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jouljet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
2treads's review
challenging
dark
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? No
4.0
As a Jamaican reader, having experienced the music and dancehall scene represented here in Crooks' novel, I was captivated. The prose is alive with the riddims and sounds of my country, the movements and tension of the dancehall and the skanking style of my people.
Not only has she chosen to write this ode to a part of our musical heritage and legend but she has infused it with scenes of Black life in England that have been passed down in stories by families and friends.
Yamaye as a character is recognizable and I empathize with her. She loved and lost and then had to fight to emerge from a very predatory and violatory relationship in which she was seeking a safe place. The aid and welcome she found in Jamaica warmed my heart and I could see her strength emerging.
I can see how the reverb and bass heavy prose might throw some readers, but coming from the island where our patwa is steeped in expressions like these, especially when one is surrounded by music and musicality just made this read even more special to me. I' jus' mek sense.
Not only has she chosen to write this ode to a part of our musical heritage and legend but she has infused it with scenes of Black life in England that have been passed down in stories by families and friends.
Yamaye as a character is recognizable and I empathize with her. She loved and lost and then had to fight to emerge from a very predatory and violatory relationship in which she was seeking a safe place. The aid and welcome she found in Jamaica warmed my heart and I could see her strength emerging.
I can see how the reverb and bass heavy prose might throw some readers, but coming from the island where our patwa is steeped in expressions like these, especially when one is surrounded by music and musicality just made this read even more special to me. I' jus' mek sense.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual content, and Violence
katarinabee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? No
4.25
This was fantastic to read as an audiobook - I loved hearing patois spoken aloud by Leonie Elliot, and the excerpts of music that sometimes played in the background created so much atmosphere and context. I loved how embodied and powerful music was in this book - almost to the point that Yamaye's descriptions of music at times felt like magic realism. I also really liked the concept of how history isn't in the past - it's always embedded in the present, and continuing to reverberate alongside our lives. Occasionally the plot lost a bit of steam and felt a little disjointed - but overall I thought this book was great, and can't wait to see what Jacqueline Crooks writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
barbarella85's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Rape, and Police brutality
kit_kate's review
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Whilst reading Fire Rush, there were times when I didn't really know how to feel about it. The structure, the language used and the music lyrics were at times tough to follow and I had to read some passages twice to really get a sense of it. I also found that it required focus and a much slower pace of reading to really absorb what was happening. Now, upon completion, I feel that this extra time and focus was so worth it. It was such an engaging read, and I felt totally immersed in the vivid and varied world that Jacqueline Crooks has brought to life. There were times when reading on the train that I was barely aware of my commute passing by. The writing is rich, vibrant and with its descriptions of music, colours and foods, really tickles the senses.
Whilst set in the late 1970's/early 80's, the themes and situations facing the characters felt very relevant to the world today. The book is split into three sections, the first felt almost like a coming of age section with the characters working, living for the weekend, discovering more about themselves, their relationships, the world they live in and experiencing love for the first time. The second section, titled 'Safe House', is anything but and explores the effects of abuse and control. The third section feels like a coming home, a section where hope and strength are found and recovery can take place.
In some ways I wish I had been able to listen to this on audio, as it would have perhaps helped to bring to life the lyrics and language the characters use. I may try and listen to it at some point as I imagine this would bring an added richness to the text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
rochelles_reading_journal's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation
katewhite77's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is a book you feel and hear as much as read.
Yammaye is first generation British Caribbean. This novel charts the racism and police brutality, a back drop to life that forced people into to dark corners to find a sense of belonging. It is also a testament as to the lengths some women will go to to survive.
There is a Fire Rush inside us all. We just have to find it.
I particularly recommend the audio edition of this novel as it includes music which brings the narrative to life further.
Yammaye is first generation British Caribbean. This novel charts the racism and police brutality, a back drop to life that forced people into to dark corners to find a sense of belonging. It is also a testament as to the lengths some women will go to to survive.
There is a Fire Rush inside us all. We just have to find it.
I particularly recommend the audio edition of this novel as it includes music which brings the narrative to life further.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Police brutality, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Slavery
emziesreads's review
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
happyknitter2020's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Insight of Police institutional racism & how organised crime groups exploit people that are vulnerable due to not having life opportunities. Sadly true.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
mjscooke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I received an advanced digital reading copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Part love letter to music, part lament on grief, Fire Rush follows Yamaye through her descent into the soundscape of club nights in the crypt, to the dark criminal world of Bristol & the even darker depths her of grief and rage. There is a lot to like about this story and how it threads together a devoted passion to music as a way to escape emotions and dull the pain of circumstances. I struggled to read it though. I was only really invested in the one character who absence is the catalyst for the journey and felt like the aspects I enjoyed were rushed. I can see how this mimics the character journey though and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the music scene, and emotional tales. Be sure to check out content warnings online before diving in though as there are many heavy topics and scenes that could be very triggering.
Part love letter to music, part lament on grief, Fire Rush follows Yamaye through her descent into the soundscape of club nights in the crypt, to the dark criminal world of Bristol & the even darker depths her of grief and rage. There is a lot to like about this story and how it threads together a devoted passion to music as a way to escape emotions and dull the pain of circumstances. I struggled to read it though. I was only really invested in the one character who absence is the catalyst for the journey and felt like the aspects I enjoyed were rushed. I can see how this mimics the character journey though and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the music scene, and emotional tales. Be sure to check out content warnings online before diving in though as there are many heavy topics and scenes that could be very triggering.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Drug use, and Grief
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship