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theofficialzhang's review against another edition
4.25
Forest of Reading, White Pine, ⅖.
Themes: Generational trauma, academics, culture
Representation: Nigerian, half-Chinese, Canadian, academic trauma
Content Warnings: Emotional abuse, academic trauma, grief
What I Liked
I really liked how the book showed the character’s internal conflicts between trying to be her parent’s “perfect” daughter and wanting to find her brother
The incorporation of poetry into the book, I thought that was a really cool stylistic choice
The love triangle surprisingly, I thought it was accurate to how it actually is like in real life (at least from what I’ve heard), Spoiler and that she doesn’t end up with any of the love interests in the end and instead chooses herself
What I Didn’t Like
That the main character Spoiler really easily forgave the parents in the end, I get that they are her parents but after what they did to her, if they were my parents, I wouldn’t forgive them
That there was no epilogue, I thought that there was a lot that was left unsaid and I thought that including an epilogue to show the aftermath of what happened would tie up the story better
What I Wish There Was More Of
Poetry! I’m a bit selfish but I really liked it
Would have liked for her to have more interactions with her classmates and not just her family as it can show a greater contrast better her two personalities of “Sophie” and “Ada”
Rating: 4.2/5
Date Read: February 25th, 2023
Date Reviewed: April 6th, 2023
Themes: Generational trauma, academics, culture
Representation: Nigerian, half-Chinese, Canadian, academic trauma
Content Warnings: Emotional abuse, academic trauma, grief
What I Liked
I really liked how the book showed the character’s internal conflicts between trying to be her parent’s “perfect” daughter and wanting to find her brother
The incorporation of poetry into the book, I thought that was a really cool stylistic choice
The love triangle surprisingly, I thought it was accurate to how it actually is like in real life (at least from what I’ve heard), Spoiler and that she doesn’t end up with any of the love interests in the end and instead chooses herself
What I Didn’t Like
That the main character Spoiler really easily forgave the parents in the end, I get that they are her parents but after what they did to her, if they were my parents, I wouldn’t forgive them
That there was no epilogue, I thought that there was a lot that was left unsaid and I thought that including an epilogue to show the aftermath of what happened would tie up the story better
What I Wish There Was More Of
Poetry! I’m a bit selfish but I really liked it
Would have liked for her to have more interactions with her classmates and not just her family as it can show a greater contrast better her two personalities of “Sophie” and “Ada”
Rating: 4.2/5
Date Read: February 25th, 2023
Date Reviewed: April 6th, 2023
andrea_author's review against another edition
4.0
As the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Adanna knows she's expected to excel. Ever since her brother Sam became estranged from her family, she's been expected to pick up the slack. When she stumbles upon him performing at a poetry slam, she longs to reconnect—but she also resents him for abandoning her. Can he teach her the importance of following her passion instead of living up to other people's expectations?
This is a character-driven story that taps into the immigrant experience and the challenges teens face in finding their own identity separate from their parents.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a character-driven story that taps into the immigrant experience and the challenges teens face in finding their own identity separate from their parents.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
A heartfelt #ownvoices coming of age YA story about a Nigerian Canadian teen girl navigating cultural expectations against a growing realization she might want something else for herself. Seventeen-year-old Adanna Nkwachi has her life mapped out, win debate, help plan her cousin's huge Nigerian wedding, become a lawyer and make her parents happy.
However, when she stumbles across her estranged brother at a slam poetry reading, past hurt and family secrets come broiling to the surface making her rethink what she owes herself and that maybe she doesn't need to be the perfect Nigerian daughter.
Full of rich Nigerian culture and realistic depictions of being a child of immigrant parents this book is perfect for fans of Jane Igharo or TJ Powar has something to prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo. Great on audio too narrated by Yinka Ladeinde. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
However, when she stumbles across her estranged brother at a slam poetry reading, past hurt and family secrets come broiling to the surface making her rethink what she owes herself and that maybe she doesn't need to be the perfect Nigerian daughter.
Full of rich Nigerian culture and realistic depictions of being a child of immigrant parents this book is perfect for fans of Jane Igharo or TJ Powar has something to prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo. Great on audio too narrated by Yinka Ladeinde. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
amyka's review
3.0
In the acknowledgements, the author said she was concerned about balancing her Nigerian experience for a book that could have widespread popularity. Personally, I think she did that well. I got a window into the food, clothing and language of a Nigerian living in the US while also being able to follow and enjoy the main character's experience. Admitting my own ignorance, I looked up a lot of the references for my own education, and that's what I love about books, when they can teach you something and let you sink into someone else's world.
I wish she had done more with the cross cultural experience although I really, really appreciate that she took time to explore it.
The one place I struggled was how deeply intrenched her fear about not being a lawyer was but then it got all wrapped up very, very quickly and easily at the end. If there was that much fear and resentment it doesn't seem like it would resolve itself in one night.
I wish she had done more with the cross cultural experience although I really, really appreciate that she took time to explore it.
The one place I struggled was how deeply intrenched her fear about not being a lawyer was but then it got all wrapped up very, very quickly and easily at the end. If there was that much fear and resentment it doesn't seem like it would resolve itself in one night.
booktalkwithrae's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
First off as a Canadian, I loved reading a story about a girl from Canada. This book follows in Nigerian girl who has an estranged brother and feels like she has to be twice as perfect to make up for her brothers mistakes.
I think this is a story that many young people can relate to which was probably my favourite part of the story. Ada is a girl who is doing everything she can’t please her parents, and many young people can experience that to various degrees. This is a very easily relatable story, and even someone like myself, who is much older than our main character, it had me, reflect upon my relationship with my parents both as a teenager, and as an adult now.
The story talks a lot about growth, immigration, culture, parental expectations, family, secrets, and more. Even though Ada and my experiences are very different, I could not help but sympathize and relate to exactly what she felt throughout this book from beginning to end.
The romance in the story was OK. It definitely was a back burner and I think I would’ve liked to see more of it but it’s definitely not the highlight of this book.
Last lastly, I loved the cultural food, language and experiences that was shared in the book. I highly recommend this one for young adults who are it at the point of their lives that they are their own person.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me an ARC of this book, and exchange for an honest review.
I think this is a story that many young people can relate to which was probably my favourite part of the story. Ada is a girl who is doing everything she can’t please her parents, and many young people can experience that to various degrees. This is a very easily relatable story, and even someone like myself, who is much older than our main character, it had me, reflect upon my relationship with my parents both as a teenager, and as an adult now.
The story talks a lot about growth, immigration, culture, parental expectations, family, secrets, and more. Even though Ada and my experiences are very different, I could not help but sympathize and relate to exactly what she felt throughout this book from beginning to end.
The romance in the story was OK. It definitely was a back burner and I think I would’ve liked to see more of it but it’s definitely not the highlight of this book.
Last lastly, I loved the cultural food, language and experiences that was shared in the book. I highly recommend this one for young adults who are it at the point of their lives that they are their own person.
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me an ARC of this book, and exchange for an honest review.
glendareads39's review
4.0
Twice as perfect is a heartfelt coming of age novel about an Nigeran-Canadian girl who is split between two cultures. She's under high pressure to be the perfect daughter - to get good grades and go to law school. Adanna Nkwachi, dealing with an estranged older brother, helping her cousin plan a big Nigerian wedding to Afrobeats superstar Skeleboy, and pressure from her parents about her future. Adanna realizes the reality that her brother walked out of her life after a fight with their parents years ago is a big part of why she feels the need to succeed in all aspects of her life.
“My name at school is Sophie. My name at home is Adanna. Everyone at school calls me Sophie, my middle name, and whenever I hear it, it’s my trigger to put away the Skeleboy and brazen Afrobeats playlists, to stop slipping in and out of pidgin English, and turn on my white voice.” This quote signals that Adanna does some codeswitching while attending at school, trying to please everyone at school.
“My name at school is Sophie. My name at home is Adanna. Everyone at school calls me Sophie, my middle name, and whenever I hear it, it’s my trigger to put away the Skeleboy and brazen Afrobeats playlists, to stop slipping in and out of pidgin English, and turn on my white voice.” This quote signals that Adanna does some codeswitching while attending at school, trying to please everyone at school.
miszjeanie's review
4.0
Twice As Perfect is a relatable, heartrending young adult novel about choosing one’s own path despite immigrant parental expectations. Set against the background of a big Nigerian wedding, Onome celebrates Nigerian culture, while highlighting the plight of immigrant kids who sometimes feel “not Nigerian enough.” If you enjoy young adult books about family, this one will be right up your alley.
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/twice-as-perfect-louisa-onome-book-review/
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/twice-as-perfect-louisa-onome-book-review/
readingmom_jess's review
3.0
My first ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. It had a little love triangle, a little family drama, and a lot of culture. The main character was very likable and relatable. It definitely took me back to some of the things I struggled with in high school, like trying to figure out what career path will make you happy. If you like Never Have I Ever on Netflix, I would recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a little love triangle, a little family drama, and a lot of culture. The main character was very likable and relatable. It definitely took me back to some of the things I struggled with in high school, like trying to figure out what career path will make you happy. If you like Never Have I Ever on Netflix, I would recommend this book.
chainofnovels's review
3.0
Seventeen year old Adanna Nkwachi has had her future planned since she entered high school: get into law school to become lawyer--it's what she's good at. Now in her senior year of high school, with everything set for herself and a goal in mind, nothing will sway her decision... that is until she discovers that her long-lost brother who she'd been told had run away from home is performing in town at a poetry show.
As Ada learns more from everything her brother's been doing and grapples with some truths, she'll have to decide if becoming a lawyer is truly what she wants, or if it's her parents wishes making her want it.
This was a pretty decent read! Although I mainly wanted to get it over with because I was bored, the story itself was interesting.
I do really like the message it was sending, and lots of issues here were very much a mood. I think I may have gone through an existential crisis or two.
I found myself understanding how Ada was feeling and I'm really glad with the decision she made about her love life, because otherwise I would've been annoyed
As Ada learns more from everything her brother's been doing and grapples with some truths, she'll have to decide if becoming a lawyer is truly what she wants, or if it's her parents wishes making her want it.
This was a pretty decent read! Although I mainly wanted to get it over with because I was bored, the story itself was interesting.
I do really like the message it was sending, and lots of issues here were very much a mood. I think I may have gone through an existential crisis or two.
I found myself understanding how Ada was feeling and I'm really glad with the decision she made about her love life, because otherwise I would've been annoyed
vickimarie2002's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This wasn't really for me as I am not the targeted audience. I understand the dynamics of immigrant parents and what they want for their kids but the whole high school life part of the story, didn't draw me in.