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A review by _rosa_reads
Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera
3.0
Perfect for the younger YA reader. Or anyone really!
Things I loved:
REPRESENTATION:
The MCs are Caribbean Afro-latinos. I was especially surprised and ecstatic when I found out Eury is Puerto Rican. As someone who left the island myself, I could relate to her mourning for Puerto Rico and home, yet celebrating its culture and endurance.
MYTHOLOGY:
I read this expecting to see Greek mythology, and I did. But I did not expect the author to mix this with Caribbean and Indigenous mythology as well. I appreciated the references to Taino culture. It was something I have not seen before and liked the mixture of different cultures.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS:
Mental health is sort of a taboo subject in Latin communities. In this book you see the struggle of accepting the reality of mental health between two generations.
BLM:
The author wrote this book during quarantine at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, right when the Black Lives Matters movement was gaining more and more traction. Without specifically mentioning the movement, Rivera reflects the social climate and the need for change through the experiences of Pheus.
When it comes to subjects and themes, I think the author did a wonderful job. I also like the relationship that Eury and Pheus have and seeing it develop. The only complaint I have is that the quality of writing could have been better. Aside from that, the book was really good.
If you enjoyed Lin Manuel's "In the Heights" you might want to check this out.
Things I loved:
REPRESENTATION:
The MCs are Caribbean Afro-latinos. I was especially surprised and ecstatic when I found out Eury is Puerto Rican. As someone who left the island myself, I could relate to her mourning for Puerto Rico and home, yet celebrating its culture and endurance.
MYTHOLOGY:
I read this expecting to see Greek mythology, and I did. But I did not expect the author to mix this with Caribbean and Indigenous mythology as well. I appreciated the references to Taino culture. It was something I have not seen before and liked the mixture of different cultures.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS:
Mental health is sort of a taboo subject in Latin communities. In this book you see the struggle of accepting the reality of mental health between two generations.
BLM:
The author wrote this book during quarantine at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, right when the Black Lives Matters movement was gaining more and more traction. Without specifically mentioning the movement, Rivera reflects the social climate and the need for change through the experiences of Pheus.
When it comes to subjects and themes, I think the author did a wonderful job. I also like the relationship that Eury and Pheus have and seeing it develop. The only complaint I have is that the quality of writing could have been better. Aside from that, the book was really good.
If you enjoyed Lin Manuel's "In the Heights" you might want to check this out.