jennms_qkw's review against another edition
5.0
This is a companion to Dear Martin, from POV of a cousin of a friend of Justyce's. The intersections of race, sexism, criminal justice, mental health and more are all handled deftly and heartily. I wonder how many more books we will get to read in this series.
m_marling's review against another edition
5.0
Nic Stone is one of those authors who I know won’t disappoint. I know (from her interviews, introduction, and author’s note) that she wrote this book for the Quans in the world, but it’s also an incredible gift for people like me who need to better understand the Quans of the world, to better understand how some people have different choices than others, and just how much circumstance can change those choices.
molly_bee_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid read. I really like the diary format that these books take, and that they were able to carry over Justyce into this book as well. While the ultimately happy ending was nice, it’s hard knowing that many incarcerated individuals never get that, even when in identical situations to Quan.
jiixbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Nic Stone wrote a poignant look on the justice system out of the perspective of a young black boy named Quan. We follow his story through the years in short glimpses accompanied by letters he writes his friend Justyce (Dear Martin).
What I always enjoy about Stones writing is the way she plays with the format of words on the page. Whether it's them moving through specific formating, the dialogue flipping and changing into a script, or the letters themselves.
Never a gimmick and always with rich intentions that help emphasize whatever is going on in the story.
A solid book overall though I wish it was just way longer to explore other character dynamics that sadly fell a little short for me (especially Quans relationship with his siblings). It just needed more pages!
One character I did not only not enjoy but got on my nerves in this installment was SJ. Her self-rightousness was exhausting especially since what was going on was so beyond her, that her quipts were unnecessary. She didn't really bringanything imporant to the table which made this simply aggrevating.
There is one specific aspect that happens towards the end of the story where this line is dropped:
Birthright trips being done by a supposedly leftist activist is such an oxymoron that my head is hurting. Especially someone who is so loud and proud about her activism as SJ is. I would urge her to at least google that birthright trips are freaking propaganda?? Dissappointed that this was in here sadly.
Please read this about why Birthright trips are wrong: Link
What I always enjoy about Stones writing is the way she plays with the format of words on the page. Whether it's them moving through specific formating, the dialogue flipping and changing into a script, or the letters themselves.
Never a gimmick and always with rich intentions that help emphasize whatever is going on in the story.
A solid book overall though I wish it was just way longer to explore other character dynamics that sadly fell a little short for me (especially Quans relationship with his siblings). It just needed more pages!
One character I did not only not enjoy but got on my nerves in this installment was SJ. Her self-rightousness was exhausting especially since what was going on was so beyond her, that her quipts were unnecessary. She didn't really bringanything imporant to the table which made this simply aggrevating.
There is one specific aspect that happens towards the end of the story where this line is dropped:
"She's in Israel right now on her Birthright trip"
Birthright trips being done by a supposedly leftist activist is such an oxymoron that my head is hurting. Especially someone who is so loud and proud about her activism as SJ is. I would urge her to at least google that birthright trips are freaking propaganda?? Dissappointed that this was in here sadly.
Please read this about why Birthright trips are wrong: Link
rotellareads's review against another edition
5.0
INCREDIBLE! 5+ STARS!
This story was so gripping! Every struggle that Quan went through, every unfortunate circumstance, every let down and detrimental situation showed exactly the type of injustices that still exists for individuals like him in this world. Solely based on the color of his skin, Quan was targeted and judged. Despite his desire to do good and keep his head up, he was constantly knocked down by everything beyond his control.
Nic Stone wrote a stunning follow up to Dear Martin with this novel. I was fully enraptured in the book from the first sentence to the last. I actually ended up enjoying this book MORE than Dear Martin. I am so thankful that the author gave Quan a voice and utilized everything that Justyce went through to bring this story to life.
This story was so gripping! Every struggle that Quan went through, every unfortunate circumstance, every let down and detrimental situation showed exactly the type of injustices that still exists for individuals like him in this world. Solely based on the color of his skin, Quan was targeted and judged. Despite his desire to do good and keep his head up, he was constantly knocked down by everything beyond his control.
Nic Stone wrote a stunning follow up to Dear Martin with this novel. I was fully enraptured in the book from the first sentence to the last. I actually ended up enjoying this book MORE than Dear Martin. I am so thankful that the author gave Quan a voice and utilized everything that Justyce went through to bring this story to life.
akarloff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
bombproofjay's review against another edition
5.0
Another must read from Nic Stone. Very powerful and emotional.
mandaashley_16's review against another edition
4.0
“Everyone should have somebody who believes in ’em. Like no matter what they’ve done. Somebody who won’t give up on them.”
And that’s exactly what the main character Quan has. He has people who won’t give up on him. He has people who believe in him and in the end it pays off.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one as much as “Dear Martin” but I was wrong - in the end, it had me shedding some tears.
If you’re looking for a series, or even a stand alone book, to put you in someone else’s shoes, this will do it.
And that’s exactly what the main character Quan has. He has people who won’t give up on him. He has people who believe in him and in the end it pays off.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one as much as “Dear Martin” but I was wrong - in the end, it had me shedding some tears.
If you’re looking for a series, or even a stand alone book, to put you in someone else’s shoes, this will do it.