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gigireadswithkiki's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book really challenged me to examine my internalized biases against characters who are unlikeable to me. Fabiola made some absolutely buckwild errors in judgement when faced with difficult challenges, but Ibi Zoboi does a fantastic job of reminding readers of her situation as both a child isolated from their parental figure and a new immigrant to the U.S. American Street felt like a raw and emotional examination of not only the racism and police brutality faced by Black Americans but also how that can layer with immigrant xenophobia. Though this story focused on Fabiola's experiences, my favorite part of the book was definitely the small moments at the end of chapters, where we'd get a slice of another character's thoughts/perspectives; these sections felt so poetically lush with emotion, and many of the lines felt so heartfelt and impactful.
My only criticism is that the pacing of the story felt a little disjointed. The ending comes in quickly and violently, without leaving readers much space to sit with the events before concluding the story. I wish the conclusion had been shifted a bit earlier into the book so that the ending could've had room to breathe and settle with all the characters but otherwise, I really enjoyed this read though please please please check content warnings before reading!!!
My only criticism is that the pacing of the story felt a little disjointed. The ending comes in quickly and violently, without leaving readers much space to sit with the events before concluding the story. I wish the conclusion had been shifted a bit earlier into the book so that the ending could've had room to breathe and settle with all the characters but otherwise, I really enjoyed this read though please please please check content warnings before reading!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Police brutality
Moderate: Xenophobia
_honora_'s review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Xenophobia
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