Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - With the Fire on High

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

39 reviews

manon_misheck's review against another edition

emotional 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? N/A

5.0

With The Fire On High was my first Elizabeth Acevedo book, and I knew going in that I would fall in love, but WOW. I could not have predicted how much this book would capture my heart.
•
I could not recommend this book more. The story is so wonderful and I just wanted to hug all the characters. I listened to this on audio which Elizabeth herself narrated; her voice is one I could listen to all day. This story was such a beautiful ode to Emoni's culture and the food she learned to make from her family members. I want to devour everything Elizabeth Acevedo has written but I also want to slow my roll because I really want one of my book clubs to choose one of her books soon (hint hint 😜)

Content Warnings

00phantom's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

The chapters were so short! None were more than three pages. It made for a quick and captivating read. Emoni’s relationship to food is amazing but more amazing is everyone else’s relationship to Emoni’s food.

Content Warnings

cindyloufitz's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

Content Warnings

n_asyikin_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional 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

5.0

TW: microaggression, racism, teenage motherhood, gaslighting, parental neglect

What a subtly beautiful book. It spoke about how foods & flavours could be central to our being: from our culture, to every day living, & the formation of our memories (i.e., cognitively, acted as cues; similar to the Proustian concept of memory). The thing that I loved most about Emoni was how she tried to make the best out of the situations she found herself in; fighting against prejudices & her own insecurities. The supports & loves she received from the likes of her amazing grandmother, unforgiving bestfriend, teachers and others, touched me. Although Emoni shaped her own life, the support (& faith) from others helped guide her; and this very dynamics, touched me.

Avecedo has a way with words that held so much, even with little words. Every word she wrote was with purpose. Even in the beauty of her words, there were crass honesty, so there was a balance between dreamy ideals, & practical vulnerabilities or realities. As it was written from Emoni's perspective, you'd really get to know the essence of who she was. Moreover, Avecedo allowed us to get to know each character through Emoni's eyes, but do so compassionately when she explored their imperfections. You'd have a clear picture of the people Emoni had in her life, & how they changed each other.

I was left tearing up at the end. And what a treat it was to get to know someone as wise & eloquent as Emoni as she went about her life, trying her best to be the best mother, the best (grand)daughter - person, she could be. At the end, it wasn't just that Emoni tried to be the best for others, it was her trying to be the best for herself that really moved me; made me feel happy for her.

This book was definitely a first-class full course meal!

Content Warnings