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morganperks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, and Abortion
bookwormenthusiast's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I absolutely loved everything about this book and I'm so glad I finally got the chance to read it. While I realize I was not the target audience for this book, it was refreshing to read a perspective so different from my own. If anything, this story was eye-opening and allowed me to see just how different teenagers can be in both experiences and hardships. This is an important book, it tackles some hard experiences that aren't talked about enough and I'm glad to see it represented in such a true way for those who have had these experiences. My one complaint was that I felt a lot of things were left unanswered at the end of the book, and I would have liked some of the plot points to go more in-depth. Otherwise, the writing style was straight to the point and concise, allowing for a book that was quick to read, but still full of information.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence, Abortion, and Death of parent
discworldwitch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
What an enjoyable read! This book was so lovely. It had the perfect amount of emotion, realism, and adventure, and the writing style is beautiful. The characters were all so beautifully imperfect and lovable, and the images the author paints of them and their lives are so clear /m.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence and Grief
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, and Abortion
brendaxxo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
And like a map I've been following without the exact destination, I know now I've been equipping myself with tools from the journey to help me survive when I arrive. Although I don't have all the answers for what is coming next, I can finally see a glimpse of where I, Emoni Santiago, am going.
with the fire on high is the first book i've bought since i began my adult reading journey. wanting to support a fellow dominicana and falling in love with the cover, i picked this up at the nearest barnes and noble and read it in a single sitting. this was one of the best decisions i've made recently.
no, but seriously. i was expecting a gritty tale about a teen mom's heartbreak and suffering (which i was not in the right headspace for) and instead found a fun, heartwarming gem. everything about this book hit the right note for me. i love that despite all of her obstacles, being a teenage mother is not the end of emoni's life and she actively pursues her dreams. a small but powerful support system keeps emoni and babygirl on the right track: angelica is the best friend a girl could ask for and buela carefully straddles the line between being there for emoni and emma and finding her own happiness. emoni's relationship with an absentee father hit closer to home than i'd like to admit.
but above all, I loved how important food and cooking was to emoni and the characters around her. while cooking is her passion, she still has a lot to learn and works her ass off. her food, a fusion or a "remix" of puerto rican and african-american dishes, is so good that it calls forth memories of people, places, and emotions. you can't help but root for someone so talented and earnest. i literally cried because i was so proud of how far emoni came along in the face of adversity. four stars.
*my only critique is acevedo's use of the "i let go of the breath i didn't know i was holding" line three times, but that doesn't take away from the story overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Abortion
teen pregnancycthrnmrtn's review
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit, and Murder
itsmeyseniab's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can now officially say that I've read all of Elizabeth Acevedo's novels! However, out of her three books, this was my least favorite. That being said, I still find her writing beautiful and would still consider her one of my favorite authors.
My main "issue" with this novel was how... bored I was (I know that that isn't a "valid" critique, but I just wasn't as compelled as I have been with her stories in the past). This was very slice of life (excuse the bad pun) and all though it was relatable, reading about her day-to-day tasks (ie. going to high school, work, taking care of her daughter, etc.) made my time reading this novel very mundane and left me wanting more.
I felt very "meh" about our main character Emoni as well. I wish I could've learned more about her and her personality beyond being an aspiring chef and teen mother. The supporting characters were unmemorable to me and the romance in this novel fell flat as well.
I enjoy Elizabeth Acevedo's novels that are written in verse a lot more, but I'm eager to see what she writes next!
My main "issue" with this novel was how... bored I was (I know that that isn't a "valid" critique, but I just wasn't as compelled as I have been with her stories in the past). This was very slice of life (excuse the bad pun) and all though it was relatable, reading about her day-to-day tasks (ie. going to high school, work, taking care of her daughter, etc.) made my time reading this novel very mundane and left me wanting more.
I felt very "meh" about our main character Emoni as well. I wish I could've learned more about her and her personality beyond being an aspiring chef and teen mother. The supporting characters were unmemorable to me and the romance in this novel fell flat as well.
I enjoy Elizabeth Acevedo's novels that are written in verse a lot more, but I'm eager to see what she writes next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
teen pregnancyashleycmms's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
lexa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A beautifully written (and narrated) book. Such a heartfelt coming of age story. Loved the role that food and cooking played.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Pregnancy
laurenw's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This book was such an immersive read. Emoni’s voice sounds authentic and real. The everyday trials she faces are depicted so well. The book did come off occasionally extra dramatic for me, but giving that a pass since I’m not the intended audience, and one knows what one gets into when reading YA.
One issue I did have with the book was it seemed that Emoni often jumped from one issue to another, since the chapters are so short and fairly distinct. This does make for an easy read though, if you enjoy reading stories in bite sized pieces. And ultimately each chapter follows an underlying thread.
Definitely recommend the book to those looking for diverse reads, it’s entertaining enough to draw in the attention of people long past their teens, while managing to make sense to someone reading it a generation and continent apart from the main character.
One issue I did have with the book was it seemed that Emoni often jumped from one issue to another, since the chapters are so short and fairly distinct. This does make for an easy read though, if you enjoy reading stories in bite sized pieces. And ultimately each chapter follows an underlying thread.
Definitely recommend the book to those looking for diverse reads, it’s entertaining enough to draw in the attention of people long past their teens, while managing to make sense to someone reading it a generation and continent apart from the main character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Gun violence and Death of parent