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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book originally through Net Galley, and finally made time to read it recently.
"Briarcliff Prep" follows 14-year-old Avielle LaBeau as she starts her freshman year at the notorious Briarcliff Preparatory School for Girls, one of only a few historically black boarding schools. Avi has to deal with all the normal, angsty teenage things, and she is just trying to make her first year at Briarcliff memorable. Unfortunately, Avi learns there is something going on between her older sister and her boyfriend, and Avi has to decide what she should do about it.
This book felt very well written and very age appropriate. I also really appreciated that the characters reacted to the situations that arose in a way that felt authentic for their age.Avi learns that her older sister's boyfriend is abusive, and her sister does not want Avi to tell anyone about the violence. Not only does her sister act in a way that felt authentic, Avi is tormented by what to do. At only 14, this is such a big issue for her to be tackling all on her own. She is conflicted because she knows that this is not okay and her sister needs help, but she does not want her sister to be mad at her. This type of representation is great to see for this age group because it shows the consequences of what Avi does decide to do. Domestic violence is also far too common, and at any age it can feel difficult to navigate, but especially for high schoolers.
Additionally, I felt like the diversity of characters, and having an all-black cast is great for representation. Young black people have to deal with issues that not everyone else has to, and I think it is vitally important for black young adults to see themselves and their issues represented in media.
Avi is a normal teenager, and she is going through her own turmoil at school. She unintentionally gets placed in a math class that is way above her skill level, she wants more than anything to be on the newspaper but seems to be fighting an uphill battle to get on it, and she has a crush on a boy that she does not think her brothers would approve of. All of these small problems added complexity to Avi and her situation and made her feel more real. She is fun, but more than anything she is relatable.
I had a really great time reading this book, and I think it is a great coming of age story for the young adults of today.
"Briarcliff Prep" follows 14-year-old Avielle LaBeau as she starts her freshman year at the notorious Briarcliff Preparatory School for Girls, one of only a few historically black boarding schools. Avi has to deal with all the normal, angsty teenage things, and she is just trying to make her first year at Briarcliff memorable. Unfortunately, Avi learns there is something going on between her older sister and her boyfriend, and Avi has to decide what she should do about it.
This book felt very well written and very age appropriate. I also really appreciated that the characters reacted to the situations that arose in a way that felt authentic for their age.
Additionally, I felt like the diversity of characters, and having an all-black cast is great for representation. Young black people have to deal with issues that not everyone else has to, and I think it is vitally important for black young adults to see themselves and their issues represented in media.
Avi is a normal teenager, and she is going through her own turmoil at school. She unintentionally gets placed in a math class that is way above her skill level, she wants more than anything to be on the newspaper but seems to be fighting an uphill battle to get on it, and she has a crush on a boy that she does not think her brothers would approve of. All of these small problems added complexity to Avi and her situation and made her feel more real. She is fun, but more than anything she is relatable.
I had a really great time reading this book, and I think it is a great coming of age story for the young adults of today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
kendal_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
martin27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
3.75
I will readily admit that I was not necessarily the target audience for this book. That didn’t keep me from seeing myself in Avi and from feeling invited to experience her world. The author has succeeded in created a setting that feels like a second home for both the characters and the audience, and the love, heartbreak, and stresses of teenage life are accurately and honestly depicted.
Plot-wise, it’s very straight forward. Avi goes to school. Avi meets a mean girl. Avi meets a boy. I wouldn’t call this a flaw; it’s not meant to be the most thought-provoking book ever. It’s ultimately about the bond between Avi and her sister Belle, which is by far the most complex and interesting relationship in the book.
Some of the side characters do come off a bit flat. They fall into tropes fairly often (Moe is the over-protective brother, Zazie is the good vibes photographer, Paisli is a nosy preteen using TikTok, etc.), but they aren’t boring. They just all come across as side characters in Avi’s story. Of all the side characters, Rhyon and Quincy seem to be the strongest in my opinion, but Rhyon’s arc is completed quite a bit before the book ends, and Quincy’s arc felt very smooth until the very end of the book, where things just cut off. The author introduces a lot of names early in the book that rarely come back (for example, Rhyon’s roommate, who I had completely forgotten about by the book’s end when she is finally mentioned again and I had to try and remember what I was supposed to know about her).
A solid read, especially for teenagers, and it does address several important topics in a way that felt realistic and didn’t romanticize or sugarcoat any of them.
Plot-wise, it’s very straight forward. Avi goes to school. Avi meets a mean girl. Avi meets a boy. I wouldn’t call this a flaw; it’s not meant to be the most thought-provoking book ever. It’s ultimately about the bond between Avi and her sister Belle, which is by far the most complex and interesting relationship in the book.
Some of the side characters do come off a bit flat. They fall into tropes fairly often (Moe is the over-protective brother, Zazie is the good vibes photographer, Paisli is a nosy preteen using TikTok, etc.), but they aren’t boring. They just all come across as side characters in Avi’s story. Of all the side characters, Rhyon and Quincy seem to be the strongest in my opinion, but Rhyon’s arc is completed quite a bit before the book ends, and Quincy’s arc felt very smooth until the very end of the book, where things just cut off. The author introduces a lot of names early in the book that rarely come back (for example, Rhyon’s roommate, who I had completely forgotten about by the book’s end when she is finally mentioned again and I had to try and remember what I was supposed to know about her).
A solid read, especially for teenagers, and it does address several important topics in a way that felt realistic and didn’t romanticize or sugarcoat any of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
amberinpieces's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Excrement, Vomit, and Medical content
bookedandbusy's review
challenging
dark
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
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! It showed the reality of dating violence and not only how it affects the person it’s happening to, but also how it affects the ones who love them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail