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ddmgembala's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
holdenehlinger's review against another edition
5.0
Read this for book club, which ended up being great because there was so much to discuss and process. This book was very readable and enjoyable while also being so thought-provoking and even uncomfortable at times.
bcat0124's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
bookchelf's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
zhelana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Nigeria Jones has been raised her whole life in a black separatist movement cult. Her parents haven't even sent her to school instead insisting that she watch movies about slavery and write papers and books that her father publishes as his own about black nationalism. Her mother disappears and then her mother's friend gives her a letter offering her admission to a private school. A very white private school. She decides to go and this is the coming of age story that follows along with unwrapping the mystery of her mother's disappearance. In the end, Nigeria finds a way to combine her two selves - the childhood self of the movement and the adult self of The United States along with newfound knowledge of her mother. I don't think anything particularly shocking happened in this book. It was mostly just a 16 year old rebelling against the way she was raised. In fact the most surprising and unbelievable thing about it was that this private school allowed a teenager to go there for two months after her father told them he forbade them from educating his child. I mean surely this is some kind of a crime they are committing? It's so hard to believe that they would keep this kid as long as they did that I can't give the book 5 stars. That was just too distracting. But otherwise, very good book.
mbejjani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A powerful narrative about racism , the patriarchy, and so many other overlapping systems of oppression. Nigeria is a compelling narrator and, thought at times a bit repetitive, her story was a deep dive into finding your own identity amongst worlds trying to label you based on assumptions, biases, and their own interests.
ebright1121's review against another edition
#Netgalleyarc This book was a good read, it just took me a little while to get into it. Once I did get hooked, I was hooked. A great parallel to things happening in our real world, the characters were well written and developed and easy to relate to. A definite must read.
lit_vibrations's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a captivating coming-of-age YA novel that really took me by surprise!!! It was beautifully written and so engrossing it had me hooked from the beginning. I will say it starts out as a slow burn but it was worth every minute. The plot provides a fascinating exploration of family dynamics, self-discovery, freedom, and alternatives for following your own path regardless of your upbringing.
It follows Nigeria Jones raised as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. She was homeschooled, vegan, and participated in traditional rituals to connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother disappears, Nigeria’s world is upended and she begins to question everything.
The character development was great and very diverse. I loved how all of the characters aided in Nigeria’s life and came to her rescue whether the situation was good or bad. At the end of the day everyone wanted what was best for her. The relationship she had with her father became very dysfunctional after her mother’s disappearance and I found myself siding with Nigeria during their disputes. I felt her dad was overly controlling and to stuck in his ways to really want more for her.
The best part of this story was the mystery that surrounded her mother and actually learning what occurred. I had my assumptions but I was totally wrong so that was a great twist in the novel. I also enjoyed that there were realistic developments throughout that helped Nigeria shape her own path and really come to terms with everything that was happening around her. The last few chapters definitely explain why she behaved a certain way and was suddenly second guessing her father’s way of life.
Overall, the book was amazing and so worth the read. I definitely recommend!!! Special thanks to the author & @balzerandbray for my gifted copy.
It follows Nigeria Jones raised as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. She was homeschooled, vegan, and participated in traditional rituals to connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother disappears, Nigeria’s world is upended and she begins to question everything.
The character development was great and very diverse. I loved how all of the characters aided in Nigeria’s life and came to her rescue whether the situation was good or bad. At the end of the day everyone wanted what was best for her. The relationship she had with her father became very dysfunctional after her mother’s disappearance and I found myself siding with Nigeria during their disputes. I felt her dad was overly controlling and to stuck in his ways to really want more for her.
The best part of this story was the mystery that surrounded her mother and actually learning what occurred. I had my assumptions but I was totally wrong so that was a great twist in the novel. I also enjoyed that there were realistic developments throughout that helped Nigeria shape her own path and really come to terms with everything that was happening around her. The last few chapters definitely explain why she behaved a certain way and was suddenly second guessing her father’s way of life.
Overall, the book was amazing and so worth the read. I definitely recommend!!! Special thanks to the author & @balzerandbray for my gifted copy.
the_locd_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The book started out well and was holding my interest but at about the midpoint, the plot became clunky and the story dragged on to it's mediocre conclusion.
I feel like the author set out to write one book, but then had too many storylines that were either overdeveloped, underdeveloped, or never touched on again after their initial introduction. I found myself checking numerous times to see how much longer I had before I finished the book.
I feel like the author set out to write one book, but then had too many storylines that were either overdeveloped, underdeveloped, or never touched on again after their initial introduction. I found myself checking numerous times to see how much longer I had before I finished the book.