Reviews

This Town Is on Fire by Pamela N. Harris

cvl_1103's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

megan_watson0831's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.25

silbrite's review

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

3.0

mar038__'s review

4.0

This book was so frustrating to read at times. Not because of the writing or the author but because of how lost Naomi was in her journey. Sometimes when we overcome this type of hurdle or never have had to before, we forget about how frustratingly difficult this process is. Being black is hard y’all and sometimes we are proud of it or ashamed of it. Our attitude towards our blackness CRUCIAL. Whoever reads this, I hope you come to enjoy this book as it shows how being black can feel so empowering yet so isolating.

imstephtacular's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Racism, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

aformeracceleratedreader's review

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

4.0

Overall really enjoyed this one. The characters could be frustrating but I have to remember they are teens and teens do a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense as an adult.
Really enjoyed Naomi's journey of discovery and embracing her blackness while navigating through the things her white friends said/did that were racist. 
I mainly disliked the romance aspect between Naomi, who is a high school girl, and a college boy. I don't like college kids having romantic situations with high schoolers as a general things. I don't think his age was ever given (so he could've been 19), but I would've preferred her having a high school love interest (so her age, 17 going on 18) instead of a college one.
I honestly didn't expect the twist and did really like the ending. There were some resolutions that were good and gave the reader some hope.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Racism, and Grief

Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail

bookcaptivated's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Racism, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Police brutality and Murder

thenycbookwhore69's review against another edition

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

4.25

Okay so coming into this book I did know that this book would most definitely piss me off lmaoooo, but I overall did really enjoy it. The beginning parts/dialogue was a bit cringe, it gave Wattpad vibes, but as the story progressed it wasn’t too bad. 

I don’t want to give out any spoilers, but the ending literally had my jaw to the floor. I wasn’t expecting that twist at all. Let’s talk about Naomi’s mom because what the hell was she thinking raising her daughter like that. Like ma’am you had no inkling that maybe raising your Black daughter in that specific environment wouldn’t at some point collapse. Sigh, atleast Naomi saw the light.

Fav Quote: 

“Massa let you in the house today mammy?” Like please this had me in tears!!!!!

night_owl9's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

guardianofthebookshelf's review

slow-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0