Reviews

The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan

shogunshawty's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

reader4evr's review against another edition

4.0

It took me awhile to get through this because I wasn’t listening it to as much as I usually do now because of my commute. I would recommend the audiobook.

Did I enjoy the story...yes but did I love it to recommend it...maybe

I’m interested around the background of the story. I wanted to know more about this.

It was a rough road for the brothers but I’m glad it ended in their favor.

Don’t like the cover at all...I think it might get read more with a different illustration

elizabethwillett's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

gmamartha's review against another edition

3.0

Cruel slavery of children on the Ivory coast turns the sweet cacao into a very bitter life. These three finally escape and are fortunate to tell their story.

tophat8855's review against another edition

4.0

Listened via Hoopla. I’ve known shot the cold and slave labor that supports the chocolate industry for about 20 years, ever since I was a docent at the Field Museum in Chicago when the chocolate exhibit was there. It’s horrendous and is still continuing. This story is fiction and has a happy ending, but the reality is full of devastating endings. This is probably a good introduction for teens and adults. Start here, then keep going.

brittneyfike's review against another edition

3.0

This wasn’t my favorite. I struggled to get in to it. It’s not a book I would typically read, but I’m trying to branch out and try new things. It had a great storyline and the characters were well developed. A great middle grades novel. I enjoyed the happy ending!

brtvajes1's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

4.5

sarahanne8382's review against another edition

4.0

Sullivan tells the story of a 15-year-old Amadou who, with his little brother, Seydou, has been toiling away on a cacao farm for 2 years. They've been told they'll be free to leave when they earn back the money spent on transporting, housing, and feeding them. Except they don't know how much they make or even how much they owe.

When a girl is sent to the camp by herself, Amadou's life quickly begins to change as she brings the glimmer of hope that he may be able to change his life for the better.

It was shocking to learn how most cacao is farmed, and also the difficult lives children like Amadou and Seydou face. He describes modest comforts like glass windows and the ability to attend school as luxuries. Definitely a good read for gaining an international perspective. I can't even begin to process how this book will affect my chocolate consumption.

hayleybeale's review against another edition

4.0

Set in Cote d’Ivoire, this riveting novel brings to immediate life the horrors of cacao farming with child slaves. The author does not spare us any of the brutality (though it is implied or happens off stage) but does leave the characters with hope. Ideal for teens interested in social justice. Reviewed from an ARC. See my full review here.

michelle_dase's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75