Reviews

Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams

clevergirl216's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Very likeable characters, and i really wanted them to succeed. Book is intense and hard to put down. Based on sone true happenings, which make it a little more unpredictable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, War, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Bullying, Rape, Blood, and Child death

Minor: Addiction and Suicidal thoughts

miazuccaro20's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

really great story with a great plot. i love how the book started out sad but ended pretty happy, deo made the best of every thing that he was felt with and always perservered even when things got tough in his life!

ejwalduck82's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.0

marymaebaker's review against another edition

4.0

A really great story!

bravelass85's review against another edition

4.0

I read this book quickly - it’s pace and exposition was such a joy. In this story a young boy and his brother experience violence at the hands of Mugabe’s soldiers in Zimbabwe and flee to South Africa. The books follows how they get there and what they must do to survive. This is a book about how hard it is to be a refugee, how vulnerable you are to others, how much you don’t understand about the communities you are moving through, and how people can be incredibly kind or completely untrustworthy. A quick and well-written book.

k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition

4.0

Now is the Time for Running is about a teenage boy who is forced to escape Zimbabwe with his older, mentally impaired brother. They encounter life threatening dangers along the way and life doesn't improve once they reach South Africa. This is a young adult novel based on real life experiences of people in the African countries around 2008. Did to the audience, it is a fairly palatable account of a horrific time in the world's not so distant history.

kiara_seoul's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

4.25

Seeing the journey of the two brothers and their hope for a better life was so tense, yet hopeful. I was completely invested in the story.

Unfortunately, the ending fell flat in my eyes. Some of the events were unnecessary or just felt rushed. But the futbol tournament slightly made up for it.

buuboobaby's review against another edition

4.0

4 1/2 stars. Very moving read about a young refugee. I don't think I would have been able to keep going if I was in Deo's shoes. The things people to do each other is enough to break your heart.

Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com

higanbanaya's review

adventurous challenging dark informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

thehmkane's review against another edition

4.0

If you're looking for an entry point into understanding the situation(s) in Africa, I found this book helpful. Deo is an admirable young man, incredibly relatable. His presence is so strong and vibrant he practically leaps off the page. This is an unbelievably powerful read, and knowing that it is based on interviews the author conducted with refugee boys in South Africa is eye-opening. Do yourself a favor: read this book. It's not very long, and you'll be inspired to educate yourself.