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fuzzyhebrew's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.0
Fun YA novel that does not devolve into cringe worthy romance
reillydunston's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
jenna_beyer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.5
thenovelmaura's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Thank you to PenguinTeen for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review! Malla Nunn always has really interesting things to say about race and class, and this book is no exception. She paints a vivid picture of her characters' lives in South Africa while adding layers of mystery to keep the reader intrigued. Amandla is a strong character who you can't help but root for, and it was lovely to meet her supportive friends and neighbors. It was fun to read a (slightly) more lighthearted book from Nunn after being introduced to her through When the Ground Is Hard.
animelanie's review against another edition
4.0
Read for PRC
I really enjoyed this contemporary novel, set in South Africa, with a strong female lead. Covering topics including discrimination, race, mental health, relationships and power, the book is relatable and moving.
I really enjoyed this contemporary novel, set in South Africa, with a strong female lead. Covering topics including discrimination, race, mental health, relationships and power, the book is relatable and moving.
ellie_debney's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Mental illness and Death
Minor: Racial slurs and Death of parent
adrzeck's review against another edition
3.0
These three queens don't have time for your nonsense. Not when it's a struggle to survive, let alone get out of Sugar Town. Obviously tough situations in this read.
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
If I start a list of fiction with a strong streak of romance, this will be the first book on the list.
I loved being in Amandla’s world in Sugar Town, a township south of Durban in South Africa. There’s a little mystery and realism of what life is like in the township and there’s justice. Other than Born a Crime, this is the only other book I’ve read that takes place in South Africa. A really great read! Highly recommended.
I loved being in Amandla’s world in Sugar Town, a township south of Durban in South Africa. There’s a little mystery and realism of what life is like in the township and there’s justice. Other than Born a Crime, this is the only other book I’ve read that takes place in South Africa. A really great read! Highly recommended.
kthornette's review against another edition
3.0
“That shows how little he knows about Sugar Town bitches. We fight for what we want. If I’m a Sugar Town bitch, then he’s a weak ass bitch.”
I’ve seen this book around but didn’t add it to my TBR until I was looking for an audiobook I could just “turn my brain off while listening” and this was a recommendation.
Amandla is a strong queen who didn’t take shit from anyone, especially not her racist family members. She was such an entertaining, head-strong, and loveable narrator. I was invested in the family secrets and history combined with race and class commentary, even nuances within a race through mixed identity. As a mixed kid, I love reading narrators who aren’t enough of A or B and struggle to find their place.
Is this another unpopular opinion? Like other people who gave this story about the same rating, I didn’t see a point in the side characters since they were very flat. And aspects of the ending were so abrupt that I felt like I missed so much for it to make sense.
I’ve seen this book around but didn’t add it to my TBR until I was looking for an audiobook I could just “turn my brain off while listening” and this was a recommendation.
Amandla is a strong queen who didn’t take shit from anyone, especially not her racist family members. She was such an entertaining, head-strong, and loveable narrator. I was invested in the family secrets and history combined with race and class commentary, even nuances within a race through mixed identity. As a mixed kid, I love reading narrators who aren’t enough of A or B and struggle to find their place.