dianaaguilar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
mdwsn27's review against another edition
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
macyh3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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
brilliant book, very witty with a strong authors voice. brings up a lot of complex issues involving race and especially unintentional racial biases. had to take .5 off for some of the dialogue making me cringe…. i know it’s from the 2010s, but did people ever really say “lit”?? ending felt rushed and sudden, all the wrapping up happened within a chapter and the epilogue. brilliant writing with a less-than-satisfying ending, but i suppose that’s how life is sometimes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Alcohol
lovetlr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
annajjosefina's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
sarzad's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
maddiet425's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Liked the complexity of the story, but I had trouble understanding the characters intentions and wanted to hear more about Emira’s feelings and thoughts. Overall, I think the story and intentions were great but the writing lacked some of the explanations I needed to emphasize with the characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
caitlin_bookchats's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Sexual content
pointlessmoss's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The lesson I learned from this: white people need to stop meddling!! And they should also stop trying to outdo one another in an imaginary competition of "Who is the least racist" (unless it's for my personal amusement).
For real though, I LOVE the writing and the story and the characters. I feel like I was reading about real people, not made-up fictional characters. Emira has my heart. I enjoyed myself the whole time and I felt so satisfied with how everything came together. So glad I picked this book up :)
Part of me wants to recommend this to everyone I know, but the other part of me knows not everyone will get invested in a slice-of-life story with this type of writing. I also want to hear what other people took away from this book! I'm curious to see what other interpretations of the story might be, and what I may have missed!
For real though, I LOVE the writing and the story and the characters. I feel like I was reading about real people, not made-up fictional characters. Emira has my heart. I enjoyed myself the whole time and I felt so satisfied with how everything came together. So glad I picked this book up :)
Part of me wants to recommend this to everyone I know, but the other part of me knows not everyone will get invested in a slice-of-life story with this type of writing. I also want to hear what other people took away from this book! I'm curious to see what other interpretations of the story might be, and what I may have missed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Cursing, and Racism
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Animal death, Bullying, Police brutality, Fatphobia, and Stalking
kaitlynmarie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
This was a good read! It had a lot to say while still being easy to digest. It’s not my personal favorite genre of book, but it still kept me invested and reflecting.
Spoiler
my heart is still breaking for Emira and for Briar. The way Reid wrote those characters and their dynamic felt like a punch to the gut, and I hope they’re okay. Emiras struggle to know herself in a world that’s desperate to define her was enheartening and tragic and utterly relatable. I’m so proud of her and I’m so hopeful for Briar. Fuck everyone else besides them, Zara, Shaunie, and Sefa. And seriously, fuck Alix Chamberlain
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Police brutality and Racism
Minor: Racism