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katelynprice's review against another edition
- 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
I loved Emoni, BabyGirl, 'Buela, the reliable educators, and this lovely coming-of-age story. This is a lovely example of an engrossing character-driven story. I loved getting a glimpse at Emoni's struggles as a teen mom, especially co-parenting. There were also some really good historical and cultural insights about the Caribbean islands. Of course, I can't leave out the descriptions of food and Spain that made me want to cook while simultaneously booking a flight. I will read anything Elizabeth Acevedo writes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Sexual content, Medical content, and Death of parent
katiemack's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
I'm so glad I chose to listen to the audiobook to hear the author read her own words with so much love and passion. (My only regret is that I don't have easy access to the recipes Emoni describes--they sound delicious.)
This could have easily been a book mired in pain and bogged down by angst, but there's a strong current of hope throughout. Emoni is a strong young woman and mother and has responsibilities that are clearly outlined, but she's also clearly a teenager who enjoys teen things and all the joy that comes with that without ignoring the other aspects of her life. I found myself admiring her strength and liking her as a person, which is a tough balance to strike.
If you're looking for a YA audiobook to listen to that features diverse voices, pick this one up.
This could have easily been a book mired in pain and bogged down by angst, but there's a strong current of hope throughout. Emoni is a strong young woman and mother and has responsibilities that are clearly outlined, but she's also clearly a teenager who enjoys teen things and all the joy that comes with that without ignoring the other aspects of her life. I found myself admiring her strength and liking her as a person, which is a tough balance to strike.
If you're looking for a YA audiobook to listen to that features diverse voices, pick this one up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
lasafica_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Vomit, Abandonment, and Alcohol
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, Outing, and Gaslighting
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Elizabeth Acevedo‘s writing is always immersive, beautiful, and emotional. This is partially good storytelling, but a lot of it is because she’s a poet first and lyricism blossoms in her prose. This is the second book I’ve read by Elizabeth Acevedo, and I liked it just as much if not more than The Poet X.
Emoni lives with her abuela and takes care of her young daughter while finishing senior year and working part time at the local burger joint. It might not be the life she would have chosen for herself originally, but she loves it, and she loves her daughter Emma more than anything. There is a trend of contemporary young adult books that portray stereotypical negative images in a positive light, and in many ways, With the Fire on High is one of those. It’s a story of acceptance and love. It’s about embracing the unexpected and not giving up on yourself.
As a main character, I really enjoyed Emoni because she was imperfect, but not in the way too many readers may assume. She’s also multi-faceted and interesting. She is stubborn but hard-working. She is positive and encouraging, but hopelessly hard on herself. She’s extremely responsible but also extremely self-sacrificing. I really enjoyed the way Acevedo took us through her year using food as a guide. Through this medium, Acevedo was able to show Emoni’s passion and individualism, making her a person and not just a silhouette. I was hungry every time I listened to the audiobook – I want food like Emoni makes: bursting with flavor and filled with emotion and memory.
It’s always amazing to listen to an author read their own audiobook. Most of them read excellently, but there’s something particularly special about listening to a poet. I know Elizabeth Acevedo is so much more than her poetry, but let’s be real. Her poetry is incredible, beautiful, and thought-provoking. She knows how to present words verbally. She knows how to evoke images in her lilts and tones and she does it marvelously. I really enjoyed listening to her read this book and I’m so glad she was the narrator.
With the Fire on High was an easy book to love and I devoured it. I already recommended this one to folks before I finished it, so I absolutely recommend it to you, dear reader. It’s one I’m going to add to my personal collection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
queen_melliott's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
amykuc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
I'm trying to curtail my book buying (ha!). But I listened to this one on audio and then needed my own copy. There was some beautiful descriptions and quotes that I wanted to be able to keep.
Emoni Santiago is balancing a job, a daughter, and her senior year of high school. This year the school is offering some special elective classes, and one of them is a culinary class-Emoni's passion. The highlight of this class is a week-long educational trip to Spain. Emoni meets a new classmate, Mateo, who is adding a new thing to balance. She wants so badly to give her daughter a different life than she has and also has huge trust issues, stemming back to her father who left her with her abuela while he returned to the Dominican Republic after her mother's death during childbirth.
It was so easy to be inside Emoni's brain as she tries to figure out what she wants for her life instead of what others want for her. Watching the journey from her distrust of men to the realizations she has come to by the end are so hopeful.
The characters in this book are seniors in high school. Be aware that language and sexual content is appropriate for high school students.
Emoni Santiago is balancing a job, a daughter, and her senior year of high school. This year the school is offering some special elective classes, and one of them is a culinary class-Emoni's passion. The highlight of this class is a week-long educational trip to Spain. Emoni meets a new classmate, Mateo, who is adding a new thing to balance. She wants so badly to give her daughter a different life than she has and also has huge trust issues, stemming back to her father who left her with her abuela while he returned to the Dominican Republic after her mother's death during childbirth.
It was so easy to be inside Emoni's brain as she tries to figure out what she wants for her life instead of what others want for her. Watching the journey from her distrust of men to the realizations she has come to by the end are so hopeful.
The characters in this book are seniors in high school. Be aware that language and sexual content is appropriate for high school students.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
ran_sophia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
The story is amazing and brilliantly created and executed. The twists in the story were well written and placed. The style of writing and storytelling is great. It was easy and fast to read. The author's style made the reader feel the emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Bullying, Stalking, and Alcohol
britgirlreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Racism, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship