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helhas3letters's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Death, Child death, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Vomit, Slavery, and Blood
gewrgia_lightwood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The only thing that icked me was the YA-ess of it, -sometimes it was a bit cringy- and the very subtle misogyny against Iesa (slut-shaming)
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Hate crime, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny and Vomit
mightymegan25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Violence, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Gun violence, Racism, Death, and Grief
permanme's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Gun violence, Police brutality, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, and Child death
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, and Trafficking
anahita_10's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Police brutality, Gun violence, Cursing, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual content and Domestic abuse
alexashabit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Violence
thescenery's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Starr Carter is a 15-year-old black teenager. Her friend is killed by a police officer in the early chapters of the book, right in front of her. Starr's journey is an attempt to reconcile what she calls "two worlds." As the main witness to Khalil's murder, she watches as some label Khalil as a criminal, others as a drug dealer, insinuating his involvement with a gang and justifying his killing, despite Khalil being unarmed.
The reader follows Starr's process of grieving as she experiences sadness, anger, and the weight of injustice. She also deals with her relationship with her white boyfriend and feels guilt for not being able to help Khalil. Amidst it all, Starr is called to testify and share her account with various legal and media outlets, receiving support from her lawyer, who is also an activist.
Starr's lawyer encourages her to use her voice as a witness and as a young black girl to seek justice not only for Khalil but also for many other children, teenagers, and adults who have been victims of unjust killings. Starr learns that her voice is important, and her perspective is essential.
It was written phenomenally, the characters were amazing, and intense. Some made me angry, some made me love them as the chapters went by. I'm sad I took way too long to read this book, because it's very good. It made me cry, and laugh, even if I'm not a fan of books about teenagers. I super recommend it!
Graphic: Police brutality, Hate crime, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Child death
Minor: Drug abuse and Domestic abuse
bookish_bry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Drug use, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book made me tear up so many times and it was so hard to keep those tears back while I was at work. I really wish this wasn’t still our current reality but I liked that the book didn’t sugarcoat it and make it seem like everything was going to be fine soon. Instead it left us with a message that everyone needs to continue to work together to change the system and we shouldn’t stop doing the right thing no matter what. We should always be trying to make things better than they were before.
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Addiction
birdie770's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cancer and Addiction