chidimmadesiree's reviews
663 reviews

4/5 stars

“This is My America” by Kim Johnson is a young adult contemporary that centers around a teenage girl, Tracy, who’s dad has been on death row for seven years. Tracy’s father is innocent and each week she writes letter to the Innocence X organization hoping that they respond and take on his case. Time is running out though and Tracy is getting more and more restless. Things take a turn for the worst when Tracy’s brother, Jamal, is accused of murdering a white girl, Angela. Tracy doesn’t known what to do as she is now fighting for justice for her father and brother.

This was such an emotional read for me. I felt so much for the main character, Ashley. The way she kept on fighting for her father and then for her brother was very commendable. I really loved reading from her perspective throughout this book because I could feel how much proving her family’s innocence meant to her. I just wanted her to finally get her family the justice they deserved.

The representation in this book was stunning. I related to so many parts of this book especially when our main character was explaining how black people are seen as guilty until proven innocent, how the news portrays a suspect when they’re black, and how black people have to protect themselves all the time especially when dealing with the police. Kim Johnson weaves in so many important issues in this young adult contemporary. This book sparked conversation on things that need to be talked about.

-This book was sent to me through netgalley for review-

THIS WAS SO CUTEE!! i adored our main character liz and i just wanted her to get what she deserved. the relationship between mack and liz was just so adorable. i was rooting for the main character as soon as i read page one. leah johnson did what she had to do with this book because i loved it.

when nishat said at the end that she could have never pictured herself having a romantic bollywood movie moment that hit hard

i went into this book expecting another mediocre young adult thriller but chile when i tell you this book was EVERYTHING! even though the premise was promising it seemed as if everyone who read this book was disappointed NOT ME! i ate this book UP

Umm so where should I start with this book? Let me start off by saying that the reason I hated this book wasn’t because of high school cliches or how it centered around privileged, rich, white teenagers. I actually enjoy most of those tropes in tv shows and movies, so that wasn’t the issue at all. My initial reaction to this book reading the synopsis was that I thought this would become one of my favorites. Welp I didn’t know how wrong I was going to be.

My main problem with this book are the characters. Who exactly are we supposed to be rooting for??? I really truly believe that the author thought that the narrator of this book, Jill, was supposed be this great heroine that readers cheered on. But I got the literal exact opposite effect. I saw the main character as this very needy girl who strongly sought after the approval of her peers. She only saw how she was wrong in her actions when it got flipped on her and effected her brother. All of these characters were unlikable, ALL OF THEM. I did not see a single redeeming quality in any of them. They were cruel teenagers who abused the little ounce of power they got, and the author expected me to feel bad for them. As a reader I’m supposed to believe they all woke up one morning and said “I’m going to start being a decent human being and right all my wrongs.” Like where is the logic??

The murder mystery was so painfully obvious that it was actually kind of sad. I predicted who the murderer was from the beginning. THAT’S COMING FROM THE GIRL WHO NEVER CORRECTLY GUESSES PLOT TWISTS! I wouldn’t chalk up the mediocrity of the plot twists to this book being a young adult thriller because I have read many from that genre who have genuinely shocked me with their plot twists. Overall, I’m just really disappointed in this book because the concept was stellar, but I just wished the execution lived up to it.

HOLY CRAP! The atmosphere and tone of this book that Moreno-Garcia creates with her writing is so dark and eerie. The way that the story pulls you in almost as if you’re actually living it. The creepy imagery and descriptions were in such great detail that I found myself gagging and itching throughout this story. The events that took place and happened to the main character, Noemì just felt so real. This book definitely lived up to horror that it promised. Even while writing this review and remembering what happened throughout the novel has me shivering.

My relationship to this series is a very toxic one. Do I care about any of the characters or the supposed plot? Not really. Do i find myself still wanting more? Yes I do. Something about this series is addicting to me and I can’t pinpoint what it is. Can’t wait to read the next one

it gave me everything i expected from a 2007 paranormal book. a “i’m not like other girls” main character, a lot of slut shaming, and a questionable romance. even through all of that it was still a very addicting story.

When Li Wei tells Trinity that “you are my world.” I wish I felt that

12/19/20 reread: just wanted to read this book again because the Netflix show was no plot just vibes✨ Still recommend though! This is probably THE messiest ya contemporary I’ve ever read. And if you know me you know I LIVE for teen dramas. Not only does this book have drama but it also has very interesting and dynamic characters. This book is filled with cliches about the ballet world, but I couldn’t help but be drawn into this story and what these characters would do to be on top. This book really sets up these characters well for growth and redemption arcs in the sequel.