Reviews

Why We Fly, by Gilly Segal, Kimberly Jones

bettyemanee's review

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

3.75

This book was really good, but the plot felt very rushed. In just a few chapters they had somehow gone through an entire semester? The ending seemed a bit loose, as well. I wish we'd gotten more about Leni & Chanel together instead of just their separate POVs. Chanel's chapters should've been longer, too.

lynnek's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

3.5

jennifergallo's review against another edition

4.0

This novel is set in 2019 during the Colin Kaepernick NFL kneeling scandal BEFORE the viral BLM movement took hold in the summer of 2020. Two best friends and high school cheerleaders, Eleanor and Chanel, are navigating their senior year during a time of social and political uncertainty. Their cheer squad decides to take a stand by taking a knee at the first football game of the season but their act of rebellion has disastrous consequences for the students involved. Chanel, who is black, is singled out and suspended while none of the other members of the squad suffer consequences. This novel explores issues of friendship, race and privilege.

I read the bestselling debut novel by these authors 'I'm Not Dying with You Tonight' and this book did not disappoint! Both of the authors live in Atlanta which is also the setting of the book. Although this book is meant for teens, I think it resonates for both teens & adults. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Black Lives Matter / anti-racist movement or the nuances of interracial friendship & relationships in modern day America.

Check out Why We Fly by Kimberly Jones; Gilly Segal and be sure to get this YA novel wherever you buy books!

✦ Goodreads ➜ https://bit.ly/3kkvD7M
✦ Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/3kmV8oW
✦ Apple ➜ https://apple.co/2Xtml0u
✦ Google ➜ https://bit.ly/2XoNuS5
✦ Kobo ➜ https://bit.ly/3tQPsH8
✦ Nook ➜ https://bit.ly/39kH8G8

TAGS: fiction, contemporary, young adult, romance, people of color protagonists, race, politics, black lives matter, blm

*Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire, & the authors Kimberly Jones & Gilly Segal for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review #WhyWeFly #NetGalley @NetGalley #sourcebooksfire @sourcebooksfire #KimberlyLatriceJones @kimberlylatricejones #GillySegal @really.gilly

div13's review

1.0

I just couldn't get past the writing style. It was so cringy (anything that uses "cap" or "slay" or "low-key" should be illegal). This book felt like it was published straight off of the Wattpad page of a 12 year old.

This had potential to be so much better, and actually explore all the themes. The discussion on racism was short, and the discussion on how Nelly was unfairly targeted was also short-lived.

Spoiler

also, this would have worked so much better as a sapphic romance

Spoiler

hart_ley's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

2.75

mokey81's review against another edition

3.0

It was fine. Might mean more to people the same age as the characters. I enjoyed the story. Two friends growing in different directions. Social issues. Realistic young love. It was a decent read.

emmieclemmie's review

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

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

3.25

I think the concept of this book is phenomenal, and a very timely/current issue.  The book does an good job of touching on a bunch of different valuable contemporary lessons that I could def relate to things that have happened in my life, though I honestly did not like how most of the book was written.  Much of the dialogue and transitions felt choppy, and at times the authors would summarize whole months or events in a couple of sentences, while other times the authors would go into a lot of detail about a couple of days.  I didn't like how they just skipped whole weeks in the characters' lives, it felt very un-clean (? idk how to describe it).  I also absolutely hated Chanel Rose/Nelly's character.  She came off as very stuck-up and full of herself and because literally half of the book was from her POV I just hated that I literally wanted to punch her 97% of the time.  In general the writing/development of the characters seemed very inconsistent to me, and the characters' actions and dialogue felt very unnatural a lot of the time.  The concept definitely carried the book, and really made me think.  I WILL FOREVER HATE CHANEL THO. 

sapphicreads64's review

emotional 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

4.0

chloeflynn's review

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective

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

Really enjoyed!! BEST PROJECT LIT BOOK OF THW YEAR SO FAR!! So so many thoughts

swstarlight's review

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

2.75