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livinthebubble's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
Important Read
This book talks about poverty, racism, the hardships that come with being a woman, and the assault of minors, among other important topics. It was tough to read at times, with the graphic scenes here and there, though I still appreciate this being written and having read it.
Ending
Most of the book was just ok to me, although I enjoyed one of the scenes at the end, where the main group write messages on the trees. I thought it was a lovely scene and the messages were uplifting after a dark book.
Magical Realism
I think this is another case of "it's not you, it's me" and me not properly reading what books are about before reading/buying them. I dislike most books with magical realism, and I didn't realize that this was a magical realism book.
Confusing
The wizard stuff was just confusing to me, and the time jumps/scene jumps connected by dashes were so weird and just didn't work for me.
Overall, this just wasn't for me and I'm really sad that I didn't like it as much as everyone else.
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
amberinbookland's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Such a powerful story, and voice. It hurt, it dug deep, and it opened my eyes.
Through a power passed to her by her aggressive, addicted mother Echo starts on a journey of magic in the middle of a life that tries her at every turn, brothers that fall into the pits of poverty and follow the path of their fathers, men than abuse women, her.
It is only through her gift and her perseverance, and the help of others like her that she will escape the rotten fate planted for her and plant herself anew.
And, there is also her Persian best friend also in a ride of her own, through religion, through queerness, through parents expectations and fighting to free herself.
And, her mother, whose life has dealt such hard blows and sunk her so deep in the darkness of life, but who will be given a chance through her daughter to change her life, but will she?
Inspired by her own story the author explores the difficult reality of growing up a black woman, excluded by color and gender, put in a box from where most don’t want her to leave, especially the men and white people. But, there’re exceptions and she will thankfully meet some.
Absolutely incredible book that I hope everyone picks up (baring in mind the content warnings).
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, and Murder
nicolewhopickedthisbook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
overdose, hospital staylilythebibliophile's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
valsoceans's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
clarebell23's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
lydiabader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Please be wary of triggers before picking up this book, it covers many different delicate subjectsvaleriabee's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The book walks the line between memoir and novelization, reminding me a bit of Capote's In Cold Blood. It was stylistically reminiscent of Toni Morrison's Beloved, in particular the tone and the use of magical realism.
I loved the way the narration of this novel played with time. There were many instances in which Echo is recounting the details of various moments at the same time, as if they are happening at the same time. The style and format reminded me of cuts in movie scenes where it jumps from one scene to another by panning similar environments or movements. Or when two different conversations are being had in a movie and the scene jumps between them smoothly by connecting their words so it is as if the dialogues complete each other whilst being completely independent of one another. The fact that Brown created that visual effect in literature is astounding and incredibly powerful.
I love this book for its style and for its content. I love that it is set up in lessons and each chapter could be a stand-alone, it could be a short story but they work together to tell Echo's story. I love that the book is not shy, the characters are not shy. It is all very real and very forward and written so beautifully.
I found myself thinking about the ways that this book could be taught in the classroom, especially because of the way it is chaptered off and written into lessons, one wouldnt have to use the whole book (because you know how some schools are mad sensitive about the content they share with their students despite their willingness to require books about white supremacy, imperialism, and the enslavement of black people).
One of the most appealing things about this book is that it dares to show the bad with the good, show that greatness can be achieved. It provides hope whilst remaining honest about the pain.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
readandfindout's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Themes: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence