Scan barcode
taylersimon22's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kcg_mx's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
theeuphoriczat's review
4.0
This was definitely more emotional and painful than I thought it would be. It one thing to read about the power of friendship and community, it is another thing to read how said community is built and how much it takes and how much of ourselves we have to sacrifice to attain a powerful friendship.
This book follows two cousins Carmen and Grace. Both of them were drawn into the drug trade when they were younger and as you can imagine it was very hard for both of them to leave the trade. The family they built with the powerful women around them was both an anchor that kept them stable but also in place.
We start this book with the burial of Dona Durka, who was a tree in the community, she was the benefactor for many women and their children in their Bronx neighbourhood. She was able to give back to the community through her role as the leader of an underground drug ring. I like that we get to see not just the benevolent side of her but also the brutal parts, when she did not hesitate to squash rivals in a world that was ruled by violent and powerful men. Her death is meet with many questions, but we don't get to know what or who killed her until later in the book.
Nonetheless, her death throws the business in array and Grace who has been bred to rule steps up to fill in the shoes of Dona. Carmen on the other hand wants to move on but not without Grace at the same time she is hiding the fact that she is pregnant. She is pregnant with a man that cares for her (honestly, at this point, I could not understand why she would continue to go on those dangerous missions when she could just leave with Pete.) but she wanted to build a world that would be safe for her daughter. And she could not leave the Daughters of Durka, a sisterhood that have been with her through thick and thin. And also she believes that smart Grace has a plan to protect everyone.
I will not spoil it. You need to check it out.
This is a book that highlights relationships that were built by sinking women, women whose lives were shaped by violence. It is poignant and devastatingly, the more I read about each woman and the choices they had to make to protect their peace and family, the more I wanted them to win at life, at least once.
I highly recommend.
This book follows two cousins Carmen and Grace. Both of them were drawn into the drug trade when they were younger and as you can imagine it was very hard for both of them to leave the trade. The family they built with the powerful women around them was both an anchor that kept them stable but also in place.
We start this book with the burial of Dona Durka, who was a tree in the community, she was the benefactor for many women and their children in their Bronx neighbourhood. She was able to give back to the community through her role as the leader of an underground drug ring. I like that we get to see not just the benevolent side of her but also the brutal parts, when she did not hesitate to squash rivals in a world that was ruled by violent and powerful men. Her death is meet with many questions, but we don't get to know what or who killed her until later in the book.
Nonetheless, her death throws the business in array and Grace who has been bred to rule steps up to fill in the shoes of Dona. Carmen on the other hand wants to move on but not without Grace at the same time she is hiding the fact that she is pregnant. She is pregnant with a man that cares for her (honestly, at this point, I could not understand why she would continue to go on those dangerous missions when she could just leave with Pete.) but she wanted to build a world that would be safe for her daughter. And she could not leave the Daughters of Durka, a sisterhood that have been with her through thick and thin. And also she believes that smart Grace has a plan to protect everyone.
I will not spoil it. You need to check it out.
This is a book that highlights relationships that were built by sinking women, women whose lives were shaped by violence. It is poignant and devastatingly, the more I read about each woman and the choices they had to make to protect their peace and family, the more I wanted them to win at life, at least once.
I highly recommend.
efillion's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
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? Yes
k_f_c's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
This book is everything!
It is a dark story of the lives of two female cousins as they grow up in the Bronx. Their involvement in a drug cartel leads to a thrilling tale of survival, sisterhood and love. It also explores the power of the parent/child relationship. I will think about this book for a long time.
It is a dark story of the lives of two female cousins as they grow up in the Bronx. Their involvement in a drug cartel leads to a thrilling tale of survival, sisterhood and love. It also explores the power of the parent/child relationship. I will think about this book for a long time.
yaddyv's review
5.0
If I can give 10 stars, I would . I know a Carmen, grace and a doña durka. Reading this book I felt so many seen that are usually left invisible. The imagery , beautifully eloquent writing Melissa shared, makes it one of the best books I’ve read this year so far
julez202's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
readingintheether's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up. I was into how this story jumped around in the timeline, and I loved both of their perspectives, but I was rooting for more action given the exciting premise of the story. The last few chapters really brought the heat, and I was here for it.
klreadsalot's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
Very hard book to read. Drug dealing of young women is not something I have read much about. The author has some amazing sentences and observations about drugs, money, poverty and relationships
ka_cam's review
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Fast paced (with some lulls), themes of feminine power, women’s relationships, mothers (absent, adopted, spiritual), and street/politics. Vivid descriptions and complicated main characters, sometimes the side characters were little more than props but an engaging read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Addiction, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Blood, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Racism, Death of parent, and Violence