A review by babygirl
Stranger Things: Rebel Robin by A.R. Capetta

3.5

Odd to read about a character who you know is a lesbian while she is in the dark about herself -- have never been in this position before. I knew her endpoint/fate before she did, while she had to tease it out of herself while also hiding it from both herself and everyone around her. But, I knew. I knew her destiny better than she does. I suppose it's a bit like when you reread a novel or anything else; but this felt different. I don't know why. 

It was interesting to position the romance/crush as one of admiring someone else for being themself (as much as they can in 80s, small-town america). Also I loved Sheena. I really liked that they included a largely non-speaking character and another Weird Girl tm in the book. I feel sometimes books fall into the traps of making everyone else so 'normie' so the main character shines alone, but that's not real life. So many people have wonderfully weird, shining selves and moments and Robin really (grows to) appreciate them. She shines more because of it.  

It was also incredibly funny to read how much the character Steve Harrington came up. It might have been necessary, as he is currently understood as one of the selling-points of the show, and subsequently, this book. And they are bound as 'platonic soulmates' in the show, so it might have been needed for marketing reasons, required by publishing, etc. But holy shit, he came up at least 20 times in the whole book, at times 2-3 times/chapter and he wasn't even there. He had zero interaction with Robin until the final chapter (besides the movie theatre). He lived in her mind rent-free. Like, I had to laugh at that, it felt embarrassing, TBH? Girl, let go of the popular crowd in your mind, even if it's just to hate on them. Be free. . . 

Her friendships were really interesting. They navigated close relationships with guys, avoiding advances, being noticed as a lesbian by Mr Hauser and her closest guy friend. How will/if they do, will the show include his character? Also interesting that none of her girl friends notice she has a crush on T. when two guys (in age range and teacher) do. Also enjoyed that the band/'nerd'/'free-thinking-hippie' spaces also had bullying/hierarchies/sexism/adultism/hyporcrisy. I feel like a lot of people just ignore that and this book worked to disrupt that a bit. Also that her parents do care about her but don't really know her, and how what she thought of as an escape was really running away/feeling suffocated. It's really special that Mr Hauser noticed that and gave her the space to just breathe, while he could. That was really special. 

There were moments that kind of just rambled on, and didn't really do much for plot/character development. Also some of the interactions felt a bit forced (like with the Byers' family, Kate never talking to her even after she dumped her boyfriend and just sending notes in silence -- it felt like Robin was just not supposed to have friends according to word of God, to lead to isolation etc. But it came off as a bit contrived from my pov). 

Overall a fun, thoughtful book, I think young people would really like it. Also, it mentions the AIDS crisis, which Stranger Things hasn't done in over 40 hours (I think) of streaming time. So.