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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Will appeal to a similar audience to 'THUG', authentic-feeling language and setting, another issue story that will have teens thinking and talking.
You shouldn't compare an author's second book with their first, it isn't fair to either the writer or the material. But it is only natural, especially when a first made such an impact, both on paper and on screen. It was a book that impressed me with the subject matter when I read it, and I was happy to read Thomas's next.
Another bright student, Bri (Brianna) is a poet - a rapper. Desperate to use her ability to better herself and her family, to get them 'on the come up' and out of their poor neighbourhood, she'll do almost anything to climb the ladder. With her own father, himself a burgeoning rapper, dead, her mother struggling to support them and a student brother willing to sacrifice his studies to help, pressure builds when it comes to making the right decisions.
The issue of race plays a significant role in the book, though not to the same degree as in THUG, but the novel shows the reader what it looks like to be treated differently at school, and what the consequences can be.
I wasn't too sure about Bri's romantic relationships. She has several male friends, and has conflicting feelings for them that change as the story progresses. I felt it almost got in the way of the main story - which actually interested me considerably - the story of Bri's rapping and songwriting.
The connection is made between rapping and poetry early on, which caught my attention, and I did like watching Bri create her raps using the scenes and characters around her, coming up with rhymes, patterns, riffs and slights. I had trouble hearing the raps themselves, it being a genre of music I am totally unfamiliar with, but I did appreciate the complex meaning behind each. I remember liking 8mile while not being accustomed to the setting or lives of its residents.
There's a fair amount crammed in here, with Bri's aunt playing a background role as drug dealer and wannabee manager, her mum and brother with their own strong characters, as well as the storylines mentioned already. Brianna has dignity and talent, but she's also quick to anger and doesn't always think before she acts.
While some aspects felt familiar from THUG, On the Come Up does make itself stand apart. I felt it wrapped itself up neatly and despite some open threads, felt complete.
It should do well with Thomas's built-in audience and appeal to a wide selection of 12-16 year olds. It doesn't contain graphic violence though there is language that parents of younger readers will want to be aware of.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
You shouldn't compare an author's second book with their first, it isn't fair to either the writer or the material. But it is only natural, especially when a first made such an impact, both on paper and on screen. It was a book that impressed me with the subject matter when I read it, and I was happy to read Thomas's next.
Another bright student, Bri (Brianna) is a poet - a rapper. Desperate to use her ability to better herself and her family, to get them 'on the come up' and out of their poor neighbourhood, she'll do almost anything to climb the ladder. With her own father, himself a burgeoning rapper, dead, her mother struggling to support them and a student brother willing to sacrifice his studies to help, pressure builds when it comes to making the right decisions.
The issue of race plays a significant role in the book, though not to the same degree as in THUG, but the novel shows the reader what it looks like to be treated differently at school, and what the consequences can be.
I wasn't too sure about Bri's romantic relationships. She has several male friends, and has conflicting feelings for them that change as the story progresses. I felt it almost got in the way of the main story - which actually interested me considerably - the story of Bri's rapping and songwriting.
The connection is made between rapping and poetry early on, which caught my attention, and I did like watching Bri create her raps using the scenes and characters around her, coming up with rhymes, patterns, riffs and slights. I had trouble hearing the raps themselves, it being a genre of music I am totally unfamiliar with, but I did appreciate the complex meaning behind each. I remember liking 8mile while not being accustomed to the setting or lives of its residents.
There's a fair amount crammed in here, with Bri's aunt playing a background role as drug dealer and wannabee manager, her mum and brother with their own strong characters, as well as the storylines mentioned already. Brianna has dignity and talent, but she's also quick to anger and doesn't always think before she acts.
While some aspects felt familiar from THUG, On the Come Up does make itself stand apart. I felt it wrapped itself up neatly and despite some open threads, felt complete.
It should do well with Thomas's built-in audience and appeal to a wide selection of 12-16 year olds. It doesn't contain graphic violence though there is language that parents of younger readers will want to be aware of.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
silkcaramel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
5.0
readwithkiekie's review
5.0
That cover is fucking glorious. Simple, understated but the message behind the pose of the character is so important.
yarn_chicken's review
4.0
This was another excellent book by Angie Thomas and another amazing performance by Bahni Turpin. I'd listen to her read the phone book.
votesforwomen's review
*sighs* I can handle language at this point, and this book is way less dense on it than The Hate U Give. But...I just can't wade through it. Not right now.
alykat_reads's review against another edition
medium-paced
5.0
Another powerful book that's just as important as The Hate U Give. These 2 are YA, but I think they're written so well and that many adults could benefit from the topics and themes of each of these books. I think a big problem in the real world is that people dehumanize people that live in neighborhoods like Garden Heights, and I think one of the biggest thing these books have done has slashed through that dehumanization. Its far too easy for those in privilege to 'other' groups of people, but these stories challenge the (white) status quo and I love it.
raspberryicedtea's review
4.0
Gerade zu dieser Zeit mit den vielen Protesten zu blacklivesmatter dachte ich, muss ich nun endlich dieses Buch lesen, zumal es schon seit Monaten bei mir rumsteht. The Hate U Give hab ich bereits gelesen und fand es ja unglaublich gut, diese Geschichte kann locker mithalten. Es geht nicht mehr hauptsächlich um rassistische Polizeigewalt, viel mehr um Rassismus in der Gesellschaft, wie z.B. bewaffnete Schwarze anders gesehen werden als bewaffnete Weiße um nur ein Beispiel zu nennen. Es geht mehr um das Leben und den Alltag mit Rassismus, der allgegenwärtig ist, auch in kleinen Dingen.
Das fand ich besonders gut, da ich als Halbasiatin zwar Rassismus erlebe, jedoch nicht systematisch, wie es bei Schwarzen gerade in den USA der Fall ist. So bekommt man einen Eindruck von den Erwartungen und Vorurteilen, von denen Schwarze ständig umgeben sind.
Ich empfehle das Buch auf jeden Fall weiter.
Das fand ich besonders gut, da ich als Halbasiatin zwar Rassismus erlebe, jedoch nicht systematisch, wie es bei Schwarzen gerade in den USA der Fall ist. So bekommt man einen Eindruck von den Erwartungen und Vorurteilen, von denen Schwarze ständig umgeben sind.
Ich empfehle das Buch auf jeden Fall weiter.