Scan barcode
ajb24's review
4.0
It took me a while to really get into the story since at the beginning, everything happens so fast and I was at a loss as to where all these strong feelings were coming from. As the book progresses, more context is established and I got a better sense of these characters and I felt more invested in them.
The way Torrey speaks directly to the reader in his narration took a bit to get used to. It almost took me out of the story instead of further into it. In concept, I wanted to like this narrative device because it feels very contemporary and "relatable". But I might have liked the story more if there wasn't that self-awareness written in. I think this is just a personal thing and not necessarily a problem with the writing itself. It's clear that the author is also a young person - the witty remarks, slang, and "internet-speak" are all naturally incorporated into the narrative and Torrey's character, and I like that; it makes the book fun and enjoyableit makes it ~*~relatable~*~* But personally, I like those "contemporary" aspects when they're self-contained don't acknowledge me as a reader lmao
Lastly, I appreciate the book for telling a story that interrogates race, class, and sexuality/gender politics. The life experiences of being Black, gay, and poor in America are something I'll never fully understand (individually or altogether), but this story offers one window into that experience and I think that's important.
The way Torrey speaks directly to the reader in his narration took a bit to get used to. It almost took me out of the story instead of further into it. In concept, I wanted to like this narrative device because it feels very contemporary and "relatable". But I might have liked the story more if there wasn't that self-awareness written in. I think this is just a personal thing and not necessarily a problem with the writing itself. It's clear that the author is also a young person - the witty remarks, slang, and "internet-speak" are all naturally incorporated into the narrative and Torrey's character, and I like that; it makes the book fun and enjoyable
Lastly, I appreciate the book for telling a story that interrogates race, class, and sexuality/gender politics. The life experiences of being Black, gay, and poor in America are something I'll never fully understand (individually or altogether), but this story offers one window into that experience and I think that's important.
ekimball's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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
bindick's review
5.0
bruh this was so good. one, the writing style was so fresh and new. i also got so excited when torr said things that i actually say irl. like, no fake young person talk here. i also just loved the the book talked to you and the characters (esp the main character) feel alive. and of course, the books politics are very good. the entire conflict section of the story was just very very well done. i loved this very much !!!
akernelofnonsense's review
5.0
TW: homophobia, police brutality, drug addiction
What I Liked:
Torrey – Torrey is the kind of person who wants to do too much and doesn’t realize until it’s too late that he can’t. Often a ball of anxiety, Torrey internalizes his problems, has a hard time letting go, and places too much on his own shoulders. The bee farm his uncle left for him after he died isn’t a fun hobby he takes care of during his free time, it’s a way to remember Uncle Miles, one last connection he has with the man who gave him so much. Losing the apiary would be like losing Uncle Miles all over again and Torrey isn’t sure he could survive that level of trauma again.
The writing – Candice Montgomery’s writing is exemplary. One of the reasons I fell so easily in love with By Any Means Necessary is Torrey’s distinct voice. He’s cynical and sarcastic and funny. He is equal parts strong and vulnerable. Each of these characteristics come through so clearly. I can’t think of a book I read recently whose narrator feels so authentic.
Family (both the supportive and the toxic) – Much of Torrey’s motivation for wanting to keep the apiary stems from his relationship with his Uncle Miles, but it also hinders on his relationship with other relatives. His mother is currently in hospice because of her drug addiction and so Miles became his parental figure. Every since he died, Torrey has been under the care of his grandfather Theo and his uncle’s widow, Aunt Lisa. Lisa is one of the few bright spots he has at home, but it is his relationship with his grandfather that has defined much of his teen years. Theo is homophobic and would rather see the apiary go under than make any effort to save it. He represents the parts of home that Torrey would rather leave behind.
Friendship – One of my favorite parts about this book is the friend group Torrey ends up forming with a group of young women who are STEM majors. They are a large part of Torrey’s support group that he isn’t used to having. I especially appreciated Torrey’s relationship with Emery, who gives him that extra push he sometimes needs.
Romance – Torrey has an unexpected reunion with Gabriel, his first boyfriend in middle school and first kiss. These two made me heart feel so full. Their chemistry is off the charts and you can feel the magnetic pull between the two leap off the pages. Where Torrey is cautious, Gabriel is a free-spirit. They bring a balance to one another that I don’t think either of them knew they needed.
College YA – I would love to see more college-set YA. One of the most compelling things about Torrey’s story is his continued struggle to determine whether or not attending college is the right move for him. There are so many things working against him that activitely choosing something like college as a poor student or as a Black student in a largely white town feels like setting himself up for failure one way or another.
Final Verdict:
Candice Montgomery’s By Any Means Necessary explores various subjects from gentrification to toxic familial relationships while introducing one of the most memorable main characters I’ve ever come across.
What I Liked:
Torrey – Torrey is the kind of person who wants to do too much and doesn’t realize until it’s too late that he can’t. Often a ball of anxiety, Torrey internalizes his problems, has a hard time letting go, and places too much on his own shoulders. The bee farm his uncle left for him after he died isn’t a fun hobby he takes care of during his free time, it’s a way to remember Uncle Miles, one last connection he has with the man who gave him so much. Losing the apiary would be like losing Uncle Miles all over again and Torrey isn’t sure he could survive that level of trauma again.
The writing – Candice Montgomery’s writing is exemplary. One of the reasons I fell so easily in love with By Any Means Necessary is Torrey’s distinct voice. He’s cynical and sarcastic and funny. He is equal parts strong and vulnerable. Each of these characteristics come through so clearly. I can’t think of a book I read recently whose narrator feels so authentic.
Family (both the supportive and the toxic) – Much of Torrey’s motivation for wanting to keep the apiary stems from his relationship with his Uncle Miles, but it also hinders on his relationship with other relatives. His mother is currently in hospice because of her drug addiction and so Miles became his parental figure. Every since he died, Torrey has been under the care of his grandfather Theo and his uncle’s widow, Aunt Lisa. Lisa is one of the few bright spots he has at home, but it is his relationship with his grandfather that has defined much of his teen years. Theo is homophobic and would rather see the apiary go under than make any effort to save it. He represents the parts of home that Torrey would rather leave behind.
Friendship – One of my favorite parts about this book is the friend group Torrey ends up forming with a group of young women who are STEM majors. They are a large part of Torrey’s support group that he isn’t used to having. I especially appreciated Torrey’s relationship with Emery, who gives him that extra push he sometimes needs.
Romance – Torrey has an unexpected reunion with Gabriel, his first boyfriend in middle school and first kiss. These two made me heart feel so full. Their chemistry is off the charts and you can feel the magnetic pull between the two leap off the pages. Where Torrey is cautious, Gabriel is a free-spirit. They bring a balance to one another that I don’t think either of them knew they needed.
College YA – I would love to see more college-set YA. One of the most compelling things about Torrey’s story is his continued struggle to determine whether or not attending college is the right move for him. There are so many things working against him that activitely choosing something like college as a poor student or as a Black student in a largely white town feels like setting himself up for failure one way or another.
Final Verdict:
Candice Montgomery’s By Any Means Necessary explores various subjects from gentrification to toxic familial relationships while introducing one of the most memorable main characters I’ve ever come across.
bexcapades's review
4.0
3.75
This took to me a little while to get in to as it is written as the characters would speak in real life.
It shows the journey of Torrey, a black college guy who has to battle between choosing college (as the first person in his family to go) and running his late uncle’s bee farm that is in foreclosure.
Torrey struggles to follow his heart as he doesn’t want to let anyone down.
This took to me a little while to get in to as it is written as the characters would speak in real life.
It shows the journey of Torrey, a black college guy who has to battle between choosing college (as the first person in his family to go) and running his late uncle’s bee farm that is in foreclosure.
Torrey struggles to follow his heart as he doesn’t want to let anyone down.
ataraxiareads's review
5.0
This book is incredible.
The way the author wrote the main character and his voice through the whole book is AMAZING. And it's funny and the romance is very cute.
It's both educational and very funny.
This book is a gem and everyone should read it.
The way the author wrote the main character and his voice through the whole book is AMAZING. And it's funny and the romance is very cute.
It's both educational and very funny.
This book is a gem and everyone should read it.
enne's review
4.0
4 stars
This is a book that does so many things and I absolutely loved that about it. It’s a story about family trauma and finding yourself, it’s also a cute romance, it’s also a story about gentrification and the way it affects communities of color.
I loved the main character so much?? From this day forward, I am a Torrey stan account and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about. He’s written as such a complex and multi-faceted person and I have to commend Candice Montgomery for her excellent character work!! I also loved his development over the course of the story because it’s just!! done so well!!
I also really loved the romance in this book?? It was just so cute and so well-developed?? And it was between two characters who reconnect in college after one of them moves away in elementary school and I just?? love that trope so much?? It’s truly one of the best tropes and Montgomery writes it beautifully!!
I thought the main character’s relationship with his aunt and his grandfather was explored really well, too, and I loved the resolution with both of those relationships!! On a related note, the friendships in this book are also to die for. In conclusion, Candice Montgomery simply excels at writing characters.
Last, but not least, I really appreciated how this focused on gentrification because we really don’t see that in books often and I feel like this did a really good job of exploring how it can affect both, a single person and also the entire community. I loved the way activism was written in this book. I loved the way the plot around Torrey’s apiary was structured. I also loved that he owns an apiary?? That was so cool to read about!!
I really think that there’s something in this book for everyone. While it’s definitely heavy at parts, there’s also a light-hearted romance to balance it out. Highly recommend this one!
This is a book that does so many things and I absolutely loved that about it. It’s a story about family trauma and finding yourself, it’s also a cute romance, it’s also a story about gentrification and the way it affects communities of color.
I loved the main character so much?? From this day forward, I am a Torrey stan account and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about. He’s written as such a complex and multi-faceted person and I have to commend Candice Montgomery for her excellent character work!! I also loved his development over the course of the story because it’s just!! done so well!!
I also really loved the romance in this book?? It was just so cute and so well-developed?? And it was between two characters who reconnect in college after one of them moves away in elementary school and I just?? love that trope so much?? It’s truly one of the best tropes and Montgomery writes it beautifully!!
I thought the main character’s relationship with his aunt and his grandfather was explored really well, too, and I loved the resolution with both of those relationships!! On a related note, the friendships in this book are also to die for. In conclusion, Candice Montgomery simply excels at writing characters.
Last, but not least, I really appreciated how this focused on gentrification because we really don’t see that in books often and I feel like this did a really good job of exploring how it can affect both, a single person and also the entire community. I loved the way activism was written in this book. I loved the way the plot around Torrey’s apiary was structured. I also loved that he owns an apiary?? That was so cool to read about!!
I really think that there’s something in this book for everyone. While it’s definitely heavy at parts, there’s also a light-hearted romance to balance it out. Highly recommend this one!
beccat's review
I was really excited to read this one at the beginning of the year but ended up marking it as DNF about half way through. It wasn't that the story was bad, it just didn't have any variety in the pacing. It felt like a series of chapters strung together. Not once did I finish a chapter and feel like I had to read the next.
sarapetizzi13's review
3.0
I spent like three quarters of this book wondering when it would get really interesting and the moment, unfortunately, never really came. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't great either. I found myself more drawn to the secondary characters (like the CAKE girls or Gabe) more than Torrey himself. I wish we had more time to spend with them.