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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: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Chronic illness, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
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: Death, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny and Vomit
mightymegan25'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
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief
permanme'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
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
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: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse
bookish_bry'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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Physical abuse
birdie770's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction and Cancer
madzie'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Addiction
cookiecakextravaganza'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Police brutality, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse and Blood
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Gaslighting
Khalil's death causes lots of grief. Some violence from King and his gang. Starr almost dies from a fire(not that bad.)micalyia'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? No
5.0
It was graphic but damn it needed to be. It needed to paint the picture so people could see the the world Black people have to navigate.
The characters were beautiful, the development was strong and well paced. I loved every second of this story. The character’s growth, the community support, the familial bonds, all 10/10.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, and Grief