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arlangrey17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
I was so gripped by this whole story - then the last chapter and conclusion seemed rushed and fell kinda flat. I was expecting more self reflection from Ray.
Heads up for some intense racist content.
Heads up for some intense racist content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
kimveach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Great story. The audible narration was terrific, and a violin played in between parts. It was more painful to hear the racism spoken than it would have been to read about it, but that made it more real. I loved learning about the world of the top classical musicians and the Tschaikovsky Competition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
jessiecat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Death
gkaltam's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
summermc13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
mrsmeowmix's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This book was difficult to read at times due to the blatant racism the main character faced, but I realize as incredulous as it may seem, it is reality that Black people face constantly. As a violinist I loved the lyrical description of the music. The pace picked up considerably and overall it was a very good thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
singsandreads's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
3.0
For a book advertised as a mystery/thriller it has far less to do with the missing violin and spends most of the book recounting his journey from teenager on a school violin to him competing in the worlds finest music competition, and the racism and lawsuits he encounters along the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
leahgustafson's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
3.0
This book didn’t quite end up being what I expected, though, there are some really positive things about it. First, this is a very unique perspective of the classical music world, something I personally know nothing about. This story highlights the blatant racism in the classical music sphere as well as issues of access and privilege that keep so many children of color out of this space from the very beginning. Brendan Slocomb’s Author’s Note is incredibly powerful and truly enriches Ray’s fictional story. Many of the situations Ray finds himself in have come from Slocomb’s lived experiences.
•
Unfortunately, this book just didn’t come together for me. The pacing felt a little off, and there were parts that it felt very, very slow. The cast of characters was not as complex or dynamic as I’d have hoped for either. Some of them felt very one dimensional.
•
This story was also marketed as part mystery/thriller, and I felt that aspect of the story was just kind of in the background. The person who “did it” and the whole backstory felt a little far fetched and forced.
•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
whizardreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death
jerica_mercado's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Slavery and Violence