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williamsdebbied's review against another edition
3.0
Second in the Hazelwood High trilogy.
Gerald's story is like a bad soap opera: We frist meet Gerald, a battered and neglected child, when he is severely burned in a fire after being left home alone by his addict mother, Monique. He finds a safe and loving home with his Aunt Queen. When he is nine, his mother and her abusive new husband take him back into their home. The only bright spot for Gerald is Angel, his four-year-old half sister. Gerald finds out that Angel is being sexually abused by her father. Monique is unwilling or unable to protect her children and Gerald resolves to protect Angel and himself.
Draper tries to cram a bit too much drama into this slim volume. Poor Gerald; it's one tragedy after another for him.
Gerald's story is like a bad soap opera: We frist meet Gerald, a battered and neglected child, when he is severely burned in a fire after being left home alone by his addict mother, Monique. He finds a safe and loving home with his Aunt Queen. When he is nine, his mother and her abusive new husband take him back into their home. The only bright spot for Gerald is Angel, his four-year-old half sister. Gerald finds out that Angel is being sexually abused by her father. Monique is unwilling or unable to protect her children and Gerald resolves to protect Angel and himself.
Draper tries to cram a bit too much drama into this slim volume. Poor Gerald; it's one tragedy after another for him.
jannmitch's review against another edition
3.0
It was good, but I dont like that it was a sequel to Tear of a Tiger.
voya_k's review against another edition
3.0
Not for me, but great for kids who want a sympathetic hero who goes through every possible trauma and drama. Every chapter contains another catastrophe. 75% of the kids I talk to love this author, so she is clearly hitting a nerve.
shelovestoread2's review against another edition
3.0
Forged by Fire was an enjoyable read I like how towards the ends it connected with the first book in the series Tears of a Tiger. This book focused on Gerald and how his mother Monique was a drug addict who basically couldnt raise him when he was little. Gerald's aunt had to step in and raise him and his little sister Angel. It wasnt until their aunt passed away that both Gerald and Angel landed back in the custody of their mothers. Monique wasnt a good mother to her kids she would rather run to get a quick high then to be a mother to her children. With Monique Angel's dad Jordan was also very abusive and controlling.
Gerald spent most of his time caring for his sister and making sure she was ok and out of danger from his stepdad. Overall this second book in the series was a good read but it really wasnt my favorite. Sharon Draper still brought a tough topic to discuss to light. I just feel it was missing something although I do like how it was tied in with the first book.
I still plan to read the final book in the series just to see how everything wraps up. But to be honest I wish this was something I read when I was younger like back in high school. The topic discussed is still vety important today. But since I enjoyed it and it was a good read I'll give this 3 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 and its definitely something I'll recommend.
Gerald spent most of his time caring for his sister and making sure she was ok and out of danger from his stepdad. Overall this second book in the series was a good read but it really wasnt my favorite. Sharon Draper still brought a tough topic to discuss to light. I just feel it was missing something although I do like how it was tied in with the first book.
I still plan to read the final book in the series just to see how everything wraps up. But to be honest I wish this was something I read when I was younger like back in high school. The topic discussed is still vety important today. But since I enjoyed it and it was a good read I'll give this 3 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 and its definitely something I'll recommend.
lmurray74's review against another edition
4.0
Third book I've read of Sharon Draper's after Tears of a Tiger and Stella by Starlight. I missed the mix of writing genres employed in the other two books but this was still an engaging read. It's a litany of horrors but never gratuitous. I'm reviewing this as an adult and as a teen I would probably have given it a 5. Despite it not being first person it it told very much from the point of view of the children and teenagers in the book. Sharon Draper ensures we care about the people in her stories but never manipulates us to do so. I would recommend this to all teen readers, and people who share their lives with teens.
miiyayukii's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.0
ainsyb32's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book! It was sad and emotional most of the time, but it was really good.
Gerald, the main character, has an abusive mother. At the age of three, he is left alone in the house and unintentionally started a fire. His mother, who drank and did drugs, was arrested, and Gerald was sent to live with his great-aunt Queen. When something terrible happens 6 years later, (I was kind of mad that this part was on the back cover since it told you what happens) Gerald is forced to live with his mom, sister, and stepfather. Angel, his sister, has been abused too, but Monique (his mom) isn't the problem anymore. Jordan sparks is Angel's abusive dad, and Gerald finds that his duty is to protect her. Monique doesn't seem to see what Jordan is doing and thinks that he is the best person ever. So it's up to Gerald and Angel to get rid of him.
I highly recommend this book!
Gerald, the main character, has an abusive mother. At the age of three, he is left alone in the house and unintentionally started a fire. His mother, who drank and did drugs, was arrested, and Gerald was sent to live with his great-aunt Queen. When something terrible happens 6 years later, (I was kind of mad that this part was on the back cover since it told you what happens) Gerald is forced to live with his mom, sister, and stepfather. Angel, his sister, has been abused too, but Monique (his mom) isn't the problem anymore. Jordan sparks is Angel's abusive dad, and Gerald finds that his duty is to protect her. Monique doesn't seem to see what Jordan is doing and thinks that he is the best person ever. So it's up to Gerald and Angel to get rid of him.
I highly recommend this book!
casualreader5's review against another edition
4.0
Sharon Draper is the queen of urban YA literature. Always a page-turner.
slosh's review against another edition
4.0
I like the relationship between Gerald and Angel. HOWEVER, one of the final sentences that nearly ruined the entire book was when they said that Jordan, a horrible character who molested and abused Monique and his daughter, saved them.
HE WAS HORRIBLE AND THE AUTHOR SAID HE SAVED THEM WHEN SHE COULD HAVE LEFT IT OUT? He abused them and just- It's just a little frustrating.
Overall, it was a good book. I will suggest it to those who want a good easy read. The dynamic between the siblings is really sweet.
HE WAS HORRIBLE AND THE AUTHOR SAID HE SAVED THEM WHEN SHE COULD HAVE LEFT IT OUT? He abused them and just- It's just a little frustrating.
Overall, it was a good book. I will suggest it to those who want a good easy read. The dynamic between the siblings is really sweet.
nerdieone's review against another edition
4.0
I remember really liking this when I read it. one of the better Sharon M. Draper books I've read. Much better then 'Out of my Mind.'