shereadsbetweensips's review
5.0
This book is phenomenal. I am going to give it 4.5 stars with a touch of sazón !! I no longer read that many YA books but this one in particular belongs in my shelf. I need to have this amazing book in my possession. I cannot explain how much I loved it with the correct words. Being from Puerto Rico, born and raise in the island, to me is magical. Every time Emoni explained the feeling of nostalgia her Abuela felt every time she ate Emoni’s food… I feel that ever single time I cook something authentic from PR. This book has a very deep sense of what the Puerto Rican culture is. I found myself smiling and laughing along whenever Elizabeth said something in Spanish. Not only because it was funny but because I can see myself talking to my Abuela like that and Abuela saying the things Abuela Gloria said in the book. It is humbling how hard working Emoni is. She’s strong -minded and hardheaded but she achieves everything she wants. She’s a fighter. I didn’t like that she had baby Emma wearing Jordan’s but that’s another thing.
readswithrosie's review
4.0
Excuse me while I drool over the food in this book.
With The Fire on High follows high school senior Emoni, a teenage mother and a talented cook who was raised by her grandmother, ‘buela. When her school offers a culinary arts class, she is thrilled- this is her chance to pursue something she loves. We follow her through the last stage of her high school career navigating young motherhood, romance, tough classes, strained relationships, and financial struggles.
This is a gorgeously written book, and as is the case with many YA novels, it addresses important topics while still creating an easy-to-read story. This book explores racial identity and pride, resilience, trust, passion, family, and the journey from adolescence to more mature adulthood. We watch as Emoni struggles with the huge responsibilities placed on her shoulders at a young age, but DANG- if I were half as put together at her age as she is I would have been WAY more well adjusted... but it’s fine I’m fine.
Perfect when paired with Costco carnitas tacos topped with salsa and guac, tart lemonade, and your natural curls (that you WISH rivaled Emoni’s). 4.2 ⭐️
With The Fire on High follows high school senior Emoni, a teenage mother and a talented cook who was raised by her grandmother, ‘buela. When her school offers a culinary arts class, she is thrilled- this is her chance to pursue something she loves. We follow her through the last stage of her high school career navigating young motherhood, romance, tough classes, strained relationships, and financial struggles.
This is a gorgeously written book, and as is the case with many YA novels, it addresses important topics while still creating an easy-to-read story. This book explores racial identity and pride, resilience, trust, passion, family, and the journey from adolescence to more mature adulthood. We watch as Emoni struggles with the huge responsibilities placed on her shoulders at a young age, but DANG- if I were half as put together at her age as she is I would have been WAY more well adjusted... but it’s fine I’m fine.
Perfect when paired with Costco carnitas tacos topped with salsa and guac, tart lemonade, and your natural curls (that you WISH rivaled Emoni’s). 4.2 ⭐️
laroris's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. This author has become one of my favorites and I will read anything she does.
Amazing
Amazing
dlberglund's review
5.0
All the feels! All the love.
Emoni is a character I root for every day. Elizabeth Acevedo's writing (and reading of the audiobook) are lyrical and real and grounded and beautiful and hopeful. Her women are strong. The men are flawed, but they step up. The people in the novel make mistakes, but there are no villains--only people who you can either try to sympathize with or decide not to try (and that's on you). Loved this.
Emoni is a character I root for every day. Elizabeth Acevedo's writing (and reading of the audiobook) are lyrical and real and grounded and beautiful and hopeful. Her women are strong. The men are flawed, but they step up. The people in the novel make mistakes, but there are no villains--only people who you can either try to sympathize with or decide not to try (and that's on you). Loved this.
webbn13's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
susannaopal's review
5.0
This was a re-read for me but I listened to it this time for a book club discussion. And honestly, listening to the author read it, made me like it even more -- just switched my rating from 4 to 5 stars (Why aren't they books?!). This story is just wonderful, highly recommended for high schoolers or high-level middle schoolers (there is some talk about sex, cursing, etc).
readingwithgee_'s review
5.0
So, if you didn't already guess by the five stars sitting up there, I LOVED this book. From the front cover and the quirky recipes scattered through the book, to the Spanish phrases I didn't understand.. The whole book was just fun and I'm all for that.
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/2019/09/17/with-the-fire-on-high-by-elizabeth-acevedo-review/?preview=true
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG https://georgiabooks.wordpress.com/2019/09/17/with-the-fire-on-high-by-elizabeth-acevedo-review/?preview=true
tchoupicalme's review against another edition
4.0
J'ai beaucoup aimé cette histoire. Emoni est un personnage très attachant qui tente de se connaître et de comprendre comment vivre avec ses rêves et sa réalité.
Le côté cuisine m'a énormément plu. J'aime beaucoup cuisiner et ça m'a particulièrement touché d'enfin voir un personnage principal aimer ça et en parler de cette manière.
Le côté romance était mignon, même si ce n'était pas le plus important. Malachi est un personnage sympathique et qui fait du bien. Cependant j'ai préféré le personnage d'Angelica, qui était un vrai rayon de soleil !
J'ai aussi apprécié que la fille d'Emoni ne soit pas considéré comme un poids tout au long du roman, sans être totalement oubliée. Il y a un bon équilibre entre la vie familiale et tout le reste, ce qui est franchement appréciable.
L'histoire en elle même était très bonne et elle a été très bien écrite. J'ai dévoré ce roman, et je ne suis pas déçu de cette lecture. Tous les sujets ont pu être traités à parts égales, sans que ça soit trop.
Le côté cuisine m'a énormément plu. J'aime beaucoup cuisiner et ça m'a particulièrement touché d'enfin voir un personnage principal aimer ça et en parler de cette manière.
Le côté romance était mignon, même si ce n'était pas le plus important. Malachi est un personnage sympathique et qui fait du bien. Cependant j'ai préféré le personnage d'Angelica, qui était un vrai rayon de soleil !
J'ai aussi apprécié que la fille d'Emoni ne soit pas considéré comme un poids tout au long du roman, sans être totalement oubliée. Il y a un bon équilibre entre la vie familiale et tout le reste, ce qui est franchement appréciable.
L'histoire en elle même était très bonne et elle a été très bien écrite. J'ai dévoré ce roman, et je ne suis pas déçu de cette lecture. Tous les sujets ont pu être traités à parts égales, sans que ça soit trop.
burstnwithbooks's review
5.0
This book was just so fantastic. I’m officially on the Elizabeth Acevedo train. I had heard that she narrated her audiobooks and they that were great- but they are truly fantastic. She’s an incredible narrator and I highly recommend listening to her books and audio. I can’t wait for her next book to come out!