A review by rinaknight
Briarcliff Prep by Brianna Peppins

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book has everything I love in a book: boarding schools, big families, black female lead, social awareness, and absolutely hilarious. I loved ever character in the book. They felt like fully fleshed out people. The dialogues between characters felt authentic especially to those in the black community. 

Avi was a likable and relatable main character. She had typical anxieties of going to a school that 3 of her sibling are going to and excelling at. As well as the pressure of being a legacy student. She wasn’t perfect, especially in how she handled her sister’s situation but each choice she made felt realistic. Especially for a 15 year old girl. 

Rhy and Zazie were both 3 dimensional characters and I would be happy to read a book from any of their point of views. The same can be said about all the other side characters including her siblings. 

I will admit that this book became very heavy with themes of

abuse. I could feel the pressure Avi was under and her fear of betraying for sister. She should have told sooner but she’s only 15 and her big sister that she looks up to was telling her not to tell. I hated that Mo tried to put it all on her, but I also understood that he felt bad for not looking out for his sister. Also the sweet sweet revenge Eli had was one of the best moments of the book.

The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the end with her and Quincy.

For the whole book I was rooting for them to be together. I understand that what Avi said was out-of-pocket and she had been avoiding him a lot, but I feel like he can cut her some slack considering what her family was going through. I really want there to be a second book just so they can make amends and be the cutest couple ever.

Overall, I love this book. I recommend it to anyone looking for a boarding school book, with rich black history, and relatable characters who aren’t perfect. However, you should be mindful of themes of abuse.