damusicalpoet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
3.5
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful, motivational and good book about a teen mom and how she wants to be a cook and how hard she works, studies to get something good.
I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time and I was delighted when I spotted it at Library #1's English collection (slowly they are adding more books).
Meet Emoni (though her name is apparently pronounced Imani which was utterly confusing to me as I kept calling her Ay (double ee here)moni). A teen mom who has a sweet baby named Emma (though Emoni likes to call her Babygirl). She loves cooking and she is working hard for her family to make sure things are possible. I loved her strong will and I loved how brave she was. I loved seeing her with her daughter and their bond was just so sweet and strong.
There is a slow-burning romance and I am definitely happy with how the author wrote it. I just loved seeing the characters get closer and closer together as the book went on. Though OK, at times it was a bit too slow and I wished they would just kiss already. :P But other than that very happy with how Malachi and Emoni found each other. I loved how sweet and patient Malachi was and how he was with Emma.
While I wasn't always a fan of Tyrone (especially not the whole I can date but you cannot), he was a great father and really did his best to be there for Emoni and Emma. Sure, his mom was a handful (and being a terrible woman at times), but at least Tyrone was a good guy. I loved seeing him pick up his daughter, and at the end with his proposal... well I had a feeling it was coming given things in the book.
The trip to Spain was so much fun and I was delighted for Emoni that she could come with her group. I don't see it as a spoiler given the whole book has things going well for Emoni. She learned so much while being there, and I loved the cook she had as a teacher. I also loved how mature she was, as her other classmates clearly showed they were still teens.
I loved Angelica, she was such a fun and sweet girl and I loved seeing her together with her girlfriend, Laura.
Abuela was also a terrific character. I have to say I was worried with the constant going to the doctor stuff, and was preparing myself for the worst. In the end something else turns out to be the reason why, but I kind of wish that maybe the author had picked another venue, because really I kept being worried throughout the book. I didn't want to lose this great grandmother.
We also see Emoni's father with whom she has not so good of a bond, which I could understand given how she only sees him once a year and other than that at times phone calls. Given how he practically dumped her with his mother when she was born. WOW. But I could see that he was a kind person and that he did mean well mostly.
Plus points to the absolutely stunning and beautiful cover. And I love that we see the food/fruit items come back with each chapter header.
Just a few things why this book isn't a 5 stars, however there was enough good that the book was saved from a 4 stars.
1) The magical food that Emoni makes and how everyone thinks it is perfect and magical and stirs up memories and how people cry. I have never in my life see anyone cry about food or say it brought back memories. Not even in tv shows (and I watch a great deal of food shows). I have eaten at restaurants, food made by myself, by other people. They were delicious, they were great, and I would eat them all the time, but to say it stirred memories? Neither have I seen friends or family cry over food. I wouldn't have minded the OMG memories/crying thing happening once or twice, but it kept happening and it felt really too much.
2) Emoni and her instinct. I am glad that she learned something because oh boy you could kill someone with that instinct. I know people who are lactose intolerant, I myself have nuts/peanuts/sesame/ and some others allergies, I know people who are allergic to garlic and other spices. You CANNOT just add stuff unless you tell people or put it on the list. You could kill someone. She was quite a drama queen when she was taught this lesson.
3) Drinking age in Spain is 18, not 16.
4) The Babygirl stuff and how she called her baby's real name her government name. Whut? I have never in my life heard anyone say that nor call a given name that way. Plus, is she really going to call her baby Babygirl forever? I can tell you that will confuse the kid, not to mention she is coming to an age she may not be called a baby.
5) The ending just felt a bit to convenient. I understand that it may happen this way, but it just such a small small chance.
But all in all, this was a book I really liked reading and I am so glad I got a chance to do so. There was so much good to this book and I really liked the characters. I would definitely recommend it to all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time and I was delighted when I spotted it at Library #1's English collection (slowly they are adding more books).
Meet Emoni (though her name is apparently pronounced Imani which was utterly confusing to me as I kept calling her Ay (double ee here)moni). A teen mom who has a sweet baby named Emma (though Emoni likes to call her Babygirl). She loves cooking and she is working hard for her family to make sure things are possible. I loved her strong will and I loved how brave she was. I loved seeing her with her daughter and their bond was just so sweet and strong.
There is a slow-burning romance and I am definitely happy with how the author wrote it. I just loved seeing the characters get closer and closer together as the book went on. Though OK, at times it was a bit too slow and I wished they would just kiss already. :P But other than that very happy with how Malachi and Emoni found each other. I loved how sweet and patient Malachi was and how he was with Emma.
While I wasn't always a fan of Tyrone (especially not the whole I can date but you cannot), he was a great father and really did his best to be there for Emoni and Emma. Sure, his mom was a handful (and being a terrible woman at times), but at least Tyrone was a good guy. I loved seeing him pick up his daughter, and at the end with his proposal... well I had a feeling it was coming given things in the book.
The trip to Spain was so much fun and I was delighted for Emoni that she could come with her group. I don't see it as a spoiler given the whole book has things going well for Emoni. She learned so much while being there, and I loved the cook she had as a teacher. I also loved how mature she was, as her other classmates clearly showed they were still teens.
I loved Angelica, she was such a fun and sweet girl and I loved seeing her together with her girlfriend, Laura.
Abuela was also a terrific character. I have to say I was worried with the constant going to the doctor stuff, and was preparing myself for the worst. In the end something else turns out to be the reason why, but I kind of wish that maybe the author had picked another venue, because really I kept being worried throughout the book. I didn't want to lose this great grandmother.
We also see Emoni's father with whom she has not so good of a bond, which I could understand given how she only sees him once a year and other than that at times phone calls. Given how he practically dumped her with his mother when she was born. WOW. But I could see that he was a kind person and that he did mean well mostly.
Plus points to the absolutely stunning and beautiful cover. And I love that we see the food/fruit items come back with each chapter header.
Just a few things why this book isn't a 5 stars, however there was enough good that the book was saved from a 4 stars.
1) The magical food that Emoni makes and how everyone thinks it is perfect and magical and stirs up memories and how people cry. I have never in my life see anyone cry about food or say it brought back memories. Not even in tv shows (and I watch a great deal of food shows). I have eaten at restaurants, food made by myself, by other people. They were delicious, they were great, and I would eat them all the time, but to say it stirred memories? Neither have I seen friends or family cry over food. I wouldn't have minded the OMG memories/crying thing happening once or twice, but it kept happening and it felt really too much.
2) Emoni and her instinct. I am glad that she learned something because oh boy you could kill someone with that instinct. I know people who are lactose intolerant, I myself have nuts/peanuts/sesame/ and some others allergies, I know people who are allergic to garlic and other spices. You CANNOT just add stuff unless you tell people or put it on the list. You could kill someone. She was quite a drama queen when she was taught this lesson.
3) Drinking age in Spain is 18, not 16.
4) The Babygirl stuff and how she called her baby's real name her government name. Whut? I have never in my life heard anyone say that nor call a given name that way. Plus, is she really going to call her baby Babygirl forever? I can tell you that will confuse the kid, not to mention she is coming to an age she may not be called a baby.
5) The ending just felt a bit to convenient. I understand that it may happen this way, but it just such a small small chance.
But all in all, this was a book I really liked reading and I am so glad I got a chance to do so. There was so much good to this book and I really liked the characters. I would definitely recommend it to all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
isela_b's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- 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? No
4.0
shereadsbetweensips's review against another edition
5.0
This book is phenomenal. I am going to give it 4.5 stars with a touch of sazón !! I no longer read that many YA books but this one in particular belongs in my shelf. I need to have this amazing book in my possession. I cannot explain how much I loved it with the correct words. Being from Puerto Rico, born and raise in the island, to me is magical. Every time Emoni explained the feeling of nostalgia her Abuela felt every time she ate Emoni’s food… I feel that ever single time I cook something authentic from PR. This book has a very deep sense of what the Puerto Rican culture is. I found myself smiling and laughing along whenever Elizabeth said something in Spanish. Not only because it was funny but because I can see myself talking to my Abuela like that and Abuela saying the things Abuela Gloria said in the book. It is humbling how hard working Emoni is. She’s strong -minded and hardheaded but she achieves everything she wants. She’s a fighter. I didn’t like that she had baby Emma wearing Jordan’s but that’s another thing.
readswithrosie's review against another edition
4.0
Excuse me while I drool over the food in this book.
With The Fire on High follows high school senior Emoni, a teenage mother and a talented cook who was raised by her grandmother, ‘buela. When her school offers a culinary arts class, she is thrilled- this is her chance to pursue something she loves. We follow her through the last stage of her high school career navigating young motherhood, romance, tough classes, strained relationships, and financial struggles.
This is a gorgeously written book, and as is the case with many YA novels, it addresses important topics while still creating an easy-to-read story. This book explores racial identity and pride, resilience, trust, passion, family, and the journey from adolescence to more mature adulthood. We watch as Emoni struggles with the huge responsibilities placed on her shoulders at a young age, but DANG- if I were half as put together at her age as she is I would have been WAY more well adjusted... but it’s fine I’m fine.
Perfect when paired with Costco carnitas tacos topped with salsa and guac, tart lemonade, and your natural curls (that you WISH rivaled Emoni’s). 4.2 ⭐️
With The Fire on High follows high school senior Emoni, a teenage mother and a talented cook who was raised by her grandmother, ‘buela. When her school offers a culinary arts class, she is thrilled- this is her chance to pursue something she loves. We follow her through the last stage of her high school career navigating young motherhood, romance, tough classes, strained relationships, and financial struggles.
This is a gorgeously written book, and as is the case with many YA novels, it addresses important topics while still creating an easy-to-read story. This book explores racial identity and pride, resilience, trust, passion, family, and the journey from adolescence to more mature adulthood. We watch as Emoni struggles with the huge responsibilities placed on her shoulders at a young age, but DANG- if I were half as put together at her age as she is I would have been WAY more well adjusted... but it’s fine I’m fine.
Perfect when paired with Costco carnitas tacos topped with salsa and guac, tart lemonade, and your natural curls (that you WISH rivaled Emoni’s). 4.2 ⭐️
laroris's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. This author has become one of my favorites and I will read anything she does.
Amazing
Amazing
dlberglund's review against another edition
5.0
All the feels! All the love.
Emoni is a character I root for every day. Elizabeth Acevedo's writing (and reading of the audiobook) are lyrical and real and grounded and beautiful and hopeful. Her women are strong. The men are flawed, but they step up. The people in the novel make mistakes, but there are no villains--only people who you can either try to sympathize with or decide not to try (and that's on you). Loved this.
Emoni is a character I root for every day. Elizabeth Acevedo's writing (and reading of the audiobook) are lyrical and real and grounded and beautiful and hopeful. Her women are strong. The men are flawed, but they step up. The people in the novel make mistakes, but there are no villains--only people who you can either try to sympathize with or decide not to try (and that's on you). Loved this.
webbn13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
susannaopal's review against another edition
5.0
This was a re-read for me but I listened to it this time for a book club discussion. And honestly, listening to the author read it, made me like it even more -- just switched my rating from 4 to 5 stars (Why aren't they books?!). This story is just wonderful, highly recommended for high schoolers or high-level middle schoolers (there is some talk about sex, cursing, etc).