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bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia is the final book in the Tristan Strong trilogy and it packs all the punches promised by the title.
Like in the previous books, Tristan grapples with trauma and the power of storytelling, but this book is about the stories that aren't told. It's about the way history is woven into the roots of cities, communities, and lives, but is also erased, sanitized, and avoided. How bigotry and hate hide behind the mask of concern and law.
To save disappearing children and finally defeat the evil haint Cotton, Tristan will have to uncover stories of the past, of slave plantations, civil war, and persecutions. He'll have to find a way to stand up for his people and keep punching against all odds.
This book is heavy. Sure, it has its moments of middle grade levity, which Mbalia expertly uses to break up the heavy and feel true to his twelve-year-old protagonist. But he also doesn't shy away from the traumas of slavery, racism, and bigotry.
There are a couple small things I could quibble about - plot points dropped and new characters introduced than moved on from too quickly - but this is such an important book and such a fitting conclusion to this series that I'll refrain.
Like in the previous books, Tristan grapples with trauma and the power of storytelling, but this book is about the stories that aren't told. It's about the way history is woven into the roots of cities, communities, and lives, but is also erased, sanitized, and avoided. How bigotry and hate hide behind the mask of concern and law.
To save disappearing children and finally defeat the evil haint Cotton, Tristan will have to uncover stories of the past, of slave plantations, civil war, and persecutions. He'll have to find a way to stand up for his people and keep punching against all odds.
This book is heavy. Sure, it has its moments of middle grade levity, which Mbalia expertly uses to break up the heavy and feel true to his twelve-year-old protagonist. But he also doesn't shy away from the traumas of slavery, racism, and bigotry.
There are a couple small things I could quibble about - plot points dropped and new characters introduced than moved on from too quickly - but this is such an important book and such a fitting conclusion to this series that I'll refrain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Colonisation, Racism, Slavery, and Confinement
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Trafficking, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Police brutality
mattyb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Trafficking
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Slavery
scarlettskyes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Colonisation, Death, Trafficking, and Slavery
Moderate: Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, War, Racial slurs, Kidnapping, and Grief
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