Scan barcode
space_bandit's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, and Police brutality
mishmashedme's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Another great YA book from Brandy Colbert.
I’ve read several of her books now and I can count on meaningful, heart wrenching, deep characters who navigate a spectrum of important social issues when I pick up her books.
In this particular story, Dove is learning about first love, about herself and who she is growing into and about where she comes from. She’s learning that not everything is clear cut and that she’s evolving as a person as she heads into her junior year.
I love Colbert’s writing in how she develops characters that I quickly root for and invest in. Her way of writing issues that teens face and give them the weight and respect they deserve is fantastic.
I find because of the candour of the topics addressed it could be a read for older teens.
I’ve read several of her books now and I can count on meaningful, heart wrenching, deep characters who navigate a spectrum of important social issues when I pick up her books.
In this particular story, Dove is learning about first love, about herself and who she is growing into and about where she comes from. She’s learning that not everything is clear cut and that she’s evolving as a person as she heads into her junior year.
I love Colbert’s writing in how she develops characters that I quickly root for and invest in. Her way of writing issues that teens face and give them the weight and respect they deserve is fantastic.
I find because of the candour of the topics addressed it could be a read for older teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Abortion
boneloose's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
I gave this the rating I did based on my enjoyment of it as a young adult but I think had I read it a few years ago when I added it to my TBR, or when I was 14 or 15 it would've been higher. Definitely recommend for younger readers; I'm just realizing I'm not really enjoying YA much anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Police brutality
brissieb's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Sexual content
malloryfitz's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Police brutality, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Cursing, Cancer, Infidelity, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
plumpaperbacks's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve been in a reading slump the last few months, but I managed to read this in under three hours. The Revolution of Birdie Randolph is a phenomenal contemporary that brings so much to the table, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I grew attached to the characters right away. Colbert did an excellent job fleshing out each one and the relationships between them. I was rooting for Dove from page one, and she and Booker were so cute, I almost couldn’t handle it. Also, I’d like to know how a girl can get an aunt like Carlene, because she’s awesome.
There’s a good amount of drama in this book, but there’s plenty of depth as well. Though I have no experience with and little knowledge of addiction, it was clear that Colbert handled it and the other tough topics she incorporated into the story with the respect they require.
On a sort of similar note, the writing felt natural. The whole book did, honestly; nothing felt forced. Additionally, this is another instance in which I applaud the author for writing truly accurate teens, something many attempt but not all succeed at.
I’d seen in a couple of reviews that the ending wasn’t picture perfect, but it was real and satisfying. I’ll agree with that wholeheartedly. While the hopeless romantic in me would’ve loved for some
things to be different, the rest of me is perfectly content with what we got. I finished the book with a smile on my face.
I can, without a doubt, call this one of my favorite YA contemporaries. I’m looking forward to reading more from Colbert, and I could definitely see her ending up on my favorite authors list if the rest of her novels are as wholly excellent as this one.
Representation
I grew attached to the characters right away. Colbert did an excellent job fleshing out each one and the relationships between them. I was rooting for Dove from page one, and she and Booker were so cute, I almost couldn’t handle it. Also, I’d like to know how a girl can get an aunt like Carlene, because she’s awesome.
There’s a good amount of drama in this book, but there’s plenty of depth as well. Though I have no experience with and little knowledge of addiction, it was clear that Colbert handled it and the other tough topics she incorporated into the story with the respect they require.
On a sort of similar note, the writing felt natural. The whole book did, honestly; nothing felt forced. Additionally, this is another instance in which I applaud the author for writing truly accurate teens, something many attempt but not all succeed at.
I’d seen in a couple of reviews that the ending wasn’t picture perfect, but it was real and satisfying. I’ll agree with that wholeheartedly. While the hopeless romantic in me would’ve loved for some
things to be different, the rest of me is perfectly content with what we got. I finished the book with a smile on my face.
I can, without a doubt, call this one of my favorite YA contemporaries. I’m looking forward to reading more from Colbert, and I could definitely see her ending up on my favorite authors list if the rest of her novels are as wholly excellent as this one.
Representation
- Black protagonist
- Black side characters and love interest
- Queer side characters (includes a lesbian, a gay guy, a bisexual woman, and an asexual guy)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
ashleybeereads's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Cursing
More...