wren_rainbow's Reviews (451)

I found the first half of this book extremely entertaining but after a while it was repetitive. Okay I get it you get high everyday. All day. You get into crazy situations. But after awhile all I could think about is how privileged he/ they are and I tried not to think that way and just take the book couldn’t help it. Also, this was SUPPOSED to be a true crime book but it isn’t, at all. Just a story of a group of people and one guy in particularly getting into crazy shit. He’s self centered and annoying.  Would have given it higher stars for the first half but after completing it…it can take a two. No idea how it ended up rated so high

Jacqueline Woodson delivered again!This fictional story brings awareness of CTE in athletes. Now, Jacqueline not only shows the reader how it impacts the effected character but also the impact on the family. 

ZJ watches his father deteriorate from CTE yet continues to have hope and lives his life with supportive friends “the fanatic four” (I loved them btw!). Their friendship is pure and the epitome of support towards not only ZJ but others in their group. ZJ begins to understand who is supportive and who is not through this journey, who is genuine and who is not, which is an important lesson to learn. But through it all he holds on to the love and bond with his father. 

The father/ son relationship was beautiful and loving. I haven’t often come across intact/ healthy, black father/son relationships in books . 

Jacqueline Woodson has always been one of my favorite authors since I discovered their books in elementary school! 💕

An informative book on feminism, particularly white feminism and how you can be a better ally or  ‘accomplice’ as Kendall states it. As a black woman it provided me a wider perspective on behaviors and attitudes that occur within the black American culture and showed how many of these behaviors is a result of white patriarchy and feminism. How areas such a poverty, education, body positivity, policing are areas that are often not acknowledged in mainstream white feminism. That feminism is different within various cultures and backgrounds and who are you, are we to judge and decide what feminism looks like for them. 

Found myself underlining and dog earring pages. It was thought provoking. I do wish she would have provided her references or studies she was referring to in the moment. Mikki Kendall speaks from loved experiences and her opinions which I appreciate, but wanted the direct studies also. Definitely recommend!

3.5 - I was good not bad but also not exactly mind blowing. A lot of cliches for one the spells rhymed…often, “so mote it be”. There was the huge build up to battles to come but you only experience 5 minutes of it but at least the timeline was realistic and the death toll- this weighed heavily on me while reading, death and loss. The first book of this trilogy was by far the best.