Reviews with content warning for Violence - On the Come Up

I wanted to read this book as I was enjoyed Angie Thomas’s novels. Both are on my favourites list and both are 10/10 so when I heard that Angie Thomas had written another novel, I instantly went out and brought it and all I can say is WOW!

This book follows sixteen-year-old Bri who, one day, wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of the Gardens. She is the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he could make it big. Bri feels the pressure of filling the shoes of his legacy. But now that her mum has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are becoming a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. As the bills start building up and homelessness threatening the family, Bri no longer wants to make it – she needs to make it and quickly. Will Bri make it to the top? Will she be able to get out of the Gardens? It is set in the United States of America in a community called Garden Heights and it is a young adult realistic fictional book all about race and social justice.

I love this book. It's the same set up as Angie Thomas’s other novels – hard hitting, cutting edge and discusses topic that aren’t easy but needs to be discussed! I liked the fact that it’s set in the same community as the other novels and mentioned the incidents to do with Starr. I liked Bri’s character development and her relationship with her brother and her best mates. I don’t think there is anything wrong with this novel, I just prefer the Carter family to Bri’s family. But I enjoyed the books overall and Angie Thomas is a God-given gift.

Content Warnings

blenchbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

zoeylou's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring tense 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

4.5

Content Warnings

the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Angie Thomas does it again!

Bri's story is as powerful as Starr's in The Hate U Give, but for different reasons. They're both told from the perspective of a young Black girl on the cusp of becoming a woman, who is thrust into a world that she's not quite equipped to or adept at dealing with. But their different backgrounds lead them down different paths. These books are intimate looks into their lives, where we the readers are just guests.

As a mom, it's hard to watch Bri go through some of the things she does and not want to step in. Bri thinks she's grown, but doesn't realize just how big the consequences of her impulsive actions could and often will be. Luckily, she has her family and friends at her back.

The theme of these books is growing up and into yourself. As her momma reminds her, "you’re the only one who can say who you are with authority. So, who are you?". It's a good reminder for all of us, no matter how old you are.

Content Warnings

thesecretsapphic's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

Content Warnings

sydthereader's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

5.0

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