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A review by katsbooks
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
“That’s when I learned that when people die, they sometimes take the living with them.”
“There's only so much you can take being described as somebody you're not.”
“Unarmed and dangerous, but America, you made us, only time we famous is when we die and you blame us.”
I loved diving back into the world of Garden Heights. This novel takes place about a year after the events of The Hate U Give. It was cool to notice when Khalil or Starr or Maverick were referenced in the story even though none of them seemed to be connected to Bree. I ultimately think this was a great follow-up to THUG because it did some of the things that THUG didn't do as well. One of my major gripes with THUG is that Khalil, as a character, is redeemed by the end of the novel for any possible wrong-doing. It makes his death even more frustrating and revealing that he wasn't drug dealing or committing any crimes when he died was an extra emotional punch. However, I didn't like how that framing could excuse police brutality in instances when a suspect is actually committing a crime. Although Bree never commits any major crimes, her aunt Pooh is arrested and that has a major impact on the main character. While the book doesn't excuse her crimes, it doesn't dehumanize her because of the choices she had to make to survive in the Garden. I also really appreciated seeing how someone might navigate gang culture in a place like Garden Heights.
I honestly don't have a lot of negatives when it comes to this book. I think it was fast-paced and well-written. The characters were so interesting and relatable. Bree isn't always super likable but she is absolutely a believable teenager.
“There's only so much you can take being described as somebody you're not.”
“Unarmed and dangerous, but America, you made us, only time we famous is when we die and you blame us.”
I loved diving back into the world of Garden Heights. This novel takes place about a year after the events of The Hate U Give. It was cool to notice when Khalil or Starr or Maverick were referenced in the story even though none of them seemed to be connected to Bree. I ultimately think this was a great follow-up to THUG because it did some of the things that THUG didn't do as well. One of my major gripes with THUG is that Khalil, as a character, is redeemed by the end of the novel for any possible wrong-doing. It makes his death even more frustrating and revealing that he wasn't drug dealing or committing any crimes when he died was an extra emotional punch. However, I didn't like how that framing could excuse police brutality in instances when a suspect is actually committing a crime. Although Bree never commits any major crimes, her aunt Pooh is arrested and that has a major impact on the main character. While the book doesn't excuse her crimes, it doesn't dehumanize her because of the choices she had to make to survive in the Garden. I also really appreciated seeing how someone might navigate gang culture in a place like Garden Heights.
I honestly don't have a lot of negatives when it comes to this book. I think it was fast-paced and well-written. The characters were so interesting and relatable. Bree isn't always super likable but she is absolutely a believable teenager.