Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Blended by Sharon M. Draper

8 reviews

missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition

4.0

I listened to this and it was my first ever Playaway experience. I enjoyed listening.

This was a great book. I got some insight into biracial identity while also heavily relating to Isabella’s family dynamic and experience with divorced parents. I did think the pacing was odd at times and the end felt rushed, as well as several things I wish were talking about on a deeper level. I still enjoyed this book and it talked about a lot of issues I hadn’t before read at the middle grade level. I would recommend this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, and Gun violence

Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Hate crime

Minor: Medical content, Blood, and Panic attacks/disorders

gurnoor's review against another edition

challenging hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, and Gun violence

Moderate: Bullying, Hate crime, and Violence

Minor: Medical content, Blood, and Panic attacks/disorders

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.0

I really liked Isabella's voice in the book. As always, I think the author doesn't quite capture how teenagers talk, particularly in terms of slang, but I still liked the character's thought process. The plot felt a little disconnected, though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, Police brutality, Bullying, Gun violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Vomit and Medical content

Minor: Classism, Antisemitism, Xenophobia, and Mass/school shootings

lynching, colorism, divorce

tireddisneywitch's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality and Hate crime

Minor: Blood

stacy_27_'s review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, and Hate crime

Minor: Blood

pinkberryoasis's review

emotional lighthearted 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence

stormywolf's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 This was another one that popped up as "if you liked The Hate U Give then try ______" back when the BLM movement was in full swing over the summer. I had a few opportunities to read it, but never really felt as compelled to as I had with other books of that subject matter. So it sat. But when I hit a bit of a reading rut and needed something quick to kick me out of it, I went ahead and picked it up again. I mean, it is Black History Month after all, so this was as good an excuse as any to finally cross it off my TBR list. Unfortunately, it seems my first inclination was correct—it wasn't nearly as compelling as I would have hoped.

Read my full review at The Wolf's Den

Overall, this story felt like it had a lot to discuss but nothing to say. Like I said, it brought up a lot of interesting topics, many of which would be great to discuss in class either concerning race relations or child psychology, but it never seemed willing to state a stance on any of them. I've been feeling disappointed in Middle Grade books' noncommittal stance on political injustices for a while now, so maybe I'm just looking for something that isn't there? Regardless, if you're looking for an entry-point into social justice issues, Black Lives Matter, or racial tensions, but don't want anything involving death or protesting, then I suppose this is a good option. I'll give it this: it doesn't give any answers for free. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Bullying, Hate crime, and Police brutality

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Medical content

A student finds a noose hung in their locker at school. Divorce is a main subject of this story, with the main character's parents having split custody of her. Their interactions are almost always yelling and police/legal action is threatened more than once.

bookcaptivated's review

challenging emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Police brutality, and Racism

Moderate: Hate crime

Minor: Medical content