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thatenbyisisreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
This book highlights the unfortunate reality of black queer kids not being able to express their unique, authentic selves due to overbearing, strict, and religious parents. I saw a lot of myself through the lens of Ada.
Especially, within this quote of being expected to learn the duties that come with being a "future wife/mother". "The sixth grade was already impossible without Aunty's return to change everything/ now I can't eat without permission/ I can't watch tv without permission/ It's now my job to clean the kitchen/ as the oldest child/ as the first daughter/ learning her duties as a future wife/ and mother/ who was going to understand/ all I wanted to learn/ was how to make friends/ at school." Growing up, I didn't have a safe space anywhere, including my own home due to this similar situation.
Overall, It's important to have more young adult books to highlight topics like these because young, queer me would've felt so seen and heard. I love that this generation has the ability to have this representation readily available to them!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Cursing
amberinbookland's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Religious bigotry
melaniereadsbooks's review
challenging
inspiring
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
5.0
Written in verse, this novel tells the story of Ada on her journey to find and accept herself in a world that keeps trying to tell her what she is supposed to be.
This blew me away. First of all, the poetry is absolutely beautiful and I would happily read books in verse for the rest of my life. The writing is emotional and meaningful and so easy to fall into a rhythm.
Ada's story is not told chronologically, but jumps back and forth in time. It has a major focus on her time in college, but also shows snapshots of who she was when she was younger and how she became herself. I think this was a really good choice! It made this story more interesting and the connections between past and present were so meaningful.
Ada went through so much to find herself, but I loved seeing her journey and how right her place was in the world by the end. I really enjoyed the connections to dance, her body image, and her complicated relationships with her family and religion!
This blew me away. First of all, the poetry is absolutely beautiful and I would happily read books in verse for the rest of my life. The writing is emotional and meaningful and so easy to fall into a rhythm.
Ada's story is not told chronologically, but jumps back and forth in time. It has a major focus on her time in college, but also shows snapshots of who she was when she was younger and how she became herself. I think this was a really good choice! It made this story more interesting and the connections between past and present were so meaningful.
Ada went through so much to find herself, but I loved seeing her journey and how right her place was in the world by the end. I really enjoyed the connections to dance, her body image, and her complicated relationships with her family and religion!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
Minor: Racial slurs
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