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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
actually so amazing. wish I had read this in high school
4.5 stars.
book tw: violence, swearing, racism
I found this book very hard to read once I realized what it was about. (I was assigned to read it for a class, so I didn't really know anything about it going in.) There were so many moments that felt so raw and real that I almost teared up and days when I didn't want to pick it up again because of how awful it made me feel. Yet when I got started reading, I found it hard to stop.
The writing style is engaging, but admittedly not my favorite. The authors Reynolds and Kiely did a great job capturing the characters' voices, most of the time. A few moments when the characters didn't sound quite right or when the writing was stilted when it shouldn't have been did pull me out of the story briefly (and are pretty much the reason I want to take off 0.5 stars).
However, I still found it captivating, and I still did care about what the characters were going to do next and what would happen to them. I was pulled along through their emotional journey, which was 80% of what the book was. This is not a thrilling tale because the characters aren't necessarily out doing exciting things (because I'm pretty sure they were mostly reacting, and rightly so, for basically the first half to two-thirds). In fact, the heart of the book is in the two main characters' thoughts and feelings as they process everything, more so than in the tragedy that befalls Rashad and the horror that Quinn sees. And I think this time to process events that mirror reality makes the book better than if it had just focused on, say, Rashad going to court to get justice for himself.
The message this book carries is so important (although I know not everyone will think so). I highly recommend it.
book tw: violence, swearing, racism
I found this book very hard to read once I realized what it was about. (I was assigned to read it for a class, so I didn't really know anything about it going in.) There were so many moments that felt so raw and real that I almost teared up and days when I didn't want to pick it up again because of how awful it made me feel. Yet when I got started reading, I found it hard to stop.
The writing style is engaging, but admittedly not my favorite. The authors Reynolds and Kiely did a great job capturing the characters' voices, most of the time. A few moments when the characters didn't sound quite right or when the writing was stilted when it shouldn't have been did pull me out of the story briefly (and are pretty much the reason I want to take off 0.5 stars).
However, I still found it captivating, and I still did care about what the characters were going to do next and what would happen to them. I was pulled along through their emotional journey, which was 80% of what the book was. This is not a thrilling tale because the characters aren't necessarily out doing exciting things (because I'm pretty sure they were mostly reacting, and rightly so, for basically the first half to two-thirds). In fact, the heart of the book is in the two main characters' thoughts and feelings as they process everything, more so than in the tragedy that befalls Rashad and the horror that Quinn sees. And I think this time to process events that mirror reality makes the book better than if it had just focused on, say, Rashad going to court to get justice for himself.
The message this book carries is so important (although I know not everyone will think so). I highly recommend it.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book had a lot of potential to be a really cool story, and the last 100 pages or so prove that. But in the end, most of this book was bland at best and horribly written at worst. My biggest problem is that these “teens” are not believable, from the way they talk to the way they think and ESPECIALLY the way they talk about girls and women (remember we’re supposed to LIKE the characters that are talking about these girls like they’re nothing but sexual objects) and Quinn’s entire story is just “wait… rascism = bad!??!?” While at the same time definitely playing that white savior card. I think if this was just Rashad’s story, it would have been a hundred times better, but his story is so short and disjointed because we have to have time for Quinn to talk now! Uhg the more I write about the more I dislike it.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
September 2025 Banned Book Club pick. I liked the two perspectives in the book. I wish there was a sequel as I would love to spend more time with these characters.
I listen to the audiobook of this and honestly that voice actors is what made it for me. although this content is usually lighter than what I'm used to I still did like this book. 3.75 Stars.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
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