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The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating a Siren
(The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating A Siren #1)
by
Came out of the closet by accident? Check.
Sent off to a pray-away-the-gay school? Miserable check.
Shenanigans ensued? Mega-quadruple check.
Blaize Trales’s world falls apart when he’s dragged to Sanctuary Preparatory Academy, a boarding school that claims to fix gay teens. The place sucks so much they even serve food like “Cleansing Corn.” Blaize’s misguided parents eat it ...more
Sent off to a pray-away-the-gay school? Miserable check.
Shenanigans ensued? Mega-quadruple check.
Blaize Trales’s world falls apart when he’s dragged to Sanctuary Preparatory Academy, a boarding school that claims to fix gay teens. The place sucks so much they even serve food like “Cleansing Corn.” Blaize’s misguided parents eat it ...more
Kindle Edition, Alternate Cover Edition, 334 pages
Published
August 2017
by Cody Wagner
(first published October 27th 2015)
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Start your review of The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating a Siren (The Seeker, #1)

The key to survival is...being gay. At least it is in Book 1 of
The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating a Siren
.
Fourteen-year-old Blaize Trales (yep) doesn’t want anyone in his tiny Texas town, including his parents, to know he’s gay. But when he inadvertently outs himself, his parents immediately pack him up and send him to Sanctuary Preparatory Academy, a school that promises to “heal” gay teens.
As if trying to be “healed” isn’t bad enough, and dealing with the usual high school problems—class w ...more
Fourteen-year-old Blaize Trales (yep) doesn’t want anyone in his tiny Texas town, including his parents, to know he’s gay. But when he inadvertently outs himself, his parents immediately pack him up and send him to Sanctuary Preparatory Academy, a school that promises to “heal” gay teens.
As if trying to be “healed” isn’t bad enough, and dealing with the usual high school problems—class w ...more

Aug 27, 2016
Shira Glassman
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
ppl wanting queer friendship stories or gay&lesbian Hogwarts
Wagner's book, which is apparently the first in a series, is what happens when you combine the plotbunnies of "What if one of those gay conversion therapy camps was scamming the parents and all the kids inside got to grow up in a secret supportive environment instead?" and "What if Hogwarts had queer students?" The similarities to the Harry Potter books jumped out at me right away -- the principal is an appealing, fatherly figure who's hiding things about magical bad guys from the students, the
...more

I have to confess. I read one of the very, very, very first drafts of this book (from what I understood, there were several) and I very much enjoyed it. However, I enjoyed the final version even more!
Blaize Trales (yes, that's his real name) is a gay teen in a small town. This is not an idyllic situation. After a series of unfortunate events, Blaize is sent off to Sanctuary Preparatory Academy - one of THOSE schools.
But as it turns out, life at Sanctuary is anything but ordinary and far from w ...more
Blaize Trales (yes, that's his real name) is a gay teen in a small town. This is not an idyllic situation. After a series of unfortunate events, Blaize is sent off to Sanctuary Preparatory Academy - one of THOSE schools.
But as it turns out, life at Sanctuary is anything but ordinary and far from w ...more

So this was a fun read. When looking at the title you'd probably assume it was full of fantasy, but to be fair for the most part this book was just about a bunch of kids living and learning at a private school.
So when Blaize accidentally comes out to his super religious parents they send him to a conversion camp, only when he gets there he realises it isn't a camp to convert, it's a camp to protect. A safe haven for gay kids who's family would want to send them away to 'fix' them.
There are a cou ...more
So when Blaize accidentally comes out to his super religious parents they send him to a conversion camp, only when he gets there he realises it isn't a camp to convert, it's a camp to protect. A safe haven for gay kids who's family would want to send them away to 'fix' them.
There are a cou ...more

I've never read a book in the "Gay/Lesbian" category before, and when I learned that the story was mainly about teens and preteens, I wasn't sure what to expect.
What I got was a magnificent story about teenage angst, awkwardness and friendship. Yes, the fact that most of the characters were gay was the main theme of the book, but the story wasn't really about that, specifically. It wasn't that they were homosexual, it was that they were different ... and as such, were the unjust targets of bull ...more
What I got was a magnificent story about teenage angst, awkwardness and friendship. Yes, the fact that most of the characters were gay was the main theme of the book, but the story wasn't really about that, specifically. It wasn't that they were homosexual, it was that they were different ... and as such, were the unjust targets of bull ...more

I think the nicest thing I could say about this book is that there is probably a very good prequel novella buried somewhere in here. I was optimistic at the beginning of the book that this would be a fun [if a little bit juvenile but that's understandable all things considered] realistic fantasy book centered around mythology ala Percy Jackson and many other series since then. Unfortunately the siren/seeker stuff doesn't really come into play until the last handful of chapters and even then we s
...more

I didn't expect that this novel would be fantasy, instead I thought this novel was a contemporary genre. I just found out that this novel is fantasy in part towards the ending, I don't read the synopsis. But the story is great.
...more
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I'm not exactly the target audience for this book, so I'm not sure my review is going to be the most valuable.
It was kind of a mixed bag for me. I think the writing was pretty decent throughout most of the book, but it sometimes went a bit too far over the top and I ended up cringing at the most inappropriate moments. I didn't like the ending at all. It felt way too sequel-baity for my taste. ...more
It was kind of a mixed bag for me. I think the writing was pretty decent throughout most of the book, but it sometimes went a bit too far over the top and I ended up cringing at the most inappropriate moments. I didn't like the ending at all. It felt way too sequel-baity for my taste. ...more

4.0 of 5 stars – Light-Hearted, Gay-Friendly Twist on Conversion Therapy.
I love gay YA and supernatural tales, and this had a wonderful, whimsical, even symbolic storyline to go with it.
I was fooled (even though it was in the blurb, so not a spoiler here) by the opening premise of glbtq teens having to get healed, only to find out that the institution was a front with a pro-glbtq agenda (the first of several twists). And what a humorous twist it was that played in multiple ways. But there was st ...more
I love gay YA and supernatural tales, and this had a wonderful, whimsical, even symbolic storyline to go with it.
I was fooled (even though it was in the blurb, so not a spoiler here) by the opening premise of glbtq teens having to get healed, only to find out that the institution was a front with a pro-glbtq agenda (the first of several twists). And what a humorous twist it was that played in multiple ways. But there was st ...more

The Gay Teen's Guide to Defeating a Siren was a fun glbtq YA story with a wink-wink nudge-nudge and a slight supernatural twist.
I had fun with the author about his inside joke of the main setting appearing to be a healing center for glbtq kids, but in reality it was a sanctuary supporting their identities. Yet it was not immune to issues amongst the teenagers of cliques, bullying and peer pressure. And it also wasn’t immune to the typical coming-of-age compounded by coming-out issues with famil ...more
I had fun with the author about his inside joke of the main setting appearing to be a healing center for glbtq kids, but in reality it was a sanctuary supporting their identities. Yet it was not immune to issues amongst the teenagers of cliques, bullying and peer pressure. And it also wasn’t immune to the typical coming-of-age compounded by coming-out issues with famil ...more

I loved this book! It's a humorous sci-fi-ish/fantasy-ish/not-realistic-ish book about a gay kid who accidentally comes out of the closet and gets sent to a "pray away the gay" camp. Little does he know the danger that awaits him there. The good thing is he has a superpower. He's gay.
Y'all, I freaking loved this book. I won't tell you anymore, lest I give too much away. I just have to say, go support a self-published author and order this book. It's not in any way offensive to religion (he manag ...more
Y'all, I freaking loved this book. I won't tell you anymore, lest I give too much away. I just have to say, go support a self-published author and order this book. It's not in any way offensive to religion (he manag ...more

Okay, even though this is not a long book, or even remotely approaching densely written, this was a bit of a slog.
Nothing actually seems to happen until about 3/4 of the way through, and the plot was fairly thin. I know it's got a bit of the "first book in a series" thing going on, but so little happened in this that, for me, it didn't do the job of setting up any anticipation for the next book. We didn't find out enough about the supernatural stuff to be interesting, and none of the characters ...more
Nothing actually seems to happen until about 3/4 of the way through, and the plot was fairly thin. I know it's got a bit of the "first book in a series" thing going on, but so little happened in this that, for me, it didn't do the job of setting up any anticipation for the next book. We didn't find out enough about the supernatural stuff to be interesting, and none of the characters ...more

Found this book via social media, took a chance, and loved it. Literally every page had an enjoyable detail or twist, very imaginative and interesting. Nice if you're in a reading rut (which I was). Looking forward to the next book by this author.
...more

This book took me through the entire gamut of emotion. A story about teens trying to understand their sexuality, but done in a playful way with loveable characters. Can't wait for book II.
...more

For most gay teens, going to a gay conversion school would be their worst nightmare. But after showing up at Sanctuary Prep, a gay acceptance school disguised when parents are around as a place for students to “pray the gay away”, 15-year-old Blaize Trales must face much worse danger than a bunch of homophobes.
After accidentally coming out to his parents, Blaize is sent to Sanctuary under the guise of being “healed” of his gayness. His roommates are Jimmy, a returning students who covered up the ...more
After accidentally coming out to his parents, Blaize is sent to Sanctuary under the guise of being “healed” of his gayness. His roommates are Jimmy, a returning students who covered up the ...more

I must commend Blaize, the 14-year-old narrator of this young-adult novel, for exercising his gift of sass after being outed, when he was suddenly treated like a stranger by family and obliged to enroll in an alternative school espousing "reparative therapy." Without that levity, I might've been discouraged from continuing to read. I was further motivated to see Blaize develop an unexpected circle of friends at the school. (I'm divided whether Cassie or Roze is my favorite character.)
Yet not all ...more
Yet not all ...more

I liked this book.
Was it amazingly crafted with a story that drew me into the pages and got me wrapped up in a world that I never wanted to leave? No.
Was the story fun to read and will I probably read the second book? Yes... maybe.
Overall, this book was OK. It took nearly three quarters of the book for anything exciting to remotely happen, and when it did, it was so small it was kind of glazed over. The ending was shocking mind you, but there are still so many unanswered questions, I felt like I ...more
Was it amazingly crafted with a story that drew me into the pages and got me wrapped up in a world that I never wanted to leave? No.
Was the story fun to read and will I probably read the second book? Yes... maybe.
Overall, this book was OK. It took nearly three quarters of the book for anything exciting to remotely happen, and when it did, it was so small it was kind of glazed over. The ending was shocking mind you, but there are still so many unanswered questions, I felt like I ...more

Not bad, but I think I'd have liked this book more if (a) I was significantly younger and (b) I was more familiar with the issues gay teens encounter. I could say I imagine what it's like, but then I'd be lying. This book is probably magical to some, like Lo's Orchard in Clive Barker's Weaveworld was to me, but that's just a guess. I struggled a bit to get through this book and I can't say I got a 100% payoff for my investment of time, but I'm not sorry I read it.
I got this book as a Goodreads ...more
I got this book as a Goodreads ...more

"Liars suck because you’re always trying to figure out what’s true and what’s not."
-Blaize.
3.5/5
I wanted to read this book because I read good reviews in some of the hashtags I follow in IG. The truth is that I was not thrilled, up to 75% of the book I was reading it more to know what the mystery was with the siren than because I was aware of the characters... True is I am not a big fan of 'slice of life' stories. I can't say that I loved the kids, they are a little forgettable. However, The th ...more
-Blaize.
3.5/5
I wanted to read this book because I read good reviews in some of the hashtags I follow in IG. The truth is that I was not thrilled, up to 75% of the book I was reading it more to know what the mystery was with the siren than because I was aware of the characters... True is I am not a big fan of 'slice of life' stories. I can't say that I loved the kids, they are a little forgettable. However, The th ...more

Blaize Trales (real name) is a gay teen in a small town. Some bizarre events in his personal life stack up and Blaize is sent off to Sanctuary Preparatory Academy - a gay conversation school.
However, life at Sanctuary is far from what the teen expects. Wagner's debut novel is a surprise of storytelling. The debut author has a masterful touch when it comes to driving the narrative of story compellingly.
Not a fan of the run-of-the-mill, coming-of-age, YA book, on top of LGBTQ, I was pleasantly sur ...more
However, life at Sanctuary is far from what the teen expects. Wagner's debut novel is a surprise of storytelling. The debut author has a masterful touch when it comes to driving the narrative of story compellingly.
Not a fan of the run-of-the-mill, coming-of-age, YA book, on top of LGBTQ, I was pleasantly sur ...more

This book, the story and these characters are making me want more.. i Blaized though the book (pun intended)
What ever happens to anybody ... its a amazing read!
At the first few pages i was reading what the book is about i was confused. Read on i would say!!!
The book is great and make you feel things, anger/hate/love/confusion/amazement.
I cant wait for the second book.
Go on writhing Cody, you are amazing!
XXX
What ever happens to anybody ... its a amazing read!
At the first few pages i was reading what the book is about i was confused. Read on i would say!!!
The book is great and make you feel things, anger/hate/love/confusion/amazement.
I cant wait for the second book.
Go on writhing Cody, you are amazing!
XXX

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Apr 26, 2020
Erika
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy-contemporary,
lgbtqa
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

So I was super excited to read this book because it seemed like a very campy read and I was not let down. I found the characters very likable and the build up to the ending had me reading till the AM. This reads like a middle grade I would definitely recommend if your a fan of the Percy Jackson series.

I really enjoyed this book! It felt like Hogwarts if all the students were gay and they didn't learn magic in class, but still had house competitions. And of course there is some magic happening, but you'll have to read the next book to find out more about that.
I loved the characters and found the writing style very engrossing. ...more
I loved the characters and found the writing style very engrossing. ...more

Truly loved this book. Nice little plot twists, characters you care about, and a great sense of humor. What's not to love?
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Goodreads Librari...: Change book cover for Kindle edition | 5 | 27 | Mar 01, 2018 02:51PM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Please swap old cover for new | 2 | 20 | Aug 29, 2017 02:05AM |
Cody Wagner loves to sing, mime (not really), and create. He writes about topics ranging from superpowers to trees that can spell. His debut novel, The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating a Siren, was recently released. He’s handing out cookie dough to everyone who grabs a copy. Check out his writing and see more of his wackiness at www.wagner-writer.com or follow him on Twitter @cfjwagner.
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