Reviews

The Girls in Queens by Christine Kandic Torres

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rubysbiblioteca's review against another edition

4.0

This book was so many things! We have best friends, Brisma and Kelly who have navigated so many traumas, some they are not even willing to say happened. Many years later, Brisma's ex-boyfriend is being accused of

sexual assault

. Both friends were ready to support him regardless of the allegations. However, the friends are tested to revisit old traumas and come to terms with what they experienced. This is a story of courage, support, and finding the truth regardless of what relationships will be broken along the way.

soupwitch86's review

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3.0

This was a good book. The first 3/4 were slow for me and had too much baseball information, but for people into it, I think they'll really like it. And although I grew up in Brooklyn, a lot of it resonated with me (and I also live in Queens now). The last quarter of the book was great - it was a 4 star for me, but it felt like there were moments of "not all men" and making the army out to be this great place, which felt weird especially because one of the core concentrations of the book was sexual assault against women and all of the armed forces are rife with it.

drbex's review

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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? Yes

3.5

brooke_review's review

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4.0

Those wanting to read dynamic Latinx authors have a new writer to fall in love with - Christine Kandic Torres, whose debut The Girls in Queens tells the story of two Latina girls growing up in Queens, New York, who have their friendship tested when boys enter the picture. This is actually a simplification of a complex plot which explores roots and privilege, perception and acceptance, passion and power. But at its heart is friendship and loyalty, and the lengths we will go to protect those we love.

Entirely told from the mid-90s to mid-00s, The Girls in Queens is narrated through alternating timelines, jumping back and forth from the 90s to the aughts, and delving into the friendship of Brisma and Kelly, best friends who are always by each other’s side until the day they are not. Brisma plays yin to Kelly’s yang, the quiet, sensitive moon to Kelly’s bright, vibrant sun.

So imagine Brisma’s surprise when she is the one to catch the eye of Brian, a popular baseball player at their high school. Brisma and Brian begin dating, but Brisma can’t help but feel some tension between herself and Kelly as her relationship grows. Brisma and Brian’s relationship burns white-hot as they get closer, but Brisma’s world eventually comes crashing down after a betrayal at a backyard party, and she and Brian go their separate ways.

Brisma has no way of knowing that years down the line, Brian will come back into her life in an inexplicable way, making her question everything that happened the fateful night of the party. Brian is accused of sexual assault, and she and Kelly have a choice to make - do they stand by Brian or do they trust the voices of his accusers … and themselves?

Christine Kandic Torres writes with a spirited, energetic voice, and despite few commonalities between myself and her characters, I was able to imaginatively visualize their lives and the world they inhabit. On the surface, Brisma and Kelly come off as a Latinx Thelma and Louise, best friends who have each other’s backs through thick and thin, but Torres’ nuanced writing soon reveals their relationship to hold shades of toxicity and malevolence, hinting that despite their purported love for one another, they actually hold onto feelings of resentment, jealousy, and competition. I found these subtle suggestions to actually be the most fascinating part of this story, far outweighing the truth about Brian. This book is definitely Brisma and Kelly’s world with Brian playing a supporting role in the larger dramedy that is their friendship.

If you enjoy diverse books about complicated relationships between friends written with great heart and emotion, then check out Torres’ The Girls in Queens.

anmartin1317's review

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3.0

I loved how Torres captured how friendships change over time. I also felt like the story of being in uncomfortable sexual situations as a young woman was relatable. I would recommend this book if you like stories set in NYC and the previously mentioned themes. I can't fully remember a ton of the story or really loving the book as I read it, so that's why I ranked it 3/5