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gem114'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? No
4.0
Angie Thomas invited us back to Garden Heights, and how could we say no?
First, I'll admit I didn't like On the Come Up as much as I liked THUG, but it's still a great read that I'd readily recommend. I think part of what made it hard for me to connect with is that I simply don't share Bri's passion for rap. I think if you're a rap fan, or even just a music buff in general, this book would be right up your alley.
Bri is a 16-year-old growing up in Garden Heights and aspiring to even greater heights for her music career. Daughter of a local rap legend who was murdered in his prime, Bri has music in her blood. She wants to pursue her passion, but her mother wants her to focus on her academics. Mom (aka Jay) is scared of Bri following in her father's footsteps, but Bri thinks the sooner she gets her career going, the sooner she can help her struggling family financially. The story takes place a few years after THUG, but Angie Thomas didn't leave issues of racial justice in the past. Bri and her friends are racially profiled and mistreated by security guards at their majority-white high school. Bri is torn between fighting stereotypes and playing into stereotypes at home, at school, and in the music world.
Although this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me, it's one I DEFINITELY plan to have in my classroom for students to borrow when we return to in-person school.
First, I'll admit I didn't like On the Come Up as much as I liked THUG, but it's still a great read that I'd readily recommend. I think part of what made it hard for me to connect with is that I simply don't share Bri's passion for rap. I think if you're a rap fan, or even just a music buff in general, this book would be right up your alley.
Bri is a 16-year-old growing up in Garden Heights and aspiring to even greater heights for her music career. Daughter of a local rap legend who was murdered in his prime, Bri has music in her blood. She wants to pursue her passion, but her mother wants her to focus on her academics. Mom (aka Jay) is scared of Bri following in her father's footsteps, but Bri thinks the sooner she gets her career going, the sooner she can help her struggling family financially. The story takes place a few years after THUG, but Angie Thomas didn't leave issues of racial justice in the past. Bri and her friends are racially profiled and mistreated by security guards at their majority-white high school. Bri is torn between fighting stereotypes and playing into stereotypes at home, at school, and in the music world.
Although this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me, it's one I DEFINITELY plan to have in my classroom for students to borrow when we return to in-person school.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Addiction and Racial slurs
allison_21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another really good book from Angie Thomas, and another great performance from Bahni Turpin on the audiobook narration.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Racism
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Police brutality, and 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, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and Death of parent
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, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
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 abuse, Drug use, 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, Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
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, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
moonlit_paperbacks's review against another edition
dark
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Police brutality
toodeadtoread's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
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: Addiction and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse and Gun violence
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