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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
I loved this book but I felt that when it got to the end of the story, some things were wrapped up a little too neatly while other things were just left hanging.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this, but not as much as THUG. I wasnt as engaged in this, even though I did shed a tear and laughed a few times. I think it was a tad too long, and it was too much rap for me. I think it would make an excellent audiobook, but it was a bit awkward to read. For me at least. The ending was also very sudden. There are some very important themes here though, and I think its a much needed book.
[4.5 stars]
While perusing my library for summer reads, The Hate U Give caught my eye. I had previously had to read it for school, and unlike most school-assigned books, I loved it! I wasn't aware that Angie Thomas had written other books up to this point, but I saw On The Come Up next the THUG and immediately grabbed it off the shelf, almost giddy to be able to read more of Thomas' writing. And On The Come Up did not disappoint. I love that all of Thomas' books so far are set in Garden Heights, this book painted an even more vivid picture that I had of it from THUG. I loved reading the parallels between social classes in this neighborhood, with Bri being a lot less well-off than Starr in many regards.
While perusing my library for summer reads, The Hate U Give caught my eye. I had previously had to read it for school, and unlike most school-assigned books, I loved it! I wasn't aware that Angie Thomas had written other books up to this point, but I saw On The Come Up next the THUG and immediately grabbed it off the shelf, almost giddy to be able to read more of Thomas' writing. And On The Come Up did not disappoint. I love that all of Thomas' books so far are set in Garden Heights, this book painted an even more vivid picture that I had of it from THUG. I loved reading the parallels between social classes in this neighborhood, with Bri being a lot less well-off than Starr in many regards.
Spoiler
I really enjoyed the references to Khalil's death as well, showing how it could affect someone who wasn't directly involved. Thomas took the idea of mistreatment of BIPOC in white-dominated schools she had planted in THUG and brought it to a larger scale, with the security guards at Bri's school being the instigators instead of someone closer to the MC like with Hailey and Starr. I thought Bri's raps were really well written, and it was obvious Thomas was a rapper herself, which offers a very unique perspective and offers songs that you can almost imagine in your head. I also loved Miles' character, and it was a great inclusion of queer representation with a character who had so much more to him than just being queer. I also like how Bri did not know exactly how she felt about Malik, and it wasn't just happily ever after for them, it felt very accurate to actual high school relationships, especially feelings for someone you've known your whole life. Great book, can't wait to read anything else Thomas puts out!
This is the second book by author Angie Thomas, who wrote The Hate U Give. I loved this book as much as I loved her first one. She is hilarious, and I love the main character Bri. This is a great story about a young person figuring out who she is. It touches on a lot of social issues surrounding poverty, including drugs, gangs, and job access. Bri makes mistakes. I love being able to journey with her as she learns and grows and understands the world around her and where she fits.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
LOVED this book. Angie Thomas is an immensely talented writer. The teenage protagonists sound like actual teenagers with teen logic, and the dangers they find themselves in feel and are very real. Angie Thomas speaks to so many important issues in this book - the urban poor, black-on-black crime, racism, media misrepresentation, double standards for minority students - and much, much more. Listening to the audiobook was also great for hearing Brianna's rap lyrics come to life. This and "The Hate U Give" are at the top of my faves list for 2019.
I knew I was going to like this, I didn't know I was going to love it as much as I do. Highly recommend.