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lilybear3's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
This is a beautiful immigrants' story of coming to the U.S. and starting a new life. I loved the different perspectives coming from different time periods. I love novels in verse and this one was so unique.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Classism, and Pregnancy
sallenreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Violence
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Call Me Athena was inspired by the author’s grandmother, Mary, the daughter of French and Greek immigrants. In 1930s Detroit, Mary is fiery, her twin sister is tame—Mary doesn’t want to be a Good Greek Girl. Her story unfolds in bundles of graceful verse, alternating with chapters about each of her parents, from before they came to America. Despite the generational gap, their stories mirror each other, and Colby Cedar Smith includes fascinating endnotes that provide context to historical references—to WWI and the city of Detroit—which are brought to life with the electricity of love at first sight. Mary’s tale is that of a feminist Cinderella.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia
Minor: Death of parent, Gun violence, Sexism, and Racism
kayla_thebookishmama's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
This novel in verse was absolutely beautiful. The alternating storylines, the heartbreak, she hope, the coming-of-age aspect - it was all so well done! This is an immigrant story, and also the story of a child of immigrants.
The story focuses on Mary, a young Greek girl growing up in Detroit. There are also alternating POVs that take place at an earlier time period, and I enjoyed learning more about these characters and their connections as the story progressed. I really felt for Jeanne by the end, and I don’t think I ever stopped rooting for Mary and the life that she wanted.
More than anything, I loved that Mary held on to her dreams. And the note at the end from the author really helps to explain why this was so important.
This story is one that has such a deeply personal meaning, and it shows on every single page. It’s just outstanding. This is a perfect read if you like YA, historical fiction, or novels in verse. Everyone should read this book.
The story focuses on Mary, a young Greek girl growing up in Detroit. There are also alternating POVs that take place at an earlier time period, and I enjoyed learning more about these characters and their connections as the story progressed. I really felt for Jeanne by the end, and I don’t think I ever stopped rooting for Mary and the life that she wanted.
More than anything, I loved that Mary held on to her dreams. And the note at the end from the author really helps to explain why this was so important.
This story is one that has such a deeply personal meaning, and it shows on every single page. It’s just outstanding. This is a perfect read if you like YA, historical fiction, or novels in verse. Everyone should read this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Blood
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