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karathephoenix's review against another edition
emotional
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
oregano_'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? It's complicated
5.0
mad_didas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
solly's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good and I'm SO GLAD I listened to it on audio. A book in verse about slam/spoken poetry, with an audiobook read by the author? It was made to be listened to. It was really powerful, had many hard-hitting poems and themes, and I really loved it.
The only thing I didn't like was how fast the ending wrapped up, and how fast the family came to a sort of truce. It's not a bad ending in and of itself, but I think the mending itself deserved more pages than it got.
Also disclaimer: it has one slightly aphobic line along the line of "we've all felt lust, we're humans, not robots" if that's something likely to take you out of a book, be warned, but it was small enough here that it didn't impact my personal enjoyment of this book.
The only thing I didn't like was how fast the ending wrapped up, and how fast the family came to a sort of truce. It's not a bad ending in and of itself, but I think the mending itself deserved more pages than it got.
Also disclaimer: it has one slightly aphobic line along the line of "we've all felt lust, we're humans, not robots" if that's something likely to take you out of a book, be warned, but it was small enough here that it didn't impact my personal enjoyment of this book.
bumblybean's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
kay_rose's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thenymphsvoice's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
5.0
In such a brief time Acevado builds you up and breaks you down with the story she is telling. Breaks your heart and mends it, or at least lights the start of the path.
michaelgauchat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
reads21's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
twellz's review against another edition
5.0
Definition:
Slam poetry: a form of performance poetry that combines the elements of performance, writing, competition, and audience participation. It is performed at events called poetry slams, or simply slams. The name slam came from how the audience has the power to praise or, sometimes, destroy a poem and from the high-energy performance style of the poets.
Reading this book is like attending the perfect poetry slam. I devoured The Poet X in less than 2-hours. Mami and Xiomara’s relationship is so raw and intense, I felt like I was reliving my teens. This YA novel is told in verse. There’s a simple power in this novel that I’ll think about for a long time. I cried myself silly with this verse:
“My Mother and I Might never be friends. Will never shop for a prom dress together and paint designs on each other’s nails. My mother and I might never learn how to give and accept an apology from the other. We might be too much the same mirror. But our arms can do what our words can’t just now. Our arms can reach. Can hug tight. Can teach us to remember each other. That love can be a band: tears if you pull it too hard, but also flexible enough to stretch around the most chaotic mass. My mother does not say she is sorry. That she loves me. And I hope one day for the words, but for now, her strong pat on my back, her hand through my hair, this small moment of soft is enough”
The verses in this book reach out and wrap its fingers around your heart. I loved this book.
Slam poetry: a form of performance poetry that combines the elements of performance, writing, competition, and audience participation. It is performed at events called poetry slams, or simply slams. The name slam came from how the audience has the power to praise or, sometimes, destroy a poem and from the high-energy performance style of the poets.
Reading this book is like attending the perfect poetry slam. I devoured The Poet X in less than 2-hours. Mami and Xiomara’s relationship is so raw and intense, I felt like I was reliving my teens. This YA novel is told in verse. There’s a simple power in this novel that I’ll think about for a long time. I cried myself silly with this verse:
“My Mother and I Might never be friends. Will never shop for a prom dress together and paint designs on each other’s nails. My mother and I might never learn how to give and accept an apology from the other. We might be too much the same mirror. But our arms can do what our words can’t just now. Our arms can reach. Can hug tight. Can teach us to remember each other. That love can be a band: tears if you pull it too hard, but also flexible enough to stretch around the most chaotic mass. My mother does not say she is sorry. That she loves me. And I hope one day for the words, but for now, her strong pat on my back, her hand through my hair, this small moment of soft is enough”
The verses in this book reach out and wrap its fingers around your heart. I loved this book.