Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Sur le vif

Elizabeth Acevedo wows again, With the Fire on High is an emotional and raw novel following Emoni and her struggle of trying to balance school, raising her daughter, and trying to figure out what she wants out of life.
This is not a book to read on an empty stomach, every meal had my stomach grumbling at the deletable descriptions, and mouth-watering recipes.
A favorite element of all of Acevedo's books is how race is talked about and dealt with. I relate so much whenever this comes up, and the way it is handled feels like a window to my heart had her peering in and putting onto page what I feel.
I never really thought I would enjoy and relate to a book about pregnancy, and the struggle of being a teen mom, and how it affects your entire life and those around you. It is truly a testament to the excellent writing how relatable and real the characters felt. When 'Buela confessed about her doctors appointments, I think my heart broke a little.
Acevedo truly succeeds at putting so much of herself and her heart in every page, as much as love and family is a running theme, so too is hope, and not giving up no matter how hard life gets. I think one of the reasons I always reach for Acevedo's books is because they alway give me hope, and make me feel less alone. So many times I feel so alone, lost, and adrift in life, and then I read a heart-warming novel such as this one and it makes me feel like maybe I can make through another day. That maybe no matter how much I am struggling now, it will all be worth it in the end. To chase your dreams is to welcome fear and learn to be okay with doubt and taking a chance on stuff that might not succeed. I may not have a family like Emoni does, but I do have an unshakeable perseverance, and books like this that allow me to keep going.
A MUST READ.

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katelynprice's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved Emoni, BabyGirl, 'Buela, the reliable educators, and this lovely coming-of-age story. This is a lovely example of an engrossing character-driven story. I loved getting a glimpse at Emoni's struggles as a teen mom, especially co-parenting. There were also some really good historical and cultural insights about the Caribbean islands. Of course, I can't leave out the descriptions of food and Spain that made me want to cook while simultaneously booking a flight. I will read anything Elizabeth Acevedo writes.

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katiemack's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

I'm so glad I chose to listen to the audiobook to hear the author read her own words with so much love and passion. (My only regret is that I don't have easy access to the recipes Emoni describes--they sound delicious.)

This could have easily been a book mired in pain and bogged down by angst, but there's a strong current of hope throughout. Emoni is a strong young woman and mother and has responsibilities that are clearly outlined, but she's also clearly a teenager who enjoys teen things and all the joy that comes with that without ignoring the other aspects of her life. I found myself admiring her strength and liking her as a person, which is a tough balance to strike.

If you're looking for a YA audiobook to listen to that features diverse voices, pick this one up.

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