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bwray1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book is one of those that lives up to the hype it was given.
While at first I was slightly dismissive, wondering why exactly this was seen as being so deep by reviewers who had covered this work when it was first released, I was immediately enamored with the sheer amount of community and comradery in the story. I was shocked when the industry is usually obsessed with the pain of a group of people to see the strong connections around Moss. I'm not sure I've ever read about a teenager being that close with their parent, that respectful. There was a refreshing lack of rejection and misunderstanding between the parties and their families. I'm not sure it will ring true with preteens and teens, but it was reinvigorating and inspiring.
Just as I was enjoying the 'aww' train vibe came the sucker punch. Whoever was hired to write the plot summary for this book, I plead the publisher to follow that example. It gives you enough of a hint to interest you without spelling out the entire plot. While I know I just spoke of the use of trauma, and in fact there's even a joke about media's obsession within, this is a perfect example of showing the defiance of that pain, the love from it, and providing hope.
Finally, I cannot praise it enough for its representation of mental health issues from both anxiety and panic attacks to body insecurity. The way Moss openly talks about his condition and the ways he combats is is so needed. the fact that the uncertainties he feels resonate beyond an age range also hit hard.
A book certainly worth your time.
While at first I was slightly dismissive, wondering why exactly this was seen as being so deep by reviewers who had covered this work when it was first released, I was immediately enamored with the sheer amount of community and comradery in the story. I was shocked when the industry is usually obsessed with the pain of a group of people to see the strong connections around Moss. I'm not sure I've ever read about a teenager being that close with their parent, that respectful. There was a refreshing lack of rejection and misunderstanding between the parties and their families. I'm not sure it will ring true with preteens and teens, but it was reinvigorating and inspiring.
Just as I was enjoying the 'aww' train vibe came the sucker punch. Whoever was hired to write the plot summary for this book, I plead the publisher to follow that example. It gives you enough of a hint to interest you without spelling out the entire plot. While I know I just spoke of the use of trauma, and in fact there's even a joke about media's obsession within, this is a perfect example of showing the defiance of that pain, the love from it, and providing hope.
Finally, I cannot praise it enough for its representation of mental health issues from both anxiety and panic attacks to body insecurity. The way Moss openly talks about his condition and the ways he combats is is so needed. the fact that the uncertainties he feels resonate beyond an age range also hit hard.
A book certainly worth your time.
ciuli's review against another edition
5.0
5/5!
I have just finished reading this book and I think I'm a tad too emotional to write a proper review, but I'll try!
TW: police brutality, violence, racism, anxiety and panic attacks
I believe there is just one word that can describe this book for me: overwhelming. After finishing the book you are so full of all these different emotions and it's impossible to bottle them. They just pour out of you. I spent the first half of this book in between giddiness and rage, while I spent the second half wholeheartedly sobbing.
I really liked the diversity of the cast of characters! Our main character, Moss, is a black gay teenager, but then there is lesbian, non-binary, asexual, disabled, latinx (and much more!) representation! However, I have to admit that I struggled a bit with keeping track of all of them and sometimes I found myself a little lost and couldn't remember who Moss was talking to.
I loved Moss and Javier's interactions, I liked their chemistry and every time there was a dialogue between the two of them, I'd always find myself giggling and smiling!
However, do not think that this is a light read. There are many scenes that depict police brutality and physical violence, and I found myself gasping for breath at some points and struggling to keep reading because it was hard to do it. Because those words hurt.
This book has a really similar vibe to 'The Hate U Give' and 'Dear Martin', so if you liked those, you should definitely check this one out!
I have just finished reading this book and I think I'm a tad too emotional to write a proper review, but I'll try!
TW: police brutality, violence, racism, anxiety and panic attacks
I believe there is just one word that can describe this book for me: overwhelming. After finishing the book you are so full of all these different emotions and it's impossible to bottle them. They just pour out of you. I spent the first half of this book in between giddiness and rage, while I spent the second half wholeheartedly sobbing.
I really liked the diversity of the cast of characters! Our main character, Moss, is a black gay teenager, but then there is lesbian, non-binary, asexual, disabled, latinx (and much more!) representation! However, I have to admit that I struggled a bit with keeping track of all of them and sometimes I found myself a little lost and couldn't remember who Moss was talking to.
I loved Moss and Javier's interactions, I liked their chemistry and every time there was a dialogue between the two of them, I'd always find myself giggling and smiling!
However, do not think that this is a light read. There are many scenes that depict police brutality and physical violence, and I found myself gasping for breath at some points and struggling to keep reading because it was hard to do it. Because those words hurt.
This book has a really similar vibe to 'The Hate U Give' and 'Dear Martin', so if you liked those, you should definitely check this one out!
clowdywings's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book. It was a hard read because of the overall topic of police brutality, but it was very well crafted.
rikkir77's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
oakman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
akvolcano's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dreamer626's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
petrifiedsap's review against another edition
To sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, Vomit, Death, and Death of parent
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Wow. What a deeply painful book.
This is not the kind of book you can consume in a day or so. This is the kind of book that takes time to read, to process, to ponder, to ache. It is not necessarily a book to inspire you, but a book to anger you—and take from that what you will.
The title itself is a masterpiece: anger is in fact a gift, when it’s power is used to challenge, to fight, to motivate. I doubt any astounding social change has occurred without anger; it is this emotion that pushes people to fight for transformation. It is no coincidence that the rightful anger of marginalized groups is often framed as irrational and dangerous.
If you’re looking for a social justice centered book that will leave you warm and fuzzy at the end, look somewhere else. But if you want a painfully realistic story of the abuse that Black and Brown communities face, along with a diverse cast of characters, Anger is a Gift is for you. Prepare yourself for some harrowing scenes, difficult conversations, and complex characters.
I think my only complaint here is that the book could have benefitted from having a few more positive scenes. Our main character Moss goes through so much, so I would have loved to see him happy just a few more times. While pain, anger, and suffering were highly valid reactions to the tragedies in Moss’s life, one power that fiction holds is the ability to shape events and emotions however the author pleases. I personally think just a smidge more of joyful scenes would help balance out all the trauma in Moss’s life. I hope my point here is being articulated correctly. I just think that there are so many stories centering around Black pain that it is important to show that Black does not equal pain....does that make sense?
Other than that, Anger is a Gift is a fantastic example of the capabilities YA fiction can hold. Too often this genre/target audience is criticized for simplifying things, being unrealistic, having poor writing or characters, not being relatable or interesting to a larger audience, etc. etc. but this is truly a book that challenges those stereotypes. I 100% recommend—and encourage—anyone to read this, as long as you’re aware of the content.
TWs: police brutality, police shootings, death (murder), death of a parent, death of a secondary character, racism, racial profiling, ableism, panic attacks, general stereotyping, unjust school policies, violence towards students by authority figures, violence towards peaceful protesters, anxiety / panic attacks
Wow. What a deeply painful book.
This is not the kind of book you can consume in a day or so. This is the kind of book that takes time to read, to process, to ponder, to ache. It is not necessarily a book to inspire you, but a book to anger you—and take from that what you will.
The title itself is a masterpiece: anger is in fact a gift, when it’s power is used to challenge, to fight, to motivate. I doubt any astounding social change has occurred without anger; it is this emotion that pushes people to fight for transformation. It is no coincidence that the rightful anger of marginalized groups is often framed as irrational and dangerous.
If you’re looking for a social justice centered book that will leave you warm and fuzzy at the end, look somewhere else. But if you want a painfully realistic story of the abuse that Black and Brown communities face, along with a diverse cast of characters, Anger is a Gift is for you. Prepare yourself for some harrowing scenes, difficult conversations, and complex characters.
I think my only complaint here is that the book could have benefitted from having a few more positive scenes. Our main character Moss goes through so much, so I would have loved to see him happy just a few more times. While pain, anger, and suffering were highly valid reactions to the tragedies in Moss’s life, one power that fiction holds is the ability to shape events and emotions however the author pleases. I personally think just a smidge more of joyful scenes would help balance out all the trauma in Moss’s life. I hope my point here is being articulated correctly. I just think that there are so many stories centering around Black pain that it is important to show that Black does not equal pain....does that make sense?
Other than that, Anger is a Gift is a fantastic example of the capabilities YA fiction can hold. Too often this genre/target audience is criticized for simplifying things, being unrealistic, having poor writing or characters, not being relatable or interesting to a larger audience, etc. etc. but this is truly a book that challenges those stereotypes. I 100% recommend—and encourage—anyone to read this, as long as you’re aware of the content.
TWs: police brutality, police shootings, death (murder), death of a parent, death of a secondary character, racism, racial profiling, ableism, panic attacks, general stereotyping, unjust school policies, violence towards students by authority figures, violence towards peaceful protesters, anxiety / panic attacks