my next book because how could it ever compare to the marvelous world of Felix Love?

Trigger warning: homophobia, transphobia, bullying, some Harry Potter references

AT A GLANCE

Title: Felix Ever After

By: Kacen Callender

Published by: Harper Collins (2020)

Pages: 368

Language: English