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rosegoldteacher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As someone with severe anxiety, a lot of this book was difficult to listen to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Mass/school shootings
intonewrealms's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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: racism, anxiety attacks, grief.
Alex is only sixteen, but ever since he lost his parents he’s been experiencing visions every time he touches anything or anyone with his hands. Sometimes they are mundane, like touching an ice cream scoop at work and seeing himself use it. Other times they hinder his ability to get close to people, like how he can’t do anything more than kiss his girlfriend because he sees visions of them breaking up. And sometimes they’re devastating, like when he sees his twelve year old brother’s death.
The author’s dedication ‘To all the Black boys who had to grow up too early‘ really encapsulates the message of this book. I really don’t want to say anything more than the basic premise for fear of spoiling it, but just know that if you want to have your heart ripped apart and put back together again several times in the process of reading a single book, this is the one for you.
Alex is only sixteen, but ever since he lost his parents he’s been experiencing visions every time he touches anything or anyone with his hands. Sometimes they are mundane, like touching an ice cream scoop at work and seeing himself use it. Other times they hinder his ability to get close to people, like how he can’t do anything more than kiss his girlfriend because he sees visions of them breaking up. And sometimes they’re devastating, like when he sees his twelve year old brother’s death.
The author’s dedication ‘To all the Black boys who had to grow up too early‘ really encapsulates the message of this book. I really don’t want to say anything more than the basic premise for fear of spoiling it, but just know that if you want to have your heart ripped apart and put back together again several times in the process of reading a single book, this is the one for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
erine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was glad at the end to read the author's note about how this began as a novel of Black Boy Joy, but transformed into a novel of Black Boy Joy, Despite. The amount of heavy things after that Despite is long, but understanding a little of how and why it came about helped.
From the get go, Alex has already lost his parents to a car crash, and also his best friend/girlfriend's brother to a different car crash. Ever since losing his parents, Alex suffers from the curse of being able to peek into the future. Alex lives with an Aunt and his younger brother who has closed himself off, so Alex does not have many close relationships. We meet Alex as he's highly anxious over his future visions and his own future, particular his future with his girlfriend Talia. At first, this curse seemed a little contrived, but I liked the backstory that unfolds as the Reader learns more about Alex's family.
A large portion of the story suffers from the "so many things could have been resolved if you'd just told someone else about what is happening." But ultimately, Alex finds a way to share his burdens and anxieties. This sounds heartwarming or uplifting, but it comes at a very high cost.
Note: a lot of loss through death; extrajudicial murder; gun violence; racism.
From the get go, Alex has already lost his parents to a car crash, and also his best friend/girlfriend's brother to a different car crash. Ever since losing his parents, Alex suffers from the curse of being able to peek into the future. Alex lives with an Aunt and his younger brother who has closed himself off, so Alex does not have many close relationships. We meet Alex as he's highly anxious over his future visions and his own future, particular his future with his girlfriend Talia. At first, this curse seemed a little contrived, but I liked the backstory that unfolds as the Reader learns more about Alex's family.
A large portion of the story suffers from the "so many things could have been resolved if you'd just told someone else about what is happening." But ultimately, Alex finds a way to share his burdens and anxieties. This sounds heartwarming or uplifting, but it comes at a very high cost.
Note: a lot of loss through death; extrajudicial murder; gun violence; racism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Car accident
aus10england's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was an interesting one, I tight the story started out really strong, established some interesting themes and storylines I was excited to explore. I found that the book kind of just , fizzled out towards the end? I don’t know.
I enjoyed the representation of anxiety, and how that related to the characters. The characters themselves were quite well written, the relationship between Alex and Isaiah specifically made the entire reading experience worth it.
This this would be a great read for a YA audience in understanding racism and gun violence in America.
I enjoyed the representation of anxiety, and how that related to the characters. The characters themselves were quite well written, the relationship between Alex and Isaiah specifically made the entire reading experience worth it.
This this would be a great read for a YA audience in understanding racism and gun violence in America.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Child death, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Death of parent
Minor: Drug abuse
themugglebookworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Racism
thataudaciouslady's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
morganwyso's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Child death
charlottejones952's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Child death, Death of parent, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Colonisation, Slavery, and Panic attacks/disorders
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Slavery, Gaslighting, and Gun violence
sofiajearally's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Even though I did like it, I am disappointed in this book because I really wanted to LOVE it.
The thing that I enjoyed the most was Alex's and Isiah's relationship and how it blossoms as the story goes. How gentle Alex gets with his little brother, and how loving and trusting Isiah is... How they show their love for each other without any shame, because there shouldn't be any shame in that, despite what society says. The softness and the tenderness shine through. It made me teary and even weep many times. I wish we had more of it, but that's the whole point of the book, so...
Unfortunately, that was just 200 pages out of more than 300. The pacing felt off to me, especially the beginning which was dragging. The last 40 pages, after the main event, were also tedious to go through; I honestly didn't care for it and it seemed weirdly laid out to me.
The writing was repetitive, I honestly got sick of Alex "cancelling visions of him unlocking his phone then unlocking it". I think the author should have given more credit to her readers and assume that we would remember how these visions work without spelling it out for us every single damn time. Repetitive also in the concepts and ideas that the characters have, especially concerning how to break the curse. They seemed to have a breakthrough every time but it was always the same idea. Again. We get it.
There were also elements that I personally didn't care that much about, like the romantic subplot but that's personal I guess. The take of the author on the other themes explored in the book: family, legacy, racism, anxiety, was nicely done. The "joy in the face of adversity" theme was, I thought, beautiful, and written with true sincerity and love from the author. I hope she gets to write that book about Black boy joy because I have no doubt it will be amazing.
Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations and I feel like so much more could have been done with the same premises, plot and characters.
The thing that I enjoyed the most was Alex's and Isiah's relationship and how it blossoms as the story goes. How gentle Alex gets with his little brother, and how loving and trusting Isiah is... How they show their love for each other without any shame, because there shouldn't be any shame in that, despite what society says. The softness and the tenderness shine through. It made me teary and even weep many times. I wish we had more of it, but that's the whole point of the book, so...
Unfortunately, that was just 200 pages out of more than 300. The pacing felt off to me, especially the beginning which was dragging. The last 40 pages, after the main event, were also tedious to go through; I honestly didn't care for it and it seemed weirdly laid out to me.
The writing was repetitive, I honestly got sick of Alex "cancelling visions of him unlocking his phone then unlocking it". I think the author should have given more credit to her readers and assume that we would remember how these visions work without spelling it out for us every single damn time. Repetitive also in the concepts and ideas that the characters have, especially concerning how to break the curse. They seemed to have a breakthrough every time but it was always the same idea. Again. We get it.
There were also elements that I personally didn't care that much about, like the romantic subplot but that's personal I guess. The take of the author on the other themes explored in the book: family, legacy, racism, anxiety, was nicely done. The "joy in the face of adversity" theme was, I thought, beautiful, and written with true sincerity and love from the author. I hope she gets to write that book about Black boy joy because I have no doubt it will be amazing.
Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations and I feel like so much more could have been done with the same premises, plot and characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Car accident, and Grief
Minor: Police brutality and Blood