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sharpiemyshoe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pussreboots's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
reading__queerly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This book left me in a daze that I couldn’t shake for days after I finished reading it. At its heart, it’s a story about grief. Harriet, the main character of the novel, feels responsible for the death of her brother, Tunde, after he is killed the same day that she tells him “I wish you were dead.” She is wracked with guilt, ostracized at school, and overcome by feelings of separation from all those around her, despite the best efforts of her cousin, the school’s “cool girl” Nikka, and her brother’s best friend, Luke, who desperately tries to look out for her. When the seemingly impossible begins to happen, pulling Harriet, Nikka, and Luke together and underground to a world where Harriet might have the opportunity to live the other possible realities of that fateful day, she must face her grief or choose another path for herself, one that may lead her even farther away from those she loves.
I commend the author for her use of speculative fiction, especially in a YA novel. When you write about potential parallel universes and make the reader question what is considered “real” within the narrative, it is sometimes hard to not lose the heart that holds the story together. However, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich’s exploration of grief from a young girl’s perspective, even while mixing the extraordinary with the ordinary, was focused and heart-wrenching to read. It thoroughly depicts depression and survivor’s guilt in a way that I have not seen in a long time. While some other reviews state that the underground universe distracted from the central themes, I’ll say that I enjoyed the more experimental and fantastical elements of the story; the pages flew by once I reached this section of the book. It was at times jarring, and didn’t always make the most sense, but we as readers are able to relate to Harriet, who is equally confused, yet still drawn into the world. Adding these elements to the novel served to represent and highlight Harriet’s struggle with her own emotions. The conclusion, while not as resolute as some may have liked, to me left a clear message: that we are not alone in our grief and that despite what we might wish, we must continue to swim against the waters that threaten to drown us.
Thank you to NetGalley, Levine Querido, and most importantly, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich for writing this book. Additionally, a final comment: The cover art is absolutely beautiful, and it’s what initially sparked my interest on NetGalley. I went out and bought the physical copy as well when it was published, and I love that the physical hardcopy has textured pages like water! I thought that this was a wonderful choice, since so much of the story revolves around the water that acts as a safe haven, a portal, a destroyer, and an uplifter all in one book.
I commend the author for her use of speculative fiction, especially in a YA novel. When you write about potential parallel universes and make the reader question what is considered “real” within the narrative, it is sometimes hard to not lose the heart that holds the story together. However, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich’s exploration of grief from a young girl’s perspective, even while mixing the extraordinary with the ordinary, was focused and heart-wrenching to read. It thoroughly depicts depression and survivor’s guilt in a way that I have not seen in a long time. While some other reviews state that the underground universe distracted from the central themes, I’ll say that I enjoyed the more experimental and fantastical elements of the story; the pages flew by once I reached this section of the book. It was at times jarring, and didn’t always make the most sense, but we as readers are able to relate to Harriet, who is equally confused, yet still drawn into the world. Adding these elements to the novel served to represent and highlight Harriet’s struggle with her own emotions. The conclusion, while not as resolute as some may have liked, to me left a clear message: that we are not alone in our grief and that despite what we might wish, we must continue to swim against the waters that threaten to drown us.
Thank you to NetGalley, Levine Querido, and most importantly, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich for writing this book. Additionally, a final comment: The cover art is absolutely beautiful, and it’s what initially sparked my interest on NetGalley. I went out and bought the physical copy as well when it was published, and I love that the physical hardcopy has textured pages like water! I thought that this was a wonderful choice, since so much of the story revolves around the water that acts as a safe haven, a portal, a destroyer, and an uplifter all in one book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death and Mass/school shootings
gracereadsit's review against another edition
Will come back to it in physical format instead of audiobook
dawnshaee's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
The author used way too many references to other books, stories, and films to describe what was transpiring in Harriet’s life. So much so it robbed the story from reading as original. I wanted to like this book so bad, but i ended up “hate” finishing the book — hoping that it would all make sense in the end. Is it possible that it went over my head a bit? Sure. But the underground world and multi-universe, the revenge of the “nerds” (?), and the writing of it all just lost me.
I really did love the cover on this and the synopsis sounded more up my alley. Yet the overall delivery of the story was confusing and dreadful.
I really did love the cover on this and the synopsis sounded more up my alley. Yet the overall delivery of the story was confusing and dreadful.
styleandsavings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you Partner, Hear Our Voices Tours for the gifted copy
Harriet Adu and her family are grieving the tragic death of her older brother. They cope in different ways: her father travels and is rarely at home, her mother fixates on cooking and cleaning, and Harriet swims at the local college’s swimming pool. One day, she has an unbelievable sighting underwater! Alisia, a new girl at school, is the only person who seems to get Harriet by sharing the same interests and making her feel like less of an outsider. When Harriet decides to confront what she saw in the pool, her cousin Nikka and Harriet’s brother’s best friend Luke join her on the journey.
I really felt for Harriet, because not only did she feel grief and guilt about her brother, she had also been teased for years for not being like the “cool kids”. She knew she was smart, but didn’t feel pretty or as well-liked as her cousin Nikka. I think this book did a good job of capturing the comfort of being around someone who has known you since childhood and shares memories but also the discomfort of feeling that you can’t fully grow up or reinvent yourself.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA with diverse main characters and magical realism.
bookishbaddie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
✨Book Review✨
You’re Breaking My Heart by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich @olugbemisolarhudayperkovich
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✨Rating & Review✨: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grief looks different for everyone, we all know that. But at times we forget that children have their own way of processing their grief as well. How do you move through a world where you believe you are the reason your brother is dead. Would you make the decision to change what you said, even if it means that he still dies? A beautiful story about the grief process and how important it is to have a support system to help you hold the grief. Thank you so much @hearourvoicestours and @olugbemisolarhudayperkovich for sharing this story with me.
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🔖
#Books #BookRecommendation #BlackGirlsReadBooksToo #BlackGirlsRead #Bookstagram #BlackBookstagram #YABookstagrammer #BooksAreAGirlsBestFriend #QueerReadersOfInatagram #ReadersOfInstagram #BookLover #Bookworm #BookLover #BookCommunity #ReadMoreBooks #AvidReader #Bibliophile #BookishGirls #BookReviews #HearOurVoices #HOV #YoureBreakingMyHeart
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Violence, Gun violence, Bullying, and Grief
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
mixedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
You’re Breaking my Heart is a book that starts with grief. The death of Harriet’s brother Tunde weighs heavy on her spirit because of their last conversation. Rhuday-Perkovich layers this emotional burden as Harriet is considered the “weird girl” at school and finds herself without friends. The textures of her grief also play out in her newly bristly relationship with her cousin and brother’s friend, as she both feels isolated from them and a burden. This complex portrayal of Harriet navigating all of these emotions as a teen kept the novel moving for me.
After a few frightening and visionary experiences swimming, Harriet is thrown into a space she never knew existed in pursuit of the reconnection to her brother. This novel takes several unexpected turns into fantasy, some of which left me in the dark. Between each experience however, the author never abandons the commitment to deepening Harriet’s emotional maturity.
After a few frightening and visionary experiences swimming, Harriet is thrown into a space she never knew existed in pursuit of the reconnection to her brother. This novel takes several unexpected turns into fantasy, some of which left me in the dark. Between each experience however, the author never abandons the commitment to deepening Harriet’s emotional maturity.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
wellreadandratchet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
When I first heard about this book I knew I had to read it. A young adult book that centers grief with a magical twist? Count me in! I was so drawn to the story but it started off a bit slow and I was so confused on what was happening for a good bit. Sometimes there were entire scenes where I was bewildered. Overall, I enjoyed it. It has so many elements that I appreciated. The nods to Narnia and Hitchcock (my mom had me watching his movies very young), the pop culture references, the love of the library, and just the ability to see myself in another socially awkward girl I feel like I would’ve loved this as a kid. Those rats and the tunnels were totally giving a little nostalgia for a huge Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan as well. 😂 I think with a little polishing this would make a dope movie! I would definitely recommend it to a fantasy loving teen or preteen especially those who might be having trouble dealing with grief.
andthatsonliterature's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Dealing with grief is not easy. I haven’t read too many books that dive into magical realism and I think this was an interesting introduction. Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich did a great job tackling grief from a young person’s perspective. When our loved ones cross to the other side, we’re stuck here sorting out our feelings. For some, pressing forward can be easy and for others it can be a bit difficult. When it comes to grief, there is no timeline or a rule book. No matter how you battle grief, losing a loved one is always going to change you in some fashion. My favorite thing about this read is that although Harriet was the main focus, we were able to get a glimpse of other people that were also affected by the death of her brother.
Side note: I loved that the author chose the color blue for the cover. I’m sure the creative choice was mainly because the main character loved swimming/the water. However, through research I discovered that the color blue represents sorrow. But it can also represent calmness, serenity, and peace. I think this book was the perfect representation of the color blue because it captured every emotion of the color.
Side note: I loved that the author chose the color blue for the cover. I’m sure the creative choice was mainly because the main character loved swimming/the water. However, through research I discovered that the color blue represents sorrow. But it can also represent calmness, serenity, and peace. I think this book was the perfect representation of the color blue because it captured every emotion of the color.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief