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moreadsnrambles's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was incredible! I went through such an emotional journey from devastated to hopeful. I found myself really connecting with different pieces of the characters and rooting for Blake.
The premise of the story was so interesting, with the inclusion of a secret society reminiscent of Greek life and the pledging process. Jas did an incredible job creating an intricate story that not only makes you feel for the characters but also touches on the effects wealth inequality, racism, and mental health issues can have on people.
I absolutely recommend this book to folks who enjoy queer and coming-of-age stories that center mental health issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Vomit, and Classism
jazzyjbox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
5.0
An incredible look at what it's like to be enmeshed in drinking culture and the choices we make.
Blake wants nothing more than to join an exclusive society with her girlfriend and best friend. When her bestie worries about Blake's drinking, Blake insists that she's fine. Even as her desired life starts to crumble around her, Blake is *fine*. Or is she?
I read this in a day. The addiction portrayal the decisions Blake made are vivid and intense. The writing is stellar and immersive. And it tackles tough topics like toxicity, gender identity, and race. I can't wait to read more by Hammonds!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Blake wants nothing more than to join an exclusive society with her girlfriend and best friend. When her bestie worries about Blake's drinking, Blake insists that she's fine. Even as her desired life starts to crumble around her, Blake is *fine*. Or is she?
I read this in a day. The addiction portrayal the decisions Blake made are vivid and intense. The writing is stellar and immersive. And it tackles tough topics like toxicity, gender identity, and race. I can't wait to read more by Hammonds!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
It’s the summer right after graduation and Blake and her girlfriend, Ella, have been invited to join the elusive Serena Society. The Serena Society is a sorority that promises lifelong networking and community to women of color. While Ella’s acceptance is given, since her mom is an alum, Blake has to work harder for acceptance.
However, as the pledging gets more intense, so does Blake’s drinking. Soon, she notices that it’s slipping into every other crevice of her life. With success on the horizon, Blake has to decide how far she’s willing to go to make it happen.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for an advanced copy of Thirsty by Jas Hammonds to review! This is Hammonds’ second book, and since I absolutely loved We Deserve Monuments, I was excited to pick this one up.
Tone wise, this book feels different than We Deserve Monuments, while still dealing with heavy issues like addiction, relationships, mental illness, and race. Blake is mixed (her dad is Black and her mom is white), and she struggles a lot with her relationship with her mom because of this. She realizes that a lot of her struggles stem from this relationship, which seeps into other aspects of her life.
This book also deals heavily with alcohol addiction. Blake becomes addicted to the way that alcohol makes her confident, but her close friends notice that it is not doing good things for her mental health. She goes through a process of realizing the roots of her issue and eventually gets on the way to getting help. Though alcohol is the main addictive substance for Blake, her emotional journey can be applied to other types of addiction as well.
We also get a lot of complex relationships in this book, which Hammonds seems to excel at. I remember a lot of that in their debut novel as well. It’s important in showing that relationships that seem good on the surface might have other problems happening underneath.
All in all, if you like books that might deal with heavier topics and enjoy strong writing and characters, definitely pick this one up when it comes out in May!
However, as the pledging gets more intense, so does Blake’s drinking. Soon, she notices that it’s slipping into every other crevice of her life. With success on the horizon, Blake has to decide how far she’s willing to go to make it happen.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for an advanced copy of Thirsty by Jas Hammonds to review! This is Hammonds’ second book, and since I absolutely loved We Deserve Monuments, I was excited to pick this one up.
Tone wise, this book feels different than We Deserve Monuments, while still dealing with heavy issues like addiction, relationships, mental illness, and race. Blake is mixed (her dad is Black and her mom is white), and she struggles a lot with her relationship with her mom because of this. She realizes that a lot of her struggles stem from this relationship, which seeps into other aspects of her life.
This book also deals heavily with alcohol addiction. Blake becomes addicted to the way that alcohol makes her confident, but her close friends notice that it is not doing good things for her mental health. She goes through a process of realizing the roots of her issue and eventually gets on the way to getting help. Though alcohol is the main addictive substance for Blake, her emotional journey can be applied to other types of addiction as well.
We also get a lot of complex relationships in this book, which Hammonds seems to excel at. I remember a lot of that in their debut novel as well. It’s important in showing that relationships that seem good on the surface might have other problems happening underneath.
All in all, if you like books that might deal with heavier topics and enjoy strong writing and characters, definitely pick this one up when it comes out in May!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racial slurs
literaryintersections's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am convinced Jas Hammonds can only write amazing books. I love We Deserve Monuments but Thirsty????? The complexities of underage drinking, trying to fit in, peer pressure, and trying to find yourself while being constantly surrounded by the need to keep up with others around you. Add in the underlying thread of the main characters trying to make it into a society meant to support and uplift women of color and this book is a HIT. Like I want everyone to be talking about this book over the summer.
What I love about Jas is that every piece of their books feels realistic - the characters are having real life issues and concerns, they are struggling with things that many of us work through every day. Add on the elements of teenage life and race and this book, and Jas' work, is extremely relatable.
My favorite parts of this book were Blake and Netta. Ella made me want to scream but again, she is what happens when race, wealth, and privilege are tied up together: not inherently bad but often reproducing white supremacy and classism. Netta was a true friend and Blake, although so frustrating, you understand what has led her down this road. And you want her to come out the other side safe, and unscathed as possible. The scenes with her parents, and about her parents, really made me so emotional as a biracial person with a white mother. The ways that Blake feels untethered because of minor statements her mom made felt so relatable.
I just loved this book.
What I love about Jas is that every piece of their books feels realistic - the characters are having real life issues and concerns, they are struggling with things that many of us work through every day. Add on the elements of teenage life and race and this book, and Jas' work, is extremely relatable.
My favorite parts of this book were Blake and Netta. Ella made me want to scream but again, she is what happens when race, wealth, and privilege are tied up together: not inherently bad but often reproducing white supremacy and classism. Netta was a true friend and Blake, although so frustrating, you understand what has led her down this road. And you want her to come out the other side safe, and unscathed as possible. The scenes with her parents, and about her parents, really made me so emotional as a biracial person with a white mother. The ways that Blake feels untethered because of minor statements her mom made felt so relatable.
I just loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racial slurs