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callieju's review against another edition
5.0
wow. this was such a powerful book, and knowing the backstory of the author just adds even more depth to it. this is the first book i’ve read that was written in verse, and it was phenomenal. definitely a must read.
bestturnip's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Violence and Xenophobia
abreathoffreshear's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
a_lowney's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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
4.75
alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
This book was devastating. This MC was taking the whole situation better than I ever could have. I cannot imagine the terror of being convicted of a crime that you never committed, and a big crime at that. This book had me on the edge of my seat until the very end to see if he would be exonerated or not. After finishing this book, I researched a bit. Black men are seven times more likely to be convicted of a crime they did not commit, and more likely to be later exonerated. If you search the term exonerate, the photos that pop up are of black men. This book deserves much more hype than it has received thus far. I am so happy I gave Zoboi another chance, and I am ready to read all of her books.
adk555's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
schnurln's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
Favorites:
- "The Thinker"
- "Black Mona Lisa"
- "Blind Justice"
- "Inferno"
- "Processed"
- "DNA"
- "God, The Artist"
- "Pipeline"
- "Microphone"
- "Blind Justice II"
- "The Thinker"
- "Black Mona Lisa"
- "Blind Justice"
- "Inferno"
- "Processed"
- "DNA"
- "God, The Artist"
- "Pipeline"
- "Microphone"
- "Blind Justice II"
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite book of 2020. The book is written in verse which really worked with the very personal narrative. At first I was disappointed because I thought this was going to be the story of Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five. Salaam's personal experiences as a wrongfully incarcerated teenager do inspire the novel but it’s not about his life, though some of his poetry is used in the book. It’s a powerful story.
steffski's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciated the audio version of the book because it read like verse. Good novel representation of systemic injustices.