Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks

21 reviews

jouljet's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

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. 

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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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Police brutality

Moderate: Death and Grief

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Toxic friendship

fiberreader's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Grief

kwahl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

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

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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

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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

katewhite77's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

This is a book you feel and hear as much as read.

Yammaye is first generation British Caribbean. This novel charts the racism and police brutality, a back drop to life that forced people into to dark corners to find a sense of belonging. It is also a testament as to the lengths some women will go to to survive.

There is a Fire Rush inside us all. We just have  to find it. 

I particularly recommend the audio edition of this novel as it includes music which brings the narrative to life further. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Slavery

bookish_worm's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Drug use

Minor: Self harm and Grief

happyknitter2020's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Insight of Police institutional racism & how organised crime groups exploit people that are vulnerable due to not having life opportunities. Sadly true.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail