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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Most of the other books by POC authors and about POC characters i've read have been pretty light and the happy ending feels like that of a romantic comedy, this is no such story. it is something far deeper and with more gravity to what really happens in the world, especially in America.
for those seeking a book with more truth and grit to reality this is a perfect read. for those who are looking to learn and better understand something they will never have to experience it is also a perfect read. please be warned that with these truths comes the gravity of what the real world can look like. i would not recommend this book to those looking for an escape.
for those seeking a book with more truth and grit to reality this is a perfect read. for those who are looking to learn and better understand something they will never have to experience it is also a perfect read. please be warned that with these truths comes the gravity of what the real world can look like. i would not recommend this book to those looking for an escape.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Racism
An interesting look at coming to America from Haiti . . . .a window into a world I don't see from my POV. I will recommend to readers who are interested in the Black Lives Matter movement, urban fiction, and realistic fiction. This title pairs well with The Hate You Give.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
In [b:American Street|30256109|American Street|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466519379s/30256109.jpg|49524960], Haitian immigrant Fabiola Toussaint comes to Detroit, dealing with the stress of her mother's detainment at the border. She soon finds, however, that many of the problems that she and her mother left Haiti to escape have replicated themselves in America. When she gets tangled up in a drug investigation case with the promise to reunite her with her mother, she has no idea just how deep she's gotten into. As she explores friendship, romance, and living with cousins who are more like the sisters she's never had, she has to make decisions and seek help from many sources.
There was a bit too much of Fabiola just kind of going through the motions, but all of it built up to a climax that came on suddenly and shockingly.
In [b:American Street|30256109|American Street|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466519379s/30256109.jpg|49524960], Fabiola discovers romance, secrets, and most importantly, friendship in hidden places. I, however, thought that the story, while wonderfully written, focused too much on events and not enough on the whole humanness of Fabiola and her friends and family. I just didn't connect to her as much as I felt I could have.
Despite this, I really did love the carefully crafted prose of [b:American Street|30256109|American Street|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466519379s/30256109.jpg|49524960]. I love how much Haitian culture and mythology was involved in the story, and was such a vital part of Fabiola's life. It was interwoven so that everyone she met was able to fit into the vodou world she's built around her, as something to believe in. This, I feel, was done exceptionally well, and was one of the major aspects of the plot's development that I especially loved.
As for character development, however, I feel that it was lacking. As Fabiola discovers herself, she doesn't change, even when it seems she has. There are many things that could have gone differently, but she still doesn't know when to draw the line by the end of the novel.
I do understand that I am nowhere close to the Haitian culture, and so maybe my distaste is just due to my inexperience, but I just didn't see the character development as phenomenal. However, I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book, and I am looking forward to discussing it with book club when school starts. I am glad, too, that I got myself a copy so that I can reread it, because it is likely something that I will want to revisit.
There was a bit too much of Fabiola just kind of going through the motions, but all of it built up to a climax that came on suddenly and shockingly.
In [b:American Street|30256109|American Street|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466519379s/30256109.jpg|49524960], Fabiola discovers romance, secrets, and most importantly, friendship in hidden places. I, however, thought that the story, while wonderfully written, focused too much on events and not enough on the whole humanness of Fabiola and her friends and family. I just didn't connect to her as much as I felt I could have.
Despite this, I really did love the carefully crafted prose of [b:American Street|30256109|American Street|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466519379s/30256109.jpg|49524960]. I love how much Haitian culture and mythology was involved in the story, and was such a vital part of Fabiola's life. It was interwoven so that everyone she met was able to fit into the vodou world she's built around her, as something to believe in. This, I feel, was done exceptionally well, and was one of the major aspects of the plot's development that I especially loved.
As for character development, however, I feel that it was lacking. As Fabiola discovers herself, she doesn't change, even when it seems she has. There are many things that could have gone differently, but she still doesn't know when to draw the line by the end of the novel.
I do understand that I am nowhere close to the Haitian culture, and so maybe my distaste is just due to my inexperience, but I just didn't see the character development as phenomenal. However, I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book, and I am looking forward to discussing it with book club when school starts. I am glad, too, that I got myself a copy so that I can reread it, because it is likely something that I will want to revisit.
emotional
hopeful
sad
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:
Complicated
I cried. My heart is aching for Fabiola but I also hold hope and warmth for her.
FULL REVIEW SOON.
FULL REVIEW SOON.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really wanted to love this book! However it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. Typically language does not bother me at all but I felt like it was over used and didn’t add to the story or characters. The storyline did keep me interested however I was disappointed in some of the turns and twists that occurred in the story. I wish there had been more connection to her mom’s story and what was happening as she was detained with immigration.
This book is written/suggested for a YA audience, but I highly recommend it for all ages. It's the most powerful book I've read in a long time, it made me think, and its character development made me want to laugh and cry and just be all over the place emotionally with the characters who all felt so real. There is also a good amount of Haitian mythology and explanation of what voodoo actually is. Definitely recommend this book to everyone.
This book will haunt me. It's heartbreaking but compelling, beautifully written story of a Haitian teen who, after immigrating to Detroit is thrown headfirst into the complexities of reality verse idealistic visions of the American dream. It's gorgeous and gritty all at the same time. An incredibly timely novel and out of the 13 books I've read this year, so far my favorite.