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A review by thesmutsister_emma
Uphill Battle by Alice Duke
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-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
4.0
This book is an ARC I received in exchange for an honest review. This will not change my review
It's Me, Hi. I'm the Problem. It's Me
Song for the Book: "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift
I genuinely liked this book! I feel like it is definitely one that will wind up being a comfort read at some point or another. I want to read the rest of this series desperately now!!!
The Characters
Ada: Ada's character is one that meant a lot to me. I could see a lot of what little relationship I have with my father in hers with her father (the stressful parts that is). I applaud her for being able to do what she did for her dad for so long because I would not have been able to do it at all. I loved our introduction to Ada and the vibes she gives off throughout the book. She is a badass FMC and Alice makes this clear to us from page one.
Nicola: Nikola. poor Nikola. See, buddy, you're the reason there's Taylor Swift here. You sweet, summer child. You try so hard and get so far but you literally are your own anti-hero. You assume too much and you know what they say about assuming... it's not good. so work on it bubs. You'll get there. Until then, let Ada take reigns
Things I Loved
I really enjoyed the pacing and how what I thought I saw coming was actually not that. I enjoyed the storyline about Ada and her father as well as Nikola and his parents. I felt like they were very important to who they were as characters.
Things I Didn't Love
I wanted more to go into the representation of Ada's character. A lot of times, I forgot she was Black and that bothers me. I loved how the mention at the beginning of Black mothers' mortality rates during childbirth was brought up. I wish in her descriptions that she had been described more about her skin color not so much in a fetishization way, but in representation. I also understand wanting to have that representation but not wanting to take over Black spaces or tell Black stories. There is a fine line to walk, I just feel the author could have gotten closer to it.
The Final Verdict
I really enjoyed this book, I just wish the representation had been more clear at times. Otherwise, it was a wonderful read!
It's Me, Hi. I'm the Problem. It's Me
Song for the Book: "Anti-Hero" by Taylor Swift
I genuinely liked this book! I feel like it is definitely one that will wind up being a comfort read at some point or another. I want to read the rest of this series desperately now!!!
The Characters
Ada: Ada's character is one that meant a lot to me. I could see a lot of what little relationship I have with my father in hers with her father (the stressful parts that is). I applaud her for being able to do what she did for her dad for so long because I would not have been able to do it at all. I loved our introduction to Ada and the vibes she gives off throughout the book. She is a badass FMC and Alice makes this clear to us from page one.
Nicola: Nikola. poor Nikola. See, buddy, you're the reason there's Taylor Swift here. You sweet, summer child. You try so hard and get so far but you literally are your own anti-hero. You assume too much and you know what they say about assuming... it's not good. so work on it bubs. You'll get there. Until then, let Ada take reigns
Things I Loved
I really enjoyed the pacing and how what I thought I saw coming was actually not that. I enjoyed the storyline about Ada and her father as well as Nikola and his parents. I felt like they were very important to who they were as characters.
Things I Didn't Love
I wanted more to go into the representation of Ada's character. A lot of times, I forgot she was Black and that bothers me. I loved how the mention at the beginning of Black mothers' mortality rates during childbirth was brought up. I wish in her descriptions that she had been described more about her skin color not so much in a fetishization way, but in representation. I also understand wanting to have that representation but not wanting to take over Black spaces or tell Black stories. There is a fine line to walk, I just feel the author could have gotten closer to it.
The Final Verdict
I really enjoyed this book, I just wish the representation had been more clear at times. Otherwise, it was a wonderful read!