Reviews

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

inessova's review against another edition

3.0

Characters - 4/5
Plot - 4/5
Writing - 3/5
Pace - 2/5

Overall rating - 3/5

I don't know if I like this book or not. It has a purpose and a meaning and I really wanted to enjoy it more but I didn't. It felt like those books we read at school because we had to. They too have great life lessons, but they are so boring and hard to go through. I felt it was all over the place. A lot of stuff happening that I thought were unnecessary. And I was really happy when it ended, which is never a good sign.
Would I recommend it for other people? Sure! I really think what I disliked about it is very subjective.

sunniedey's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

amanda1793's review against another edition

5.0

Listened to the audio of this one. I thoroughly enjoy the fact that Bahni Turpin narrates this one as well. Her voice is just so powerful when it comes to Thomas's novels, and as such she conveys every feeling in the story amazingly.

I will be honest. When I first heard about this book, and glanced at the synopsis (never do that folks... either read the full thing or go in blind), and based off that quick glance I thought "I am not interested in a book about someone becoming a rapper..." And then I actually borrowed it from my libraries Hoopla and sat and listened in awe.

Does this speak to our current climate? Yes. Does this tell a story of what people of colour go through daily? Yes. Is this about friendship, love, family, grief, fear, anger, hope, happiness? Yes.

As a white woman, I know I will never understand what people of colour go through. Saying that this book made me reflect on myself and those around me doesn't even begin to cover that sentiment. And I'm aware that is a very passive way of commenting on current situations.

Thomas shows the world of discrimination, racism, and white blindness (saying that white people understand what they don't or that a person doesn't see the colour of someone's skin) in a very easy to understand way. Both of her novels open the doors to show everyone a glimpse of what can and does happen. They are both complex and easy to understand (the depictions of racism and discrimination).

Fantastic listen, amazing story.

lisamshardlow's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad tense 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

5.0

I think everyone should read or listen to these books by Angie Thomas. They deal with some serious themes that everyone should know about, but they are also entertaining in places too. I loved Bri and her determination to let nothing stop her from living her dream of becoming a rapper. I also loved Bri's mum, and her determination to turn her life around for the better. I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish, and I would highly recommend it!

sethsparksss's review against another edition

5.0

I had such a great time reading this book and is one of my favorites of the year so far. Angie Thomas is such a fantastic author!

karrama's review against another edition

5.0

This is a very well-written and relatable portrait of young ambition in an imperfect life. Too true to too many.

hannallll's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

momster2010's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

clairevn's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

laura_corsi's review against another edition

4.0

Angie Thomas's second book takes place in the same city and the same neighborhood as The Hate U Give. It takes place after the events in the first novel. The community of Garden Heights is trying to pick up the pieces after the riots and fires that took place following Xavier's death. Our new heroine, Bri, is an aspiring rapper and hip hop artist who dreams of making it big so she can help her family out of poverty. Bri is stubborn and hungry to make it and so ignores her mother's and her friend's warnings about recording a song that uses gang violence as a metaphor. Soon, she finds herself at the center of a firestorm with people on all sides assuming things about Bri that are not true. She loses control of her own narrative. Can Bri find her way through and take back the power to tell her own story?

This book starts out kind of slow and I admit my white girl prejudice took me a second to break through. But once I did this book was brilliant, heartwarming all the heart eyes. It’s a good book when it can make you confront your own assumptions.