The Poet X

*3.5 stars I love the representation this book offers and I love that it tackles important topics. Xiomara is a badass from time to time. “Homie, what makes you think you can ‘handle’ me, when you couldn’t even handle the ball?” Yet I just couldn’t connect with her or any of the other characters. Maybe, the only thing that has to make sense about being somebody’s friend is that you help them be their best self on any given day. That you give them a home when they don’t want to be in their own. Xio stresses the importance of friends but Caridad, and Xavier (‘Twin’) felt really distant. Religion plays a big role in this book since Xiomara’s mother is very religious. Xio, however, questions religion. I don’t think that I’ve read many books which feature religion this heavily but it was refreshing to see a character question the things she is taught. What’s the point of God giving me life if I can’t live it as my own? Why does listening to his commandments mean I need to shut down my own voice? This book also deals with slut shaming and sexuality, which Xiomara just discovers. She develops feelings for a boy named Aman but because of her religious mother, her family cannot find out about this. Her mother wants her to cover up, that it’s a sin to kiss and have sex. But men are never called cueros. I loved the writing and the topics the author discusses. However, when it comes to plot, it was a really quiet book and nothing much happened. I would have liked it better if the other characters were more fleshed out. It also felt quite incomplete. I was interested in her brother’s story but unfortunately, we don’t see how everything turns out for him.

Brilliant. I want to quote so much from this. Xiomara has easily become one of my favourite characters ever. You should listen to the audiobook read by the author, it's so so powerful.

4,5? Konnte es nicht aus den Händen legen. Auf eine Art ist es typisch YA, auf die andere eben auch nicht. Nur zu empfehlen

Honestly soooo much better than expected I even teared Up a bit The ending was Just a bit to rushed I would have liked more of the mother daughter relationship towards the very end

"Isn't that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark." This is the best Elizabeth Acevedo book in my opinion, and it's a debut?? She's such a powerful master of words. I actually cried at the "Will you burn me too?" part, it was so painful. This book hurts. It makes you angry. But you can also feel the deep passion the author has for words, for poetry, and also her heritage. I listened to the audiobook while reading along, and it's read by the author which was just incredible. This book is meant to be read out loud, it's only then that it hits you with its full force. I kind of wish it didn't end as abruptly, but this book still is one of the best books I've read so far in 2023. "And I think about all the things we could be if we were never told our bodies were not build for them." cw for abuse, especially sexual, parental and religious abuse

i don’t think there was ever a book that I related to this much. i took so many notes and took so many pictures because i could just…relate to so many situations. i wish i read this earlier!! honestly this book is a book that you read in like a day or so. it’s a fast read book that i would recommend to everyone. i loved the storyline and the characters!! i’d give the book a 8/5 haha also one of my faves i’ve read this year.

3,5

At this point, I can't dislike anything Acevedo writes. This is such a beautiful book.

A strong 3.5 stars.. At first I thought the layout was going to be hard to read but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It's definitely a primary school read for me but it was still enjoyable. I did find some bits suspenseful and intriguing and other places heartwarming. Definitely want to see what happens in book to.