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emc425's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up to a 4!
This book started with a bang and didn't let up!
I liked this book, there were definitely some parts that fell a little flat for me, but overall I had a lot of fun reading it! I loved the students and their distinct voices, as well as the overall dynamic of the characters within the RBG. Yolanda's character development was also fun to watch. I have to admit I wasn't her biggest fan in the beginning, but I loved watching her grow, and by the end I was rooting for her one hundred percent.
I love how this book showcases healthy, active relationships between women who support and encourage each other, in personal and professional life. It also focuses on a lot of very topical, important issues like racial injustice and sexism.
Without spoiling anything, I will say there was a lot going on in this book, and at times I felt like I was having trouble keeping track of everything in my head and connecting all of the moving parts. That being said, I'm not sure if that's a fault of the book, or just my own silly brain.
Overall I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone looking for a solid book featuring some important themes and a little romance sprinkled in.
This book started with a bang and didn't let up!
I liked this book, there were definitely some parts that fell a little flat for me, but overall I had a lot of fun reading it! I loved the students and their distinct voices, as well as the overall dynamic of the characters within the RBG. Yolanda's character development was also fun to watch. I have to admit I wasn't her biggest fan in the beginning, but I loved watching her grow, and by the end I was rooting for her one hundred percent.
I love how this book showcases healthy, active relationships between women who support and encourage each other, in personal and professional life. It also focuses on a lot of very topical, important issues like racial injustice and sexism.
Without spoiling anything, I will say there was a lot going on in this book, and at times I felt like I was having trouble keeping track of everything in my head and connecting all of the moving parts. That being said, I'm not sure if that's a fault of the book, or just my own silly brain.
Overall I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone looking for a solid book featuring some important themes and a little romance sprinkled in.
mellabella's review
4.0
I received this book from Bookish First.
I should have reviewed this book a long time ago. But it also seems I'm right on time for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Yolanda is a great main character. She's a lawyer that escaped a poor upbringing. Determined to rise to the top. But then the law firm she works for is raided by the FBI.
So she starts working for "The Bureau". Working undercover in a Black extremist group she becomes torn for many different reasons. There is a guy, of course. But also her life, morals and relationship are on the line.
It's an iterating premise that you might have seen one before with a very different protagonist. There are a few tense moments and some suspense. While the romance was somewhat predictable, it wasn't cheesy. It explored racism, sexism and feminism.
The cover art is beautiful and it's a well written book.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
I should have reviewed this book a long time ago. But it also seems I'm right on time for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Yolanda is a great main character. She's a lawyer that escaped a poor upbringing. Determined to rise to the top. But then the law firm she works for is raided by the FBI.
So she starts working for "The Bureau". Working undercover in a Black extremist group she becomes torn for many different reasons. There is a guy, of course. But also her life, morals and relationship are on the line.
It's an iterating premise that you might have seen one before with a very different protagonist. There are a few tense moments and some suspense. While the romance was somewhat predictable, it wasn't cheesy. It explored racism, sexism and feminism.
The cover art is beautiful and it's a well written book.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
amkozy23's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found this book easy to follow for the most part. There was some instances that were a little confusing with the back and forth. The beginning was a little slow and I was a little annoyed about the way Yolanda talked about the people in RBG when she first met them. I was not very interested in the love story, but the action was very exciting. I like the way that Leon writes but I do think this book could have used a few tweaks to make it better.
shehn's review
5.0
I didn't expect to like A Spy in the Struggle as much as I did; I worried it'd be a bit cliche about a woman finding herself but there was so much more involved. There was a bit of romance and a lot of intrigue and mystery. I especially loved the emphasis on learning / social justice without being overly preachy about it.
At a time when we talk about the needs of The People, when we talk about gentrification or communities being left behind, or how drugs and violence can rip communities apart - I got so much out of reading A Spy in the Struggle.
I hated Yolanda a bit when I started the book, but the way in which flashbacks into her life were incorporated helped to understand how she became who she was. The younger characters were relatable and weren't written as overly cliched or childlike; their fears and hopes jumped off the page in an honest way.
Brava, Aya de León! I applaud you for this work, even if it did make me super homesick for the Bay Area.
(I received a free digital copy of A Spy in the Struggle from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.)
At a time when we talk about the needs of The People, when we talk about gentrification or communities being left behind, or how drugs and violence can rip communities apart - I got so much out of reading A Spy in the Struggle.
I hated Yolanda a bit when I started the book, but the way in which flashbacks into her life were incorporated helped to understand how she became who she was. The younger characters were relatable and weren't written as overly cliched or childlike; their fears and hopes jumped off the page in an honest way.
Brava, Aya de León! I applaud you for this work, even if it did make me super homesick for the Bay Area.
(I received a free digital copy of A Spy in the Struggle from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.)
shehn's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't expect to like A Spy in the Struggle as much as I did; I worried it'd be a bit cliche about a woman finding herself but there was so much more involved. There was a bit of romance and a lot of intrigue and mystery. I especially loved the emphasis on learning / social justice without being overly preachy about it.
At a time when we talk about the needs of The People, when we talk about gentrification or communities being left behind, or how drugs and violence can rip communities apart - I got so much out of reading A Spy in the Struggle.
I hated Yolanda a bit when I started the book, but the way in which flashbacks into her life were incorporated helped to understand how she became who she was. The younger characters were relatable and weren't written as overly cliched or childlike; their fears and hopes jumped off the page in an honest way.
Brava, Aya de León! I applaud you for this work, even if it did make me super homesick for the Bay Area.
(I received a free digital copy of A Spy in the Struggle from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.)
At a time when we talk about the needs of The People, when we talk about gentrification or communities being left behind, or how drugs and violence can rip communities apart - I got so much out of reading A Spy in the Struggle.
I hated Yolanda a bit when I started the book, but the way in which flashbacks into her life were incorporated helped to understand how she became who she was. The younger characters were relatable and weren't written as overly cliched or childlike; their fears and hopes jumped off the page in an honest way.
Brava, Aya de León! I applaud you for this work, even if it did make me super homesick for the Bay Area.
(I received a free digital copy of A Spy in the Struggle from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.)
janeegray's review
3.0
I listened to this on Audiobook. It was great as the author was the narrator. I liked the character development throughout the story which is what ultimately leads to the spy being in a struggle.
stephmci's review
4.0
I would give this book 3.5 stars! The author added in COViD-19 and the pandemic in the beginning and I really wish she didn’t. I appreciate her attempt... but it didn’t follow though throughout the book and therefore was distracting to me with the inconsistencies and hence why I would give this book a 3.5 over 4 stars. I really enjoyed it and loved how she tied in the main characters past, with a romance, and the suspense of her being a spy. I would recommend just wish she didn’t try to add in current events in the beginning!
myza's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book a lot. I loved that it was kinda a romance but kinda a mystery/thriller. I feel like this could have a sequel and I would so read it if so! It had great social justice themes that made it feel more then just a regular mystery novel.
grumpybookwyrm's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
3.75