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bookishjae's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
this book was a gift from one of my lovely cousins! i started reading it back in september and finally got around to finishing it today. i was a very quick read — only a few hours — and did A LOT of emotional damage in that short time. i 100% understand why this book has so many awards! it was beautiful.
i don’t typically enjoy novels in verse, and there were a few poems that i felt were not entirely necessary or slow, so that automatically knocks this down from a 5 star rating. however, the medium (of poetry) was ESSENTIAL to this book and i cannot imagine Xiomara’s story being told any other way. i connected with her love for the written and spoken word and really appreciated how authentic her feelings and desires were. the author portrayed the 16 year old mind perfectly.
the first half was enjoyable, but a little slow. after the mid-point, the story moved very quickly and hit all of the emotional beats. i was unexpectedly greatly impacted by this story—X’s relationship with her mom, religion, her struggles with puberty and growing up, her loneliness—and i really recommend it for anyone looking for a tear jerker, uplifting YA read from a latina author/perspective.
i don’t typically enjoy novels in verse, and there were a few poems that i felt were not entirely necessary or slow, so that automatically knocks this down from a 5 star rating. however, the medium (of poetry) was ESSENTIAL to this book and i cannot imagine Xiomara’s story being told any other way. i connected with her love for the written and spoken word and really appreciated how authentic her feelings and desires were. the author portrayed the 16 year old mind perfectly.
the first half was enjoyable, but a little slow. after the mid-point, the story moved very quickly and hit all of the emotional beats. i was unexpectedly greatly impacted by this story—X’s relationship with her mom, religion, her struggles with puberty and growing up, her loneliness—and i really recommend it for anyone looking for a tear jerker, uplifting YA read from a latina author/perspective.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Bullying, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse
frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am not from this culture, although raised Catholic, I saw other families in this story. I was reminded that not everyone should be a parent and X’s parents are in that group.
This is one of those books where I think it’s better in audio. Sure, seems the words, their organization, might be interesting, but then the reader loses the slam poetry aspect.
You feel everything X feels, the words poetic and free with emotion emphasizing each syllable. Emotionally it’s tough, but beautiful.
This is one of those books where I think it’s better in audio. Sure, seems the words, their organization, might be interesting, but then the reader loses the slam poetry aspect.
You feel everything X feels, the words poetic and free with emotion emphasizing each syllable. Emotionally it’s tough, but beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
paigereitz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow. This was an incredibly impactful read about growing up the black sheep in your family, about finding your voice through words, about imperfect people loving imperfectly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Raised in a super religious household, Xiomara struggles with what her mom and church want for her, what men want from her because of her body, and she wants for herself. The only place that she can truly confide in is her journal, writing down the thoughts and feeling she feels no one else would listen to. However, when she finds herself drawn to a boy in class as well as a poetry club taking place at the same time of her confirmation classes, it may be time for Xiomara to let her thoughts be heard.
The last novel in verse I possibly read-do books read in epic poem style count?-was back in college and I had no idea what was going on like 90 percent of the time. This one is a lot of more novel like with dialogue and plot happening fortunately so a lot easier to follow.
Xiomara really speaks to any woman who’s found herself harassed by men, of course I never hit any guy but I’ve always had weak noodle arms. Despite her rage, she only gets into fights with guys that start it. Also she resonates with anyone who feels like they aren’t understood by those around them, since she doesn’t really have any friends outside her twin and a childhood friend due to her appearance and the gossips that ensues. She slowly begins to reach out from a boy in class, to the teacher who runs the poetry club, finding more folks to speak to.
I did have some parts of the plot that was a bit confused about, like everyone assuming that Xiomara hits her twin brother. Yet she never says anything about that. If anything she hits other men for her brother! It comes up often enough that it feels weird Xiomara has to keep defending herself from that accusation. But then again she gets accused of a lot of things by her parents, mainly her mother, so this is may be part of the course. But you would think her parents of all people would know if kids hit one another.
Overall, this book is about finding a way to express yourself and finding the people who will listen to what you have to say. May need some tissues since this does hit on some serious tops and feels!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury
kendal_reads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Child abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, and Sexual content
espressoreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
honeycupreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is incredibly powerful. The struggle Xiomara goes through to figure out who she is along with so many other parts of her life is a very hard thing to witness. The strained relationship she has with her parents and God, the tender relationship that forms between her and Aman, the raw understanding that she shares with her twin brother of being afraid to share who they really are with their parents. Throughout the entirety of this book you go through so many emotions along with Xiomara as she figures out this chapter of her life. I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook, the way Elizabeth Acevedo narrates this story is absolutely beautiful and really elevates the experience of reading this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying and Misogyny
lavenderdolmeh's review against another edition
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Religious bigotry
kibbles15's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a well written book. The author does an excellent job of presenting the main characters emotions. It is a hard read because it covers a lot of hard emotional topics. I would have liked less language and sexual references. While both are mild, it is not something I enjoy in reading; thus I give the book three stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual content, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
The main character has a Religious parent who does not treat them well either physically or mentally. It also covers the main characters struggle with faith, self-esteem, and sexual maturity.