Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

134 reviews

thescenery's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad 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? No

4.0

Seriously, the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I feel like there's something missing that I can't understand what. Other than that, I absolutely loved it. 

Starr Carter is a 15-year-old black teenager. Her friend is killed by a police officer in the early chapters of the book, right in front of her. Starr's journey is an attempt to reconcile what she calls "two worlds." As the main witness to Khalil's murder, she watches as some label Khalil as a criminal, others as a drug dealer, insinuating his involvement with a gang and justifying his killing, despite Khalil being unarmed. 

The reader follows Starr's process of grieving as she experiences sadness, anger, and the weight of injustice. She also deals with her relationship with her white boyfriend and feels guilt for not being able to help Khalil. Amidst it all, Starr is called to testify and share her account with various legal and media outlets, receiving support from her lawyer, who is also an activist.

Starr's lawyer encourages her to use her voice as a witness and as a young black girl to seek justice not only for Khalil but also for many other children, teenagers, and adults who have been victims of unjust killings. Starr learns that her voice is important, and her perspective is essential.

It was written phenomenally, the characters were amazing, and intense. Some made me angry, some made me love them as the chapters went by. I'm sad I took way too long to read this book, because it's very good. It made me cry, and laugh, even if I'm not a fan of books about teenagers. I super recommend it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Hate crime, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Racism, and Grief

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Child death

Minor: Drug abuse and Domestic abuse

nerdyfantasyreader's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Wow... this book....
There are no words to describe this book. It is eye opening and I am so glad I read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Gun violence, Cursing, Death, Child death, Hate crime, Child abuse, Blood, Racial slurs, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Abandonment

lolasherwin's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Police brutality, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Physical abuse

cookiecakextravaganza's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

So good I had to give 5.75. Very relatable book. I can relate to Starr the most. A MUST READ NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS!!!(New favourite book :P) Extremely informative and emotional though. Some hard parts.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Police brutality, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Child abuse and Blood

Minor: Gaslighting and Fire/Fire injury

Khalil's death causes lots of grief. Some violence from King and his gang. Starr almost dies from a fire(not that bad.)

beaniebabyidiot's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Classism, and Death

Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, and Drug abuse

jrd622's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? No

5.0

 

Wow. This book should be required reading in every high school. Yes, there is quite a bit of profanity, but honestly, its nothing the kids in high school aren't saying themselves. The author did a great job of explaining how the main character code switches depending on which group of friends she's with: either the rich white suburban kids, or her childhood friends back in her gang-run neighborhood. The story centers around an extremely timely topic: police involved shootings of black males, particularly teens. I actually think the author does a good job of having the main character sympathetic to some police officers, such as her uncle, who uphold the badge in a good way, while balancing her anger towards those who abuse their power.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Murder

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse

rachelfayreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Drug abuse, Racism, Violence, Toxic friendship, Child death, Gun violence, Grief, and Death

kowski's review against another edition

emotional inspiring

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

five stars until it started pulling that anti-rioting and “not all cops” shit

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Police brutality, and Death

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Cursing, Gun violence, Grief, Racism, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Addiction

trashboatwinter's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Murder, Police brutality, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Violence, and Racism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Addiction, and Drug abuse

mariciel0's review against another edition

dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Violence and Police brutality

Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Gun violence, and Drug abuse