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katewildey's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
Read this in one sitting! I didn't enjoy it as much as The Poet X, and it wasn't as emotional for me as I expected, but I still had a good time reading it! I thought the storyline was super unique, and as always, Elizabeth Acevedo's writing is gorgeous; her similes/metaphors are divine, and the discussions she brings up relating to sexism/misogyny/what it's like being a woman of color are always very moving and powerful.
shandeutsch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
msaceyreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
elizabethnicole's review against another edition
4.0
I kind of have a lot of thoughts about this book but I'll try to summarize my thoughts so that they don't end up being super long. First off I will start with the things that I liked about this book. I like the storyline and how it was about two girls that didn't know each other existed and how they found one another after their father passed away. I liked that there was LGBTQ+ representation that wasn't the main point of the plot it was just there and it was expected and there was no like big flashy points about it. And I liked how they talked about a lot of really serious issues throughout the novel. I also liked that it was presented in a unique format, in verse, because I haven't really read a lot of books that are like this. I also liked that it was a quick read which i needed after struggling with my reading lately. It took me about 4-5 hours of reading time.
Now comes the things that I didn't really like about this book. First of all, it was supposed to be in verse but some of the poems still felt like it was being told in a regular format. That would be fine if it was consistent, but it wasn't. Every once in awhile unexpectedly the poems would suddenly shift to being completely in verse and like it would have all these metaphors and things and it would throw me off. Also it was in two girls' points of view and I didn't know that at first so when it suddenly switched I was super confused. I don't fault that to the book itself because I could have gotten that from the description, but I didn't like that when the girls eventually meet up in the middle of the book that it suddenly starts switching back and forth for no rhyme and reason and there's not a consistent amount of poems between each and every girl so you never really know which point of view it's going to be coming from. I always had to look at context clues and see what words were being mentioned to figure out what girl it was coming from. Like if it was talking about the girl's aunt or the Dominican Republic I knew it was Camino for the most part, but if it was talking about the girl's girlfriend, New York or mom I knew it was talking about Yahaira. It would be nice if it labeled in between poems better because it took away from my enjoyment a lot.
Now comes the things that I didn't really like about this book. First of all, it was supposed to be in verse but some of the poems still felt like it was being told in a regular format. That would be fine if it was consistent, but it wasn't. Every once in awhile unexpectedly the poems would suddenly shift to being completely in verse and like it would have all these metaphors and things and it would throw me off. Also it was in two girls' points of view and I didn't know that at first so when it suddenly switched I was super confused. I don't fault that to the book itself because I could have gotten that from the description, but I didn't like that when the girls eventually meet up in the middle of the book that it suddenly starts switching back and forth for no rhyme and reason and there's not a consistent amount of poems between each and every girl so you never really know which point of view it's going to be coming from. I always had to look at context clues and see what words were being mentioned to figure out what girl it was coming from. Like if it was talking about the girl's aunt or the Dominican Republic I knew it was Camino for the most part, but if it was talking about the girl's girlfriend, New York or mom I knew it was talking about Yahaira. It would be nice if it labeled in between poems better because it took away from my enjoyment a lot.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
5.0
2nd Read: If I could rate this higher than a 5 stars, I would. I LOVED it. I loved it more than the first time around. This is a favorite book of mine. It's beautiful to listen too and read along, the topics covered are emotional and impactful. I highly recommend this book.
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This was an absolutely beautiful book. I was recommended to listen to the audiobook and boy am I happy that I did. It's Narrated by The Author Elizabeth Acevedo and Melania-Luisa Marte and they did a beautiful job.
It's written in verse which I was admittedly worried about in the beginning but quickly forgot and was instead immersed in the story. Love, Loss, family, betrayal, this is a book with some very heavy topics and I think the author did an excellent job exploring them. It was an emotional rollercoaster for me and I highly recommend this book.
Spoiler thoughts:
In stories like this I am always so frustrated with the lack of communication between the different parties. The unnecessary betrayal, fear, misunderstandings, etc. That happen when people don't talk with one another. I find myself yelling at the book, TV show or movies "Just tell them already!" but unfortunately in life people are bad at communicating with each other.
I loved that one of the sisters is a lesbian who is in a happy and healthy relationship that her mother accepts. I loved that you heard the story from both girls. And I am so happy with the ending, I needed the ending to be what it was.
I was annoyed that the one sister didn't tell her aunt about the boy who was stalking her, that she kept going to the beach by herself knowing that he was keeping an eye on her, that he was following her, that he was bound to try and hurt her.
I was also annoyed that the other sister didn't talk to her father. Didn't tell him why she was hurt when she found out about the other wife.. Gosh I have so many friggin feelings. I'm glad that they hated and loved each other when they found out. Upset but still open to the opportunity of family. I'm glad that they fell into place so easily despite the issues and the jealousy that was between them.
I'm glad they took her with them.
---
This was an absolutely beautiful book. I was recommended to listen to the audiobook and boy am I happy that I did. It's Narrated by The Author Elizabeth Acevedo and Melania-Luisa Marte and they did a beautiful job.
It's written in verse which I was admittedly worried about in the beginning but quickly forgot and was instead immersed in the story. Love, Loss, family, betrayal, this is a book with some very heavy topics and I think the author did an excellent job exploring them. It was an emotional rollercoaster for me and I highly recommend this book.
Spoiler thoughts:
Spoiler
In stories like this I am always so frustrated with the lack of communication between the different parties. The unnecessary betrayal, fear, misunderstandings, etc. That happen when people don't talk with one another. I find myself yelling at the book, TV show or movies "Just tell them already!" but unfortunately in life people are bad at communicating with each other.
I loved that one of the sisters is a lesbian who is in a happy and healthy relationship that her mother accepts. I loved that you heard the story from both girls. And I am so happy with the ending, I needed the ending to be what it was.
I was annoyed that the one sister didn't tell her aunt about the boy who was stalking her, that she kept going to the beach by herself knowing that he was keeping an eye on her, that he was following her, that he was bound to try and hurt her.
I was also annoyed that the other sister didn't talk to her father. Didn't tell him why she was hurt when she found out about the other wife.. Gosh I have so many friggin feelings. I'm glad that they hated and loved each other when they found out. Upset but still open to the opportunity of family. I'm glad that they fell into place so easily despite the issues and the jealousy that was between them.
I'm glad they took her with them.
gracepizza40's review against another edition
5.0
4.8
This book is amazing. There are so many great parts and quotes. I loved the relationship between Camino and Yahaira, it's so real. I really got to see both of the characters' personalities and how they lived.
This book is amazing. There are so many great parts and quotes. I loved the relationship between Camino and Yahaira, it's so real. I really got to see both of the characters' personalities and how they lived.
shesbooked's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
hilaryannbrown's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to the whole audiobook in one day - Elizabeth Acevedo is a gift.
maida's review against another edition
4.0
”But one thing I learned from the Saints,
when the crossroads are open to you, you must decide a path.
I will not stand still while the world makes my choices.”
As per usual, I never have much to say about contemporaries but what I can say is that one of the best things that’s happened to me this year is discovering Elizabeth Acevedo. I’ve had such a great (and emotional, very emotional) time listening to her narrating her books. Because they’re just so… beautiful.
And Clap When You Land was very beautiful as well. I thought the exploration of grief and the feeling of betrayal were handled perfectly, to the point that it sometimes felt as if I was experiencing those things myself.
But with that said, it left me feeling that there was something missing. After reading the acknowledgements I realized that this book originally was written from one perspective which, in turn, made me realize that what was missing was both a difference in voice from the two narrators (because they were very similar) and more connection between the two povs.
Because though we got to see a semblance of a relationship between the sisters, I was left wanting a lot more from it.
All in all, I still thought the book was great. The writing was flawless as always and though it didn’t make me sob like The Poet X did, I still shed quite a few tears at the end
I can’t wait to see what Elizabeth Acevedo has for us next.
31. A book inspired by a leading news story
when the crossroads are open to you, you must decide a path.
I will not stand still while the world makes my choices.”
As per usual, I never have much to say about contemporaries but what I can say is that one of the best things that’s happened to me this year is discovering Elizabeth Acevedo. I’ve had such a great (and emotional, very emotional) time listening to her narrating her books. Because they’re just so… beautiful.
And Clap When You Land was very beautiful as well. I thought the exploration of grief and the feeling of betrayal were handled perfectly, to the point that it sometimes felt as if I was experiencing those things myself.
But with that said, it left me feeling that there was something missing. After reading the acknowledgements I realized that this book originally was written from one perspective which, in turn, made me realize that what was missing was both a difference in voice from the two narrators (because they were very similar) and more connection between the two povs.
Because though we got to see a semblance of a relationship between the sisters, I was left wanting a lot more from it.
All in all, I still thought the book was great. The writing was flawless as always and though it didn’t make me sob like The Poet X did, I still shed quite a few tears at the end
I can’t wait to see what Elizabeth Acevedo has for us next.
31. A book inspired by a leading news story