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shiny_raccoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book felt like one book when I started and then felt like it took a turn partway through and became something else. No surprise twist or big revelation, the characters life just changed. The people she started spending time with became not so nice.
I thought I was going to love it. It ended up being a much harder read than I first thought. As a result I didn’t love it.
I thought I was going to love it. It ended up being a much harder read than I first thought. As a result I didn’t love it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
katarinabee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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? No
4.25
This was fantastic to read as an audiobook - I loved hearing patois spoken aloud by Leonie Elliot, and the excerpts of music that sometimes played in the background created so much atmosphere and context. I loved how embodied and powerful music was in this book - almost to the point that Yamaye's descriptions of music at times felt like magic realism. I also really liked the concept of how history isn't in the past - it's always embedded in the present, and continuing to reverberate alongside our lives. Occasionally the plot lost a bit of steam and felt a little disjointed - but overall I thought this book was great, and can't wait to see what Jacqueline Crooks writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
kit_kate's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Whilst reading Fire Rush, there were times when I didn't really know how to feel about it. The structure, the language used and the music lyrics were at times tough to follow and I had to read some passages twice to really get a sense of it. I also found that it required focus and a much slower pace of reading to really absorb what was happening. Now, upon completion, I feel that this extra time and focus was so worth it. It was such an engaging read, and I felt totally immersed in the vivid and varied world that Jacqueline Crooks has brought to life. There were times when reading on the train that I was barely aware of my commute passing by. The writing is rich, vibrant and with its descriptions of music, colours and foods, really tickles the senses.
Whilst set in the late 1970's/early 80's, the themes and situations facing the characters felt very relevant to the world today. The book is split into three sections, the first felt almost like a coming of age section with the characters working, living for the weekend, discovering more about themselves, their relationships, the world they live in and experiencing love for the first time. The second section, titled 'Safe House', is anything but and explores the effects of abuse and control. The third section feels like a coming home, a section where hope and strength are found and recovery can take place.
In some ways I wish I had been able to listen to this on audio, as it would have perhaps helped to bring to life the lyrics and language the characters use. I may try and listen to it at some point as I imagine this would bring an added richness to the text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
violentcello's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
wordsofclover's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Police brutality
mappy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
5.0
The voice, the language of this book is simply divine. Crooks pays dividends with her words - sound, colour and heat are described in such a way that they are palpable across all five senses, a sixth sense, beyond; like past and present, life and death, every element of Fire Rush comes together to draw a setting that the reader can step into, mangoes and molasses at once flavour, colour, scent.
This story contains one of the most beautiful examples of Black love I have every read. I could not get enough of Moose and all that he embodied.
Fire here is so many things - music, dance, violence, passion, communication, tradition. It's almost unbelievable that the themes that carried through this novel failed to become repetitive, but it's easy to understand if you're pulled in by this novel the way I was, if you feel that you're living every burning moment with Yamaye.
I hoped to finish my last read of the Women's Prize longlist before the shortlist was announced, but what an opportunity to celebrate its place on the shortlist. I would be absolutely thrilled if this won.
This story contains one of the most beautiful examples of Black love I have every read. I could not get enough of Moose and all that he embodied.
Fire here is so many things - music, dance, violence, passion, communication, tradition. It's almost unbelievable that the themes that carried through this novel failed to become repetitive, but it's easy to understand if you're pulled in by this novel the way I was, if you feel that you're living every burning moment with Yamaye.
I hoped to finish my last read of the Women's Prize longlist before the shortlist was announced, but what an opportunity to celebrate its place on the shortlist. I would be absolutely thrilled if this won.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug use
rochelles_reading_journal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation
lilly_anne's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Dementia, and Grief
mjscooke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I received an advanced digital reading copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Part love letter to music, part lament on grief, Fire Rush follows Yamaye through her descent into the soundscape of club nights in the crypt, to the dark criminal world of Bristol & the even darker depths her of grief and rage. There is a lot to like about this story and how it threads together a devoted passion to music as a way to escape emotions and dull the pain of circumstances. I struggled to read it though. I was only really invested in the one character who absence is the catalyst for the journey and felt like the aspects I enjoyed were rushed. I can see how this mimics the character journey though and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the music scene, and emotional tales. Be sure to check out content warnings online before diving in though as there are many heavy topics and scenes that could be very triggering.
Part love letter to music, part lament on grief, Fire Rush follows Yamaye through her descent into the soundscape of club nights in the crypt, to the dark criminal world of Bristol & the even darker depths her of grief and rage. There is a lot to like about this story and how it threads together a devoted passion to music as a way to escape emotions and dull the pain of circumstances. I struggled to read it though. I was only really invested in the one character who absence is the catalyst for the journey and felt like the aspects I enjoyed were rushed. I can see how this mimics the character journey though and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the music scene, and emotional tales. Be sure to check out content warnings online before diving in though as there are many heavy topics and scenes that could be very triggering.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Drug use, and Grief
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship