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amradio's review
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.0
Not a bad book overall but nothing like excellingly revolutionary
I did really like the characters though which is important for me in a story to at least like ONE character and I probably loved them all
Even though he was an ass I do wonder what happened with Johntae since he literally just ran off. Not important to the story of Tyler ofc but y'know I'm curious
The friendships in the story were also strong and the message is there
There's a few parts that had me going like ugh but nothing that makes the book like an awful awful book
I did really like the characters though which is important for me in a story to at least like ONE character and I probably loved them all
Even though he was an ass
The friendships in the story were also strong and the message is there
There's a few parts that had me going like ugh but nothing that makes the book like an awful awful book
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Police brutality, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Sexual content
nickoliver's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Death, Gun violence, and Police brutality
anniereads221's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Grief, Death, Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Mental illness, and Hate crime
lucifer_morningstar13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely loved this read, even though it threatened to make me cry even from the first couple of chapters, and I hate to cry while I read or watch media. I felt every bit of this, and though a lot of the scenarios depicted in this book are not ones I have ever encountered, Coles writes in such a way that you truly feel the weight of the words, the actions of the main character and other characters, and the pain and utter despair brought about by Tyler's murder . I think everyone should read this book. It doesn't go incredibly in-depth on the subjects, but it is a good introduction for anyone who doesn't understand the weight the media has in pushing racism, bigotry, and prejudice towards victims of police brutality and murder. The way media depicts victims as thugs, unworthy of having ever lived because they sold drugs, were part of a gang, or commmitted some petty or serious crime. Media will make those with weak mindsets believe that it's a good thing these people were murdered when they were, so that now they're off the streets and things are safer for everyone. It's absolute bullshit, and this book does a good job of exposing that while also focusing on the very real effects of not only the loss of a brother and son, but the effect of having to hear daily how your brother, son, (and outside of this book, husband, cousin, nephew, etc.) sold drugs and therefore was scum of the earth and deserved to be murdered when he wasn't doing anything wrong.
Powerful book.
Powerful book.
Graphic: Drug use, Violence, Police brutality, Racism, Gun violence, and Grief
line's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Graphic: Police brutality, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
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