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kawooreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
For some reason, I went into reading this book thinking it was a thriller. I am not sure where I got that idea. In reading the synopsis it sounds like a young girl, with little options, finds herself involved in a criminal underground. While that is an accurate synopsis, this book is 100% heartbreaking drama with no real suspense. And I don't mean that in a bad way. It's been awhile since I read something picked for Oprah's Book Club so I forgot that she can pick such soul-destroying tales. This is the story of Kiara, a teenager who turns to a life of prostitution in East Oakland in order to provide for her brother as well as a young boy in her apartment complex who has no strong parental figures in his life. It's a story of resiliency but also of how US American society fails it's most vulnerable. Children of Color are often objectified, vilified, and ultimately disregarded as children when no protective adult is present. This story is a challenge to the notion of "It takes a village to raise a child". Across this country there is an expectation that when children (especially non-White children in urban areas) are without a parent/guardian, it is then their responsibility to raise themselves and grow up to be productive members of society who pay bills, make good choices, and don't break the law. There is no guidance, there is no charity, only pressure from authority and a never-ending stream of predators. The sexual exploitation of minors is a behemoth of an issue on it's own, yet when combined with the willful ignorance and shortcomings of social systems, communities, and people we trust to protect and serve, it's a whole new category of human atrocity. I was angry and frustrated from beginning to end while reading this book. The Content Warnings could probably wrap around a building and while I don't really recommend this book outright, I do think it's a story that conveys a clear image of the shared experience of teenagers raising themselves the best they can because no one else is able/willing to step up and keep them safe. It's proof that Love, alone, is not enough when it comes to having children. As one mother says in this story, "I love my baby, but love don't fix the other shit".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Child death, Murder, Self harm, and Mental illness
caseythereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Domestic abuse, Child death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Excrement, Grief, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Police brutality, Rape, Trafficking, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, and Child abuse
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