On the Come Up

Sixteen-year-old Bri Jackson dreams of becoming a rap legend like her father, who was murdered before achieving mainstream success. Living in Garden Heights with her mother and brother, she faces financial hardship while pursuing her goal of making it in the underground hip-hop scene. After recording a controversial rap song, Bri's life changes as she becomes an unexpected internet sensation. She must navigate sudden attention, criticism, and pressure while staying true to her artistic voice and supporting her struggling family. The story takes place in the same universe as Thomas' debut novel "The Hate U Give" and features familiar locations. It follows Bri's journey through school, family relationships, and the competitive world of battle rap. On the Come Up explores themes of artistic expression, family legacy, and the complex relationship between personal identity and public perception. The novel examines how young voices respond to societal expectations and systemic challenges.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of Bri's struggles as a teen rapper dealing with poverty, family challenges, and finding her voice. Many reviews highlight the raw emotion and realistic dialogue, noting that the hip-hop elements feel natural rather than forced. Liked: - Strong character development, especially Bri's growth - Accurate representation of hip-hop culture - Exploration of media bias and stereotypes - Complex family dynamics - Effective balance of humor and serious themes Disliked: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Less compelling plot compared to Thomas's first novel - Some found Bri's actions frustrating or unrealistic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (83,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (3,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.6/5 (900+ ratings) "The hip-hop references and lyrics are spot-on," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "Bri's anger and frustration feel real - sometimes uncomfortably so."

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🎤 The book's setting, Garden Heights, is the same fictional neighborhood featured in Angie Thomas's debut novel "The Hate U Give," creating a rich, interconnected literary universe. 🎵 Before becoming an author, Angie Thomas was a teen rapper in Mississippi, drawing from her own experiences to authentically capture hip-hop culture in the novel. 📚 "On the Come Up" was adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 2022, directed by Sanaa Lathan in her directorial debut. 💫 The phrase "on the come up" is hip-hop slang for someone who's rising to success, reflecting both the protagonist's journey and the author's own path from aspiring artist to bestselling writer. 🏆 The novel debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and received multiple accolades, including being named one of the Best Books of 2019 by Publishers Weekly.