YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, two boys in a border town fell in love. Now, they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence.

Ari has spent all of high school burying who he really is, staying silent and invisible. He expected his senior year to be the same. But something in him cracked open when he fell in love with Dante, and he can’t go back. Suddenly he finds himself reaching out to new friends, standing up to bullies of all kinds, and making his voice heard. And, always, there is Dante, dreamy, witty Dante, who can get on Ari’s nerves and fill him with desire all at once.

The boys are determined to forge a path for themselves in a world that doesn’t understand them. But when Ari is faced with a shocking loss, he’ll have to fight like never before to create a life that is truthfully, joyfully his own.

The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, multiple award-winning novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an achingly romantic, tender tale sure to captivate fans of Adam Silvera and Mary H.K. Choi.

Starting it now. I'm excited! But also a little scared that it will disappoint me. However, I have my tissues ready.

Same here! I will start this later today after I finish some homework I have left. I'm so excited but scared at the same time haha.

I literally just read the first chapter because I could not wait and omg the feelings, I missed these characters so much!!

“I’m already home. I’m with you.”
That made me smile. Such a Dante thing to say

ahh this made me so happy :))

Part 1 (view spoiler)[I decided that I only want to read one part per day, to have more time with Ari and Dante. I didn’t think about the time the book was set in and seeing Ari struggle so much with his sexuality is really sad. Also, I was surprised to find the HIV-crisis mentioned in the book, but again thinking about the time it is set in, it was a strong fear.

I think it was wrong of Aris Mum to out him to his Sisters, even though they were really accepting and showed Ari how much they love him. But telling others should be on his terms. (hide spoiler)]

nefeli wrote: "Same here! I will start this later today after I finish some homework I have left. I'm so excited but scared at the same time haha."

Yes, even now 20% in I still am excited to read and still anxious at the same time. I just want them to be happy! :D

nefeli wrote: "“I’m already home. I’m with you.”
That made me smile. Such a Dante thing to say

ahh this made me so happy :))"

I think the writing in this one is so beautiful, just like in the first one, even though it feels a little wooden when comes to dialog.

Read up to ch20. So immersed in this. It’s quick reading, and though simplistic in approach there’s a real beauty to it. I’m already worried there’ll come more than one moment where this is going to hard to read because of what they’re experiencing. Their families are adorably supportive, but the difficulties are about identity and fitting in on so many levels.

26 % (view spoiler)[The transition from Ari idolising Dante in the first book to him getting to know the real him, with all his flaws, and still loving him is really well done. There are small things he starts to notice, right now he realized Dante can be judgemental and for me this makes this book even more realy. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 (view spoiler)[The camping trip and their interaction with Emma was very sweet.

Mrs. Alvidrez made me so angry! I like Aris mom now even more after she kicked her out of the house. I hate people that use religion as a reason to hate other people. A boy died, the Ortega family must be struggeling so much with that loss and still there are people like that Mrs. Alvidez that wants to make their life even harder. (hide spoiler)]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Starting it now. I'm excited! But also a little scared that it will disappoint me. However, I have my tissues ready."

I'm with you on this - just waiting for the tears to flow!

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "nefeli wrote: "“I’m already home. I’m with you.”
That made me smile. Such a Dante thing to say

ahh this made me so happy :))"

I think the writing in this one is so beautiful, just like in the fir..."


I'm not so sure about the dialogue. It seems stilted, but I wonder if that's part of trying to come to terms with sexual identity in a time when such hatred was rife.

Karen wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "nefeli wrote: "“I’m already home. I’m with you.”
That made me smile. Such a Dante thing to say

ahh this made me so happy :))"

I think the writing in this one is so b..."

Further into this book I've got to agree with you. For me it got better (or I got used to it) but whatever reason I don't have a problem with that anymore. :D

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "nefeli wrote: "“I’m already home. I’m with you.”
That made me smile. Such a Dante thing to say

ahh this made me so happy :))"

I think the writing in this one is so beautiful, just like in the fir..."

Υes I agree with you! I didn't read a lot yesterday, I have not completed part one yet but I have more free time oday so hopefully I'll catch up with you.

I thought of the sound of his voice the very rst time I heard it. I didn’t know that voice was going to change my life. I thought he was only going to teach me how to swim in the waters of this swimming pool. Instead, he taught me how to dive into the waters of life.

I really liked this for some reason :)
I am on ch. 20 and it is very enjoyable so far even though very little happens

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 1 I decided that I only want to read one part per day, to have more time with Ari and Dante. I didn’t think about the time the book was set in and seeing Ari struggle so much with his sexualit..."

I just finished part one!
(view spoiler)[ I agree with you, Ari's mom shouldn't have outed him to his sisters because it's his own decision when and how to tell them even though his sisters were really supporting.

I really like the book so far. I'm excited to read about the camping trip!

Even though the dialogues are not great, for some reason I love the simplistic writing of the book. Of course it could be better but there are some so simple yet so beautiful quotes that I absolutely love :)) (hide spoiler)]

nefeli wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 1 I decided that I only want to read one part per day, to have more time with Ari and Dante. I didn’t think about the time the book was set in and seeing Ari stru..."

(view spoiler)[Yes, I think by telling his sisters she took something from Ari that could have helped him even more discovering his own worth. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 (view spoiler)[I‘m done with my Part for the day and on the one Hand I‘m happy about my decision, so I can enjoy this book longer on the other Hand I‘m regretting it :D I really like this Story.

I‘m happy for Ari that he‘s opening up more to his friends. Cassandra is a nice addition to that circle. But I fear that everything is working out way to good and that can‘t shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen. (hide spoiler)]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "26 % [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I think this is realistic - definitely a good thing. (hide spoiler)]

nefeli wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 1 I decided that I only want to read one part per day, to have more time with Ari and Dante. I didn’t think about the time the book was set in and seeing Ari stru..."

(view spoiler)[ Definitely didn't agree with Ari's mum doing that, no matter how she tried to justify it. I'm also worried this camping trip is going to be the catalyst for something really awful - it's being hyped up as such a positive, I'm dreading what could happen. (hide spoiler)]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "26 % [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[yes, that's something I also noticed and I think it made his character a lot more realistic, I really liked that!(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I also finished part two
(view spoiler)[ I really loved their interaction with Emma, the whole encounter was so sweet and emotional.
The camping trip was also really nice :)
I like how Ari slowly comes to realisations about himself and others, love the character development!
Ans I have to say it, I absolutely love both Ari's and Dante's parents <33 they are always so supportive and always there for their children!! (hide spoiler)]

The section with Emma in the gallery is poignant. Important for them both to feel comfortable.

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 3 "

I finished part three
(view spoiler)[I agree with what you said! I really like Cassandra and I like that Ari is starting to open up to more people, I'm glad he is discovering what friendship feels like :)
I really enjoy the book so far, everything is going well so far. I am however afraid that something bad is about to happen because nothing good lasts for too long 😂 (hide spoiler)]

nefeli wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 3 "

I finished part three
I agree with what you said! I really like Cassandra and I like that Ari is starting to open up to more people, I'm glad he is discoveri..."

(view spoiler)[Right?! I fear that something Bad is about to happen and I can‘t read the whole day… I hope I can get some reading done tonight. (hide spoiler)]

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 2 The camping trip and their interaction with Emma was very sweet.

Mrs. Alvidrez made me so angry! I like Aris mom now even more after she kicked her out of the house. I hate people that use..."

This scene had me cheering Ari's mum. It shouldn't be so hard for people to show humanity.

nefeli wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 3 "

I finished part three
I agree with what you said! I really like Cassandra and I like that Ari is starting to open up to more people, I'm glad he is discoveri..."

(view spoiler)[ What does that say about us that we're all waiting for the worst-case scenario? Interesting that all these new friends have watched Ari, but never reached out to him. It works both ways! (hide spoiler)]

70% - my heart aches. (view spoiler)[ Feels nice that they got the chance to share that time on the journey to the prison, but what a horrible moment. (hide spoiler)]

Finished. Review on home page. A hard one to review as there are some elements that I'm still unsure about how to respond to. I don't feel qualified to really engage with a lot of the issues some reviewers have identified. Did this affect my reading? Slightly, but I am more concerned that I might - inadvertently - compound some of the issues I would want addressed. So much about this was beautiful (view spoiler)[ but it felt more like Ari's story and his growth with Dante being incidental in events. (hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Part 2 The camping trip and their interaction with Emma was very sweet.

Mrs. Alvidrez made me so angry! I like Aris mom now even more after she kicked her out of the..."

I completely agree!

i'm going to read your review when I fiinsh it, i'm still on part 4 :)

finished part four
(view spoiler)[ i am in so much pain right now, i never expected that to happen. I was prepared for something bad but Ari's dad dying was too much, especially since they had just started bonding...
His brother was unnecessarily mean, i don't like him at all. I think Ari is better off without him but I'm glad he visited him because he found out the answer he was looking for (hide spoiler)]

I finshed the book. I don't know how I feel, but I'm completely mesmerised by the masterpiece I just read. I might had some issues with it but the love I have for these characters is greater than any issue. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I think after reading this I feel comlpete and a part of the charcters and the story will always remain in my heart

I'll read both your reviews when I'm done with the book. I didn't have lots of time yesterday, so I'll read the last parts today. :)

Karen wrote: "70% - my heart aches. [spoilers removed]"

Mine, too!

Part 4 (view spoiler)[What an eventful part. Ari finally got to meet his brother. I'm glad he made the effort and talk to him even though his brother clearly didn't want him in his life anymore.

And then Aris dad died and I couldn't stop crying with him, I get very emotional when reading... but I think how Ari describes pain and loss is very accurate and I loved his words. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[When they broke up I was about to throw the book out of my window... One of my fear before starting was that they won't get a happy ending. I'm so happy that Ari flew to Paris in the end to meet with Dante. (hide spoiler)]

Over all I liked it and I'm glad I was able to read it with you guys.

Ta || bookishbluehead wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]

Over all I liked it and I'm glad I was able to read it with you guys."

hahaa my reaction exactly
had a lot of un reading his with you guys :)