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A review by cheynd3
Out of Control by Sarah Alderson
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.0
Let me start off by saying I enjoyed the idea of the premise of this book, but I feel like it was executed poorly. It was mostly ruined by the racist undertones that came from Olivia's stupidity and ignorance.
First, she automatically assumed that Jamie, the MMC, was in a gang because he had a bandana. Like girl, you're supposed to be this worldy, cultured person who grew up around the world, you should know there's plenty of other uses for a bandana.
Second, she asked Jamie where he was from and he replied New York. And she said "No, I mean, your heritage. Where are your family from, originally?" GIRL, this is cultural awareness 101. That feels so racist to me. I get she meant it as an innocent question but Jesus. She then proceeds to mock his Cuban accent, after he had literally just complimented hers.
I feel like the author was really trying to push the Latinx stereotypes. When we meet Jamie's cousin, Marisa, they go to a club and Marisa wants to make Olivia change because the clothes she's wearing will make her "stand out like a habanero chili in an icecream store". Like what are you even talking about lmfao
Idk this book just left a bad taste in my mouth. So much time is spent building up Olivia's background in being raised in foreign countries, so you would think she would know how to address and communicate with other cultures, but she's lowkey racist and it was frustrating.
First, she automatically assumed that Jamie, the MMC, was in a gang because he had a bandana. Like girl, you're supposed to be this worldy, cultured person who grew up around the world, you should know there's plenty of other uses for a bandana.
Second, she asked Jamie where he was from and he replied New York. And she said "No, I mean, your heritage. Where are your family from, originally?" GIRL, this is cultural awareness 101. That feels so racist to me. I get she meant it as an innocent question but Jesus. She then proceeds to mock his Cuban accent, after he had literally just complimented hers.
I feel like the author was really trying to push the Latinx stereotypes. When we meet Jamie's cousin, Marisa, they go to a club and Marisa wants to make Olivia change because the clothes she's wearing will make her "stand out like a habanero chili in an icecream store". Like what are you even talking about lmfao
Idk this book just left a bad taste in my mouth. So much time is spent building up Olivia's background in being raised in foreign countries, so you would think she would know how to address and communicate with other cultures, but she's lowkey racist and it was frustrating.