agnesbebon's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Racial slurs, Gun violence, Grief, Addiction, Police brutality, Drug abuse, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders
mllesophie'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? No
4.25
Graphic: Grief, Cursing, Abandonment, Racism, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Addiction, Homophobia, Police brutality, and Hate crime
Minor: Miscarriage, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders
the_mfghetto'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Death, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Addiction, Grief, and Homophobia
averyrembish'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
4.75
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Cursing, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Bullying
caoimhe9876's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, and Police brutality
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Cursing
nxclx's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
sheryl_marie_'s review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Brianna, a 16 year old rapper, is our protagonist. She lost her father in a gang shooting, she was separated from her mother as a child due to drug use so she's grown up hard and fast. With the notorioty of being her father's daughter Brianna has developed an explosive but deeply moral temper. She's out for justice not vengeance, she seeks change not chaos but in her youthful naivity she loses her way.
I felt what Brianna felt and I believed Brianna was right when she believed it. Angie Thomas' writing does that to you. Her characters are real. She creates authentic people in a realistic world without any minutiae.
This one just misses out on a 5 star review though. The Hate You Give was a 5 star read for me but On The Come Up isn't as complex and not quite as powerful for me. I loved the rap lyrics, the changes in pace, the glimpses of the little girl at heart in Brianna and her growing understanding of responsibility. I loved how the systemic racism in multiple arenas was definitely present but was also just a fact of Brianna's everyday life. It wasn't the main focus but Brianna wouldn't be in her situation without it. It felt accurate. On The Come Up is memorable for the way it depicts racism, poverty and inequality but it's even more memorable for the emotional journey.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Racism
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders