Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

106 reviews

sarahbethhh's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

a difficult but important read. the framing was interesting, the subject matter devastating, but i felt the narrative itself could use more work.

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roguereader1980's review

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dark emotional sad 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

5.0


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hapikohw's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

4.0

Damn, Tiffany Jackson and her unwell, unbelieved Black girls. So far I am 3 for 3 with her books. They hurt and are beautiful.

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kmyr1123's review

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dark reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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thetejana_bookshelf's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


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emily_mh's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Tiffany D. Jackson just knows how to write contemporaries!! She has a true talent. Every one of the four books I’ve read of hers have been astonishing, including this one. 

This book will boil your blood. It shows in detail how Black women are harmed, exploited, devalued, and disbelieved. This happens in all areas in life, but Grown focussed on this occurring in the music industry, following Enchanted’s story. What struck me especially in relation to this topic was that people in the book (as in real life) were so desperate to put the blame on anyone but the perpetrator of harm. 

This book is heartbreaking. What Enchanted goes through is horrendous. Jackson doesn’t shy away from exactly how Black girls are exploited in the music industry. Acknowledging this reality is so important, as it provides visibility on an issue that doesn’t get any in mainstream media. 

Jackson crafted this story so well. The book starts out with the morning after the murder, then goes back in time, focussing on how Enchanted got to that point. The result is this well-executed looming sense of foreboding. The incredibly short chapters match the pace at which Enchanted’s life is snatched out of her control. We are presented with certain small details early on that then become super important later, giving that click of understanding. As I said, Jackson is one hell of a writer!! 

One thing I did think was odd was that Jackson didn’t take the stance that a 17 year old getting with a 14 year old is weird, as is a 20 year old getting with a 16 year old, when those are weird age gapes considering the relative life stages of the people involved. But I also could have been reading these sections too literally and be completely wrong about what her stance is! I just wanted to flag that in case. 

Rep: Black MC, Black SCs, Latina SC

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booktalkswithregina's review

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dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0


" Yo, Malcolm X said it best. " The most disrespected person in America is the Black Woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black Woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black Woman".

First, Tiffany D. Jackson's book. One that caught my attention right away with the stunning cover. 

Grown is a punch in the gut! A graphic portrayal of grooming and abuse. 
This was hard to read and deeply uncomfortable. Left me enraged, sad and stressed. 
This is a story about all the abused young girls. Who are lured by the appeal of a  romantic relationship and empty promises. And are then stripped of their freedom and innocence by the hands of a powerful older man. How these victims, while seeking help, are often revictimized by the police force and the judicial system.

Enchanted represents the young dreamer, naive, full of hope and desperation. Going through the growing pain phase that marks adolescence. She feels a lot of restlessness and anger. Easily fooled and manipulated.
Tiffany D. Jackson did a great job portraying and relating the relationship between Korey and Enchanted. How he slowly manipulates, corners and uses his power. 
I enjoyed how crucial the family was in this narrative. In young-adult novels, the parents are often left almost entirely out of the story. In this case, that didint happen. I loved how well the relationship was explored.
And this also provided incredibly touching and poignant father-and-daughter moments.

Another well-explored theme in this book is how quickly victims are villainized for seeking justice. Even by those that have suffered the same plight. Can't forget the layer of racism and colourism that aggravate the possibility of black women being ignored.

Overall it's a good book. I had minor issues with some of the choices made by the author in terms of plot progression and the relationship between Enchanted and her friend Gabriela.
I felt it was unnecessary, and the constant back and forth between reality and delusion was bizarre.

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kits_little_library's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

Tiffany D Jackson writes hard stories that are based off true stories like no other YA author. 

This book is HARD to read but it was done so well. It is written with a lot of grace, care, and confidence. The characters feel so raw. And as always, Tiffany D Jackson always makes me believe one thing, question those things, and then slaps me with shock.  

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sarahreads2222's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Okay, the ending though.....This book was TOUGH to get through. triggers up the wazoo. But such an important story that so many people need to read. Enchanted was such a strong character but reading from her POV you can see how even strong personalities can get brainwashed and end up in the horrific things that she went through. I don't feel qualified to review this one but wow. Amazingly written again by Jackson. 

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aformeracceleratedreader's review

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Tiffany D Jackson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is a heavy book. Read the content warnings in reviews and at the beginning of the book. 
I don't know what to say. This books shows how power dynamics of famous people are used/abused to target vulnerable people, especially young girls, and how people are so quick to blame the victims and/or gaslight the victims. Like I've stopped listening to some bands once I found out members of them targeted teens and manipulated/groomed them. Also shows how black girls in particular are seen as "more adult" or "knew what they were doing" than their non-black peers in situations of sexual violence. 
Believe victims. And if you are a victim of sexual assault, you aren't alone or at fault.

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