A review by mayrad
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This would have gotten 5 stars if it wasn't for that ending. 
***SPOILERS***
It's not that I'm emotionally affected by the ending--because I'm not-- it's more that I feel the ending unravels all the work the novel did to send a message about the juvenile prison system, and the institutional racism and abuse that exists within it. The ending was carefully planned for the sole purpose of including a twist and manipulating the reader. It was unnecessary. Jackson's writing was excellent. The story was excellent. The message was excellent. It didn't need a twist ending to be excellent. I would still recommend this book as a worthwhile read regardless of the ending.