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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you like YA romance, diverse characters, Black love, or just wholesome teenage love, READ THIS BOOK! There's no trauma, (a little bit of drama--of the teen angsty kind), no racism, just good and happiness. This is a summer read, an easy, enjoyable, page-turner. Seriously, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
No
I really enjoy it when a collection of stories by different authors are all interwoven into one big narrative, rather than a bunch of standalone stories. All of the authors did a great job of interweaving their stories without it being an in-your-face "DO YOU REMEMBER THIS CHARACTER FROM EARLIER???"
I loved how many different love stories were told - I think that a tiny bit more focus on non-romantic love may have been nice, but there were definitely hints of that throughout the book.
My only real critique was that in weaving their stories together so well, a lot of the authors' works blended together a bit too much. If I didn't know this book was written by six people, I would have assumed it was all one author since all the stories did feel similar. I've read works by two of the authors before (Angie Thomas and Tiffany D. Jackson), and their styles were vastly different. In this though, they felt very similar. I know that this might be a good thing for some readers, but I found it hard to get a feel for the authors I was less familiar with.
I loved how many different love stories were told - I think that a tiny bit more focus on non-romantic love may have been nice, but there were definitely hints of that throughout the book.
My only real critique was that in weaving their stories together so well, a lot of the authors' works blended together a bit too much. If I didn't know this book was written by six people, I would have assumed it was all one author since all the stories did feel similar. I've read works by two of the authors before (Angie Thomas and Tiffany D. Jackson), and their styles were vastly different. In this though, they felt very similar. I know that this might be a good thing for some readers, but I found it hard to get a feel for the authors I was less familiar with.
Some parts I loved more than others. I just really appreciate that this book was made.
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ——— actual rating: 3.5 — I loved how I was able to get a taste of each authors writing style. Blackout is a collection of stories following black love in NYC during a blackout but all connected at the end. I loved how there was LGBTQ+ representation in these stories.
The Long Walk: 3.5 stars — This was the “main” story of the book. I enjoyed this story, it was confusing at first at how it was cut but eventually came together. I’m not very fond of miscommunication tropes at all so it scored lower for me.
Mask Off: 3 stars — I loved this “coming out/experimenting” story. It was very comical at some parts and I feel it was a believable storyline. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style as much as others though.
Made to Fit: 4.5 stars — One word. WHOLESOME. This was one of my favorite stories. SOO CUTE! You can feel the love in this story from her grandpa to the budding new romance.
All the Great Love Stories… and Dust: 4 stars — AHHHH! Set in a library in the dark… Picking out your favorite books. HOW CUTE! It was a big dragged out but I still really liked it!
No Sleep Till Brooklyn: 1.5 stars — NOPE! Way tooo mixy. I didn’t like the whole cheating trope (some people would say that’s not cheating). I could not get into this story at all. All the characters were annoying. Too messy.
Seymour and Grace: 4 stars — I believe this was my second favorite. I loved them! I wish their story was longer so I was very underwhelmed at the ending. They were so adorable and sweet mc’s though.
The Long Walk: 3.5 stars — This was the “main” story of the book. I enjoyed this story, it was confusing at first at how it was cut but eventually came together. I’m not very fond of miscommunication tropes at all so it scored lower for me.
Mask Off: 3 stars — I loved this “coming out/experimenting” story. It was very comical at some parts and I feel it was a believable storyline. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style as much as others though.
Made to Fit: 4.5 stars — One word. WHOLESOME. This was one of my favorite stories. SOO CUTE! You can feel the love in this story from her grandpa to the budding new romance.
All the Great Love Stories… and Dust: 4 stars — AHHHH! Set in a library in the dark… Picking out your favorite books. HOW CUTE! It was a big dragged out but I still really liked it!
No Sleep Till Brooklyn: 1.5 stars — NOPE! Way tooo mixy. I didn’t like the whole cheating trope (some people would say that’s not cheating). I could not get into this story at all. All the characters were annoying. Too messy.
Seymour and Grace: 4 stars — I believe this was my second favorite. I loved them! I wish their story was longer so I was very underwhelmed at the ending. They were so adorable and sweet mc’s though.
What could be better than six interconnected YA stories about Black teens falling in love across NYC during a city-wide black out?
Loved the purpose behind this book! The authors were so creative in their ability to intertwine the lives of each character. I also like the parallel between the stories from the younger and older generation. Even though this book was meant to be short stories, I wish they were longer because I was so invested!