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kdorka's review
reflective
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
3.5
allena_inwonderland's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a beautifully written book and honestly the audio was so good! Especially when we get to hear Xiomara's poems.
It's a very short audio book but don't let the detour you! I felt you could really connect with her and feel what she was going through.
Xiomara is a Dominican American teen, who's body "grew too fast", "attracts boys too much", and I'm sure if you're a woman you can understand this feeling. Her mom is very religious and puts pressure on X to always go to church, no boys, dress a certain way, stay on the straight and narrow.
We see X get to have her first date, first kiss, and start to grow up but definitely not without the struggles.
She always kept her writing to herself, then her new teacher brings up slam poetry. Will X share her poems or continue to keep them private?
This is such a good coming of age story.
It's a very short audio book but don't let the detour you! I felt you could really connect with her and feel what she was going through.
Xiomara is a Dominican American teen, who's body "grew too fast", "attracts boys too much", and I'm sure if you're a woman you can understand this feeling. Her mom is very religious and puts pressure on X to always go to church, no boys, dress a certain way, stay on the straight and narrow.
We see X get to have her first date, first kiss, and start to grow up but definitely not without the struggles.
She always kept her writing to herself, then her new teacher brings up slam poetry. Will X share her poems or continue to keep them private?
This is such a good coming of age story.
sheilareads_'s review against another edition
4.0
“I will never
let anyone
see my full heart
and destroy it.”
I loved Xiomara so much! I was laughing and crying with her. Acevedo just captures how beautiful and tragic teenage girlhood can sometimes be. I was literally moved to tears. What a brilliant story…
I know it’s YA, but the ending was just too cookie-cutter for me. Xiomara deals with a lot of things in the story… and hello what about Xavier and his future??? I want a follow-up b/c I just have too many questions!!!
let anyone
see my full heart
and destroy it.”
I loved Xiomara so much! I was laughing and crying with her. Acevedo just captures how beautiful and tragic teenage girlhood can sometimes be. I was literally moved to tears. What a brilliant story…
I know it’s YA, but the ending was just too cookie-cutter for me. Xiomara deals with a lot of things in the story… and hello what about Xavier and his future??? I want a follow-up b/c I just have too many questions!!!
sweetiekeke's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
maida's review against another edition
5.0
”Burn it! Burn it. This is where the poems are,” I say, thumping a fist against my chest. “Will you burn me? Will you burn me, too?”
Oh boy, I don’t even know where to start. This book broke my heart.
After reading With the Fire on High earlier this year, I got really excited to read more from Elizabeth Acevedo, because even though I loved it, that book didn’t connect with me as much as I wanted it to.
Because of COVID-19 quarantine, Scribd opened up their platform for 30 days. And, obviously, I started searching through their platform to see if anything interested me. I was so glad to finally find this audiobook, because of course my library didn’t have it.
Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing and performance really shines in this one. I don’t know if I would’ve enjoyed this as much as I did if she hadn’t read it to me, because the way she manages to put so much emotion into her voice broke me countless times.
Still, I think the thing that resonated the most with me was the talk about religion. Because Xiomara is a girl growing up in a very strict latinx catholic household. You see, I'm also a girl who grew up in a very strict latinx catholic household.
And what had me sobbing the most was in fact that.
I’m not as good with words as the author is, and to be honest I’m still a bit shocked after finishing this, but I just feel so seen. It felt as if Elizabeth Acevedo herself was telling me hey, hang on a little longer, it will be fine.
And I’m so so grateful.
25. A book related to the arts
Oh boy, I don’t even know where to start. This book broke my heart.
After reading With the Fire on High earlier this year, I got really excited to read more from Elizabeth Acevedo, because even though I loved it, that book didn’t connect with me as much as I wanted it to.
Because of COVID-19 quarantine, Scribd opened up their platform for 30 days. And, obviously, I started searching through their platform to see if anything interested me. I was so glad to finally find this audiobook, because of course my library didn’t have it.
Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing and performance really shines in this one. I don’t know if I would’ve enjoyed this as much as I did if she hadn’t read it to me, because the way she manages to put so much emotion into her voice broke me countless times.
Still, I think the thing that resonated the most with me was the talk about religion. Because Xiomara is a girl growing up in a very strict latinx catholic household. You see, I'm also a girl who grew up in a very strict latinx catholic household.
And what had me sobbing the most was in fact that.
I’m not as good with words as the author is, and to be honest I’m still a bit shocked after finishing this, but I just feel so seen. It felt as if Elizabeth Acevedo herself was telling me hey, hang on a little longer, it will be fine.
And I’m so so grateful.
25. A book related to the arts
londondziban's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.75
hyperfixd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
read it physically after listening to the audiobook and I don't think I have ever loved a book enough to read it this close to my first read if I even read it for a second time, but there is always a first.
nerdydreamer107's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
kikix2's review against another edition
5.0
This book had no business being so relatable. Elizabeth Acevedo destroyed me with this one.
I read it in one sitting, and after finishing it, I started the audiobook immediately. The family dynamics were so compelling that I could totally see myself and my own family reflected on Xiomara's. What a masterpiece. The themes explored throughout the story, such as unwanted attention (catcalling), slut shaming, religion, and family, were dealt with beautifully. And here's the thing, I'm not big on poetry, but this book works for me. Acevedo's writing is both direct and devastatingly beautiful (the audiobook enhances the experience, so I highly recommend it). Don't hesitate to give this one a go.
I read it in one sitting, and after finishing it, I started the audiobook immediately. The family dynamics were so compelling that I could totally see myself and my own family reflected on Xiomara's. What a masterpiece. The themes explored throughout the story, such as unwanted attention (catcalling), slut shaming, religion, and family, were dealt with beautifully. And here's the thing, I'm not big on poetry, but this book works for me. Acevedo's writing is both direct and devastatingly beautiful (the audiobook enhances the experience, so I highly recommend it). Don't hesitate to give this one a go.