Scan barcode
samoore44's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Gun violence
teacupsandfirereads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.0
Yet another great one from Angie Thomas. i am not a YA fan, yet I look forward to her books. They pack such a punch. The whole time I am reading it, my eyes are open and I am absorbing it all like a sponge. The characters are feisty, strong and unrelenting. They are dedicated and have such a passion. It is not always easy to read, but somehow Thomas makes the pages fly by. I don't want to compare Bri with Starr, but they are similar as they are different. Read this, do it, and then read all of Thomas' other books when they come. I know I will be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Cursing, Racial slurs, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
sallytiffany's review
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked learning about about the culture and gained some insight into racism in schools. However, the story moved incredibly slowly, the characters were hard to relate to, and overall, was just not a really captivating story for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
cosmicsapphic's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Gun violence, Violence, and Hate crime
vanessa_reads_a_lot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Sexism, Gun violence, and Violence
lmartzbooks's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
gem114's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? No
4.0
Angie Thomas invited us back to Garden Heights, and how could we say no?
First, I'll admit I didn't like On the Come Up as much as I liked THUG, but it's still a great read that I'd readily recommend. I think part of what made it hard for me to connect with is that I simply don't share Bri's passion for rap. I think if you're a rap fan, or even just a music buff in general, this book would be right up your alley.
Bri is a 16-year-old growing up in Garden Heights and aspiring to even greater heights for her music career. Daughter of a local rap legend who was murdered in his prime, Bri has music in her blood. She wants to pursue her passion, but her mother wants her to focus on her academics. Mom (aka Jay) is scared of Bri following in her father's footsteps, but Bri thinks the sooner she gets her career going, the sooner she can help her struggling family financially. The story takes place a few years after THUG, but Angie Thomas didn't leave issues of racial justice in the past. Bri and her friends are racially profiled and mistreated by security guards at their majority-white high school. Bri is torn between fighting stereotypes and playing into stereotypes at home, at school, and in the music world.
Although this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me, it's one I DEFINITELY plan to have in my classroom for students to borrow when we return to in-person school.
First, I'll admit I didn't like On the Come Up as much as I liked THUG, but it's still a great read that I'd readily recommend. I think part of what made it hard for me to connect with is that I simply don't share Bri's passion for rap. I think if you're a rap fan, or even just a music buff in general, this book would be right up your alley.
Bri is a 16-year-old growing up in Garden Heights and aspiring to even greater heights for her music career. Daughter of a local rap legend who was murdered in his prime, Bri has music in her blood. She wants to pursue her passion, but her mother wants her to focus on her academics. Mom (aka Jay) is scared of Bri following in her father's footsteps, but Bri thinks the sooner she gets her career going, the sooner she can help her struggling family financially. The story takes place a few years after THUG, but Angie Thomas didn't leave issues of racial justice in the past. Bri and her friends are racially profiled and mistreated by security guards at their majority-white high school. Bri is torn between fighting stereotypes and playing into stereotypes at home, at school, and in the music world.
Although this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me, it's one I DEFINITELY plan to have in my classroom for students to borrow when we return to in-person school.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Racism
Minor: Addiction and Racial slurs
pucksandpaperbacks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed Angie's sophomore novel and how it dives into the world of hip-hop and drug abuse. Bri's viral song makes people start talking and believe that she really believes the things she says in her songs. She's judged by her community and family members and really grows in this book from start to finish. I loved how Bri sounded just like a teen and was a huge gamer and nerd! I really enjoyed reading her character and the audiobook was amazing. I would highly recommend reading this on audio because the narrator does a phenomenal job with voicing each character and rapping Bri's lyrics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Racial profiling, a brief mention of Harry Potterchelseasbookshelf2's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great book!! This had some strong themes in this, but all that need to be talked about more. This was a YA book, but certainly didn't feel YA most of the time. If you don't normally read YA I would still encourage you to check this book out!!
I loved getting to know each and every one of the characters in this book. I especially loved Sonny, Malik and Curtis! I am a horrible rapper, so I struggled with how some of the raps should sound! I wish there were a soundtrack to go with these to hear the beat! This is my first book by Angie Thomas, and I cannot wait to read her other books.
I loved getting to know each and every one of the characters in this book. I especially loved Sonny, Malik and Curtis! I am a horrible rapper, so I struggled with how some of the raps should sound! I wish there were a soundtrack to go with these to hear the beat! This is my first book by Angie Thomas, and I cannot wait to read her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
nxclx's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't think I enjoyed this one as much as Thomas' other book, but I still enjoyed it. I liked the rap aspect of it, especially as an audiobook. It made me sad to see Bri make the choices that she did throughout the book, but she is a teenager and in a very difficult situation, so I get why she did. I wasn't too interested in the side plot, but I don't think it took away from the main plot. I liked the expansion of the universe especially, and would definitely read more from her. Thomas' books highlight the racial inequality that minorities, especially black people face daily and how it's mostly swept under the rug and forgotten about. It takes a situation that so many people know from the outside and helps you see it from the perspective of someone living through it, and having to be under that microscope and making the choice to stand up and say something at the risk of being defamed and put more under the spotlight. I think a lot more people need to read books like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
More...