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effy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It took me longer than I would have liked to settle into this book although that was possibly because I was only able to listen to an hour or so at a time initially. I found Rue difficult to love but I also understood the way that she was acting.
The latter half of this book was much, much stronger and I really enjoyed the reveal of this book.I found the reveal that the magic was stolen from the black tribes to be very clever and also really confronting to read. This was an exceptional revelation and made me feel exactly as it should have made me feel. I really enjoyed this author's perspective and hope that there will be further books to continue the story but I will gladly read more books from the author regardless.
The latter half of this book was much, much stronger and I really enjoyed the reveal of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Murder, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Blood, Gun violence, and Racial slurs
books_and_mags's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Vomit
ronniereadsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
I don’t think I’ve related so much to a book in a long time. It reminded me of home in so many ways. The description of East Row felt like my neighborhood growing up. The whole block is family. The girls playing double Dutch. Eating kool-cups (or icebergs as we call them in New Orleans). The neighborhood grandma in Ms. Leola. The teenage boys that helped everybody out for either a plate of food or some cash. The block looked out for each other.
Then we get to Rue. I knew her. I grew up with her. She lost her mother and is now in a world that she never wanted away from everything she knew. She just wanted to protect her sister. Her world was turned upside down by a father she never knew and moving to a place she never wanted to be. Her refusal of her Ghizoni heritage is a huge part of the story. But shows how often we as Black people are forced to compartmentalize ourselves based on our environments. When she finally accepts her Ghizoni heritage that is when she truly taps into her potential. I will admit that there were times when I felt like Rue was being a brat. But I get it. I understand her motivations because again I grew up with plenty of people like Rue. She had to harden herself.
Another thing I enjoyed was the commentary on the real world experiences of Black people.The colonization of Ghizon and the erasure of the Black Ghizoni people by the Grays. The appropriation and bastardization of what makes the Black Ghizoni people special. The reality of racism and drugs being pumped into the poor neighborhood of East Row. The overlooking of Black trauma by the police and media. These themes got me in such a real way. The scene where Rue tells her Gray Ghizoni friend Bri about the plight of the Black Ghizoni people and Bri made the whole situation about her got me good! Not to mention how I lived for Rue calling Bri out especially after she tried to whitesplain a solution that did nothing to help the Black Ghizoni people because she was uncomfortable.</spoiler.
There were many notable phrases and quotes that I could easily hear my mother or grandmother saying. Like "make a way out of no way" or "mama raised diamonds". The entirety of this book felt real and authentic. The use of AAVE. The descriptions of locations. The realities of what it's like to be a Black person and deal with racism and the repercussions of colonialism. The belief that you can be nothing more than where you grow up. I personally felt that one. I felt so seen and heard.
I can go on and on about this book. I highly recommend. If you haven’t read it, read it! If it’s not on your TBR, add it. My sole gripe is that it ended with one plot point unresolved. But that means a sequel is hopefully on the way.I will also say that I am still a bit unclear about Rue's relationships with both Julius and Jhamal. </spoiler.
J. Elle has made a fan out of me and I can't wait to read whatever comes next.
Then we get to Rue. I knew her. I grew up with her. She lost her mother and is now in a world that she never wanted away from everything she knew. She just wanted to protect her sister. Her world was turned upside down by a father she never knew and moving to a place she never wanted to be. Her refusal of her Ghizoni heritage is a huge part of the story. But shows how often we as Black people are forced to compartmentalize ourselves based on our environments. When she finally accepts her Ghizoni heritage that is when she truly taps into her potential. I will admit that there were times when I felt like Rue was being a brat. But I get it. I understand her motivations because again I grew up with plenty of people like Rue. She had to harden herself.
Another thing I enjoyed was the commentary on the real world experiences of Black people.
There were many notable phrases and quotes that I could easily hear my mother or grandmother saying. Like "make a way out of no way" or "mama raised diamonds". The entirety of this book felt real and authentic. The use of AAVE. The descriptions of locations. The realities of what it's like to be a Black person and deal with racism and the repercussions of colonialism. The belief that you can be nothing more than where you grow up. I personally felt that one. I felt so seen and heard.
I can go on and on about this book. I highly recommend. If you haven’t read it, read it! If it’s not on your TBR, add it. My sole gripe is that it ended with one plot point unresolved. But that means a sequel is hopefully on the way.
J. Elle has made a fan out of me and I can't wait to read whatever comes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Gun violence, and Drug use
whysomanysams's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Car accident, Genocide, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Vomit
goldengirlbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
jesm's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction and Murder
charisma_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow.
To think that this book was fused with magical realism and the reality of todays racism.... I am at a loss for words. This was done magnificently!
This book will have you hooked from beginning to end. I found the writing easy to read and super well done. The characters were great and the world building was exceptional. The fact that the author clearly differentiated the world building for a fantasy world she created, but still instilled todays hate and racism really shows her talent. I loved the struggles it showed for the main character to lose her mother, resent her father to then only realize he was on her side and protecting her this whole time, to then losing him, protecting her sister at all costs, her facing racism and still being strong and outspoken/stubborn to let people know who she is and she will not back down... this truly was a beautiful book and well descriptive and informative for people whom are not BIPOC.
I did not want to put this book down and it will truly have a special place in my heart. (That’s how you know its superb, lol)
Thank you a million times over to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To think that this book was fused with magical realism and the reality of todays racism.... I am at a loss for words. This was done magnificently!
This book will have you hooked from beginning to end. I found the writing easy to read and super well done. The characters were great and the world building was exceptional. The fact that the author clearly differentiated the world building for a fantasy world she created, but still instilled todays hate and racism really shows her talent. I loved the struggles it showed for the main character to lose her mother, resent her father to then only realize he was on her side and protecting her this whole time, to then losing him, protecting her sister at all costs, her facing racism and still being strong and outspoken/stubborn to let people know who she is and she will not back down... this truly was a beautiful book and well descriptive and informative for people whom are not BIPOC.
I did not want to put this book down and it will truly have a special place in my heart. (That’s how you know its superb, lol)
Thank you a million times over to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Racism
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