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magsapt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Acevedo always writes about deep, uncomfortable subjects that most YA authors try to steer away of. She takes the bull by the horns and does not hesitate: no taboo topics, no smoothing things over and no awkwardness. Acevedo writes unapologetically about whatever it is she wants to talk about.
On 'With The Fire On High', it is mostly race, parenthood and feminism, subjects that are also the main focus of 'Clap When You Land' (one of my favourite books of 2021).
Our main character, Emoni, is the daughter of a Puerto Rican man and an African American woman, raised by her boricua grandmother. Since her father is absent and her mother has died during childbirth, Emoni is constantly searching for her roots, which she mainly achieves with cooking, a gift she had since being a toddler.
Acevedo addresses the issues mixed kids have fitting into a world so obsessed with labels, while at the same time declaring that all that should matter is how they view themselves and want to be viewed by others. One person doesn't belong to a single box - one is multiple and must find comfort in thal multiplicity. If there's no box for you, you must create one for yourself instead of forcing yourself to fit into something that doesn't entirely fulfil you.
Cue the expectations society has for women and how we force ourselves to have those too instead of being and doing whatever we want.
When she got pregnant, Emoni wanted to have her baby even though she was just sixteen. She had to deal with her colleagues' stares and snickers while at the same time dealing with her fears towards her future. Acevedo shows us the tip of the iceberg that is being a teenage mom and having to put your dreams on hold to raise your child because women can't still have it all. They must always sacrifice something of themselves for other people. The perfect example is 'Buela, who raised her child, her granddaughter and now her great-granddaughter, leaving her happiness to last.
What mechanisms does society have in place to help these women? What happens to women less enthusiastic than Emoni? Does society let those women's dreams to rot?
And how do men keep on getting away with everything? When will we attribute them responsibility and ask them what is demanded of us? Or better yet, when will they stop asking us to do things none of them would be willing to do?
The only trouble I had with this book was the pace. Sometimes things happened too quickly, other times too slowly. I also found it more predictable than 'Clap When You Land'.
It's still a 4-star read and I can't wait to try the recipes Acevedo shared with us!
On 'With The Fire On High', it is mostly race, parenthood and feminism, subjects that are also the main focus of 'Clap When You Land' (one of my favourite books of 2021).
Our main character, Emoni, is the daughter of a Puerto Rican man and an African American woman, raised by her boricua grandmother. Since her father is absent and her mother has died during childbirth, Emoni is constantly searching for her roots, which she mainly achieves with cooking, a gift she had since being a toddler.
Acevedo addresses the issues mixed kids have fitting into a world so obsessed with labels, while at the same time declaring that all that should matter is how they view themselves and want to be viewed by others. One person doesn't belong to a single box - one is multiple and must find comfort in thal multiplicity. If there's no box for you, you must create one for yourself instead of forcing yourself to fit into something that doesn't entirely fulfil you.
Cue the expectations society has for women and how we force ourselves to have those too instead of being and doing whatever we want.
When she got pregnant, Emoni wanted to have her baby even though she was just sixteen. She had to deal with her colleagues' stares and snickers while at the same time dealing with her fears towards her future. Acevedo shows us the tip of the iceberg that is being a teenage mom and having to put your dreams on hold to raise your child because women can't still have it all. They must always sacrifice something of themselves for other people. The perfect example is 'Buela, who raised her child, her granddaughter and now her great-granddaughter, leaving her happiness to last.
What mechanisms does society have in place to help these women? What happens to women less enthusiastic than Emoni? Does society let those women's dreams to rot?
And how do men keep on getting away with everything? When will we attribute them responsibility and ask them what is demanded of us? Or better yet, when will they stop asking us to do things none of them would be willing to do?
The only trouble I had with this book was the pace. Sometimes things happened too quickly, other times too slowly. I also found it more predictable than 'Clap When You Land'.
It's still a 4-star read and I can't wait to try the recipes Acevedo shared with us!
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Bullying
manon_misheck's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
With The Fire On High was my first Elizabeth Acevedo book, and I knew going in that I would fall in love, but WOW. I could not have predicted how much this book would capture my heart.
•
I could not recommend this book more. The story is so wonderful and I just wanted to hug all the characters. I listened to this on audio which Elizabeth herself narrated; her voice is one I could listen to all day. This story was such a beautiful ode to Emoni's culture and the food she learned to make from her family members. I want to devour everything Elizabeth Acevedo has written but I also want to slow my roll because I really want one of my book clubs to choose one of her books soon (hint hint 😜)
•
I could not recommend this book more. The story is so wonderful and I just wanted to hug all the characters. I listened to this on audio which Elizabeth herself narrated; her voice is one I could listen to all day. This story was such a beautiful ode to Emoni's culture and the food she learned to make from her family members. I want to devour everything Elizabeth Acevedo has written but I also want to slow my roll because I really want one of my book clubs to choose one of her books soon (hint hint 😜)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Bullying
CW: slut-shaming, teen pregnancy and motherhood, sexual content (dubious consent, high school age), Antiziganism (g slur), colorism, teenage alcohol consumption, food as a theme. Recounting of: coming out, childbirth, death of a loved one/parent/spouse, hurricanes, bullyingsunpuddles's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ writing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
Emoni Is such a relatable, lovable and memorable character. I like that you can see her strength and vulnerability consistently. She’s truly relatable for any high school kid, regardless of their race or family situation. That’s not to say that her race and family situation don’t play a very important part in the story and I appreciate the attention the author pays to these details. Representation is so important and this is a great example of that. Senior year of high school can be such a big time And the author is very sensitive to that, not minimizing the pressures. I appreciate how Emoni learns to become independent while still being able to lean on others. I also like that this book shows equal respect for college education and real world experience. The treatment of sex is also very realistic. Sex is not taboo, but the plusses and minuses are addressed as well as the reality that having it once doesn’t take the choice away the next time or in the next relationship. I think this would be a great book for any high school student to read and was also a great reminder for me of what that time is like. Such a quick, enjoyable read as an adult, but I think also a very important and poignant read for it young adult.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
Emoni Is such a relatable, lovable and memorable character. I like that you can see her strength and vulnerability consistently. She’s truly relatable for any high school kid, regardless of their race or family situation. That’s not to say that her race and family situation don’t play a very important part in the story and I appreciate the attention the author pays to these details. Representation is so important and this is a great example of that. Senior year of high school can be such a big time And the author is very sensitive to that, not minimizing the pressures. I appreciate how Emoni learns to become independent while still being able to lean on others. I also like that this book shows equal respect for college education and real world experience. The treatment of sex is also very realistic. Sex is not taboo, but the plusses and minuses are addressed as well as the reality that having it once doesn’t take the choice away the next time or in the next relationship. I think this would be a great book for any high school student to read and was also a great reminder for me of what that time is like. Such a quick, enjoyable read as an adult, but I think also a very important and poignant read for it young adult.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Abortion, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, and Racism
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