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florenceassetto's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Police brutality, Drug abuse, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Addiction, Child death, Racism, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood, Abandonment, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Vomit
holly_daze_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug abuse
milele23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Death, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Hate crime
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cursing, Toxic friendship, and Violence
pixelpigeon's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Hate crime, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Drug use and Drug abuse
lucy_readsbooks13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I live in a country where there are not a lot of POC and to me, issues their communities face around the world are not tangible.
This book made me smile, cry, cheer on, and swear like a sailor. It has a very approachable way of such a heavy and disgusting subject and manages to paint an exquisite portrait of people, places, and culture.
I was afraid I missed the train because I read it only in the summer of 2022, but this will definitely become a classic.
Graphic: Police brutality, Violence, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Racism, Hate crime, Murder, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Vomit, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
capacity4wonder's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Drug abuse
helhas3letters's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Death, Child death, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Vomit, Slavery, and Blood
gewrgia_lightwood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The only thing that icked me was the YA-ess of it, -sometimes it was a bit cringy- and the very subtle misogyny against Iesa (slut-shaming)
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Hate crime, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny and Vomit
thescenery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Starr Carter is a 15-year-old black teenager. Her friend is killed by a police officer in the early chapters of the book, right in front of her. Starr's journey is an attempt to reconcile what she calls "two worlds." As the main witness to Khalil's murder, she watches as some label Khalil as a criminal, others as a drug dealer, insinuating his involvement with a gang and justifying his killing, despite Khalil being unarmed.
The reader follows Starr's process of grieving as she experiences sadness, anger, and the weight of injustice. She also deals with her relationship with her white boyfriend and feels guilt for not being able to help Khalil. Amidst it all, Starr is called to testify and share her account with various legal and media outlets, receiving support from her lawyer, who is also an activist.
Starr's lawyer encourages her to use her voice as a witness and as a young black girl to seek justice not only for Khalil but also for many other children, teenagers, and adults who have been victims of unjust killings. Starr learns that her voice is important, and her perspective is essential.
It was written phenomenally, the characters were amazing, and intense. Some made me angry, some made me love them as the chapters went by. I'm sad I took way too long to read this book, because it's very good. It made me cry, and laugh, even if I'm not a fan of books about teenagers. I super recommend it!
Graphic: Police brutality, Hate crime, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Child death
Minor: Drug abuse and Domestic abuse
nerdyfantasyreader's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
There are no words to describe this book. It is eye opening and I am so glad I read it.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Gun violence, Cursing, Death, Child death, Hate crime, Child abuse, Blood, Racial slurs, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Abandonment