With the Fire on High

With the Fire on High was a truly remarkable story that I still think about today. I finished this book back in June and just never got around to writing a review for it (bad blogger, I know). The Poet X was one of my favorite reads last year, so I was thrilled when I learned Acevedo had written another book! I listened to the audiobooks (an experience you don't want to miss out on), and purchased physical copies as well. The author is the narrator, and her voice really brings these stories to life. The Poet X and With the Fire on High are both memorable books that really resonated with me. Emoni hasn't lived an easy life, and she's had to make really difficult decisions starting at a young age. Her wants and desires come second now that she's a mother, and she often struggles with balancing everything in her life. Cooking has always been her passion, but she loves her daughter and wants to make sure she can provide for them both. Emoni's struggles felt authentic, and I really liked how she was portrayed throughout the book. She's someone's daughter, granddaughter, mother, ex-girlfriend, new girlfriend, student, chef-in-training, employee, friend -- the list goes on and on. She's comfortable in her own skin, and she doesn't let the judgement of others weigh too heavily on her. I really liked how her family was portrayed, and the role her friends played in her life. People are complicated, but they can always surprise you. It was also nice seeing teachers that really wanted to help their students succeed. I enjoyed sharing this journey with Emoni, and thought the author did a wonderful job hitting all of my emotions with a hammer. If you haven't read anything by Acevedo, you're missing out. Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on September 23, 2019.

T​his cover is breathtaking, so beautiful and I just want to stare at it every chance I get. That being said, the story was good and cozy and different to what I usually read but (and don't come for me I beg) it seemed a little flat and pointless. You know, no plot, just vibes. Don't get me wrong, the writing was so engaging but I feel like it was just a good way to pass the time. To me, the cover made up for the things the book lacked and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I quite enjoyed the recipes and all the afro-centric conversations and influences and I think it's valuable for black people to just *exist* without having to face major battles but I'm also a fan of mystery and thriller so this was a little light for my usual tastes. Yet with all that being said, it does what it intends, transports you in time, gets your mind off real life and calms you. Not very plot forward, but a good read nonetheless. P.S. Get the hardcover, you won't regret it

(This review has spoilers) I really enjoyed this book, like, I ate it up! I loved the characters, I liked how the story progressed, the journey was so relatable, and there were just so many sweet moments. But, I still have SO many more questions!😭 I guess I’m one of those people who likes their books to end tied together with a bow on top. I want everything to be addressed and/or resolved, but there’s still so much more I want to know! (Mini spoilers) What about Malachi? What will become of their relationship? I know she said long distance but I think we can all deduce that won’t last because their young and long distance often doesn’t work. Is Angelica definitively going to go to Pratt? What about ‘Buela? When is she going to marry Mr. Jagoda? Is she going to marry him? If she marries him will she go live with him? What will happen with Emoni and Babygirl? Will they continue to stay in ‘Buela’s house while she attends school and works at the restaurant? Will her father also continue to stay in ‘Buela’s house so he and Emoni can forge a relationship? What’s going on with Pretty Leslie? What are her plans? What about the situation with Tyrone’s mom? I wish she would have read that women for filth because she was horrible and sexist and she raised a misogynistic son. I’m glad Tyrone seemed to get his act together in the end but I think he’s still a “you-know-what”. His ridiculous possessiveness over Emoni was frustrating and I wish she would have really told him about himself and how hypocritical he’s being. Anyway, I’m glad they reach some sort of understanding but I still don’t think it’s really resolved. Anyways, I’ll talk about the things I enjoyed about this book now that my rant is over. Emoni is so relatable. My reticence to read YA comes from feeling like I can’t relate to high school characters anymore since I’m far done with that time in my life and I don’t want to relive it. But I found so many things about Emoni’s character relatable that I was surprised and I just wanted to keep following her journey. Her journey to figure out her future I understood so well because even now I struggle to plan my own future. It’s such a big decision to make when you’re 18 what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. I’m glad that she knows food is her passion and something she wants to pursue a career in which puts her miles ahead of many people her age. That way she knows what she wants she just has to figure out how to get there. I could also relate to feeling like you don’t fit today’s body ideal and struggling with feeling desired. I felt that more so in HS and my first couple years of college but I’ve learned to be comfortable in my body and even recognize things that a like about it. I’ve also learned not to look for validation or desire from men. I personally just don’t want their attention. I loved Emoni’s passion for food. I not intuitive and have exceptional skills with food as she does but I found her passion so relatable and reassuring. There was a moment when she subtly watches her grandma dice an onion and her grandma calls her out and tells her I know how to chop an onion! That moment I loved because I do the same to my mom and she says the same thing. The relationships in this novel are also what propel this book forward. Emoni has such deep, complex relationships with her with the people around her and I find them so compelling. I loved her friendship with Angelica. They are true ride or die friends and I love that. I’m glad that she has the amazing support of her ‘Buela. It’s also nice to have the unwavering support of a parent and related to their relationship because my mom is that person for me. And MALACHI! Omg he’s just perfect, I can’t. He’s almost too perfect for a teenage boy. Like I’ve never seen any boy, or man for that matter, have the emotional depth or empathy that he does. He’s so empathetic and understanding that I just wanted to hug him! He is so sweet; the complete opposite of Tyrone. Like Emoni, I too wanted to learn so much more about him and his life and his passions. The time he and Emoni spent together in Spain confirmed him to be my favorite character. He’s just perfect! Overall, I really enjoyed this book! When I was reading this before bed I would tell myself, “ok just one more chapter”, then I would read three more. I had to force myself to put down. The relationships are what really drives the story for me. Emoni has a village of people who support her and want to see her win and that’s illustrated in the graduation photo that they take in the end. I loved that her passion for food was a motivating force for her and I can only hope to have something of my own that I’m just as passionate about. I think I would give this 4.5 stars because I love the characters and the story so much but we need to improve the ending. After reading this book and The Poet X I think I might buy a physical cop of these books. Elizabeth Acevedo just writes such compelling stories!

The cover is like this and the only reason why it's not in a worst condition is because it's an hard cover. Either way this was not supposed to happen.

This book.....OMG! I've seen it all over the place and I understand why now. This book needs to be in your life! It's a strong female lead that you are rooting for right from page one, beautifully written with so much detail you feel like you're following Emoni around and it gives you all feels! I couldn't put this book down! Emoni is such a beautiful character, she is who we all wish we could have been in high school. You root for her the whole way through and you finish this book feeling proud of who she's grown into. As much as she comes across as being strong and confident you get just enough of that teenage girl doubt to make you believe her age, she's a beautifully written character and I was left wanting to know who the woman she'd grow into would be. The recipes included at the beginning of each part are a wonderful touch and I can't wait to try them. I highly recommend this book!

A única coisa que eu esperava deste livro era que falasse sobre uma garota no colegial que tinha sido mãe adolescente e que gosta muito de cozinhar. Emoni tem muito mais do que isso, mas adorei ver como a autora abordou todos os lados de sua personalidade e da sua história de um jeito tão natural e real, que dá para se apegar a ela logo nos primeiros capítulos! Tem poucas coisas que eu posso falar sobre o livro, porque ele entrega tudo que promete! Os capítulos são muito curtos, mas esse é o jeito da autora de contar, o que às vezes me incomodou, mas na maior parte do tempo só me fez ler o mais rápido possível. Gostei bastante do arco da personagem, de sua personalidade como mãe, mas ainda adolescente. De sua relação com o pai, a avó, a filha e o pai de sua filha. De como ela questiona como é vista por ser negra e porto riquena. Os aprendizados dela como cozinheira também foram muito bacanas e apropriados, na hora certa, ainda que previsíveis. O romance é outra coisa que foi mega fofa, Malachi é um amor e conquista fácil, então não deixa quase nada a desejar. Na verdade, a única coisa que deixa a desejar é que eu queria bem mais romance, entende? Sei que não era o foco do livro, mas as poucas cenas realmente voltadas ao romance eram ótimas, me fazendo querer mais, muito mais! Quem mandou a autora ser tão boa? E o desenvolvimento do enredo é, como eu falei, previsível, ainda que não de um jeito realmente ruim. Super recomendo! Achei que fosse ser só mais um livro adolescente, mas é bem mais do que isso! Todos os personagens são marcantes e a história em si é bem real e preciosa! Nota verdadeira: 4,5

Su portada estan hermosa que te anima a leerlo

This review has been long awaited. I can not stop thinking about this book and the swarm of feelings it gave me while reading. I connected with this book and Emoni in so many ways possible that I never would have imagined. A teenage girl trying so hard to meet her dreams and live her young life while holding the responsiblity of raising a baby, along with many other challenges of being a teenage mother. . I connected to this book in a way I haven’t connected to others. I, myself am a young mother of a three-year-old boy and experienced most of what Emoni experienced throughout this book. Emoni is an amazing character who is strong and an inspiration to other young mothers. I could read her story over and over again. . Emoni is an aspiring chef and a good one. Reading this book will make you hungry and wanting so badly to eat her cooking. I wish I could. It was so fun reading a book that talks about food. Who doesn’t love food? It’s such a unique book, something I haven’t read before. . 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐢 𝗺𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝗼𝗼𝐤 𝐜𝗼𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬? . One of my new favourite books. I can not stop talking about it and will keep talking about it for a long time. It will be on my shelves for years to come, for me to read again and again. Elizabeth Acevedo is an amazing story teller and writer. I can not wait for her to release more books.