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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I am living for the LJLU (Leah Johnson literary universe)!
“We are the breath that gives purpose to your lungs. This movement, my body’s greatest gift.”
Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson is a beautiful and fun book about two girls’ lives intertwining at a music festival. This is a sapphic summer romance with two girls of color that illustrates itself as a love letter to music, especially the culture surrounding it. I loved You Should See Me in a Crown, so I was excited for Johnson’s sophomore novel! This story is told through two POV’s and is centered around Toni and Olivia finding freedom, love, and revitalizing friendship.
The plot and pacing of the book was really good, and I never felt like there was a dull moment. There was always something regarding our characters or the story that kept me going, which was really refreshing. I didn’t find myself loving Olivia and Toni as much as I did Liz or Mack, however I enjoyed them both and found their stories compelling. Olivia especially, her ability to love so much is something I can find relatable. I loved the lil cameo we got in this, I thought it was so cool!
Johnson knocks it out of the park with character development, and I found myself wanting even more with these two by the end! She is also not afraid to tackle harsh subjects either, and I appreciate the warning in the beginning of the book!
I give Rise to the Sun 4 stars!
“We are the breath that gives purpose to your lungs. This movement, my body’s greatest gift.”
Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson is a beautiful and fun book about two girls’ lives intertwining at a music festival. This is a sapphic summer romance with two girls of color that illustrates itself as a love letter to music, especially the culture surrounding it. I loved You Should See Me in a Crown, so I was excited for Johnson’s sophomore novel! This story is told through two POV’s and is centered around Toni and Olivia finding freedom, love, and revitalizing friendship.
The plot and pacing of the book was really good, and I never felt like there was a dull moment. There was always something regarding our characters or the story that kept me going, which was really refreshing. I didn’t find myself loving Olivia and Toni as much as I did Liz or Mack, however I enjoyed them both and found their stories compelling. Olivia especially, her ability to love so much is something I can find relatable. I loved the lil cameo we got in this, I thought it was so cool!
Johnson knocks it out of the park with character development, and I found myself wanting even more with these two by the end! She is also not afraid to tackle harsh subjects either, and I appreciate the warning in the beginning of the book!
I give Rise to the Sun 4 stars!
was this book very insta-love-y, one of my least favorite tropes ever? yes. but did i wholeheartedly enjoy it? also yes.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Love is messy and awkward and ugly, but at least it's honest."
Rise to the sun by Leah Johnson is Queer YA novel that takes place in 3 days and at a music festival. Told in two different points of view, Olivia and Toni. Olivia just wants to be loved and searches for love wherever she gets it. She does everything to be anything but who she is, and instead makes herself into what she thinks they want. Toni is reeling from a personal tragedy and brands herself the ice queen. She is hoping to find answers at farmland, while Olivia is looking for escape. When the two meet they ignite something within each other. It highlights how trauma affects your perceptions of yourself and what the meaning of love is in all forms. It felt very human.
Rise to the sun by Leah Johnson is Queer YA novel that takes place in 3 days and at a music festival. Told in two different points of view, Olivia and Toni. Olivia just wants to be loved and searches for love wherever she gets it. She does everything to be anything but who she is, and instead makes herself into what she thinks they want. Toni is reeling from a personal tragedy and brands herself the ice queen. She is hoping to find answers at farmland, while Olivia is looking for escape. When the two meet they ignite something within each other. It highlights how trauma affects your perceptions of yourself and what the meaning of love is in all forms. It felt very human.
“To the Black girls in the back row at live shows, to the queer girls still trying to figure it out, to the Midwestern kids who have yet to find a home in their bodies—it’s time to press play on our happy endings.”
I loved "You Should See Me in a Crown" so much, but this one just didn't measure up for me. My biggest issue was that I just didn't like Olivia, even in the end. She was so selfish and oblivious, it was hard to enjoy anything involving her.
I liked what the book was trying to say about being true to yourself and not closing yourself off to people, but I just couldn't fully get into it.
I liked what the book was trying to say about being true to yourself and not closing yourself off to people, but I just couldn't fully get into it.
This is a really solid ya romance so far, I’m just not getting into it
I wanted to love this one... I really did. But unfortunately I did not. Olivia was a whiny self-centered brat. And while she redeems herself at the end, it was all too quick. And speaking of quick, I have a hard time with romances that are love at first sight. This book takes place over a weekend. In two days, we go from 2 strangers to love of my life. Maybe the problem isn't with the book but with me. I'm not the target audience (YA / New Adult).
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes