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cranedphoenix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Read this because I had read Tiffany D Jackson's "Grown"
And this book is absolutely heart wrenching like finishing I feel like throwing up more than I did while reading it
I cannot believe that Denver got murdered though like I wasn't expecting that ending it's absolutely heart wrenching especially when you just want Denver and Dali to be together and safe
Do love when they include the social media posts even though Denver never got to see some or most of them
Not to much to say besides it's a must read imo but one where you have to take the trigger warnings very seriously
And this book is absolutely heart wrenching like finishing I feel like throwing up more than I did while reading it
Do love when they include the social media posts
Not to much to say besides it's a must read imo but one where you have to take the trigger warnings very seriously
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Murder, Gun violence, and Vomit
thenovelmaura's review
dark
emotional
tense
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
Please review the intense content warnings before picking this one up, but this book is worth the read if you can stomach it! I would describe this novel-in-verse as "Grown" crossed with "Clap When You Land" (two faves of mine), and it also has sapphic representation.
I love a good novel-in-verse and it was an apt stylistic choice for a book centered around music. Denver's love for her music, lyrics, and friends shone through every page. Friendship and love were so integral to this story that is otherwise filled with manipulation and deceit, appearing as bright spots in an incredibly dark novel.
To that end, this is also a book that leaves you frantically turning pages to try to outrun the sinking feeling in your stomach. When I say this reminded me of [book:Grown|49397758] by Tiffany D. Jackson (and I know I'm far from the first person to make this comparison), I mean they had similar themes and plot points. I don't say this to be negative; Jackson and Charles have very different writing styles and, honestly, the similarities just go to show how these predators have the same tactics and use them over and over. This is more of a heads up for my fellow Jackson fans who might be interested in reading this one (I found the similarities to be distracting at times)! It's a stunning book and should be judged on its own merits as a heart-wrenchingly powerful novel.
I love a good novel-in-verse and it was an apt stylistic choice for a book centered around music. Denver's love for her music, lyrics, and friends shone through every page. Friendship and love were so integral to this story that is otherwise filled with manipulation and deceit, appearing as bright spots in an incredibly dark novel.
To that end, this is also a book that leaves you frantically turning pages to try to outrun the sinking feeling in your stomach. When I say this reminded me of [book:Grown|49397758] by Tiffany D. Jackson (and I know I'm far from the first person to make this comparison), I mean they had similar themes and plot points. I don't say this to be negative; Jackson and Charles have very different writing styles and, honestly, the similarities just go to show how these predators have the same tactics and use them over and over. This is more of a heads up for my fellow Jackson fans who might be interested in reading this one (I found the similarities to be distracting at times)! It's a stunning book and should be judged on its own merits as a heart-wrenchingly powerful novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Body shaming and Kidnapping
Minor: Gun violence
Groominglibrary_kb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It took me a long time to read this book--I started it a couple weeks ago, got 50 pages in, then took a break from it for weeks until I finally picked it up and finished it in a day. It reads a little bit like a thriller in verse, but its a hard read because of its current event connections--it was hard to keep it as a fictional story in my head (that is a credit to the author for sure!). It is a story about grooming and abuse, and I just felt so much for our main character. Recommended for high school and up, but check content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Gun violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Violence
leahlovesloslibros's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
17-year-old Denver's life is all about music, so when she finds herself receiving attention from one of the biggest R&B stars of her time, Sean "Mercury (Merc)" Ellis, she can't help but think this could be her big break. As she and her friends Dali and Shak get pulled further into Merc's world of parties and other perks, Denver starts to realize that she doesn't have as much of a voice as she originally thought. Now she has to decide, is getting to live her dream life worth giving up her freedom?
Based on true events in the music industry, this chilling story of a teenage girl caught up in her newfound stardom makes the reader reconsider the cost of fame and fortune. Last year I read and loved Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, and this book not only gave me similar vibes, but actually had a storyline that seemed to be almost the same as Grown (not every part, of course, but enough that it's hard to miss if you've read Jackson's Grown). While I really liked Grown, I didn't necessarily want to read another book that was basically the same. That's not to say that this isn't a good story, though; it's just not one I absolutely loved.
If you are going to read this book, definitely be aware of the trigger/content warnings listed below.
Based on true events in the music industry, this chilling story of a teenage girl caught up in her newfound stardom makes the reader reconsider the cost of fame and fortune. Last year I read and loved Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, and this book not only gave me similar vibes, but actually had a storyline that seemed to be almost the same as Grown (not every part, of course, but enough that it's hard to miss if you've read Jackson's Grown). While I really liked Grown, I didn't necessarily want to read another book that was basically the same. That's not to say that this isn't a good story, though; it's just not one I absolutely loved.
If you are going to read this book, definitely be aware of the trigger/content warnings listed below.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
Moderate: Racism, Drug abuse, Cursing, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Vomit, Gun violence, and Death
Additional TW/CW: divorceyeojinqueen's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, and Death
_thelitlibrarian's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.50 star
-
TW; Rape, Sexual Assualt, Emotional Abuse, Kidnapping, Gun Violence, Adult/Minor Relationship, Body Shaming
-
This book was my ultimate downfall, the number of tears I shed was unreal. I picked this book up on a recommendation and I'm SO glad that I did. Muted follows a trio of high school students who have the same dream - to make it big. After a chance encounter with R&B artist Merc, the ladies are led to believe he'll be their claim to fame. As anything goes, things aren't always what they seem. After many trials and tribulations, the story shifts from a girl group vibe to a solo career for Denver, the mastermind behind the lyrics.
My heart ached for Denver, by the time she had realized she needed out, it was too late. I love how this story could easily be applied to today's industrial age. The fact that the obsession over making it big could ultimately lead you to things you would never consider doing prior to fame. This book itself was pure lyrical bliss, I often found myself stopping to think about passages I had just read. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. If you're looking for a touching/make you cry YA book, I recommend this one highly.
Be bold. Be Hear
-
TW; Rape, Sexual Assualt, Emotional Abuse, Kidnapping, Gun Violence, Adult/Minor Relationship, Body Shaming
-
This book was my ultimate downfall, the number of tears I shed was unreal. I picked this book up on a recommendation and I'm SO glad that I did. Muted follows a trio of high school students who have the same dream - to make it big. After a chance encounter with R&B artist Merc, the ladies are led to believe he'll be their claim to fame. As anything goes, things aren't always what they seem. After many trials and tribulations, the story shifts from a girl group vibe to a solo career for Denver, the mastermind behind the lyrics.
My heart ached for Denver, by the time she had realized she needed out, it was too late. I love how this story could easily be applied to today's industrial age. The fact that the obsession over making it big could ultimately lead you to things you would never consider doing prior to fame. This book itself was pure lyrical bliss, I often found myself stopping to think about passages I had just read. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. If you're looking for a touching/make you cry YA book, I recommend this one highly.
Be bold. Be Hear
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Body shaming
nefari_'s review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It’s just too much trauma for me. Not only do you have the main character who is a black young girl who is not only abused sexually, physically and mentally by her grown ass mentor who exploites her you also have to deal with the fact that this main character is a QUEER BLACK WOMAN who is questioning and who has yet to identify these feelings that she’s having and has has gotten no validation of these feelings from herself nor those who are close to her, has experienced homophobia and fat phobia from people she’s supposed to have faith in and trust with her growth, not only do you have that but you have to deal with the fact that she does not make it in the end, that she dies and we are supposed to be satisfied that oh she’s avenged in the end because everything comes to light and he’s punished like no I’m not satisfied with that at all I’m HURT you put me through all of that traumatic experience of reading that and expect me to be satisfied with that ending no I’m not I’m hurt I’m sad I’m upset and I don’t like this book because it it’s too much it’s too much trauma for me to justify what’s in here as someone who is a queer black “woman” I don’t want to read a book in which “I“ don’t make it, in which death is the end for me no.
Plus, that teenage communication was horrendous don’t nobody talk like that💀.
Plus, that teenage communication was horrendous don’t nobody talk like that💀.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Drug use
jainnyreads's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
bookdragon217's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Thanks to @scholasticinc and @coloredpagesblogtours for the gifted copy.
Muted by Tami Charles is a timely and necessary read that illuminates the dirty, secret side of the music business and how it preys on young girls of color, steals their dreams and eventually their innocence. The industry perpetuates the impossible beauty standards, fatphobia, violence against women and promotes low self esteem and self hate of being a Black and brown girl in a white washed world. The story is ripped from the headlines but the message will hit you like a ton of bricks. Once I started reading I could not tear myself from the pages. This book grabs you by the throat and suffocates you with raw emotion. You want to yell. You want to scream. You want to do anything to warn Denver of the danger that lies ahead. The ending left me in shambles and I was sobbing unconsolably. I was utterly devastated and my heart literally broke in a million pieces. I'm still thinking about all the girls like Denver and how our society has failed them, silenced them and stolen their dreams by refusing to cast out rape culture, misogyny and patriarchy.
🎵 Black and brown girls need protection. Believe them period.
🎵 Predatory men should be punished, not innocent girls who are the victims.
🎵 Teenage girls are not adults and deserve love, support and nurturing.
🎵 Stop silencing girls. End rape culture.
Here are some quote that stay with me:
🎼 there lived a girl
racked with pain,
drilled down to the none
who suddenly felt
her body was no longer her own
🎼 The body splits itself in two.
The before
and
The after
The before was for me;
an imperfect sculpted
shell of who I chose to be.
The after,
that is for him,
or I guess,
them.
Read this book because we owe it to our girls to do better and stand up for them. Read this book so you can protect future generations. Read this book because you're ready to use your power to help girls regain their voice that may have been muted.
To all the girls: I SEE YOU AND I BELIEVE YOU
Muted by Tami Charles is a timely and necessary read that illuminates the dirty, secret side of the music business and how it preys on young girls of color, steals their dreams and eventually their innocence. The industry perpetuates the impossible beauty standards, fatphobia, violence against women and promotes low self esteem and self hate of being a Black and brown girl in a white washed world. The story is ripped from the headlines but the message will hit you like a ton of bricks. Once I started reading I could not tear myself from the pages. This book grabs you by the throat and suffocates you with raw emotion. You want to yell. You want to scream. You want to do anything to warn Denver of the danger that lies ahead. The ending left me in shambles and I was sobbing unconsolably. I was utterly devastated and my heart literally broke in a million pieces. I'm still thinking about all the girls like Denver and how our society has failed them, silenced them and stolen their dreams by refusing to cast out rape culture, misogyny and patriarchy.
🎵 Black and brown girls need protection. Believe them period.
🎵 Predatory men should be punished, not innocent girls who are the victims.
🎵 Teenage girls are not adults and deserve love, support and nurturing.
🎵 Stop silencing girls. End rape culture.
Here are some quote that stay with me:
🎼 there lived a girl
racked with pain,
drilled down to the none
who suddenly felt
her body was no longer her own
🎼 The body splits itself in two.
The before
and
The after
The before was for me;
an imperfect sculpted
shell of who I chose to be.
The after,
that is for him,
or I guess,
them.
Read this book because we owe it to our girls to do better and stand up for them. Read this book so you can protect future generations. Read this book because you're ready to use your power to help girls regain their voice that may have been muted.
To all the girls: I SEE YOU AND I BELIEVE YOU
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
sanjariti's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Gun violence