Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - On the Come Up

Adored this book! While this does focus a lot on black trauma and institutional racism, it's more about the strong ties of a community and family. I loved the raps!

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cvaught's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.0

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amesnotamy's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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ekmook's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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? Yes

3.75

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beckyyreadss's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

4.0

I wanted to read this book as I was enjoyed Angie Thomas’s novels. Both are on my favourites list and both are 10/10 so when I heard that Angie Thomas had written another novel, I instantly went out and brought it and all I can say is WOW!

This book follows sixteen-year-old Bri who, one day, wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of the Gardens. She is the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he could make it big. Bri feels the pressure of filling the shoes of his legacy. But now that her mum has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are becoming a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. As the bills start building up and homelessness threatening the family, Bri no longer wants to make it – she needs to make it and quickly. Will Bri make it to the top? Will she be able to get out of the Gardens? It is set in the United States of America in a community called Garden Heights and it is a young adult realistic fictional book all about race and social justice.

I love this book. It's the same set up as Angie Thomas’s other novels – hard hitting, cutting edge and discusses topic that aren’t easy but needs to be discussed! I liked the fact that it’s set in the same community as the other novels and mentioned the incidents to do with Starr. I liked Bri’s character development and her relationship with her brother and her best mates. I don’t think there is anything wrong with this novel, I just prefer the Carter family to Bri’s family. But I enjoyed the books overall and Angie Thomas is a God-given gift.

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mllesophie's review against another edition

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dark funny hopeful 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? No

4.25

Ok, a book about somebody who wants to be a rapper is not for me. But since it was written by Angie Thomas I wanted to read it anyway. Angie Thomas is a really good author and this story made me think about how it is to be black in my neighborhood. I really think that the reality is not the same then the one in this book, but I think this reflection is something that should be happening more often then it is right now.

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