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bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Classism
emily_mh's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
5.0
Tiffany D. Jackson is an auto-buy author for me, okay? She is SO TALENTED and I can just trust that her books will be a hit with me. This was no different.
There are two major parts to the plot of this book: Jasmine, Quadir, and Jarrell trying to get their dead brother and friend Steph a record deal, and them trying to solve his murder. The music side of the plot paced the story well from the beginning. It brought some levity to it as the MCs were made to navigate the challenges brought about when you’re trying to get a record deal for someone who is no longer alive. It still had a huge emotional impact though, because it was through Steph’s music that the MCs were processing their grief and mourning for him. The murder mystery plot line mirrored the music one in that through trying to solve Steph’s murder, the MCs were seeking closure and also justice for Steph. And it certainly kept me guessing till the end! Inextricably woven into all of this was nuanced discussion of racism, classism, and sexism, and the way they manifest in social issues (that directly impacted and influenced the story itself) such as police brutality, lack of access and opportunity, and gun violence.
The MCs were excellent. Individually they all had amazing character development, coming so far from where they started out at the beginning of the book. This really is a coming-of-age story, where Jarrell, Quadir and Jasmine are learning a lot about themselves, each other, and the world around them.
The friendship shown in this story was beautiful. Not only was it written so naturally, but the MCs had such loyalty and love for one another, and for Steph. The lengths they went to make his dreams come true and get justice for him spoke to their deep devotion. I also liked the romance between Quadir and Jasmine, and generally loved how community was depicted in people showing up for others when they needed it.
Finally, I loved learning about 90s hip hop culture, like what different artists were known for and the impact their music had on listeners. On that note, Malik “Malik-16” Sharif’s lyrics were incredible in how expressive they were and and how they perfectly tied into the narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Slavery, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Major: loss of a loved one Moderate: fainting Minor: texturism, internalised misogynymorganperks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
On The Come Up vibes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
tehcup's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
kyinpublic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence
lorithereadingfairy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
TW: Drug Use, Gangs, death (off-page), death of a sibling, gun violence, police bruality, grief
Rep: Black Cast, Black MC’s
Headline: Three Kids From Brooklyn Pull Off the Biggest Heist in Hip-Hop History
A few days ago, I decided to go binge listen through Jackson’s books via audiobooks, and y’all every time I do-it’s a masterpiece. The audiobooks for her books are absolutely GORGEOUS, STUNNING AND I ALWAYS GET CHILLS FROM LISTENTING TO THEM. Jackson’s books are so gorgeous and I keep falling in love with him, mostly because the narrator(s) in her books.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme has three/four narrators that narrates Jasmine, Quadir and Jarrell and a little bit of Steph. An I love them. I was expecting one narrator, but multiple making it easier to distinguish the characters, but each narrator brought out each character respectfully.
I love Jackson’s books a lot especially with her characters. And these characters were so loveable. Jasmine is Steph’s brother, who is a brilliant singer, and trying to piece together what happened to her older brother and why he got murdured. Quadir and Jarrel are both Steph’s best friends and are trying to find out what happened to him.
All three of them team up in order to show what Steph was really good in: in making music. They want to highlight what their friend’s life could have been, and y’all, it was so good. Their characters were so strong and they developed so well throughout this novel. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO LOVE THEM.
I LOVE THAT THIS BOOK WAS HIP-HOP INPSIRED. Steph’s music was genius and it always led me breathless every time I could hear it through the audiobook. It’s one huge highlight from listening to the audiobook. Tupac, the hip hop and just teens being teens is literally the best.
I love the way Jackson wrote the love about Brooklyn and how much these three teens cared about their town. And the culture is was brought, and it was so very beautiful. Along with late 90’s nostalgia.
I loved that this book dealt with gangs, police brutality, snitching and drug use-things that are still very real to this day. And the way each topic was handled with care was so good especially because they happened in the 90’s and not just today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Drug use, Police brutality, and Grief