Review by booksletusescape - We Deserve Monuments

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds

4.25

challenging reflective 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

Pros:

Great queer characters with a cute romance
It did a great job of showing family dynamics and the impact of a tragic event
I love how the main teenage characters are made up of a black, white and mixed raced girl, it shows how each is treated
I loved seeing the healing of old wounds between Mama Letty and Zora
This story covers a lot from racism and homophobia to tragedy and family drama to mean friends but it does it all very well

Cons:

I didn't like that Mama Letty was the one responsible for killing Jade's mum. I kind of understand it, like her husband was taken so I'll take one of their wives but it didn't sit right with me
Avery ended up not really caring about her future even though she had worked so hard to get it initially. I also felt when it came to drugs she wasn't as wary as a first timer would have been.

Content Warnings