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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I liked a lot of this book especially the fact that it centered a Haitian immigrant perspective of life in Detroit/America and the use of a (spoiler) Lwa as a character, but I thought some of the characters were a little one dimensional, especially her cousins.
I loved this story and all that it encompassed. An all-too-real tale of immigration, trying to make it in America, drugs, cops/power and how easy it is to get sucked into a lucrative but twisted world, even when you mean the best. I think a lot of the time, people read stories like this (also thinking of The Hate U Give and Sweetgirl) and easily dismiss them as fiction and nothing else - but at the core, the stories of Fabiola and her mother and her cousins and Dray and Kasim are so real and alive. Not just in Detroit, but all throughout America. I could provide names of "real life" people who are eerily similar from my own experiences. It's fascinating and gripping, and one that's going to stay with me for a bit.
ARGH! The pain of this story will stay with me for a while. I don't know whether to love or hate the protagonist, and I suppose that's how it should be.
One of my favorite books of the year. Definitely highly recommended. I feel like I haven't seen it get as much enthusiasm as it deserves! Fabiola's experience of immigration, an American city, American high school, American race relations, and her American family is vivid--in its grit and its gloss and everything in between. Her vodou faith is as much a regular part of her life as any of those things, but the ways it manifests in Detroit give the story a touch of magical realism. It's beautifully written, and emotionally powerful. I'm really excited to read whatever Ibi Zoboi writes next. [Update: the next thing she's writing is a Pride and Prejudice adaptation. I'm INCREDIBLY excited]
Good read that will leave you with a churning mind. It was a LOT to take in. Very well-written and and impactful, but there is definitely a lot to take away. This is one that would be interesting to discuss with a book club.
Perfect to add to my high school classroom library. There is a lot of "playful" cursing but that type of vernacular helps to create real inner-city characters. The book has enough nuance that it leads to great book club discussion. Although the end left me wanting, no reunion, no real character change, just conclusion. I am really curious to hear from students whether this book speaks to them or not.
I struggled briefly about whether to give this 4 or 5 stars, but you know what? Ratings are arbitrary and I don’t have to weigh each book the same way, so I decided 5 stars it is.
This book is so well written, and honestly a lot of my enjoyment of it probably came from the narrator of the audiobook. If you like audiobooks, definitely read this one. Robin Miles absolutely brought life to this story. It was emotional, heartbreaking, tense and a tiny window into another culture. Do recommend.
This book is so well written, and honestly a lot of my enjoyment of it probably came from the narrator of the audiobook. If you like audiobooks, definitely read this one. Robin Miles absolutely brought life to this story. It was emotional, heartbreaking, tense and a tiny window into another culture. Do recommend.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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:
No
Such an amazing and enthralling read, touches on deep topics like police brutality, immigration containment, family struggles, Haitian voodoo. Came out around the same time as they hate you give; the same premise but touches on a lot of touchy topics. If I could scrub my memory of this book and read it over and over again, I would.