5 Stars for The Hate U Give! (Note: I added a movie update below my review as I watched it & had to share a brief opinion on it as well!)

I was left with so many emotions after reading The Hate U Give. This book was powerful, charged, timely and just so raw & real. Tears streamed down my face numerous times as I read the book.

There are many reviews detailing the story so I won't do that. Instead, I'll focus on what stood out for me. Starr's voice was very real and I felt her emotions throughout the story. Her inner conflicts were relatable and poignant.

The dynamics between the characters was another one of my favorite aspects of the book. There was so much going on between Starr's family and friends and it all related and wove into the story beautifully. Each character was crucial and important. Honestly, Angie Thomas did a phenomenal job weaving in the entire community of Garden Heights to the story and bringing it to life.

I really enjoyed how Thomas chose to allow things to unfold bit by bit and we uncovered so much about Khalil right along with Starr. We saw so much development and change from all the characters. It is clear that the author wrote from the heart. Simply put, it's the kind of book that will remain with you long after you have turned the last page.

Update: Saw the movie - cried my eyes out and enjoyed every emotionally charged moment of it! That being said, like all book to movie adaptations much was lost in translation. There were some things that never made it into the movie and some things that were changed. It still had a powerful effect watching the story being told on screen BUT the book is definitely much better, filled with more detail especially those that stood to me about Starr's family and the community of Garden Heights. I was left with the thought that anyone that watches the movie should not miss out on reading this book if you want the full impact the way Angie Thomas intended.