elsadicriscienzo's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
superharvedog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
3.5
There has been a lot of backlash against this book since it was written by a white person. While the book tells the story of a family feeling North from violence in South America, it completely fails to examined the underlying causes of these forced migrations and responsibility the the US has for them. The story does unflinchingly portray the pain and struggles of those forced to make that journey. The narrative and fast-paced and easily readable despite the difficult subject.
clairemariarose's review against another edition
2.0
OCTOBER 2021 UPDATE: consider this book demoted. the more i think about it, the more i dislike it. i was too generous with my initial rating. even reading over this review, my thoughts were negative in november 2020. and they remain negative! 2 stars, 2.5 stars if i'm feeling really nice.
NOVEMBER 2020 REVIEW: i flirted with the idea of rating this 3 stars but thought maybe that was too harsh. so i settled on 3.5 stars and rounded up for the star system.
basically i have a lot of ~thoughts~ here. a white woman writing this story really doesn’t sit right with me. and the romance aspect was really wack. and for all the trauma that jeanine cummins forced down my throat during this journey that ending was pretty convenient. also maybe this is me just reading too far into it, but i fear that stories like this just work to fuel the idea that most undocumented immigrants are a result of “illegal border crossing” when in reality most just overstay their visas.
with all that being said, though, i ultimately appreciate the fact that this story exists. immigration can be harrowing. cartel violence is very real. the characters felt real.
but idk. i wasn’t super in love with the writing or the pacing or the actual storytelling aspects. maybe i’m just being overly critical idk ahh don’t come for me
NOVEMBER 2020 REVIEW: i flirted with the idea of rating this 3 stars but thought maybe that was too harsh. so i settled on 3.5 stars and rounded up for the star system.
basically i have a lot of ~thoughts~ here. a white woman writing this story really doesn’t sit right with me. and the romance aspect was really wack. and for all the trauma that jeanine cummins forced down my throat during this journey that ending was pretty convenient. also maybe this is me just reading too far into it, but i fear that stories like this just work to fuel the idea that most undocumented immigrants are a result of “illegal border crossing” when in reality most just overstay their visas.
with all that being said, though, i ultimately appreciate the fact that this story exists. immigration can be harrowing. cartel violence is very real. the characters felt real.
but idk. i wasn’t super in love with the writing or the pacing or the actual storytelling aspects. maybe i’m just being overly critical idk ahh don’t come for me
aashka315's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
momofwestnpop's review against another edition
5.0
This book was EVERYTHING! It took me on a journey of emotions and opened my mind to perspectives I had never thought of before. I couldn’t put it down. So so good!!
connie_d's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kkimball's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Very graphic but also one of the best books I’ve read this year. Would have felt much better about it though if it was written by a Hispanic woman
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Miscarriage
Minor: Confinement and Trafficking
andreamkb's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
brob1856's review against another edition
5.0
So Tragic, but so wonderfully written, yet completely heartbreaking. What so many go through just to be treated as American dirt. Wow. This is a novel but no doubt the stories are so similar to those who flee from Mexico from the danger of poverty, imprisonment to the dug Lords, and even threats to their lives and/or their families lives. Wow. This one left me awestruck.
amjaha's review against another edition
A good concept but wrapped in silly Liftime movie style drama that just struck me as too unrealistic and obnoxious to continue. Main character was likeable, but the author wrote like she had never met a child before. The “wise beyond his years” child trope was just too unbearable, the kid is supposed to be 8.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Death of parent, Deportation, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Child death, and Death