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lmartzbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So different from The Hate U Give but good just the same. A coming of age story. A story of redemption. A story of second chances. A story about passion and drive and dreams.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Sexism, Racism, Death of parent, Police brutality, Cursing, and Addiction
noellerose's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Angie Thomas truly has a way with words and characters. Putting down her books is just not an option, you have to finish it in one go. I put off reading this because the plot didn't really interest me, but I decided after reading Concrete Rose that I would read OTCU as well. I loved reading Bri's verses and her character development was great. She was incredibly stubborn, which kind of irritated me, because I just wanted to shake her and say "listen to the people around you! they care about you!!" but I see why her stubbornness is so important to the story. Overall great read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed Angie's sophomore novel and how it dives into the world of hip-hop and drug abuse. Bri's viral song makes people start talking and believe that she really believes the things she says in her songs. She's judged by her community and family members and really grows in this book from start to finish. I loved how Bri sounded just like a teen and was a huge gamer and nerd! I really enjoyed reading her character and the audiobook was amazing. I would highly recommend reading this on audio because the narrator does a phenomenal job with voicing each character and rapping Bri's lyrics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Racial profiling, a brief mention of Harry Potterchelseasbookshelf2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great book!! This had some strong themes in this, but all that need to be talked about more. This was a YA book, but certainly didn't feel YA most of the time. If you don't normally read YA I would still encourage you to check this book out!!
I loved getting to know each and every one of the characters in this book. I especially loved Sonny, Malik and Curtis! I am a horrible rapper, so I struggled with how some of the raps should sound! I wish there were a soundtrack to go with these to hear the beat! This is my first book by Angie Thomas, and I cannot wait to read her other books.
I loved getting to know each and every one of the characters in this book. I especially loved Sonny, Malik and Curtis! I am a horrible rapper, so I struggled with how some of the raps should sound! I wish there were a soundtrack to go with these to hear the beat! This is my first book by Angie Thomas, and I cannot wait to read her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
dandelion27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia
nxclx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't think I enjoyed this one as much as Thomas' other book, but I still enjoyed it. I liked the rap aspect of it, especially as an audiobook. It made me sad to see Bri make the choices that she did throughout the book, but she is a teenager and in a very difficult situation, so I get why she did. I wasn't too interested in the side plot, but I don't think it took away from the main plot. I liked the expansion of the universe especially, and would definitely read more from her. Thomas' books highlight the racial inequality that minorities, especially black people face daily and how it's mostly swept under the rug and forgotten about. It takes a situation that so many people know from the outside and helps you see it from the perspective of someone living through it, and having to be under that microscope and making the choice to stand up and say something at the risk of being defamed and put more under the spotlight. I think a lot more people need to read books like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Angie Thomas takes us back to Garden Heights in this, her second novel. We're in familiar territory and only a year or so has passed from the events of The Hate You Give. Setting up On The Come Up this way gives us an instant back story, an instant connection with the new characters in this story. It means that we're straight into the action from the first page which is exciting.
Brianna, a 16 year old rapper, is our protagonist. She lost her father in a gang shooting, she was separated from her mother as a child due to drug use so she's grown up hard and fast. With the notorioty of being her father's daughter Brianna has developed an explosive but deeply moral temper. She's out for justice not vengeance, she seeks change not chaos but in her youthful naivity she loses her way.
I felt what Brianna felt and I believed Brianna was right when she believed it. Angie Thomas' writing does that to you. Her characters are real. She creates authentic people in a realistic world without any minutiae.
This one just misses out on a 5 star review though. The Hate You Give was a 5 star read for me but On The Come Up isn't as complex and not quite as powerful for me. I loved the rap lyrics, the changes in pace, the glimpses of the little girl at heart in Brianna and her growing understanding of responsibility. I loved how the systemic racism in multiple arenas was definitely present but was also just a fact of Brianna's everyday life. It wasn't the main focus but Brianna wouldn't be in her situation without it. It felt accurate. On The Come Up is memorable for the way it depicts racism, poverty and inequality but it's even more memorable for the emotional journey.
Brianna, a 16 year old rapper, is our protagonist. She lost her father in a gang shooting, she was separated from her mother as a child due to drug use so she's grown up hard and fast. With the notorioty of being her father's daughter Brianna has developed an explosive but deeply moral temper. She's out for justice not vengeance, she seeks change not chaos but in her youthful naivity she loses her way.
I felt what Brianna felt and I believed Brianna was right when she believed it. Angie Thomas' writing does that to you. Her characters are real. She creates authentic people in a realistic world without any minutiae.
This one just misses out on a 5 star review though. The Hate You Give was a 5 star read for me but On The Come Up isn't as complex and not quite as powerful for me. I loved the rap lyrics, the changes in pace, the glimpses of the little girl at heart in Brianna and her growing understanding of responsibility. I loved how the systemic racism in multiple arenas was definitely present but was also just a fact of Brianna's everyday life. It wasn't the main focus but Brianna wouldn't be in her situation without it. It felt accurate. On The Come Up is memorable for the way it depicts racism, poverty and inequality but it's even more memorable for the emotional journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Racism
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
karinreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence
Minor: Death
readandfindout's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse and Gun violence
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