jenndoee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Listen, this book is thicker than cold peanut butter but nooo pages were wasted! Every single page added to this beatiful story of friendship. Black & beautiful friendship! It navigates through their individual stories but they even live in the same complex so the bond is beyond unbreakable. I cried, laughed & rejoiced with these characters. It has the perfect amount of spice, plot twists & character development! Highly recommend for a buddy read/book club. Sooooo many topics were touched on that would start great discussions!
donnalisa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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
3.5
shaybooks's review against another edition
5.0
EJD has done it again, this was a very good book, I loved the way he incorporated the ladies from different books and made them friends, Indigo and Destiny was my favorite Blackbirds. This book took you through each one of the ladies lives , he touched on real things happening today and affecting peoples lives, some points I had to rewind and listen again and Say did she just say that for real, I laughed, I wanted to slap people, and I felt sad for some of them. Job well done.
breezylewis's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the book but I do feel like it was long and drawn out just for you to kinda be left hanging at the end. Did not like the ending at all. Hopefully there’s another book that follows up with them.
jenndoee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Listen, this book is thicker than cold peanut butter but nooo pages were wasted! Every single page added to this beatiful story of friendship. Black & beautiful friendship! It navigates through their individual stories but they live in the same complex so the bond in unbreakable. I cried, laughed & rejoiced with these characters.It has the perfect amount of spice, plot twists & character development! Highly recommend for a buddy read/book club. Sooooo many topics were touched on that would start great discussions!
shannanh's review against another edition
5.0
So far this was one of the best reads this year. Four friends, Kwanzaa Browne, Indigo Abdulrahaman, Destiny Jones, and Ericka Stockwell also known as The Blackbirds and their story take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride as family and personal secrets are discovered and lives are changed. This was a very exciting and well written read. He has written this story from a woman's point of view and nailed it. I wanted to throw the book several times, but since it was on my Ipad, I decided against it. Not to mention there were a lot of screaming at characters moments. Excellent Job. You will not be disappointed. Thank you to Penquin's First to read program for the opportunity.
thestitchedpages's review against another edition
3.0
Typically I love EJD books but this one was just okay for me.
I loved the friendships displayed among the 4 women, although I did not like the characters themselves, especially Indigo. I think she was my least favorite. Her personality was awful. Kwanzaa wasn't all that memorable to me but at least she was tolerable. Destiny's story was just...a lot but I loved her. Ericka was my favorite character but the fact that she was sleeping with her friend's dad creeped me tf out. Reading the scenes with those 2 made me uncomfortable. Ericka seemed like a decent person and I hate that her mother and life in general was so awful towards her.
Honestly, the book was too long. We could've skipped through a lot of Indigo and Kwanzaa's drama.
I loved the friendships displayed among the 4 women, although I did not like the characters themselves, especially Indigo. I think she was my least favorite. Her personality was awful. Kwanzaa wasn't all that memorable to me but at least she was tolerable. Destiny's story was just...a lot but I loved her. Ericka was my favorite character but the fact that she was sleeping with her friend's dad creeped me tf out. Reading the scenes with those 2 made me uncomfortable. Ericka seemed like a decent person and I hate that her mother and life in general was so awful towards her.
Honestly, the book was too long. We could've skipped through a lot of Indigo and Kwanzaa's drama.
ezichinny's review against another edition
4.0
Eric Jerome Dickey has a powerful command in the portrayal of relationships. This new story is no different then his other books. His characters was very relatable and the story was emotionally gripping. I laughed at some parts, shook my head sometimes and I cried at parts. This book was like Sex and the City or Girlfriends. This plot revolved around a sisterhood featuring Kwanzaa Browne, Destiny Jones, Ericka Stockwell and Indigo Abdulrahaman. These best friends have seen each other through various phases of their lives and now they have made a pact to celebrate each friend in a special way on their respective birthdays.
Kwanzaa is still reeling from the breakup of her six year relationship after he had given her an STD. She is torn between moving on and maybe listening to the pleas of her cheater fiancée.
Destiny has been going by the name “Kismet” to hide her identity because when she was a victim of a gang rape that was recorded and the video went viral. Since her name pulls up this traumatic and humiliating period of her life, Destiny actually avoids people all together.
Indigo, the Nigerian beauty is caught in a love triangle between two men and will need to make the decision between the one that she wants and the one she needs.
Erika was really the glue that held the friendship together but she was really coming to terms with dissolution of her marriage. She is a cancer survivor with a mother who treated her atrociously. She harbors a lot of pain from childhood but she tries to be strong for the Blackbirds.
This year is a pivotal year for the Blackbirds as they are trying to leave behind the pain and grab onto happy. They are doing things outside their comfort zone like sky diving and they are pledged to be rock if any of them are floundering. It was refreshing to see that were honest and real with each other, especially the sharped tongued Indigo. I felt like Indigo was the scene-stealer because she was hilarious. She was gave it verbally to the guys and girls equally. She was so entertaining.
The love the ladies had for each other really made this story endearing. The author writes really memorable characters and this one was no exception. I love the resolution in the conflicts each character was dealing with and felt each woman was in a much stronger place emotionally than they were at the beginning of the book. My only complaint, which is a consistent one with this author’s book, is the length. It was too long and it would have been even more powerful with a trim.
This story will still command your attention from page 1. If you want The Girlfriends experience, then pick up this book now.
*Special Thanks to Penguin via First to Read for the book given in exchange for an honest review.
Kwanzaa is still reeling from the breakup of her six year relationship after he had given her an STD. She is torn between moving on and maybe listening to the pleas of her cheater fiancée.
Destiny has been going by the name “Kismet” to hide her identity because when she was a victim of a gang rape that was recorded and the video went viral. Since her name pulls up this traumatic and humiliating period of her life, Destiny actually avoids people all together.
Indigo, the Nigerian beauty is caught in a love triangle between two men and will need to make the decision between the one that she wants and the one she needs.
Erika was really the glue that held the friendship together but she was really coming to terms with dissolution of her marriage. She is a cancer survivor with a mother who treated her atrociously. She harbors a lot of pain from childhood but she tries to be strong for the Blackbirds.
This year is a pivotal year for the Blackbirds as they are trying to leave behind the pain and grab onto happy. They are doing things outside their comfort zone like sky diving and they are pledged to be rock if any of them are floundering. It was refreshing to see that were honest and real with each other, especially the sharped tongued Indigo. I felt like Indigo was the scene-stealer because she was hilarious. She was gave it verbally to the guys and girls equally. She was so entertaining.
The love the ladies had for each other really made this story endearing. The author writes really memorable characters and this one was no exception. I love the resolution in the conflicts each character was dealing with and felt each woman was in a much stronger place emotionally than they were at the beginning of the book. My only complaint, which is a consistent one with this author’s book, is the length. It was too long and it would have been even more powerful with a trim.
This story will still command your attention from page 1. If you want The Girlfriends experience, then pick up this book now.
*Special Thanks to Penguin via First to Read for the book given in exchange for an honest review.
raynerayne's review against another edition
3.0
It was interesting and fun learning about these different women, and the story was decent. That cover, tho, was what made me pick the book up in the first place. It's gorgeous!
karmas_shelf24's review against another edition
5.0
I have been a fan of EJD forever. I am amazed at his ability to write Blackbirds from the perspective of four different women and make the storyline both believable and relatable.
Normally, I whiz through books, but I wanted to take my time and really enjoy this novel. Dickey takes you on a journey each time he writes.
Indigo, Kwanzaa, Destiny, and Ericka have formed am admirable sisterhood, and it was refreshing to read. Each woman also has her own set of demons to battle. I am hoping there is a part 2.
Normally, I whiz through books, but I wanted to take my time and really enjoy this novel. Dickey takes you on a journey each time he writes.
Indigo, Kwanzaa, Destiny, and Ericka have formed am admirable sisterhood, and it was refreshing to read. Each woman also has her own set of demons to battle. I am hoping there is a part 2.