Felix Ever After (2021) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The book contains multiple scenes of kissing and heavy making out, particularly between Felix and his romantic interests. There are candid discussions regarding gender-affirming top surgery and Felix's relationship with his chest scars and physical form. Characters engage in dialogue about virginity, hookup culture, and sexual attraction within the LGBTQ+ community. While there are no graphic descriptions of sex acts, the physical attraction and tension between Felix and characters like Ezra or Declan are palpable…

Physical violence is minimal, but the story centers on significant emotional and psychological violence. The inciting incident involves a public gallery at the St. Catherine’s school lobby where Felix is outed and deadnamed through old photographs, which is treated as a targeted hate crime. Felix experiences intense cyberbullying and harassment that threatens his mental well-being and sense of safety. In response to this trauma, Felix orchestrates a revenge plot involving catfishing, which creates ethical…

Strong language is used frequently throughout the novel to authentically represent the voices of teenagers in a high-pressure Brooklyn arts school. Readers will encounter frequent uses of 'f*ck,' 'sh*t,' and 'b*tch' in both casual conversation and heated arguments. More significantly, the text includes the use of transphobic slurs and derogatory language within the context of the harassment Felix faces. This language is portrayed as harmful and is not endorsed by the narrative, but its presence is a key part of…

Substance use appears as a background element of the urban teenage social scene in New York City. Characters attend various parties where alcohol is readily available, and there are descriptions of the smell of marijuana in social settings. Felix and his friends are occasionally depicted drinking beer or other alcohol to cope with stress or to celebrate during events like Pride. While there are mentions of characters being high or buzzed, the narrative does not glamorize addiction or center the plot on substance…

The novel explores deeply complex themes of identity, self-worth, and the intersections of being Black and transgender. A major thematic thread involves Felix’s strained relationship with his father, who struggles with the transition, and the abandonment he feels from his mother. The story also examines the moral ambiguity of revenge and the consequences of catfishing, even when directed at a perceived villain. Felix’s journey toward self-love is the primary focus, highlighting the importance of defining oneself…