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adrienneleigh's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
4.5
I really enjoyed reading about Ray and his connection to music and his connection to his family through the music. My favorite scenes were his performances, especially the Tchaikovsky competition. The instances of racism were hard to read, and I’m glad that the author included in the author’s note that these were real things that had happened to him.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, and Racial slurs
sfunk's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the best books I've read in a while!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Police brutality
Minor: Deportation
disguisedposer's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Police brutality
Minor: Torture, Physical abuse, Gore, Violence, and Murder
pepp_sheffield's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
dominiq_ec's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I LOVED this book, despite how re-traumatizing it is to read as a Black person. On that front, i strongly recommend readers be careful with that book.
Also, the only reason it’s not getting 5 stars is because it uses the term/slur “g*psy” a handful of times. I’m unsure if this is an acceptable term to use when describing classical music and/or its methods, but because it was never explained in-depth, it reflected poorly on the author and publishing company
Also, the only reason it’s not getting 5 stars is because it uses the term/slur “g*psy” a handful of times. I’m unsure if this is an acceptable term to use when describing classical music and/or its methods, but because it was never explained in-depth, it reflected poorly on the author and publishing company
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, Violence, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Racism, Police brutality, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death
Minor: Deportation
jmross10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
4.5
I am not generally a thriller reader given the genres most common tropes. I stumbled on this book when looking for one that didn’t revolve around murder and was instantly hooked by the premise.
Slocumb did a great job of bringing his passion for music to the page and making that love understandable not only to people who share it but also to those who might be experiencing it through his/Ray’s eyes for the first time.
Across the pages of this book readers are confronted with unconditional love, respect, and dedication but also the brutal honesty of what it is to be black, well off, and accomplished. Slocumb doesn’t shy away from Ray’s struggles and it gives the readers a point of view they may never have considered or could never have the personal experience to understand.
It was real without feeling so over the top that it came across as comical or unbelievable. The pacing was good and I like the way the timeline was rearranged to tell the story in a more fitting way. I also appreciated that the mystery wasn’t obvious from page one.
An all around excellent book. A really good read for those who enjoy contemporary stories, books about music or musicians, and/or sociopolitical conversations. There’s plenty to unpack from beginning to end.
Slocumb did a great job of bringing his passion for music to the page and making that love understandable not only to people who share it but also to those who might be experiencing it through his/Ray’s eyes for the first time.
Across the pages of this book readers are confronted with unconditional love, respect, and dedication but also the brutal honesty of what it is to be black, well off, and accomplished. Slocumb doesn’t shy away from Ray’s struggles and it gives the readers a point of view they may never have considered or could never have the personal experience to understand.
It was real without feeling so over the top that it came across as comical or unbelievable. The pacing was good and I like the way the timeline was rearranged to tell the story in a more fitting way. I also appreciated that the mystery wasn’t obvious from page one.
An all around excellent book. A really good read for those who enjoy contemporary stories, books about music or musicians, and/or sociopolitical conversations. There’s plenty to unpack from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Terminal illness, Bullying, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, and Slavery
ladyzbyrd's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.0
This was a fun and emotional read. I was so angry and sad the whole way through, scattered with bits of joy, only to be turned to rage again and again. What a way to mess with a reader’s heart and still come out of the book and say yes, this was an amazing read!
There were definitely some parts that’s defy realism when it comes to procedures in various fields that made certain scenes difficult to believe, and I had to set that aside. Reading this slower on my second go around with a group, I ended up in several rabbit holes, mostly due to the above-mentioned procedures in different scenes.
There were definitely some parts that’s defy realism when it comes to procedures in various fields that made certain scenes difficult to believe, and I had to set that aside. Reading this slower on my second go around with a group, I ended up in several rabbit holes, mostly due to the above-mentioned procedures in different scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Stalking, and Bullying
dragongirl271's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Racism, Racial slurs, and Slavery
Moderate: Police brutality, Emotional abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse
language_loving_amateur's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The tension was higher than I expected, but very good and the book kept me on my toes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Torture, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Emotional abuse
writingcaia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.75
Probably one of the most candid, yet entertaining, books which the main theme is racism. It’s also exceptionally well written, engaging, and overall a gem! I’m being picky dropping that 0.25⭐️ just because I wanted a more romantic conclusion.
Being a classic violinist with aspirations of stardom seems impossible to our young MC, everything seems to be against him, he has no money for private lessons like his colleagues, his mother is selfish and just wants him to quit and start working to give her money, and one thing he soon realises, he is Black. Of course, he knew he was but it’s only when he fills in for a colleague in quartet at a wedding does so many things make sense to him, and he sees everything with open eyes, the prejudice that stood in his way all his life.
But, this is also a mystery, as he soon finds out the fiddle his grandmother gave him before she passed, that belonged to her grandfather, and with which he has practiced for 4 years is actually a 10 million dollar worth Stradivarius, and it has now been stolen. The culprits seem to be either his family who want the money of the violin for themselves, or the slave masters descendants who claim the violin is theirs and his grandmothers’ PopPop stole it, as both have sued him for it.
This book was absolute perfection, from the narrative, the writing, the plot and resolution - although I did guess the robber - to the tragic and real underbelly of the story which revolves around a supremely talented violinist descendant of a freed slave who earned and saved his own life with the same fiddle.
Being a classic violinist with aspirations of stardom seems impossible to our young MC, everything seems to be against him, he has no money for private lessons like his colleagues, his mother is selfish and just wants him to quit and start working to give her money, and one thing he soon realises, he is Black. Of course, he knew he was but it’s only when he fills in for a colleague in quartet at a wedding does so many things make sense to him, and he sees everything with open eyes, the prejudice that stood in his way all his life.
But, this is also a mystery, as he soon finds out the fiddle his grandmother gave him before she passed, that belonged to her grandfather, and with which he has practiced for 4 years is actually a 10 million dollar worth Stradivarius, and it has now been stolen. The culprits seem to be either his family who want the money of the violin for themselves, or the slave masters descendants who claim the violin is theirs and his grandmothers’ PopPop stole it, as both have sued him for it.
This book was absolute perfection, from the narrative, the writing, the plot and resolution - although I did guess the robber - to the tragic and real underbelly of the story which revolves around a supremely talented violinist descendant of a freed slave who earned and saved his own life with the same fiddle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Violence, Slavery, and Racism
Minor: Murder