On The Come Up

Another inspiring, magnificent story. I fell in love with ANGIE THOMAS’S Writing when I picked her debut novel, THE HATE U GIVE which I read last year, twice. I been excited about ON THE COME UP from the moment that she announced it on twitter. How could I not? Considering how much her debut novel affected me. When I started reading ON THE COME UP I was instantly hooked, to both the story and the characters. I had feeling that it would be a story that I would fall in love with. I did. I even recommended to a few of my friends as well. ON THE COME UP was different on THE HATE U GIVE and in the good way. I loved how Bri kept on fighting, despite what others said about her, to her. Not once did she give up on her dreams, and to me that’s dedication, courage. You cannot help but love Bri, and I know that she is type of person that I would love to be friends with. I don’t rap and only listen to rap music sometimes, and I thought that Bri’s rap that she came up with was catchy, and I actually found myself singing along with it few times, while I was reading the book. I hated how others started treating her afterwards, I understand that they thought the message that she was sending to others, but that gives them no right to assume what that song was about. I don’t know how she did it, how she handled it for as long as she did. If it was me in that situation, I wouldn’t be able to. That was one of the things that I loved about Bri, and how she kept going after her dream, no matter what was said about her song. What I loved the most about this book was how realistic it was. Poverty. Addiction. Gang is something that actually happens, and I am sure that it is what a lot of people can relate to. Bri, she dealt with so much in this book. Besides Bri, her mother was my second favorite character in ON THE COME UP but then how could she not be? She’s recovering addict and just by reading this story, I saw how much she changed, and how hard she worked to provide for her family. She even gave up her education. I felt proud for her, and at same time I felt sorry, how hard she had work to provide for her family, and yet sometimes that wasn’t enough. I knew that Bri and her mom had their moments, especially when it comes to Bri;s rap, but I feel that was because she was afraid that she might lose her, the way that she lost her husband. She was trying to protect her. Despite their arguments, I knew that in the end they would be there for each other. Like Bri’s mother was when she found out what the guards at the school done to her, how they treated her. I knew that they would deny it, but I knew what they did was wrong, and that they shouldn’t been allowed back in school afterwards. I smiled, I cried, I got angry and I got scared while I read ON THE COME UP . It was as if I was feeling the emotions that characters were feeling in the story. It was…spectacular. Just like THE HATE U GIVE , ON THE COME UP will be a book that you will be thinking about long after turning the last page, the story that you will be talking with your friends about. I did. I thought about the story, and the impact that this book had on me, days after I finished it. I fell in love. I am already eager to see what ANGIE THOMAS will come up with next. Highly recommended. A must read.

'I'm so excessive, that I'm aggressive.' 🗣️ ANGIE THOMAS COMING IN STRONG 👏 I basically became a fan of this book from the first line and immediately knew that it was gonna be a favorite AKA the best feeling ever. I LOVE BRI. It's just so damn easy to love her and no lie, she's such a perfect portrayal of a teenager which I found impressive as hell. It's not easy to nail down that period of one's life, but Angie Thomas did that re: Bri can be stupid as hell, is not an exceptional student by any standards, and can definitely be immature, no big LOL. Even so, she's just so blunt which I always appreciate and is basically a badass. Bri's family is just...wow. I loved her sibling dynamic with her older brother, Trey and her relationship with her Mom has so many layers that I'm in awe. I'm also a fan of Aunt Pooh, Bri's lesbian 26-year-old aunt. Her inclusion in the book was so insightful because doing something you know you shouldn't and then doing it anyway (especially because of a lack of a support system) is one of the many ways that we delude ourselves and seeing it on page is kind of validating. I just want to hug her (and would read a book about her so fast). And then there are Bri's bestfriends, Malik and Sonny. Sonny is gay and oh my god, I loved him. So precious. Malik, though could be so infuriating but also alskfhgjs, he's right there. You could say that I'm kinda conflicted about Curtis but I have to admit that I liked him despite his corny af personality (me to me: et tu, Brute? LOL). Naturally, this is very different from The Hate U Give however, both the books are set in the same town so it's really great to see how different Starr's and Bri's lives are and how events in THUG affects Bri. That was such a great move on Angie Thomas' part. Another thing I really appreciated is the portrayal of poverty. Sometimes it gets pretty hard reading about it. When Bri's mom yelled, 'Excuse me because I have the audacity to be poor!', that gave me chills because that's exactly how the world acts towards poor people. Poverty is actually a big theme in the book that also drives Bri in a lot of ways and that was quite something to read about. Also, this book is full of burns and I BASICALLY YELLED AT ALL OF THEM. My favorite: 'Damn, Bri. He talked to you like a human being, now all of a sudden you're thirsty for him? What kind of heterosexual bullshit is that?' I laughed so hard at it and it was hilarious to see it being a popular highlight. Shout-out to all the other highlighters of this quote haha. Okay so, I'm no way even a listener of hip-hop and rap but! I still think that Angie Thomas would have made an awesome rapper. These lyricssss! I got 'You can't stop me on the come up' stuck inside my head and then there's the fact that there's gonna be a On the Come Up movie and Bri rapping her heart out, I'm !!! ANYWAY, READ ON THE COME UP. Dare I say that it's even better than The Hate U Give and Angie Thomas outdid herself so well.

For me the book was split into two parts. Part One: the music Part Two: the life of Bri The Music part, with that I mean the lyrics and rapping, was eye-opening. It’s no surprise that I know nothing about rapping. It's not a genre I'm listening to. But the way Bri rhymed those verses on the spot, with barely any time for preparation was AMAZING. Now, I just want to know if these rapping competitions are really a thing. As an adult I saw some of the plot already written on the wall. I’m more aware of what’s to come by just having life experience. Some things are just too good to be true. The promise of a better life vs staying true to oneself. Not selling yourself short. Taking the hard way instead of the easy one. Now, about Bri’s life. As with The Hate U Give, the author writes not only about a teenager so very different to my own teenage self, but also about an issue that needs to be addressed. And if it’s just to let everyone know that this is still a problem in many areas of the US and probably worldwide. And I’m not talking about skin colors, it’s about gang violence, drug distribution, kids afraid of going to school, and discrimination. Moreover Bri’s entire life is the very opposite of everything I experienced myself growing up. Because of it, the plot is captivating, thought provoking but never more than what it’s supposed to be, a story. I really enjoyed Bri’s interaction with her friends, family and adults. She always stays true to herself, even when she navigates this new exciting music opportunity. Although not all of her choices are the right ones. More than once I wished she had an adult to guide her. So, after finishing this book it’s confirmed that I’m a BIG fan of Angie Thomas. It doesn’t matter what she writes, I’m going to read it. Her books are well written, thoughtful, and eye opening. The characters are interesting, entertaining and always engaging. I’m definitely looking forward to her next book.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas's second novel, a sort of sequel to The Hate U Give. I say sort of sequel because it is works as a standalone. The characters do not know each other. But Bri lives in the same neighborhood as Starr and does refer to the incidents of that story. Bri wants to be a rapper. Her father was a locally famous rapper and she seems to have inherited his talent. But she also wants to forge her own path and not only be known as "L'il Law." She does battle and shows she can hold her own. But it's a racist profiling and takedown at her school that thrusts her into the limelight, especially when she uses it to her advantage. Bri is part of a group of kids who are bused in to one of the nicer districts. It's a great program. I live in the area that was first in the country to do this urban-suburban type program and have former students who went through it. Bri's struggles, and those of her friends who also get bussed in, are rewal. It may not always show up as strongly as in this book, but the profiling and microaggressions do. I hope people realize this more and can work toward better solutions. This is also a story about the rapping world. I fully admit that the bulk of my knowledge of battles come from watching Eminem in 8 Mile. As her career advances and people start to shower praise and expectations on her, it also becomes a story of finding yourself and staying true to yourself as you share your message. And that's another good theme for people to ponder. The sophomore novel is always the most difficult one to write. But this story is strong and shows that Angie Thomas is here to stay, even beyond THUG. I know there is one more book in this world and I look forward to reading it.

The author of The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas, has written another YA hit in On the Come Up. 16 year old Bri's father was a hip-hop legend, killed by gang violence when she was young. She's hoping her rapping skills can get her a record deal and help her family (mother Jay and brother Trey) out of poverty. Keeping gas and electricity going, and food in the fridge, is a challenge, and her mother is determined that Bri will do well on the ACTs and go to college. Bright Trey has dropped out of college to work at a pizza place to bring some money in. Like The Hate U Give, this one is set in Garden Heights, a mirror of downtrodden urban areas across the country. Thomas is so good at capturing realistic dialogue and daily dilemmas, including the risks of choice and the costs of bad choices. Sometimes a bad choice seems like the only choice there is. Race, gender, class and poverty issues all affect the characters' daily lives. Bri is a battler, which often gets her into trouble her white classmates don't experience, even for similar behavior. Her mother is an ex-drug addict who loses her job, and has to scramble to make ends meet. At the same time she's working to restore her daughter's trust from her time of despair and addiction. It may sound like a grim book, but it's actually the opposite. There's hope and humor and love and romance, even amid dire circumstances. Bri is a dynamic rapper, and we experience the excitement of her first competitive bout, and all that comes after. The end seemed a bit "tidy" to me, but this is a YA book. Bri is a wonderful, imperfect character learning what's important to her, and how to live with integrity in a difficult world. Another winning book from Angie Thomas.

Bought this for my daughter. Her class was reading this as an assignment. She’d receive extra credit for her own copy. It’s a good read for teens/preteens. My daughter read her other book “The hate you give” last year, so she understood what she was getting herself into when she started this!

Reading this young-adult novel, I realized that -- likely since I'm now much older and a bit more jaded -- I'm not as prone to simply assume (as did some characters in this story) that hip-hop incites violence. Granted, I'm not an ardent fan of that music genre. Yet I'm more willing to see it as poetry addressing social injustices and real-life inner turmoil. The story called to my mind how such lyrics may be disquieting to mindsets in the U.S. that are more suburban, conservative, and (if I may phrase it so) colonialist. Here, high-school student Bri's passion to perform is tested by the pressures of her deceased dad's rap legacy, as well as the music industry's own demands (along with its misogynistic attitudes), and Bri's own preparations for college entrance exams. As the story progresses, Bri's lyrics vent against campus racism. But will this result in her music being censored, and her being virtually labeled a hoodlum? More urgently, will a music career prove a ticket for her family to escape compounding financial hardships? While I more strongly favor the author's first novel, don't misunderstand -- this book, too, turned out enjoyable for me. The ending here may have seemed a bit ideal, but true to life, not all turned out rosy for everyone. I felt grateful to get acquainted with Bri's family and each of her closest peers. I grinned at some lyrical "sick burns" and I laughed seeing how gossip was prized at the church that Bri's family attended. I welcomed the implied ties to "The Hate U Give" and even a nod to a certain Becky Albertalli novel.

Fantastic. I’m not gushing, but it’s really, very good. Bri is, as she says, brilliant, and as a character, one of the most unique and complex I’ve ever read. She’s tough and vulnerable, talented and sensitive, yet hot-headed. I love her voice, and being taken on the ride of her confusion feels genuine and was so much fun. I love how Thomas doesn’t shy away from so many social lessons with this novel, more so than with THUG. Gun violence, racial stereotypes, welfare, systemic poverty, drug abuse, drug distribution, police brutality, and so much more are all discussed while also weaving in a bit of romance and the right amount of family drama. This is a fast-paced read and I really want Trey to be my big brother, too. I just felt like it wasn’t as tight as I’d like it to be, and the pacing was off at times. Minor issue. An incredible story. My kids will love it.

I haven't read The Hate U Give yet, choosing to start with this one instead. It's well written and gripping. The characters are believable, the plot is well thought out, and the events ... man. Right in the Childhood Feels. The story takes you there. I highly recommend it for young adults/new adults and lovers of Coming of Age stories, even if the movie doesn't appeal to you. I was so impressed with the book, I looked up the trailer for the movie adaptation and EVERYTHING in the trailer is wrong except the character names. I was surprised and disappointed. So, even if you have to get it from the library, I suggest giving it a chance.

Minhas resenhas positivas são sempre as mais curtas, então já espere que essa também vai ser. Eu poderia resumir o que achei do livro em uma única frase, aliás: amei absolutamente tudo aqui! Eu tinha gostado muito de O Ódio que Você Semeia, mas definitivamente amei este segundo livro da autora bem mais! Entrou para meus favoritos antes de eu chegar na página cem, e isso não é normal! A começar pela protagonista, Brianna. Vi várias pessoas falando que ela não é fácil, e ainda bem! Não é para ser fácil mesmo! As pessoas mais complexas e interessantes não são! Bri não nasceu para ser simples, e eu a amo por isso! Sua personalidade é tão bem definida, aliás, que logo no primeiro capítulo ela já faz muito sentido e já conquista! Em vários livros, sinto que o autor precisa de um tempo para se acostumar com a voz do protagonista antes de pegar o jeito, mas Angie Thomas domina completamente a de Bri! Ela é de longe uma das personagens mais reais que já encontrei! Seu jeito estourado foi magnífico, e eu fiquei ainda mais revoltada que ela em muitas cenas. Melhor ainda, só seu talento nato para rimas, que fica claro até quando ela não está tentando escrever uma música. Nossa, meu amor por este livro é tanto que nem dá para explicar! Todos os personagens secundários são maravilhosos! Jay, Trey, Malik, Sonny, Pooh e todos, sério! Até aqueles que eu queria era odiar! E todas as ramificações da história são mega válidas! A relação da Bri com a mãe é maravilhosa, não por ser sempre boa e fácil — nunca é, — mas por toda sua complexidade. Angie Thomas a explorou de verdade, sem medo, do começo ao fim do livro. Aliás, tudo é tão bem trabalhado, que nem parece que é um livro só! É uma história tão completa! E, ao mesmo tempo, não é. O final ficou em aberto o suficiente para eu torcer loucamente por uma continuação! Ainda assim, a história termina e não deixa coisa para resolver depois. Sou eu que queria ver no que vai dar essa carreira de rapper da Bri, admito! Até os romances do livro são bons, cara! Mas o rap é espetacular! Dá para ver que a Angie sabe o que está fazendo! Vou precisar que alguém grave as músicas, por favor. Agora. Na hora das batalhas de rap, ainda coloquei a batida para tocar e eu ler no ritmo certo. Recomendo! Outra coisa maravilhosa aqui são todas críticas e questionamentos que aparecem, seja por cena ou por comentário da Bri na narração. Desde racismo, passando por abandono, tráfico de drogas e família, até para machismo no rap e definir quem você é sem viver às sombras dos outros. Tem tanta coisa incrível nesse livro, que eu nunca conseguiria falar de todas! O melhor que eu posso dizer é: leia este livro! Não sei como a tradução ficou, para ser bem honesta, porque não consigo imaginá-lo sem a linguagem exata de Bri, mas a história ainda é válida sozinha. Se você pode ler em inglês, é melhor, mas ainda acho que o mundo inteiro precisa conhecer essa rainha maravilhosa que é a Bri! Que livro marcante!

First, coming to the quality of the book,it was really good but the pages were a bit thin. The cover is absolutely gorgeous! I pre-ordered this but never got it so had to order again. But the book is soon good, Angie Thomas outdid herself! I received it just today and breezed through the book and was able to read it real quick. Even though it's 400+ pages. I loved it even more than THUG. Brilliant book! Bri is very likeable and I got attached to her really fast unlike Starr(THUG). The representation of black characters really matters. Needless to say, you'll love the book!

This is an amazing book that everyone should read. It is so great and has many different messages it's trying to communicate.

前作の"The Hate U Give" と同じGarden Heigtsを舞台に展開される。前作の事件や暴動も触れられてはいるけど、基本的には別のストーリー。お父さんは殺され、お母さんは元薬物中毒者で失業中。よき理解者の叔母はヤクの売人。さまざまな困難の中で、主人公のBrianaは強く明るくラッパーになる夢を追いかける。 家族や仲間たちとの愛情、友情がとても心に残る、読後感が爽快な作品。 英語はスラングが多いので多少分かりにくいところがありますが、The Hate U Give同様、Brianaの一人称、現在形で物語が展開していき、チャプターごとに大きくストーリーが展開していくので、読みやすく、没入しやすいです。