A review by gingerkathrynreads
The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.0

I really enjoyed this first experience of Elizabeth Acevedo's writing - her talent and brilliance is clear, and I love the novel-in-verse format! I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I'd read this as a teen (something I'm finding with a lot of YA, not unique to this book).

I was frequently getting really frustrated with the characters, and wish there had been more time spent on resolving issues at the end - it ended too abruptly for me! Communication is SO important in all relationships, and that was so lacking here (even in Xiomara's solid relationships with Twin and Caridad).

I also wish some of the issues Xiomara took with her faith could have been resolved better - I was so frustrated that nobody was answering her questions or letting her speak her mind. Her faith could have really flourished had she been lead in the right way and had her questions answered, in a way that also didn't stifle her voice and autonomy. From a faith perspective, this was an interesting read that I know a lot of teens will be able to relate to, I just wish more had been done to reconcile her relationship with God and the church as well as with her other relationships.
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