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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars, rounded up.
"There's nothing left to say. The system is broken. The scales are tipped. No balance. All the fault slides on way. We are two black men, carrying the weight of the world. Black men. We are always guilty. Always to blame."
This book was so. good. So good. If you told me Kekla Magoon wrote this book yesterday, got it published overnight, and had it put into my hands today, I would have believed you. It's a 2019 release, and while I get that was just half a year ago, it feels like it was written this summer. The words and the emotions and the story felt like they were ripped straight out of 2020, which makes it even more heartbreaking.
For me, there was really only one thing that really hurt this book. When I picked it up, I didn't realize it was essentially a companion novel to How it Went Down. I remember reading How it Went Down, but it's been YEARS. I didn't even had it marked as read on here. While I don't think you HAVE to read HIWD to understand this one, it would definitely help in some of the background story. I could remember bits and pieces of that book, but not emough to pick up on parts of the story (like with Alabaster Sloan. I vaguely remember him, but I don't remember the details!)
This is great, but to get the full effect, definitely read How It Went Down first.
"There's nothing left to say. The system is broken. The scales are tipped. No balance. All the fault slides on way. We are two black men, carrying the weight of the world. Black men. We are always guilty. Always to blame."
This book was so. good. So good. If you told me Kekla Magoon wrote this book yesterday, got it published overnight, and had it put into my hands today, I would have believed you. It's a 2019 release, and while I get that was just half a year ago, it feels like it was written this summer. The words and the emotions and the story felt like they were ripped straight out of 2020, which makes it even more heartbreaking.
For me, there was really only one thing that really hurt this book. When I picked it up, I didn't realize it was essentially a companion novel to How it Went Down. I remember reading How it Went Down, but it's been YEARS. I didn't even had it marked as read on here. While I don't think you HAVE to read HIWD to understand this one, it would definitely help in some of the background story. I could remember bits and pieces of that book, but not emough to pick up on parts of the story (like with Alabaster Sloan. I vaguely remember him, but I don't remember the details!)
This is great, but to get the full effect, definitely read How It Went Down first.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story is told through a series of vignettes after a cop shoots and kills an unarmed thirteen-year-old girl. Shae Tatum was on her way home with headphones in, a winter coat on, and in a rush but she never made it home. The community comes together in protest against the senseless taking of black lives by law enforcement and the injustice of the system that was created to protect.
This book was so moving and addressed such important and real issues. It addressed the ever-pressing issue of police brutality, and the ongoing problems black people face with Law enforcement just for existing. It does this in a manner that speaks about the issues through multiple different eyes and from all perspectives.
At first, I was worried I wouldn't be able to follow with so many characters and so many storylines but that added a lot to the story. I loved hearing from each character and watching how events change them. I loved watching Robb come to the realization he reaches after a very pivotal moment in the story. I also found it sad, moving and a lot to take in to watch so many of the children become adults overnight. I thought it was important that the police officer's daughter had her viewpoint shown and to see how conflicted she was about the actions of her parents.
Something else I enjoyed was watching the story play out on both sides. I liked hearing not just from the main cop and his family but also another cop, people who thought they escaped their old town, and people in the middle of it. It really showed the importance of community during those tumultuous times. I liked watching as all of their stories came together to create the bigger picture and watch the roles that they played in each other's lives.
This book was so moving and addressed such important and real issues. It addressed the ever-pressing issue of police brutality, and the ongoing problems black people face with Law enforcement just for existing. It does this in a manner that speaks about the issues through multiple different eyes and from all perspectives.
At first, I was worried I wouldn't be able to follow with so many characters and so many storylines but that added a lot to the story. I loved hearing from each character and watching how events change them. I loved watching Robb come to the realization he reaches after a very pivotal moment in the story. I also found it sad, moving and a lot to take in to watch so many of the children become adults overnight. I thought it was important that the police officer's daughter had her viewpoint shown and to see how conflicted she was about the actions of her parents.
Something else I enjoyed was watching the story play out on both sides. I liked hearing not just from the main cop and his family but also another cop, people who thought they escaped their old town, and people in the middle of it. It really showed the importance of community during those tumultuous times. I liked watching as all of their stories came together to create the bigger picture and watch the roles that they played in each other's lives.
I didn't realize this was a sequel at first, and kind of wish I'd re-read How It Went Down before diving in. So glad to see the strength and growth some of the characters showed! And Robb--oh, Robb. You are me, and we are embarrassing.