Reviews

How Maya Got Fierce by Sona Charaipotra

loves_to_read411's review

slow-paced

2.5

resslesa's review

Cute although a little convoluted and predictable. Love that it features South Asian Indian women!

sujata's review

4.0

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC. Slow to get
Me engaged but loved it in the end. More engaged in Maya’s personal and work story than any of the romantic relationship stuff

julieannasbooks's review

4.0

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Fierce Reads and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced finished copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

How Maya Got Fierce turned out to be a quick and fun summer contemporary for teens and young adults alike. While this book took some time to set the stage, I was really able to appreciate that later on as I really felt for the characters in this story.

I really loved the representation throughout this story. Coming from New York, I can’t say I know much about the agriculture industry, so having a story around Desi families and farming was really interesting. In the first half of How Maya Got Fierce, we really get to know the characters and how their families’ businesses impact their lives in so many ways.

But then there’s Maya’s adoration for journalism and Fierce magazine, and these two worlds came together in such an unlikely, yet wonderful way. As I read, I wasn’t sure how this book would end off, but it was better than I expected.

A lot of what made the pace pick up for me was wanting to know how Maya would untangle her lies. I do think a little bit of suspension of disbelief has to go into reading this given that Maya’s pretending to be almost ten years older in a position that would have required past experience, but for the messages that came out of this book I feel like it was worth it. We all have stories to tell, and from so many unique perspectives. When I started my first job, I was encouraged to ask why we did the things we did at the company – since I grew up around technology, my perspectives were embraced, knowing that I could have ideas that could change things for the better. Maya was able to do this too, but by sharing the stories of populations that were less often heard.

There was definitely some second-hand stress trying to figure out how Maya would pull it off, and you can definitely feel that through her. But her passion for the magazine really came through as she strived for better representation in the magazine, and despite some of the questions I had about the odds of this kind of situation happening, the overall message of this book made it so worth it.

yapha's review

4.0

This was a fun summer read! Who wouldn't want to land their dream job and the hot guy for the summer? Maya feels torn between what she feels she should do, what her family wants her to do, and the dreams she wants for herself. Spending the summer away from home helps her clarify things -- even though she weaves an epic weave of lies as she makes her way through. Recommended for grades 8 & up.

eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

megs_s's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

antoinettepowb's review

4.0

What an amazing story about family loyalty and chasing your dreams! I enjoyed reading about Maya balancing family expectations and exploring the life she wants for herself. This is relatable for so many young people today. Throw in Cow Camp, deciding how she feels about two guys, lying about her age to keep a dream job, and mending strained relationships it becomes a great summer read!

lisbethwhite's review

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.0

mailovesbooksblog's review

2.0

The idea of someone acting of an older age for opportunities is so much fun!

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis:

Maya dreams of working in magazines. But as the daughter of garlic farmers, her path is set: it’s off to Cow Camp instead. But when she ends up in the New York City area and realizes her cousin's girlfriends works at Maya's favorite magazine - Fierce - an opportunity falls in her lap to intern. It's her dream job, and she can't pass it up, even if means disappointing her family and lying to her parents.

The only problem? Maya hasn't accepted an internship. She's accepted a full time job, as a staff writer, and everyone at Fierce thinks she's 26.

Maya is so close to making her dreams come true, even if the glam life at Fierce isn’t quite as shiny and fun as she hoped. But when she suggests the perfect candidate for a big story—and manages to get the scoop—all eyes are on her. How long can she keep her real age from her boss—and her real life from her parents?

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC!

maggersann's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

This was incredibly cute! The comps to Younger and The Bold Type are spot-on. If you like either show, this one is for you!