Title: With the Fire on High
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

I’ve had a book by Acevedo on my shelf for a while, and although I’ve heard positives, I’ve never actually sunk my teeth into it. And believe me, the hype for Acevedo’s writing is well worth it. This was just so, so, so damn good. Although this book wasn’t one that I would consider to be high drama, it was still impossible to out down. There was something about the flow and story that made you want to know what was going to happen next, even without any cliffhangers.

I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a teenage mum. It’s hard enough to be a mother as a fully (I think) grown adult, but being a teenage mum? I can’t even fathom. Acevedo dealt with this idea beautifully, she highlighted the intensity of love and protectiveness that is motherhood. But also the insecurities and difficulties that a teenager goes through all on her own. Even without the same experiences, there was so much relatable about motherhood that Acevedo imparts.

Alongside the focus on motherhood, I loved how Emoni grows and changes throughout this story. It was the most perfect coming of age tale that I’ve read in a very long time. There were no massive trials and horrors to overcome, but the normal, everyday occurrences of being a teenager. Those feelings of finding yourself, deciding what you want to do with your future and falling in love for the first time. Yet, there’s a great sense of maturity over the whole tale. I’m not sure of that’s the race discussion, the teenage mother, whatever it was. I’m definitely completely in love with Emoni.

To top off the amazing story, the loveable characters and the beauty of spirit, there was a whole heap of yummy, yummy food throughout. Aside from the few recipes scattered throughout (recipes which I really want to try), there are so many delicious mentions of food. Or combinations of flavours. It definitely got my creative culinary juices flowing.

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Image source: Goodreads