Reviews

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

seanwane's review against another edition

5.0

is it too white to make a sincerely me reference?

sarahvankuiken's review against another edition

5.0

I’m usually someone that struggles with sequels because I hate it if they disappoint me or taint my image of the first book... but I gotta say... I think Dear Justyce is even better than Dear Martin. I love both but for different reasons, but the overall messaging of Dear Justyce - especially when succinctly restated in the author’s note - of supporting and believing in people really pushed this book over the edge as a piece of literature that is equal parts important and emotional for me.

maliaode's review against another edition

4.5

4.5 / Really appreciated this sequel to Dear Martin. This perspective was more important than the first book in many ways because it represents the lack of agency that so many experience and how broken our biases have made us societally. It illuminates how society treats those who don’t even have a chance to be the people they want to become. Loved this book and want to keep reading more Black fiction (and non-fiction) and educating myself further.

kibberbl's review against another edition

reflective sad fast-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

bellaeme's review against another edition

5.0

“And beneath all his fury, he still wants her to love him.”

amymariedoug's review against another edition

5.0

'Un-put-downable' and addictive - Dear Justyce is an important book which you NEED to read.

Our protagonist is Quan - a young African American boy who we follow from childhood to early adulthood. He spends his childhood trying his hardest to succeed, but fails by being pushed into situations that society and the people in it seem determined to place him in - Quan is eventually wrongfully incarcerated for murder. This novel is split between Quan's letters to Justyce and 'Snapshots' or flashbacks that show the events leading up to his current situation. I absolutely loved this style of writing, and Stone's prose is equally evocative and moving.

The novel shines a light on the atrocities experienced by Black individuals within the American justice system, showing racial bias everyone within society seems determined to hold against Quan. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Art is important for shaping opinions, and only by shaping opinions will the real-life Quan's get justice.

icegoddess09's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious fast-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

4.0

jessicaa_m's review

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-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

3.0

colleen_be's review

challenging emotional hopeful fast-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

mirathebread's review against another edition

4.0

Reading the story of Quan made me really emotional and from times it was heartbreaking, especially since its not "pure fiction" but that stories like his are very much real lives.
I am very much a sucker for happy endings, so even tho it isnt realistic (yet), hopefully we can change that, so people like Quan can have their happy endings..