Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

Poeta X by Elizabeth Acevedo

93 reviews

quechl's review against another edition

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3.75

A good book that wasnt to my taste.

this is a pretty well-written book. it develops a well-written story about a teenage girl struggling with family, religion, body dysphoria, and more. it was objectively good. it just wasnt for me, something i knew going into it (modern/contemporary books dont tend to be my cup of tea, but i was trying to branch out a bit), and i will admit, the final chapters really hooked me in, but it otherwise wasnt to my taste. the characters are well written, but frankly, i dont find very many of them likable. X is fine, and that's the only perspective you see, but the other characters (her mother in particular) are... something. well written, but REALLY not all that likable.
Her mother genuinely made me so angry; and while that's definitely a sign of good storytelling, i don't think i was meant to be as genuinely upset at her as i was. i did not expect her to be as downright emotionally abusive as she was, intentionally or not. abuse is abuse, and the ending really upset me, especially how easy to forgive X was.
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rebeccafarren's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

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ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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jaimc's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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czty27's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? No

4.25

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allyordyna's review against another edition

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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

3.75

This is one of those books that you can just tell comes from deep within the author’s heart and mind. A character study where X could be real as you or me, and her journey of personal and artistic growth is a journey you get to take with her. When she was despairing, so was I; when she was rejoicing, I too felt elation. 
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elle_e_d_light's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I read it in one sitting (instead of going to bed) and then picked up a physical copy of my own the same day. 

It actually made me teary in parts. It's a very powerful book. It's incredibly tense in its portrayal of dysfunctional familial relationships and its coverage of topics like religious abuse and stress, and it's incredibly on point on portraying the complicated feelings of teen girls created from disgust of being sexualized (due to early development of curves) and the wanting to be physically wanted by someone—essentially the desire to feel control over one's own body, as well as control over how others gaze at one's body. 

It was just a really beautiful book. 
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eisi28's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.5

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patsshelf's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

4.75

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modernmatilda's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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? No

5.0

If you're going to read this book, PLEASE do yourself a favor and listen to the author read via audiobook while reading a physical copy. Her performance and delivery should be heard and her word choices should be treasured. 

I felt seen and I saw others because of this book. Would DEFINITELY recommend to everyone, especially high schoolers. 
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