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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
It's definitely worth listening to the audio book for this one. Bahni Turpin delivers a brilliant performance - rap segments and all - that really brings Angie Thomas' gem characters to life.
Thomas' writing is strongly character-driven and manages to be at once emotional, thought-provoking and entertaining. It's 3 stars for me because of a few too many predictable developments and an ending that wrapped up a little too neatly, a little too quickly, to feel real. Nevertheless, I'm glad I listened to it and I'm looking forward to hearing more from Angie Thomas.
Thomas' writing is strongly character-driven and manages to be at once emotional, thought-provoking and entertaining. It's 3 stars for me because of a few too many predictable developments and an ending that wrapped up a little too neatly, a little too quickly, to feel real. Nevertheless, I'm glad I listened to it and I'm looking forward to hearing more from Angie Thomas.
Angie Thomas does it again. I listened to The Hate U Give through an audiobook so I decided to listen to this book as an audiobook as well. I love listening to the characters and the situations that they are put through in this book. The characters are put through many situations and problems that are still prominent in society today. It discusses rap music, stereotypes, gangs, money issues, and that is just the beginning. There are many more issues that occur in Brianna's life. I would recommend this book to others because it is enjoyable and relatable to teens and adults today.
Initial thoughts: I'm pleasantly surprised I think, the heavy topics in this book are covered well and in a poignant manner. Brianna is a powerful main character, and I think her personality is a key aspect of this book and it really suited the topic and style of the book! The hip hop references are amazing and well written, and I only just found out Angie Thomas was a teen rapper??!! (If in doubt, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B8Vf4XwBqE.)
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~I received a copy from Walker Books Australia and willingly reviewed it~
Brianna dreams of becoming a rapper, like her father was. But it's not easy when you have to prepare for the ACT, everywhere you look there is injustice, and you had a fight with your best friend so you're not speaking. From the author of The Hate U Give comes a much anticipated second novel about following your dreams and staying true to yourself even when it's you against the world.
I have to say I'm not sure what I was expecting with this one, of course I absolutely loved The Hate U Give, and in many ways it opened my eyes to an often concealed world of injustice. But I'm not that into hip hop or rap, and my main reason for reading this book is The Hate U Give. So in a way On The Come Up was a pleasant surprise, and I'm a big fan of Brianna's character. She's a strong independent girl whose issues may not be apparent to herself, but are displayed beautifully for the audience. The book is very much a story about her journey of self discovery and everything she encounters on that rocky road.
Since everyone's probably comparing this book to The Hate U Give, being that it was such a success and all, I'mma just say one more thing as a comparison: I think the characters in On The Come Up are a lot stronger. I've already talked about Bri; there's also her two best friends Sonny and Malik (the three of them are definitely friendship goals), then Aunt Pooh, who is somewhat of a grey area morally. Kayla (aka Ms Tique), Trey, Bri's mum Jay, Miles; just a few examples of different characters in this book whose personalities fit their roles well.
It's not really the sort of book in need of major plot twists, but I loved the one in regard to the identity of Sonny's mystery guy Rapid. I have so much respect for the way Angie Thomas wrote Bri/Malik, even if it hurt me a little; it was super realistic and I would be lying if I said I hadn't seen something extremely similar happen in real life. I was a bit hesitant on the end though, I felt like there was a rush to tie up loose ends when there wasn't that much of a need for it.
Put simply, On The Come Up is a story about a young girl with hopes and reams going about her everyday life and all the challenges that comes with. Prejudice, power abuse, messaging in hip hop, what it's like when the power is cut and you're weeks behind in rent.. Once against Angie Thomas has written a book that will tug at readers's hearts. Many will be able to strike a chord with the gentle but insistent way this book highlights the imbalance in our world, urging change so that people like Bri get their well deserved chances to make their dreams come true.
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~I received a copy from Walker Books Australia and willingly reviewed it~
Brianna dreams of becoming a rapper, like her father was. But it's not easy when you have to prepare for the ACT, everywhere you look there is injustice, and you had a fight with your best friend so you're not speaking. From the author of The Hate U Give comes a much anticipated second novel about following your dreams and staying true to yourself even when it's you against the world.
I have to say I'm not sure what I was expecting with this one, of course I absolutely loved The Hate U Give, and in many ways it opened my eyes to an often concealed world of injustice. But I'm not that into hip hop or rap, and my main reason for reading this book is The Hate U Give. So in a way On The Come Up was a pleasant surprise, and I'm a big fan of Brianna's character. She's a strong independent girl whose issues may not be apparent to herself, but are displayed beautifully for the audience. The book is very much a story about her journey of self discovery and everything she encounters on that rocky road.
Since everyone's probably comparing this book to The Hate U Give, being that it was such a success and all, I'mma just say one more thing as a comparison: I think the characters in On The Come Up are a lot stronger. I've already talked about Bri; there's also her two best friends Sonny and Malik (the three of them are definitely friendship goals), then Aunt Pooh, who is somewhat of a grey area morally. Kayla (aka Ms Tique), Trey, Bri's mum Jay, Miles; just a few examples of different characters in this book whose personalities fit their roles well.
It's not really the sort of book in need of major plot twists, but I loved the one in regard to the identity of Sonny's mystery guy Rapid. I have so much respect for the way Angie Thomas wrote Bri/Malik, even if it hurt me a little; it was super realistic and I would be lying if I said I hadn't seen something extremely similar happen in real life. I was a bit hesitant on the end though, I felt like there was a rush to tie up loose ends when there wasn't that much of a need for it.
Put simply, On The Come Up is a story about a young girl with hopes and reams going about her everyday life and all the challenges that comes with. Prejudice, power abuse, messaging in hip hop, what it's like when the power is cut and you're weeks behind in rent.. Once against Angie Thomas has written a book that will tug at readers's hearts. Many will be able to strike a chord with the gentle but insistent way this book highlights the imbalance in our world, urging change so that people like Bri get their well deserved chances to make their dreams come true.
That's two for two on "hits out of the park by Angie Thomas". I'm ready to buy any book this woman publishes, and read it as soon as my hands are on it. Angie creates deep characters, brings empathy up to level 11 and truly lets us walk in their shoes. In this sophomore novel, we meet Bri, a teen rapper in the same neighborhood (Garden Heights) as Starr, her protagonist from THUG. Bri's father was killed in a gang shootout and her mom is a recovering drug addict, and she wants to escape the Garden with her talent, while mom Jayda (Jay) is pushing for her to ace the ACT instead of following in her father's footsteps.
I loved every word. But I'm sad that On the Come Up isn't a real song on the author's website (I checked. It's not there.) Having a playlist to go with this book would make it 110%.
I loved every word. But I'm sad that On the Come Up isn't a real song on the author's website (I checked. It's not there.) Having a playlist to go with this book would make it 110%.
A Very good second book for Angie Thomas! Also a very timely book that depicts some of the issues that are occurring in today's society. Also sounds like there could be a part two in the making. I would like to know if Aunt Pooh ever gets out of jail, if Bri makes it big and what happens at Midtown.
The story of Bri, a 16-year-old rapper living with her mother, a recovering addict, and her brother, a college graduate working to keep his family afloat. Bri struggles with racist security guards, white mothers, money-hungry music execs, and young love as she works to help her family and follow her dreams. This book was an honest and heartfelt look at the struggles of a young black woman working to achieve her dreams and have her come up.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
I really enjoyed this read. I did a tandem read listening to part on audio and part I read the physical book. I would HIGHLY recommend the audiobook. There is just something about hearing the authentic voices of the characters that adds so much.
As a white woman from a very not-diverse community I appreciated this story.
As a white woman from a very not-diverse community I appreciated this story.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated