Reviews

Nothing Burns As Bright As You by Ashley Woodfolk

monkeysbecausewhynot's review

adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.0

the writing was beautiful

'who is fighting for you' 🥲

apieceofjaaay's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Amani Minter did a great job with this audio!!!

Im so shocked this book isn’t considered literary. The verse/prose is beautiful and poetic and it’s not a lot happening. The mc is supposed to be a 16yo reflecting on her complex queer relationship but it reads more like a 20somethings thinking back on her relationship at 16. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing and the author’s note kinda solidified that for me. Either way I thought this book really embodied the complex relationships queer women can have in this heteronormative society. 

corky12's review

3.0

Nothing Burns as Bright as You is an interesting novel in verse that uses no names, only second and first person pronouns. The story is a bit confusing as it weaves through the past and present at seeming random, though the chapters are marked with some time stamps. The two main characters are flawed almost to the point of unlikeability, but I appreciated the raw feelings of both protagonists. Emotions are front and center with this book, and while I didn't personally identify with the reckless teens, I sympathized. The lack of names and free verse style both serve to immerse the reader in the main character's mind. Very well written, just a bit confusing and not quite for me.

thelesbianlibrary's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

briaraq's review against another edition

4.0

To be in love in high school...it's such a dangerous game

bhrtng's review against another edition

5.0

This is a stunning novel in verse about a tumultuous relationship between two girls. It alternates between the 24 hours after they set fire to a dumpster at their school and different vignettes of their relationship prior to that pivotal moment. I've read a lot of YA and I feel like it's so rare and wonderful to find a book that truly captures the intensity of your teenage years- this is one of them. Definitely a top read of the year for me so far! Everything the two girls feel is overwhelming, larger than life, and they feel like they're on fire in more ways than one. Their relationship is messy and toxic and all-consuming in the way that fires and first loves are and Woodfolk does an amazing job of balancing the beauty of poetry with directness that pushes the plot forward. I felt so connected to the main characters even though we never learn their names. Overall, this is an amazing exploration of queerness, Blackness, and youth. Highly recommend to everyone, but especially to queers who had that messy "we're more than best friends" relationship in high school lmao.

stephbooks's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

3.0

I listened to this on Spotify and just couldn’t connect. I think the idea of the book is nice but it was hard to keep track and get hooked.

lizalovereads's review

5.0

This book was absolutely phenomenal, poignant, raw, beautiful, powerful. Written in verse, each word is chosen carefully and not a single word is wasted. I received this book as part of a book tour, full review here on tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdCeoAQY/
And insta: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CcV_Lu5uF6T/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

jbrooks1978's review

4.0

Wow! Beautifully written story on love can be beautiful and ugly at the same time. The author does a great job of showing multiple stages of what love can and will go through but will love conquer all!?!

smo13's review

5.0

Everything Ashley Woodfolk writes is perfect! The realistic characters, the depiction of friendship and relationships. I can’t stop reading!