Reviews

Darkness Before Dawn, Volume 3 by Sharon M. Draper

britni_library's review

dark emotional tense fast-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

4.0

picwaz's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

liyah1234's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

mtayl104's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.25

markma's review

3.0

Darkness Before Dawn by Sharon M. Draper is about Keisha. Keisha goes to Hazelwood high and had a hard time last year after Andy died. She does not think that she will ever find someone that she cares about as much again. Jonathan Hathaway is the principles son and he is a junior in college, he is coaching the track team at Hazelwoodl. Keisha is on the track team and he takes an interest in her. Keisha is so happy to have someone so nice care about her. She also likes how he makes her feel mature. Everyone is skeptical of Jonathan but Keisha. Keisha is warned about Jonathan but she does not believe them, how can someone so nice be bad?

This book really taught a lot about sexual predators. I would recommend this book to middle school girls because it teaches you about what to be wary of.

lit_editions's review

5.0

Another heavy issue...I'm surprised the Dad kept his composure the way he did.

Keisha pissed me off, but I got the allure, I'm happy that she had a different outcome, but I wish she would of truly did something about it...

trishabee2000's review

4.0

Good story, some of the dialogue is dated but still relatable for teens today

williamsdebbied's review

4.0

Third in the Hazelwood High trilogy.

Keisha, getting ready to give a speech at graduation, reflects on the trials and triumphs of her senior year. She and her classmates have seen and experienced a lot--death, abuse, divorce, homelessness, rape, abandonment, anorexia, and love. Whew! No kidding, it's all in there!

The drama is a bit over the top, but teens who enjoy page-turners will not be able to put this one down. Reading the first two books will make this one richer, but it can also stand on its own.

windingdot's review

3.0

Yeah, it's a YA book, but the author taught English at my high school, so I was curious.

lmurray74's review

5.0

Reviewing YA books from my 44 years on earth, I try to put myself back in my teen years. There are clichés here, and some convenient boyfriend/girlfriend pairs, but the power of the book is the narrator, Keisha, and how she faces an incredible challenge. No spoilers, as I didn't have any before reading it, so better not to know how the story unfolds. I feel a lot of affection for Keisha and for the other people in the book. I'd say it's best to read Hazlewood High 1 and 2 first to get the background on this group of teens. Sharon Draper puts full power in her narrator's hands and I feel as if Keisha jumped off the page on many occasions.