kieran317's review against another edition
4.0
Great YA novel. I want to read more by Mahogany Browne!
kylamari's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
anakuroma's review against another edition
4.0
TW: Abuse, injury, neglect, misogyny
A healing story about recovery from abuse and starting over and finding yourself.
A healing story about recovery from abuse and starting over and finding yourself.
britishbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I’m really not the target audience for this book, being neither a young adult or person of colour, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Vinyl Moon is the story of Angel, a Californian girl who finds herself living with her uncle in Brooklyn after an incident (we initially have only a hint about this, but it definitely involved her boyfriend Darius – full details emerge later in the book)
Angel has the opportunity for a fresh start, though initially she only sees it as something she is being forced to do. She starts her new school with a broken arm, a broken heart and a broken spirit. Through the friendship of the girls in her group, she starts to believe in herself again but it is through books and her love of music that she really starts to find herself.
This book is important for young BAME adults, as Angel is desperate to find books written by, and about people like her – she can’t relate to “the classics” because she cannot see herself or her life reflected in those books.
I really like the way that the author has interspersed poetry, music references and mentions of other books between vignettes of Angel’s life, all in a way that captures the voices of the main characters. The short sections/chapters reflect the fast paced life that teens live.
There is quite a lot of challenging content (including abusive relationships, racism, homophobia, alcoholism and teenage pregnancy) yet the message overall is very positive. None of the topics are dwelt on too much, but they are present. The book could have explored hem in more depth, but it would have changed the style and probably therefore the audience of the book.
I will definitely look for more by this author, and will look out for some of the books mentioned as I am not familiar with so many of them (The Bluest Eye, The House on Mango Street, Push) and they sound like modern classics …
Vinyl Moon is the story of Angel, a Californian girl who finds herself living with her uncle in Brooklyn after an incident (we initially have only a hint about this, but it definitely involved her boyfriend Darius – full details emerge later in the book)
Angel has the opportunity for a fresh start, though initially she only sees it as something she is being forced to do. She starts her new school with a broken arm, a broken heart and a broken spirit. Through the friendship of the girls in her group, she starts to believe in herself again but it is through books and her love of music that she really starts to find herself.
This book is important for young BAME adults, as Angel is desperate to find books written by, and about people like her – she can’t relate to “the classics” because she cannot see herself or her life reflected in those books.
I really like the way that the author has interspersed poetry, music references and mentions of other books between vignettes of Angel’s life, all in a way that captures the voices of the main characters. The short sections/chapters reflect the fast paced life that teens live.
There is quite a lot of challenging content (including abusive relationships, racism, homophobia, alcoholism and teenage pregnancy) yet the message overall is very positive. None of the topics are dwelt on too much, but they are present. The book could have explored hem in more depth, but it would have changed the style and probably therefore the audience of the book.
I will definitely look for more by this author, and will look out for some of the books mentioned as I am not familiar with so many of them (The Bluest Eye, The House on Mango Street, Push) and they sound like modern classics …
blvckboyinparis's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
this is one of my absolute favorite books. any books where the main character talks about books is a good book. any book where the main character finally gets the apology they deserve is a good book. any book where the main character is a part of some sort of support group is a good book. any book where the main character finally gets taken care of and gets to experience their childhood while they're still growing up is a good book. this is a good book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
k_fallah's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mikesbooklife's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I developed a love for Angel when she was introduced briefly in Chlorine Sky. Her story is powerful it’s about allowing yourself to change and to grow despite the situations you’re in. It’s about finding joy and love in small thing and in your community when you can’t find it in yourself.
101jazzy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Violence