melmoony's review
- 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
3.5
It’s a story about the hardships of being transplanted to a new country, of struggling to make ends meet, of persecution and of being willing to do anything for those you love.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Racism, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Stalking, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape, Incest, and Alcoholism
notartgarfunkel's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Ableism
Minor: Drug use, Fatphobia, Vomit, and Car accident
kaneebli's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Hate crime, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Rape, and Incest
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Death, and Racism
carolinefaireymeese's review against another edition
4.5
Throughout, Henriquez lends equal weight to various voices from the building, a conglomerate of immigrants (new and old) from Hispanic countries in South and Central America. There is no central line of messaging from all of them--some feel completely at home, some feel anger towards the racism they still experience, some have been able to thrive and flourish in their dreams in America, others have been run down and beaten by this country that was supposed to provide new life. The point is to know them, and to listen to the myriad of voices, to treat each story as important and worthwhile.
Another note: Henriquez is brilliant at portraying the voice of a teenager here. Often, work that takes teenagers' seriously is relegated to YA, but Henriquez treats Alma and Mayor with equal interest in their worldviews. One truly feels the righteous anger of a teenager, the rush of early love, the secrets and misunderstandings and fear of parents' power again when inhabiting Mayor's perspective.
Moderate: Gun violence and Hate crime
Minor: Sexual assault