Scan barcode
annamae1's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this novel, I listened to the audio book read by Kwame Alexander. A beautiful story that weaves the characters and music through out the journey. Highly recommend it.
emmzxiee_07's review against another edition
4.0
I can't deny the fact that despite the awkward things that happened in this book, I still liked it.
I accompanied my reading with an audiobook and it makes the experience so different since the author himself is singing some lines on the story. It makes the book so magical.
One thing that I didn't like is the way that it was written. Maybe I am not a fan of this kind of format but I am sure it'll also be a stepping stone for me to discover more genres and writing format styles.
Cheers to Solo!
STAR RATING: 4.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I accompanied my reading with an audiobook and it makes the experience so different since the author himself is singing some lines on the story. It makes the book so magical.
One thing that I didn't like is the way that it was written. Maybe I am not a fan of this kind of format but I am sure it'll also be a stepping stone for me to discover more genres and writing format styles.
Cheers to Solo!
STAR RATING: 4.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Crossover so I thought I would love this, but it seemed VERY similar to me. I understand finding something that works and sticking with it, especially if your audience is middle grade and young adult boys, but it seemed more like checking things off a list - famous father, check; weird family dynamics, check; death in some shape or form, check; passion (music vs sports, but still), check. It was well done overall, but still can’t help but feel like it was just a slightly different version of the same book.
shorouk97's review against another edition
4.0
I couldn't give this book less than 4 stars . It was beautiful. Although it isn't my type of books but the writing style was so good. I had to keep reading.
I liked Blade and storm. I liked the feeling of family here. All the problems here was real for many people.I liked how the author represented each of them smoothly.
Robert was a wonderful character. I liked him a lot . All the wisdom in this book was so good.Joy's character was unique.I think I need to read about persons like her.
Blade description of Ghana was beautiful.I really wanted to go to the places he visited.
The audiobook is impressive. I think I like the story more because of the audiobook.I liked the songs inside the book.That is rare for me .
I liked Blade and storm. I liked the feeling of family here. All the problems here was real for many people.I liked how the author represented each of them smoothly.
Robert was a wonderful character. I liked him a lot . All the wisdom in this book was so good.Joy's character was unique.I think I need to read about persons like her.
Blade description of Ghana was beautiful.I really wanted to go to the places he visited.
The audiobook is impressive. I think I like the story more because of the audiobook.I liked the songs inside the book.That is rare for me .
wanderlustlover's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Kwame Alexander, Mary Rand Hess, Blink Publishers, and NetGalley for this free honest reviewer copy of "Solo."
I was absolutely sold from go about this new Young Adult novel being written entirely in poetry and music. This novel was powerful in its impact and incredibly needed in a world where poetry is seen increasingly as an esoteric language but where song (which is poetry set music) is the reigning king, that no one sees the earlier shadow and shining crown of.
This whole novel was heart felt, painful, perfect and I hope that the author writes many, many more like this.
I was absolutely sold from go about this new Young Adult novel being written entirely in poetry and music. This novel was powerful in its impact and incredibly needed in a world where poetry is seen increasingly as an esoteric language but where song (which is poetry set music) is the reigning king, that no one sees the earlier shadow and shining crown of.
This whole novel was heart felt, painful, perfect and I hope that the author writes many, many more like this.
kimbongiorno's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good and the audiobook (from the library) had music on it, too! So that was fun. A young man about to turn 18 is tired of being the son of a celebrity who keeps letting him down, and goes on a journey to see who he really is. His past follows him there, so the trip is at times frustrating, funny, sad, and beautiful. My 13yo suggested it, and he was right YET AGAIN.
lostinfrance's review against another edition
5.0
I grabbed this book off the ARC shelf at work because....Kwame Alexander. Ever since I used his poetry in my class for Valentine's Day....I have loved him. This book did not fail at all.
A complete ode to Rock and Roll...this is the story of Blade as he navigates the end of high school and how to overcome his father's alcoholism (and life)...a girl and heart break. Just life. The story is told in poetry form and the verses echo through out the day after you put the book down. I shall keep this book and return to it...that is how good it is.
Read if you are a fan of YA, poetry, Kwame...or need to change your mind set.
2017 Reading Challenge: Read a book with a red spine.
A complete ode to Rock and Roll...this is the story of Blade as he navigates the end of high school and how to overcome his father's alcoholism (and life)...a girl and heart break. Just life. The story is told in poetry form and the verses echo through out the day after you put the book down. I shall keep this book and return to it...that is how good it is.
Read if you are a fan of YA, poetry, Kwame...or need to change your mind set.
2017 Reading Challenge: Read a book with a red spine.
alisarae's review against another edition
This book is sweet and short. The audio is even sweeter as it has full length recorded songs.
Blade is the son of a wild rockstar—family tensions are high when your dad seems to live to please paparazzi. Then Blade learns that he was adopted, and sets off to track down his birth mom in Ghana. A fresh perspective on life and family awaits him there.
Like I said, this book is short. So much more nuance could have been developed, but the author’s natural voice was great for this length. Meaning, he doesn’t have a lot of description and gets straight to the plot point of each scene.
Interesting that this book was published by Blink, a YA imprint of Zondervan. I guess I just wasn’t aware that there were such good fiction titles being published by Christian publishers. Call me biased, but this type of thing did not exist when I was younger. The only church link in this book is Blade’s ex gf’s dad is a pastor with strict morals about who his daughter is and is not allowed to see. So, interesting.
Blade is the son of a wild rockstar—family tensions are high when your dad seems to live to please paparazzi. Then Blade learns that he was adopted, and sets off to track down his birth mom in Ghana. A fresh perspective on life and family awaits him there.
Like I said, this book is short. So much more nuance could have been developed, but the author’s natural voice was great for this length. Meaning, he doesn’t have a lot of description and gets straight to the plot point of each scene.
Interesting that this book was published by Blink, a YA imprint of Zondervan. I guess I just wasn’t aware that there were such good fiction titles being published by Christian publishers. Call me biased, but this type of thing did not exist when I was younger. The only church link in this book is Blade’s ex gf’s dad is a pastor with strict morals about who his daughter is and is not allowed to see. So, interesting.