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annagwritesandreads's review
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.0
I would check the content warnings before delving in, specifically related to dating violence.
General Description: 14-year-old Bri is heading off to fulfill her family legacy of attending Briarcliff Prep, a historically black boarding school. Her sister Belle has already been at the boarding school for years. However, Belle's boyfriend Logan is a new addition to the scene. Bri has to juggle what she witnesses between Belle and Logan, her own love life, and determining what kind of person she wants to be. This is a coming of age novel that tackles heavy issue head on. Bri must decide who she wants to be and it may not be everyone's favorite person.
The good:
- The way dating violence is handled in this book is complex and addresses all facets of an issue that is important for teens to learn about yet hard to talk about.
- Bri and Belle's relationship is a rollercoaster that I appreciated being on.
- Bri's own look into relationships felt extremely real, with not everything being the happiest ending.
- The social scene laid out in this book was intriguing and immersed you into the world completely, making the book feel extremely real.
The loss of a half star:
- The book was pretty slow at the beginning, but since I've learned this is turning into a series, the world building make a bit more sense, which is why it is only losing a half star.
Overall: If you're looking for a contemporary YA book that handles the topic of dating violence with grace, this is your next read. I would even recommend it as a book to discuss with any teen in your life.
General Description: 14-year-old Bri is heading off to fulfill her family legacy of attending Briarcliff Prep, a historically black boarding school. Her sister Belle has already been at the boarding school for years. However, Belle's boyfriend Logan is a new addition to the scene. Bri has to juggle what she witnesses between Belle and Logan, her own love life, and determining what kind of person she wants to be. This is a coming of age novel that tackles heavy issue head on. Bri must decide who she wants to be and it may not be everyone's favorite person.
The good:
- The way dating violence is handled in this book is complex and addresses all facets of an issue that is important for teens to learn about yet hard to talk about.
- Bri and Belle's relationship is a rollercoaster that I appreciated being on.
- Bri's own look into relationships felt extremely real, with not everything being the happiest ending.
- The social scene laid out in this book was intriguing and immersed you into the world completely, making the book feel extremely real.
The loss of a half star:
- The book was pretty slow at the beginning, but since I've learned this is turning into a series, the world building make a bit more sense, which is why it is only losing a half star.
Overall: If you're looking for a contemporary YA book that handles the topic of dating violence with grace, this is your next read. I would even recommend it as a book to discuss with any teen in your life.
djcarter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
4.25
I think this was a good book and I really enjoyed reading it. I think there were a lot of lessons to be taught in this story and it was important to discuss domestic violence in teen relationships.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Emotional abuse
marieintheraw's review
5.0
The books that deal with heartbreaking topics in such interesting ways thing better be here to stay. I found myself rooting for and feeling the pain of these characters even if it was written in third person. Definitely a book I'll be thinking about for awhile.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
lovelymisanthrope's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book originally through Net Galley, and finally made time to read it recently.
"Briarcliff Prep" follows 14-year-old Avielle LaBeau as she starts her freshman year at the notorious Briarcliff Preparatory School for Girls, one of only a few historically black boarding schools. Avi has to deal with all the normal, angsty teenage things, and she is just trying to make her first year at Briarcliff memorable. Unfortunately, Avi learns there is something going on between her older sister and her boyfriend, and Avi has to decide what she should do about it.
This book felt very well written and very age appropriate. I also really appreciated that the characters reacted to the situations that arose in a way that felt authentic for their age.Avi learns that her older sister's boyfriend is abusive, and her sister does not want Avi to tell anyone about the violence. Not only does her sister act in a way that felt authentic, Avi is tormented by what to do. At only 14, this is such a big issue for her to be tackling all on her own. She is conflicted because she knows that this is not okay and her sister needs help, but she does not want her sister to be mad at her. This type of representation is great to see for this age group because it shows the consequences of what Avi does decide to do. Domestic violence is also far too common, and at any age it can feel difficult to navigate, but especially for high schoolers.
Additionally, I felt like the diversity of characters, and having an all-black cast is great for representation. Young black people have to deal with issues that not everyone else has to, and I think it is vitally important for black young adults to see themselves and their issues represented in media.
Avi is a normal teenager, and she is going through her own turmoil at school. She unintentionally gets placed in a math class that is way above her skill level, she wants more than anything to be on the newspaper but seems to be fighting an uphill battle to get on it, and she has a crush on a boy that she does not think her brothers would approve of. All of these small problems added complexity to Avi and her situation and made her feel more real. She is fun, but more than anything she is relatable.
I had a really great time reading this book, and I think it is a great coming of age story for the young adults of today.
"Briarcliff Prep" follows 14-year-old Avielle LaBeau as she starts her freshman year at the notorious Briarcliff Preparatory School for Girls, one of only a few historically black boarding schools. Avi has to deal with all the normal, angsty teenage things, and she is just trying to make her first year at Briarcliff memorable. Unfortunately, Avi learns there is something going on between her older sister and her boyfriend, and Avi has to decide what she should do about it.
This book felt very well written and very age appropriate. I also really appreciated that the characters reacted to the situations that arose in a way that felt authentic for their age.
Additionally, I felt like the diversity of characters, and having an all-black cast is great for representation. Young black people have to deal with issues that not everyone else has to, and I think it is vitally important for black young adults to see themselves and their issues represented in media.
Avi is a normal teenager, and she is going through her own turmoil at school. She unintentionally gets placed in a math class that is way above her skill level, she wants more than anything to be on the newspaper but seems to be fighting an uphill battle to get on it, and she has a crush on a boy that she does not think her brothers would approve of. All of these small problems added complexity to Avi and her situation and made her feel more real. She is fun, but more than anything she is relatable.
I had a really great time reading this book, and I think it is a great coming of age story for the young adults of today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Domestic abuse, Grief, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
kcharles1924's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
rinaknight's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
5.0
This book has everything I love in a book: boarding schools, big families, black female lead, social awareness, and absolutely hilarious. I loved ever character in the book. They felt like fully fleshed out people. The dialogues between characters felt authentic especially to those in the black community.
Avi was a likable and relatable main character. She had typical anxieties of going to a school that 3 of her sibling are going to and excelling at. As well as the pressure of being a legacy student. She wasn’t perfect, especially in how she handled her sister’s situation but each choice she made felt realistic. Especially for a 15 year old girl.
Rhy and Zazie were both 3 dimensional characters and I would be happy to read a book from any of their point of views. The same can be said about all the other side characters including her siblings.
I will admit that this book became very heavy with themes of abuse. I could feel the pressure Avi was under and her fear of betraying for sister. She should have told sooner but she’s only 15 and her big sister that she looks up to was telling her not to tell. I hated that Mo tried to put it all on her, but I also understood that he felt bad for not looking out for his sister. Also the sweet sweet revenge Eli had was one of the best moments of the book.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the end with her and Quincy. For the whole book I was rooting for them to be together. I understand that what Avi said was out-of-pocket and she had been avoiding him a lot, but I feel like he can cut her some slack considering what her family was going through. I really want there to be a second book just so they can make amends and be the cutest couple ever.
Overall, I love this book. I recommend it to anyone looking for a boarding school book, with rich black history, and relatable characters who aren’t perfect. However, you should be mindful of themes of abuse.
booksatlunch's review against another edition
emotional
sad
Not rating this one because I am not the intended audience and while I didn't love it, I think many will and that there are lots of good messages in here. I will be recommending it to my teens at work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse
thebrillianceofbookshelves's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
tw: domestic abuse
Fourteen year old Avielle (Avi) Lebeau leaves to follow in her family’s footsteps and attend a historically black boarding school called Briarcliff Prep. There she meets new friends, settles into her classes, meets a cute TA (that might just find her cute as well), and tries to win her spot in the school newspaper (making an enemy along the way). Her older sister Belle, youtube star and popular as always, also attends the school with her well loved boyfriend Logan. However, when Avi meets Logan she can feel something’s off about him while Belle assures her he’s nothing but sweet. When Avi’s gut feeling is proved right, her and Belle’s relationship becomes strained as Avi tries to protect her older sister before it’s too late.
‘Briarcliff Prep’ starts off as more of a boarding school romance and slowly transitions into a hard hitting story about sisterhood and domestic abuse. I found it incredibly impactful and really loved the bond between Avi and her siblings, especially Belle. I think the messages in this story were so important and I’m very happy I got a chance to read this book!!
All the different class assignments in Avi’s school that were focused on Black empowerment or analyzing racism made me really yearn to go to a school that prioritizes POC voices like this one. I’m so tired of writing essays on another random (probably racist) white man that made a minor accomplishment in history, why can’t we write about actually important stuff like this?!
Also, one of my personal favorite things about this book was how multiple books by Black authors were mentioned inside the story! The way I knew this book was gonna be good the minute they mentioned Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (aka one of my most favorite books ever)
tw: domestic abuse
Fourteen year old Avielle (Avi) Lebeau leaves to follow in her family’s footsteps and attend a historically black boarding school called Briarcliff Prep. There she meets new friends, settles into her classes, meets a cute TA (that might just find her cute as well), and tries to win her spot in the school newspaper (making an enemy along the way). Her older sister Belle, youtube star and popular as always, also attends the school with her well loved boyfriend Logan. However, when Avi meets Logan she can feel something’s off about him while Belle assures her he’s nothing but sweet. When Avi’s gut feeling is proved right, her and Belle’s relationship becomes strained as Avi tries to protect her older sister before it’s too late.
‘Briarcliff Prep’ starts off as more of a boarding school romance and slowly transitions into a hard hitting story about sisterhood and domestic abuse. I found it incredibly impactful and really loved the bond between Avi and her siblings, especially Belle. I think the messages in this story were so important and I’m very happy I got a chance to read this book!!
All the different class assignments in Avi’s school that were focused on Black empowerment or analyzing racism made me really yearn to go to a school that prioritizes POC voices like this one. I’m so tired of writing essays on another random (probably racist) white man that made a minor accomplishment in history, why can’t we write about actually important stuff like this?!
Also, one of my personal favorite things about this book was how multiple books by Black authors were mentioned inside the story! The way I knew this book was gonna be good the minute they mentioned Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (aka one of my most favorite books ever)
tonyab22's review
I am a mood reader.
I am not in the mood for this book at this time, I will probably finish it at a later date.
I am not in the mood for this book at this time, I will probably finish it at a later date.