Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

17 reviews

onegalonelife27's review

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Raised in a super religious household, Xiomara struggles with what her mom and church want for her, what men want from her because of her body, and she wants for herself. The only place that she can truly confide in is her journal, writing down the thoughts and feeling she feels no one else would listen to. However, when she finds herself drawn to a boy in class as well as a poetry club taking place at the same time of her confirmation classes, it may be time for Xiomara to let her thoughts be heard.

The last novel in verse I possibly read-do books read in epic poem style count?-was back in college and I had no idea what was going on like 90 percent of the time. This one is a lot of more novel like with dialogue and plot happening fortunately so a lot easier to follow. 

Xiomara really speaks to any woman who’s found herself harassed by men, of course I never hit any guy but I’ve always had weak noodle arms. Despite her rage, she only gets into fights with guys that start it. Also she resonates with anyone who feels like they aren’t understood by those around them, since she doesn’t really have any friends outside her twin and a childhood friend due to her appearance and the gossips that ensues. She slowly begins to reach out from a boy in class, to the teacher who runs the poetry club, finding more folks to speak to.  

I did have some parts of the plot that was a bit confused about, like everyone assuming that Xiomara hits her twin brother. Yet she never says anything about that. If anything she hits other men for her brother! It comes up often enough that it feels weird Xiomara has to keep defending herself from that accusation. But then again she gets accused of a lot of things by her parents, mainly her mother, so this is may be part of the course. But you would think her parents of all people would know if kids hit one another.

Overall, this book is about finding a way to express yourself and finding the people who will listen to what you have to say. May need some tissues since this does hit on some serious tops and feels! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury

modernmatilda's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

If you're going to read this book, PLEASE do yourself a favor and listen to the author read via audiobook while reading a physical copy. Her performance and delivery should be heard and her word choices should be treasured. 

I felt seen and I saw others because of this book. Would DEFINITELY recommend to everyone, especially high schoolers. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Drug use

cofstars's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use

kaimetcalfe's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Body shaming

Moderate: Infertility, Bullying, Drug use, and Homophobia

Minor: Addiction

readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Infertility

Minor: Drug use

Intergenerational trauma, forced marriage, peer pressure, gangs,

taylorsevalia's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Dysphoria, Alcohol, Drug use, Death of parent, and Violence

spaghettii's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The way it's written as a poem was very relaxing 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Drug use, Sexual harassment, and Panic attacks/disorders

nitya's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.0

Read for MLIS elective

Powerful and I love that it's in verse! Not sure how I feel about the ending and resolution (and the lack of development with certain characters). It was incomplete and half-assed; it could have been better imo. 

Content warning: misogyny/sexism, racism, sexual harassment, child abuse, religious themes, homophobia (not by main character), bullying, drug use (pot)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Racism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Bullying

Minor: Drug use

mattyb's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

Minor: Drug use

corabookworm's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As always, this is one of my favorite books. Elizabeth Acevedo is an amazing poet and reader, and this audiobook is literally fantastic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Cursing, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexism