Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Na ostrym ogniu

Acevedo always writes about deep, uncomfortable subjects that most YA authors try to steer away of. She takes the bull by the horns and does not hesitate: no taboo topics, no smoothing things over and no awkwardness. Acevedo writes unapologetically about whatever it is she wants to talk about.
On 'With The Fire On High', it is mostly race, parenthood and feminism, subjects that are also the main focus of 'Clap When You Land' (one of my favourite books of 2021).
Our main character, Emoni, is the daughter of a Puerto Rican man and an African American woman, raised by her boricua grandmother. Since her father is absent and her mother has died during childbirth, Emoni is constantly searching for her roots, which she mainly achieves with cooking, a gift she had since being a toddler.
Acevedo addresses the issues mixed kids have fitting into a world so obsessed with labels, while at the same time declaring that all that should matter is how they view themselves and want to be viewed by others. One person doesn't belong to a single box - one is multiple and must find comfort in thal multiplicity. If there's no box for you, you must create one for yourself instead of forcing yourself to fit into something that doesn't entirely fulfil you.
Cue the expectations society has for women and how we force ourselves to have those too instead of being and doing whatever we want.
When she got pregnant, Emoni wanted to have her baby even though she was just sixteen. She had to deal with her colleagues' stares and snickers while at the same time dealing with her fears towards her future. Acevedo shows us the tip of the iceberg that is being a teenage mom and having to put your dreams on hold to raise your child because women can't still have it all. They must always sacrifice something of themselves for other people. The perfect example is 'Buela, who raised her child, her granddaughter and now her great-granddaughter, leaving her happiness to last.
What mechanisms does society have in place to help these women? What happens to women less enthusiastic than Emoni? Does society let those women's dreams to rot?
And how do men keep on getting away with everything? When will we attribute them responsibility and ask them what is demanded of us? Or better yet, when will they stop asking us to do things none of them would be willing to do?
The only trouble I had with this book was the pace. Sometimes things happened too quickly, other times too slowly. I also found it more predictable than 'Clap When You Land'.
It's still a 4-star read and I can't wait to try the recipes Acevedo shared with us!

Content Warnings

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challenging 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? Yes

5.0

TW: microaggression, racism, teenage motherhood, gaslighting, parental neglect

What a subtly beautiful book. It spoke about how foods & flavours could be central to our being: from our culture, to every day living, & the formation of our memories (i.e., cognitively, acted as cues; similar to the Proustian concept of memory). The thing that I loved most about Emoni was how she tried to make the best out of the situations she found herself in; fighting against prejudices & her own insecurities. The supports & loves she received from the likes of her amazing grandmother, unforgiving bestfriend, teachers and others, touched me. Although Emoni shaped her own life, the support (& faith) from others helped guide her; and this very dynamics, touched me.

Avecedo has a way with words that held so much, even with little words. Every word she wrote was with purpose. Even in the beauty of her words, there were crass honesty, so there was a balance between dreamy ideals, & practical vulnerabilities or realities. As it was written from Emoni's perspective, you'd really get to know the essence of who she was. Moreover, Avecedo allowed us to get to know each character through Emoni's eyes, but do so compassionately when she explored their imperfections. You'd have a clear picture of the people Emoni had in her life, & how they changed each other.

I was left tearing up at the end. And what a treat it was to get to know someone as wise & eloquent as Emoni as she went about her life, trying her best to be the best mother, the best (grand)daughter - person, she could be. At the end, it wasn't just that Emoni tried to be the best for others, it was her trying to be the best for herself that really moved me; made me feel happy for her.

This book was definitely a first-class full course meal!

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