Amanda

DNF—the section that objectified women's breasts as a way to restore balance of power within the marriage was enough for me to not want to continue reading.

Perhaps I will revisit this book again—but I doubt it will change the rating of this review.

The artwork was stunning and beautiful.
The story was a lackluster retelling.

This was book was written three years ago, but it could have easily been written and published this year, in the past month. That's how (unfortunately) relevant its story has remained.

Starr is a Black high school student caught between two worlds: Garden Heights, a neighborhood where everybody knows and helps everyone out and has each others' backs, but is also riddled with drug dealing and gang wars; and Williamson Prep, a private high school in a rich, mostly white area of town with ignorance of what she experiences on a day-to-day basis at home.

Her worlds collide when she witnesses first-hand the murder of her childhood friend during a supposed routine traffic stop, and Starr has to not only decide whether or not she should speak up (speaking up could mean justice, but it could also endanger her and her family's life), but how to navigate everything in her world that is now different: her friendships in both worlds, her dynamic with her uncle who is also a Black police officer, her relationship with her white boyfriend, and her life both at school and at home.

Thomas' does an excellent job of weaving in common asked questions and arguments that surface whenever there is another instance of police brutality within the story itself, and it's in a way that's direct and to-the-point without taking attention away from the story at-hand. I also appreciate her inclusion of a diverse range of characters with varying viewpoints, and the special attention and care she took with her character's' names.

As a 30-year-old white woman, I can't express how much I appreciate this book. It is geared towards younger/teen readers (I admit—I had to Google a few terms, making me sometimes relate more with Starr's parents who ask what a Tik Tok is than Starr herself ;) but it's got a message for everyone, that everyone needs to—and should—hear.

I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in challenging their own biases and/or looking for books featuring BIPOC protagonists by BIPOC authors.

This is the first book this year that has moved me, that has made me emotional enough to cry.

This is a beautiful book, featuring a story-in-verse (something as a child I didn't like, as an adult it's something I appreciate and admire), about sisterhood, growing pains, and grief.

I love how Acevedo's words flowed seamlessly on the pages, smooth like gentle waves of the sea. I love how distinctive yet similar her two leads were to one other, and how she gave equal attention to their hurt, their passions, their fears, their anger, and their courage.

I love how this book grew out of a world that forgot a tragedy that happened shortly after 9/11, and how this book features a queer person of color (a timely read for the month of June), without making their identity the sole focus of their purpose in the tale, and instead allowing them to exist and be and love and grieve and dream just like any other protagonist.

I loved learning about a culture I had previously little knowledge of, and how this novel left me feeling both grateful and guilty for all the times I may have complained about life here, knowing privilege in ways I never realized.

Finally, I love Yahaira and Camino, and I couldn't help but smile as I closed the book, and hope and wishing and pray that their stories continue, their dreams come true, and that they will always land wherever life takes them.

***

I definitely recommend this book to folx seeking stories about BIPOC by BIPOC authors, how one navigates grief, or are curious and want to introduce themselves to the culture of the Dominican Republic.

I'm torn on this one. I really wanted to like it, because it had a lot of elements I enjoy—the movie industry, mermaids, and a fun approach to writing (in this case, a book within a book).

It was a lot of fun ideas. In fact, probably too many fun ideas. Some were executed well, others notsomuch. Personally, I wish the author would have decided to choose one or two and focused on them, instead of weaving thru several plot lines (many of which are dropped and don't come to any sort of conclusion).

It started as a fun summer read. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but then it slowly became more of slog. The clever descriptions and word play became exhausting to read and lead to more stumbling over, and the characters grew increasingly unlikeable (Including several, uncomfortable observations regarding minor children's bodies during puberty and the teen years).

Towards the end the idea of completing the book wasn't for a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, but more an urgency to move onto my next read.

That all said—it's a unique read that doesn't quite fit any genre perfectly. Worth checking out