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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
Tore through this the whole book in a literal single day, it was that good. Highly recommend the audiobook, also kindle has changed my life lmao. Angie Thomas has a gift and a strong voice that shines through in her beautiful and realistic portrayal of family and community. I laughed out loud several times while reading this, and some reveals and suprise plotpoints were genuinely mindblowing. This was such a great read, recommend to anyone who likes hip hop!!!! Or coming of age stories.
This was such a refreshing story. I loved the characters and that we were able to see a whole other side of Garden Heights through Bri. And that ending šš„šš„ I need to know who that tweet was from! Also low-key loves the reference to Simon vs. by Becky Albertali šš
4.5/5 Stars
Another incredibly significant book by Angie Thomas! Loved it! š
Another incredibly significant book by Angie Thomas! Loved it! š
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality
I reaaaly liked this book, and would HIGHLY recommend to younger readers in high school.
The book follows Bri, a black high school girl, who wants to make it big as a rap star. She gets tangled up in a number of issues/hardships that are made more difficult by racism, poverty, grief, and systematic oppression.
I feel like those are big buzz words and can put off certainā¦ readers. I liked this book for how it addressed these issues through the eyes of a teenager. And specifically for Bri, like most black kids in the US, the need to handle things independently as if they are adults despite being a teenager. I wonāt get into how society kinda forces that narrative by seeing kids of color as adults whoās actions are irredeemable and other kids as just making mistakes.
I saw some reviews talk negatively about the language used - lots of slang, pop culture references, cursing, etc. I feel like maybe they missed how this is a young adult book for teenagersā¦ Iām not far off from the age group only just graduating college but I didnāt feel like it was too much.
One of my favorite parts is the happy ending (not to spoil). I love some realistic stuff but itās also nice to see that things can go well for kids of color despite the struggle. And thatās not necessarily āunrealisticā. Again, with the target audience being young adults, I think itās important to give hope and endings that arenāt glossing over the issues but showing itās possible to overcome.
The book follows Bri, a black high school girl, who wants to make it big as a rap star. She gets tangled up in a number of issues/hardships that are made more difficult by racism, poverty, grief, and systematic oppression.
I feel like those are big buzz words and can put off certainā¦ readers. I liked this book for how it addressed these issues through the eyes of a teenager. And specifically for Bri, like most black kids in the US, the need to handle things independently as if they are adults despite being a teenager. I wonāt get into how society kinda forces that narrative by seeing kids of color as adults whoās actions are irredeemable and other kids as just making mistakes.
I saw some reviews talk negatively about the language used - lots of slang, pop culture references, cursing, etc. I feel like maybe they missed how this is a young adult book for teenagersā¦ Iām not far off from the age group only just graduating college but I didnāt feel like it was too much.
One of my favorite parts is the happy ending (not to spoil). I love some realistic stuff but itās also nice to see that things can go well for kids of color despite the struggle. And thatās not necessarily āunrealisticā. Again, with the target audience being young adults, I think itās important to give hope and endings that arenāt glossing over the issues but showing itās possible to overcome.
If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. I had high expectations after The Hate U Give, and Angie Thomas exceeded them again. I canāt wait to see what she does next!
3.5 Stars: While I enjoyed On the Come Up, I didnāt think it packed a punch as much as I would have liked it to. I didnāt feel as emotionally attached to Brianna and her family/friends as much as I did with Starr and her family/friends in The Hate U Give. On the flip side, its unfair to judge OTCU on its predecessor.
My favorite part of the entire novel was the way Brianna pieces together rhymes and lyrics in her mind. Itās a similar feeling to how I write stories and novels. I think itās worth reading for anyone considering it after The Hate U Give.
My favorite part of the entire novel was the way Brianna pieces together rhymes and lyrics in her mind. Itās a similar feeling to how I write stories and novels. I think itās worth reading for anyone considering it after The Hate U Give.
I swear, we can never just be āgood.ā Something always happens. Either we barely got food or this thing got shut off. Itās. Always. Something.
We canāt have any power, either. I mean, think about it. All these people Iāve never met have way more control over my life than Iāve ever had. If some Crown hadnāt killed my dad, heād be a big rap star and money wouldnāt be an issue. If some drug dealer hadnāt sold my mom her first hit, she couldāve gotten her degree already and would have a good job. If that cop hadnāt murdered that boy, people wouldnāt have rioted, the daycare wouldnāt have burned down, and the church wouldnāt have let Jay go.
All these folks Iāve never met became gods over my life. Now I gotta take the power back.
An engrossing story, equal parts funny, poignant, empowering, but most importantly - real. The storyās pacing started off a bit slow, but the its richness and realness makes up for it. I canāt wait to see what Angie Thomas does next!
We canāt have any power, either. I mean, think about it. All these people Iāve never met have way more control over my life than Iāve ever had. If some Crown hadnāt killed my dad, heād be a big rap star and money wouldnāt be an issue. If some drug dealer hadnāt sold my mom her first hit, she couldāve gotten her degree already and would have a good job. If that cop hadnāt murdered that boy, people wouldnāt have rioted, the daycare wouldnāt have burned down, and the church wouldnāt have let Jay go.
All these folks Iāve never met became gods over my life. Now I gotta take the power back.
An engrossing story, equal parts funny, poignant, empowering, but most importantly - real. The storyās pacing started off a bit slow, but the its richness and realness makes up for it. I canāt wait to see what Angie Thomas does next!
Well written, with an interesting MC who faces lots of challenges, but I didnāt love it as much as THUG. Would recommend for others, though, especially those wanting to learn about social justice issues.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No