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bllrdk's review
emotional
informative
reflective
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
4.5
franklyfrank's review
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.75
vlafreek's review
reflective
medium-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
3.0
I honestly wasn’t sure how I would like this book because I wasn’t a big fan of book one. For at least 50%, if not more, I couldn’t stand Naema, especially after disliking her for the entire first book. She does have a lot of character development towards the last 30-40% of the book.
jess_mango's review
4.0
3.5 stars
A Chorus Rises is the sequel to [b:A Song Below Water|39085465|A Song Below Water (A Song Below Water, #1)|Bethany C. Morrow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573233301l/39085465._SY75_.jpg|60654169], but follows a different character. This book is told from the point of view of Naema Bradshaw. In the first book, she was cast as the villain of sorts since she exposed Tavia's secret of being a siren. Naema herself is an Eloko, which means she can sing a song that influences the behavior of others. She doesn't see herself as a villain and this book gives us a chance to see her perspective. After the events in the first book, Naema faces backlash from the press and removes herself from the scene. As she tries to get her life back, she discovers a group online using the hashtag #justicefornaema who is looking to punish others who may be sirens. The problem is all sirens are black girls so Naema sees it as double-bad since it appears to be a front for racist individuals to act on their feelings.
This was a good follow-up to A Song Below Water and while I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book, it was still a good read. I didn't connect with Naema as much as a main character as I did with those from the first book. I did like that the author used the story to show the dangers of people getting riled up on social media and how there can always be racism lurking even under different guises.
Thank you to the publisher for the audio book!
A Chorus Rises is the sequel to [b:A Song Below Water|39085465|A Song Below Water (A Song Below Water, #1)|Bethany C. Morrow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573233301l/39085465._SY75_.jpg|60654169], but follows a different character. This book is told from the point of view of Naema Bradshaw. In the first book, she was cast as the villain of sorts since she exposed Tavia's secret of being a siren. Naema herself is an Eloko, which means she can sing a song that influences the behavior of others. She doesn't see herself as a villain and this book gives us a chance to see her perspective. After the events in the first book, Naema faces backlash from the press and removes herself from the scene. As she tries to get her life back, she discovers a group online using the hashtag #justicefornaema who is looking to punish others who may be sirens. The problem is all sirens are black girls so Naema sees it as double-bad since it appears to be a front for racist individuals to act on their feelings.
This was a good follow-up to A Song Below Water and while I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book, it was still a good read. I didn't connect with Naema as much as a main character as I did with those from the first book. I did like that the author used the story to show the dangers of people getting riled up on social media and how there can always be racism lurking even under different guises.
Thank you to the publisher for the audio book!
tatyanavogt's review
5.0
So I will say that I did not enjoy this at first, I did not get the point, the main character was annoying, and it just took a minute for me to understand why.. But then.. when I did.. I started to love the book. And although I feel like I should make this a 4 stars since I was SO not here for it in the beginning, I ended up loving it so much in the end that I'm just giving it 5 stars for now.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
3.0
3.5/5
I enjoyed seeing this world from the 'bad guys' POV. the way it branched into its own story, how every character someone write should have their own life and not exist just for the sake of the main character. I have no idea if this is going to be the last readers ever see of this world, but I wouldn't be mad if it isn't!
I enjoyed seeing this world from the 'bad guys' POV. the way it branched into its own story, how every character someone write should have their own life and not exist just for the sake of the main character. I have no idea if this is going to be the last readers ever see of this world, but I wouldn't be mad if it isn't!
annabelleclawson's review
3.0
3.5. Naema's perspective was fun, and I think her personality was the strongest part of the book. I really liked spending time with her, as a reader. The plot wasn't as compelling to me as the plot of the first book, but I still enjoyed reading it.
siannah's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
michaelion's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Bethany C. Morrow, you MUST be a good writer, because I hated this girl so much, I really did, and I still kept reading! Miss Morrow MUST be TALENTED because there are real life people like Naema who I'd have no problem humbling, I don't care for their perspective for how bad or disrespectful of a person they are, and yet I had to finish this one! Props to Morrow!
I am being dramatic; I love me a story from the villain's perspective (although it is weird to call a kid a villain, even if it's true). In fact I couldn't go 5 pages without leaving a note about something that made me laugh or made me angry or a comment about something happening in the world. Usually if something is so bad it's good I'll comment that but this book and series are just good. Like okay good not excellent or superb. Like a pleasant okay good.
I had similar issues for this book as I did the first one (the world building isn't fleshed out (although I do understand it more the second time round now), the back half of the book hooked me a lot more than the first half then it was over so quick). I think it's a good message for the youths to be aware of though, and my teenage self would've ate this up.
For the third book, let Naema say fuck. She needs it, PLEASE. Let her express herself!
I am being dramatic; I love me a story from the villain's perspective (although it is weird to call a kid a villain, even if it's true). In fact I couldn't go 5 pages without leaving a note about something that made me laugh or made me angry or a comment about something happening in the world. Usually if something is so bad it's good I'll comment that but this book and series are just good. Like okay good not excellent or superb. Like a pleasant okay good.
I had similar issues for this book as I did the first one (the world building isn't fleshed out (although I do understand it more the second time round now), the back half of the book hooked me a lot more than the first half then it was over so quick). I think it's a good message for the youths to be aware of though, and my teenage self would've ate this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, Racism, Stalking, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Classism and Bullying
sydney_arcuri's review
4.0
4/5
Much like with A Song Below Water I enjoyed pretty much everything, but was left wanting a little bit more in the fantasy / mythology concepts presented within this book. Granted, I feel like we get a little bit more information on the magic system and how each mythological beings magic worked, but I still wish there could've been more.
This story is in Naema's perspective and I loved the way she evolved as a character without changing her personality completely. Most times authors try to completely reinvent their antagonist to show how they've changed as a person, but I liked the way Morrow did it in this story. It seemed way more realistic and genuine.
Much like with A Song Below Water I enjoyed pretty much everything, but was left wanting a little bit more in the fantasy / mythology concepts presented within this book. Granted, I feel like we get a little bit more information on the magic system and how each mythological beings magic worked, but I still wish there could've been more.
This story is in Naema's perspective and I loved the way she evolved as a character without changing her personality completely. Most times authors try to completely reinvent their antagonist to show how they've changed as a person, but I liked the way Morrow did it in this story. It seemed way more realistic and genuine.