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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
I've had notes on this book saved for over a year so I'm finally publishing them in a rambly review:
I doubt any review I write will do this book justice. There's a lot going on, there are a lot of layers, there may be a lot to learn depending on who you are. I particularly appreciated the nuance with which Thomas presents multiple perspectives without being preachy or didactic. The reader can understand/comprehend these perspectives (I'm thinking primarily of the differences between Bri, her aunt, and her mother) just from how the characters behave. (It also helps that the reader is removed from heat of the situation). The book makes for a very intense read at times. Thomas can write a jacked up scene. I thought this might be an easier read than The Hate U Give because there are no children murdered by police, but nope. There's plenty to reckon with. Finally, I'm in awe of anyone who freestyles. As someone who has to spend hours practicing, preparing and memorizing to get a straightforward speech out properly, I was absolutely blown away by Bri's talent.
I doubt any review I write will do this book justice. There's a lot going on, there are a lot of layers, there may be a lot to learn depending on who you are. I particularly appreciated the nuance with which Thomas presents multiple perspectives without being preachy or didactic. The reader can understand/comprehend these perspectives (I'm thinking primarily of the differences between Bri, her aunt, and her mother) just from how the characters behave. (It also helps that the reader is removed from heat of the situation). The book makes for a very intense read at times. Thomas can write a jacked up scene. I thought this might be an easier read than The Hate U Give because there are no children murdered by police, but nope. There's plenty to reckon with. Finally, I'm in awe of anyone who freestyles. As someone who has to spend hours practicing, preparing and memorizing to get a straightforward speech out properly, I was absolutely blown away by Bri's talent.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas sat on my tbr list for a while and shouldn't have. It is a gripping tale of a talented teenager having to make that right choice. If you're a fan of gritty urban reads and/or rap music, this is the book for you. And if you think it not, then read the first couple of pages and then you'll find that it's for everyone.
Full review on blog here
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Full review on blog here
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
[audio] so glad i listened to this on audio! and never have i ever needed a soundtrack for a book so bad. bri kinda annoyed me after a while but- it was bc she was acting like what she was- a ratty teenager. otherwise loved this story!
I was an Angie Thomas fan immediately after reading THUG, but this one really helped cement the fact that she is an incredible writer and I will be reading any and all books by her!
Like with THUG, this story explores so many crucial and relevant topics that make this a must read for everyone and I probably can’t find enough words to properly sum up how important of a book this is.
Teenage Bri was such a passionate and admirable heroine and I really enjoyed following along her journey even though there were moments where her youth and naïvetée came out, I think that’s why she was such a special character. Yes, she had her flaws and her actions weren’t always without consequence, but that’s what made her so human. Plus of course, she was talented as heck and so incredibly driven to follow her dreams.
I also really appreciated the insight on not just Bri herself, but on everything surrounding her from her family’s hardships and struggles, to the prevalence of drugs and violence.
All in all, while this book is different from THUG, it was still exceptional and so well written with a lot of takeaways. I still need to get my hands on a copy of Concrete Rose!!
Like with THUG, this story explores so many crucial and relevant topics that make this a must read for everyone and I probably can’t find enough words to properly sum up how important of a book this is.
Teenage Bri was such a passionate and admirable heroine and I really enjoyed following along her journey even though there were moments where her youth and naïvetée came out, I think that’s why she was such a special character. Yes, she had her flaws and her actions weren’t always without consequence, but that’s what made her so human. Plus of course, she was talented as heck and so incredibly driven to follow her dreams.
I also really appreciated the insight on not just Bri herself, but on everything surrounding her from her family’s hardships and struggles, to the prevalence of drugs and violence.
All in all, while this book is different from THUG, it was still exceptional and so well written with a lot of takeaways. I still need to get my hands on a copy of Concrete Rose!!
Fantastic. Every time Bri made a bad decision, I kept reminding myself she is only 16. I cried during her final rap. ;) Amazing story. I was hooked from the very beginning!
This is not a sequel, but a companion book to The Hate U Give, set shortly after those events and with different characters in the same struggling neighborhood. Bri is a hopeful rapper, determined to pull her family out from the poverty that haunts it. Thomas brings home the realities of being financially unstable, with little access to resources and nearly no safety net. The book walks a tightrope of anxiety between potential and disaster.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
I went into this knowing it was not gonna be The Hate U Give and that was such an incredible book but this is it's own story and Bri is her own character so there should not be a comparison between the two. This one took me a little while to get into which is why I docked its star but the message and the characters are so well done. Angie Thomas does a good job at talking about real social issues and really making you feel angry about all the injustices in the world. This book really said, "hey? This stuff is wrong and you need to know that," and I really enjoyed it.
I’m still in shook on how good this book is, the writing is on point man, the characters and their development, where the story takes place and everything about this book was so good that I can’t put words to it for real. I love Angie Thomas from now on and hopefully I will soon read ‘The Hate You Give’ and truly she needs to write some more
What. A. Book. Review coming in an upcoming video