Reviews

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

naysia_reads's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring 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

With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo is an emotional and sweet YA story! The main character Emoni Santiago is a teen mom to a 2-year-old girl, however, the author makes it clear that there is so much more to her life than the fact that she had a child at a young age. 

Emoni has a very special gift which is the ability to cook. The author's explanations of family recipes and the detail used to describe cooking made me crave sooo much fictional food! 

I adored listening to this audiobook and loved the author's narration. Her ability to both connect with and captivate readers is phenomenal! 

Overall, the characters, the romance and the entire story were amazing! I have nothing but love and high praise for this book! 


Tropes;
Afro-Latina (Puerto Rican and African American) FMC
Cultural significance of food and cooking 
Responsibilities of raising a child
Coming of age 

Swipe for a full synopsis 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

litheracy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

bibliogeekgirl's review against another edition

5.0

A great read that focuses on the inner life of a woman not regularly featured. The words are smooth and you want to finish the book in one sitting.

oiamberleigh's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

hammock_and_read's review against another edition

5.0

I'm not a normal YA reader but this book was amazing! I loved all the characters, it was full of Puerto Rico, high school drama, the trip to Spain, all the diversity, her as a teen mom! I was wishing she could cook for me the whole book, all the food will make you hungry.
Overall, I give it 4.5!

vmusing's review against another edition

5.0

“...you can’t control how people look at you, but you can control how far back you pull your shoulders and how high you lift your chin”

Elizabeth Acevedo has such a beautiful, lyrical voice and I love listening to her narrate. I HIGHLY recommend picking up the audio book.
I loved this book, the characters and their relationships with each other are so vibrant.

mandeyreads's review against another edition

3.0

Good story and I really liked the characters but there was no real climax. I was waiting for the one big bad thing to happen and it never did. Instead it was just a lot of small things that she quickly overcame. Was a bit monotonous in that aspect.

thejaereads's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

muirk128's review against another edition

4.0

I don't do a lot of YA but I really liked this one and could see my students liking it as well.

amymusselman's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 rounded up