Bad Boy: A Novel
by Elliot Wake
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"Vlog star Renard Grant has nothing to prove: he's got a pretty face, chiseled body, and two million adoring video subscribers. Plus the scars on his chest and a prescription for testosterone. Because Ren is transgender: assigned female at birth, living now as male. He films his transition and shares it bravely with the world; his fans love his honesty and positivity. But Ren has been living a double life. Off-camera, he's Cane, the muscle-bound enforcer for social justice vigilante group show more Black Iris. As Cane, he lets his dark side loose. Hurts those who prey on the disempowered. Indulges in the ugly side of masculinity. And his new partner, Tamsin Baylor, is a girl as rough and relentless as him. Together, they terrorize the trolls into silence. But when a routine Black Iris job goes south, Ren is put in the crosshairs. Someone is out to ruin his life. He's a bad boy, they say, guilty of what he punishes others for. Just like every other guy: at heart, he's a monster, too. Now Ren's got everything to prove. He has to clear his name, and show the world he's a good man. But that requires facing demons he's locked away for years. And it might mean discovering he's not such a good guy after all."-- Dust jacket flap. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
I have so many conflicted emotions about this book. I loved Elliot Wake's Black Iris and I was so excited when I found out he had written a novel with a trans main character. This was probably my favourite part of this novel, it meant a lot to me as a trans guy who has gone through abuse to read a novel about a trans man who has too, written by a trans man. I also really liked the romance between Ren and Tamsin, the diversity in this book was fantastic.
Then there were some things I enjoyed less... It felt strange to read about Laney and Blythe in this context. I loved them in Black Iris but in this novel, I almost, started to dislike them... Especially Laney, and I hated that that happened.
It really was a wild show more ride of never quite knowing who to trust, and that definitely showed through Ren's paranoia, and with each twist and turn it was hard to know what to believe. It made it a little messy throughout and almost a little silly at times, but the ending conclusion / twist was definitely unexpected and well done. It also broached the subject of TERFs and toxic relationships with transphobic people.
Some of the content was fairly triggering and hard to read, and definitely could be for other trans people as there is a lot about body dysphoria, transphobia from others, and internalized transphobia. But overall it was great to read a thriller novel with a trans main character and so much diversity and representation. I'm excited for whatever Elliot Wake writes next. show less
I have so many conflicted emotions about this book. I loved Elliot Wake's Black Iris and I was so excited when I found out he had written a novel with a trans main character. This was probably my favourite part of this novel, it meant a lot to me as a trans guy who has gone through abuse to read a novel about a trans man who has too, written by a trans man. I also really liked the romance between Ren and Tamsin, the diversity in this book was fantastic.
Then there were some things I enjoyed less... It felt strange to read about Laney and Blythe in this context. I loved them in Black Iris but in this novel, I almost, started to dislike them... Especially Laney, and I hated that that happened.
It really was a wild show more ride of never quite knowing who to trust, and that definitely showed through Ren's paranoia, and with each twist and turn it was hard to know what to believe. It made it a little messy throughout and almost a little silly at times, but the ending conclusion / twist was definitely unexpected and well done. It also broached the subject of TERFs and toxic relationships with transphobic people.
Some of the content was fairly triggering and hard to read, and definitely could be for other trans people as there is a lot about body dysphoria, transphobia from others, and internalized transphobia. But overall it was great to read a thriller novel with a trans main character and so much diversity and representation. I'm excited for whatever Elliot Wake writes next. show less
It sort of ensorcelled me despite the YA book issues of overblown descriptions and ALL A-PLOT !! pacing. There are not many books with a trans protagonist that feels real and this had that which is a BIG deal. Still I can't help but feel like this was a little exploit-y. Like some of the themes are not something random cisgirls need to be reading about in a sexual action book (which this for sure is).
It really seems like the publisher told this author (who was already a successful writer before coming out), "that whole trans thing is a real 'phenomenon.' That's how we're gonna market you from now on." Which like, hey publishers, that's not how this #ownvoices thing works.
It really seems like the publisher told this author (who was already a successful writer before coming out), "that whole trans thing is a real 'phenomenon.' That's how we're gonna market you from now on." Which like, hey publishers, that's not how this #ownvoices thing works.
The book itself didn't make me cry. The letter from Eliott to Leah, now that's another story...
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Kirkus Starred Fiction Reviews of Books Published in 2016
63 works; 3 members
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6+ Works 718 Members
Leah Raeder is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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