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jennoux's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
angela_irene's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this book left me in tears. Such a powerful story of heartbreak, grief and navigating family secrets when the truth comes out. This story was executed so beautifully. A must-read.
love_your_shelf's review against another edition
5.0
Check Out the Full Review on My Blog
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book but it was not my favorite by Elizabeth Acevedo. My favourites rank:
1) With the Fire on High
2) The Poet X
3) Clap When You Land
The order is subject to change after I reread the Poet X but for now... lets get into the review
TW: loss/death of a parent, stalking, sexual assault, grief, sexual harassment
Things I liked:
1)
&
Things I didn't like
I didn't like the El Cero plotline. I understood why it was there but we never understood the reason how El Cero got tangled up with their father and why Camino supposedly owes him more than she thinks. It felt drawn out for drama. Though he seems to represent a future that most young girls on the island fall prey to.
Overall, I really enjoyed the themes explored and the aspect of unspoken forgiveness. Elizabeth Acevedo is one of my favourite authors and I'll read anything she continues to write! I would reread and recommend her books a thousand times over!
Other places to find me:
My Blog | Bookstagram
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book but it was not my favorite by Elizabeth Acevedo. My favourites rank:
1) With the Fire on High
2) The Poet X
3) Clap When You Land
The order is subject to change after I reread the Poet X but for now... lets get into the review
TW: loss/death of a parent, stalking, sexual assault, grief, sexual harassment
Things I liked:
1)
The Writing:
With Clap When You Land, Elizabeth Acevedo is back in her native writing roots, verse, where her poetic writing style flourishes. There are many verses that I tabbed. Here's an example or two:A queen
offers her hand to be kissed
& can form it into a fist
while smiling the whole damn time
&
Can you be from a place
you've never been?
You can find the island stamped all over me ,
but what would it find if I was there?
Can you claim a home that does not know you,
much less claim you as its own?
The Themes/ Characters
Those were powerful quotes that spoke to identity, stuck with me and gave a new perspective. Grief is another aspect of this book and I enjoyed seeing how each sister processed it, especially finding out about each other and their father's past. They ultimately never let their fathers past taint their good memories of him and could realise that a person can be two things at once: a good father and a bad person, vise versa or both. I enjoyed the family and friendship aspect of this book too!Things I didn't like
I didn't like the El Cero plotline. I understood why it was there but we never understood the reason how El Cero got tangled up with their father and why Camino supposedly owes him more than she thinks. It felt drawn out for drama. Though he seems to represent a future that most young girls on the island fall prey to.
Overall, I really enjoyed the themes explored and the aspect of unspoken forgiveness. Elizabeth Acevedo is one of my favourite authors and I'll read anything she continues to write! I would reread and recommend her books a thousand times over!
Other places to find me:
My Blog | Bookstagram
chelsayf's review against another edition
5.0
If I could I would give this a hundred star rating!
Woow, what I book. I read it in one day and couldn't put it down.
The writing is sooooo beautiful and the story so pure!
I will reread this for sure!
Woow, what I book. I read it in one day and couldn't put it down.
The writing is sooooo beautiful and the story so pure!
I will reread this for sure!
baileyrinama's review against another edition
2.0
This book was painful to get through... her style of writing is so slow. In my opinion, she is trying too hard and feeds into the stereotype that poetry is elitist and boring.
ellie_caro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was beautifully written. Motifs were perfectly timed, and Acevedo does an impeccable job at weaving together culture and emotion in a way that captures you into the story and holds you there. I finished the book on the verge of tears due to the sheer amount of raw emotion Acevedo infuses into the text (and also likely because I didn't want the story to end).
lecturadesofa's review against another edition
2.0
Bajándole a 2 estrellas porque cuanto más pienso en él, menos me gusta...