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midnightmarauder's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fire is used as a symbol throughout the novel. It is mainly used to represent the intensity of the relationship between the protagonist and her best friend/girlfriend. They have a strong bond, so strong that they do everything together and are a bit codependent on one another. This intensity is shown to be both good and bad, but mostly the latter. The protagonist's girlfriend is shown to be withdrawn and standoffish to her for most of the book. She is unsure of what she wants out of their relationship and makes it known, much to the protagonist's dismay. But, as the protagonist falls back and tries to give her what she wants, it only angers the girlfriend and makes her jealous and possessive. Even though the girlfriend's fiery disposition attempts to push the protagonist away, the protagonist only comes closer and closer to her, causing her to get burned constantly.
Another way that fire is used as a symbol in the novel is in the literal sense. The girls start two different fires in the book: one behind their school, and one in an abandoned house. The fervency of these fires and the status of their relationship when they are set are also parallel to each other. The school's fire was set during the beginning of their relationship when the girls were their happiest, and burned for only a short amount of time before being extinguished. The fire in the abandoned building, however, burned for quite a long time and was much more intense, during a point of great tension between the two girls.
Finally, preceding each chapter is a subchapter that lists "x Days Before the Fire", counting all the way down until "After the Fire". The "fire" mentioned in those subchapters are another word for
I really liked this book. As a lesbian myself, it reminded me a lot of when I was younger and felt a strong codependency with my own best friend, with who I had a slight homoerotic friendship with as well. The pain that comes with such a relationship, especially one that was unrequited (like mine) is something so difficult to be able to express in words, let alone for someone else to understand. Ashley Woodfolk does an amazing job at capturing what it's like to be a young, same-sex attracted girl and how that can lead some into relationships that aren't always good.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Grief, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
booknerderika's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
lexa's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic audiobook narration. This story was so beautiful to listen to, but at the same time left me feeling gutted.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, Bullying, Grief, Racism, and Drug use
caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, and Cursing
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A story told with beautiful introspective poetry that will resonate with anyone interested in the idea that just because a love doesn't last doesn't mean it wasn't worth it. I loved that this portrayed a messy but ultimately loving relationship between two Black girls. The individual chapters are gorgeous and made me think, though I found the overall storyline behind the poetry to be less interesting. I also ADORED the author's note where Woodfolk discusses her experience with heartbreak from women.
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Drug use
b3ck's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
stardustandrockets's review
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Racism, and Bullying
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, Sexual harassment, Biphobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
bash5617's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Racism, Body shaming, Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
starla_anne's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
lolajh's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry