A review by beckyyreadss
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 I wanted to read this book as I was enjoyed Angie Thomas’s novels. Both are on my favourites list and both are 10/10 so when I heard that Angie Thomas had written another novel, I instantly went out and brought it and all I can say is WOW!  

This book follows sixteen-year-old Bri who, one day, wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of the Gardens. She is the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he could make it big. Bri feels the pressure of filling the shoes of his legacy. But now that her mum has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are becoming a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. As the bills start building up and homelessness threatening the family, Bri no longer wants to make it – she needs to make it and quickly. Will Bri make it to the top? Will she be able to get out of the Gardens? It is set in the United States of America in a community called Garden Heights and it is a young adult realistic fictional book all about race and social justice. 

I love this book. It's the same set up as Angie Thomas’s other novels – hard hitting, cutting edge and discusses topic that aren’t easy but needs to be discussed! I liked the fact that it’s set in the same community as the other novels and mentioned the incidents to do with Starr. I liked Bri’s character development and her relationship with her brother and her best mates. I don’t think there is anything wrong with this novel, I just prefer the Carter family to Bri’s family. But I enjoyed the books overall and Angie Thomas is a God-given gift.  

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