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mrs_bookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have recently read The Hate You Give and I believe fans of that book would support and enjoy this book as well. This is a book written to reflect the current climate on issues going on in our country and is definitely a needed book. It gives some a voice and am connection while it opens the eyes of others. For me, it opened my eyes to the reality others face. I gave this book three stars and liked the message of peace and understanding.
I have recently read The Hate You Give and I believe fans of that book would support and enjoy this book as well. This is a book written to reflect the current climate on issues going on in our country and is definitely a needed book. It gives some a voice and am connection while it opens the eyes of others. For me, it opened my eyes to the reality others face. I gave this book three stars and liked the message of peace and understanding.
giulay's review against another edition
3.0
"What lesson did I have to be taught?
Not to be a concerned individual?
Not to care about someone else’s innocent life, the boy lying unconscious across from me?
Not to care about my own life?
Not to be a member of my own race?"
Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Okay. First thing first: this cover is gorgeous. 😍
Now that that’s been settled, lemme express my feelings towards this book.
This story is about police brutality and racial issues in all their shapes and forms. In all their sickening nuances.
What is depicted in these pages is a reality that many black teens in America have to face - and that’s, to be quite honest, disgusting.
The fact that books like this exists is beautiful, important and very much VITAL.
I’m so glad that the armed elephant in the room is finally being addressed. Through books such as this one, [b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759s/32075671.jpg|49638190], [b:Dear Martin|24974996|Dear Martin|Nic Stone|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495747080s/24974996.jpg|44640226], and [b:Long Way Down|22552026|Long Way Down|Jason Reynolds|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1520008013s/22552026.jpg|42009801], people are finally (hopefully) realising how wrong and terrifying today’s society can be.
As far as [b:Tyler Johnson Was Here|35604682|Tyler Johnson Was Here|Jay Coles|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1505137706s/35604682.jpg|54835757] goes, though, I personally thought it lacked a bite. Comparison between this book and the others previously mentioned are obvious and evident and I gotta admit that this book was somewhat less striking. Reading this was a somewhat less marking experience. Still, the writing style was effortless and natural; it flowed from the heart and it felt personal. And the story itself was interesting enough.
The characters were compelling and diverse if not a bit two-dimensional.
Injustice, petty hate crimes and racism are - spoiler - harmful in every and any way. I loved the fact that this book did not shy away from the pain, the rage and the struggles the black community is forced to face.
I also particularly enjoyed how the influence (both positive and negative) of social media is highlighted, and how important peaceful demonstrations can be to express the malaise of a community.
Unfortunately, though, even if the message was a very important one, there were other things that just didn’t really sit well with me:
1. The romance. Was it needed? Mmm…I’d say no? I mean, it was sweet and the love interest was literally a star but…it gave nothing to the story and it kinda felt also insta-lovey so… :/ bummed by the romance.
2. Can there be such a thing as “too intense”? Because that’s how I felt. This book was incredibly intense and dense. So many negative and racist things happened in such a short period of time it was almost unbearable.
3. Every single white character was a piece of pure shit? I mean, quite literally every single one? The principal for example. God, he was depicted as mean for the pure sake of it. No rhyme or reason. For example, why was Principal Dodson such a jerk?? It was almost…laughable, tbh. I guess that what I’m trying to say is: gimme a reason for their shitty behaviour and then I’m on board. But you gotta give me a reason because otherwise I’m just left disgusted and hopeless. Because of this lack of depth for the white characters’ actions, everything and everybody felt a bit stereotypical :/ and therefore, the message and the novel as a whole lost their power.
Nonetheless, this was a fast, vital and timely read and I’m glad I read it.
Goddammit.
Justice, respect, understanding and equity are SO IMPORTANT! I’m disgusted and horrified by the fact that they are not absolute and they still feel like a utopia. It’s 2018, for Christ’s sake
"Who do you even call when the cops are the ones being the bad guys? Who do you even beg to protect you?"
Not to be a concerned individual?
Not to care about someone else’s innocent life, the boy lying unconscious across from me?
Not to care about my own life?
Not to be a member of my own race?"
Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Okay. First thing first: this cover is gorgeous. 😍
Now that that’s been settled, lemme express my feelings towards this book.
This story is about police brutality and racial issues in all their shapes and forms. In all their sickening nuances.
What is depicted in these pages is a reality that many black teens in America have to face - and that’s, to be quite honest, disgusting.
The fact that books like this exists is beautiful, important and very much VITAL.
I’m so glad that the armed elephant in the room is finally being addressed. Through books such as this one, [b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476284759s/32075671.jpg|49638190], [b:Dear Martin|24974996|Dear Martin|Nic Stone|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495747080s/24974996.jpg|44640226], and [b:Long Way Down|22552026|Long Way Down|Jason Reynolds|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1520008013s/22552026.jpg|42009801], people are finally (hopefully) realising how wrong and terrifying today’s society can be.
As far as [b:Tyler Johnson Was Here|35604682|Tyler Johnson Was Here|Jay Coles|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1505137706s/35604682.jpg|54835757] goes, though, I personally thought it lacked a bite. Comparison between this book and the others previously mentioned are obvious and evident and I gotta admit that this book was somewhat less striking. Reading this was a somewhat less marking experience. Still, the writing style was effortless and natural; it flowed from the heart and it felt personal. And the story itself was interesting enough.
The characters were compelling and diverse if not a bit two-dimensional.
Injustice, petty hate crimes and racism are - spoiler - harmful in every and any way. I loved the fact that this book did not shy away from the pain, the rage and the struggles the black community is forced to face.
I also particularly enjoyed how the influence (both positive and negative) of social media is highlighted, and how important peaceful demonstrations can be to express the malaise of a community.
Unfortunately, though, even if the message was a very important one, there were other things that just didn’t really sit well with me:
1. The romance. Was it needed? Mmm…I’d say no? I mean, it was sweet and the love interest was literally a star but…it gave nothing to the story and it kinda felt also insta-lovey so… :/ bummed by the romance.
2. Can there be such a thing as “too intense”? Because that’s how I felt. This book was incredibly intense and dense. So many negative and racist things happened in such a short period of time it was almost unbearable.
3. Every single white character was a piece of pure shit? I mean, quite literally every single one? The principal for example. God, he was depicted as mean for the pure sake of it. No rhyme or reason. For example, why was Principal Dodson such a jerk?? It was almost…laughable, tbh. I guess that what I’m trying to say is: gimme a reason for their shitty behaviour and then I’m on board. But you gotta give me a reason because otherwise I’m just left disgusted and hopeless. Because of this lack of depth for the white characters’ actions, everything and everybody felt a bit stereotypical :/ and therefore, the message and the novel as a whole lost their power.
Nonetheless, this was a fast, vital and timely read and I’m glad I read it.
Goddammit.
Justice, respect, understanding and equity are SO IMPORTANT! I’m disgusted and horrified by the fact that they are not absolute and they still feel like a utopia. It’s 2018, for Christ’s sake
"Who do you even call when the cops are the ones being the bad guys? Who do you even beg to protect you?"
shemyshines98's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. I love every book that talks about Police Brutality and Racism and how it can affect the community and the world around us. Marvin & Tyler were twins. Their father was sentenced to serve for a crime he didn't commit and their mother has to work around the clock to keep the roof over their heads and food on the table. Marvin is what you call a "nerd", he loves "A Different World" (I also love it!!) because it gave him hope that he could make it out in this cold world. He has two very supportive best friends G-Mo and Ivy. Tyler started to hang around the wrong crowd. Marvin, his friends, and Tyler go to Johntae's party, (The bad influence gang-member friend of Tyler). The party ends up being raided by the police and next thing you know, Tyler goes missing. Coming to find out, he was on his way home but was stopped by the police. Tyler told the police that he was just trying to get home and he ends up getting shot three times. Thankfully someone caught it on all on camera. Now, Marvin and his mother have to deal with the fact that their loved one was brutally taken away from them, all because of someone's hatred for colored people. The story progresses with Marvin having the hardest time moving on. Dealing with the fact that he no longer has a twin, in the end, him, his friends and mother spread his ashes in the sea. I am glad that the book didn't speak on the trial as we all know how that would've turned out. It's just better to leave it left unsaid. It's not going to bring them back, it's only going to make the pain last longer. This was definitely a good book.
purplejumping's review against another edition
2.0
It was moderately enjoyable, but not nearly as profound as I hoped it would be.
oooweeitskiki's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not going to lie. This was a book that I just happened to grab on a random trip to BnN. I read it in 2 days. Take what you want from that.
rmataloni's review against another edition
4.0
Since it’s a YA book, it’s pretty high-level on the details about racism and police brutality, and the emotional, mental and physical toll that takes on kids of color on a daily basis. But it still hits on a lot of key points that I think is great for any age.
sassyykassie's review against another edition
5.0
"Hate is too ugly of a thing for some people to acknowledge, but the thing about hate is you can't throw it on someone else without getting a little bit on yourself."
This was such a horrifically emotional read. I can't help but feel a bit helpless and hopeless in seeing what to do about the real life problems people are facing that this book portrays. It was an amazing read, and I can only hope that with stories like this, more minds can be opened to the very real world problems we still have.
Thank you for the e-arc in exchange for this honest review from NetGalley!
This was such a horrifically emotional read. I can't help but feel a bit helpless and hopeless in seeing what to do about the real life problems people are facing that this book portrays. It was an amazing read, and I can only hope that with stories like this, more minds can be opened to the very real world problems we still have.
Thank you for the e-arc in exchange for this honest review from NetGalley!
mzgeee53's review against another edition
4.0
Such a heartbreaking read but I applaud how honestly and beautifully @mrjaycoles approaches #policebrutality and #BLACKLIVESMATTER. It was an honor to read Marvin's story, #TylerJohnsonWasHere ... he's more than a hashtag.
jdrummond's review against another edition
4.0
A well written story that deals with racism and the deaths of African American youths at the hands of police. The characters are realistic and multifaceted. Worth the reading.