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Grown

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'Grown' by Tiffany D. Jackson follows the story of Enchanted Jones, a teenager with dreams of becoming a singer. When she meets R&B singer Korey Fields, she is taken under his wing, but soon realizes the nightmare of exploitation and abuse she is caught in. The plot delves into the manipulation and grooming of minors, shedding light on the dark reality faced by young girls in abusive relationships. The writing style is described as spare, quick-witted, and engaging, with alternating timelines adding a layer of mystique to the narrative.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, with Enchanted's journey illustrating her vulnerability, while Korey embodies the predatory nature of abusive relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is compelling and atmospheric, effectively conveying the emotional weight of the story through immersive storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a young girl's experiences with a predatory figure in the music industry, revealing the dangers she faces and how she navigates her traumatic relationship with him.

Setting:

Set against the backdrop of the music industry in New York, the setting highlights the contrast between aspiration and predation.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates, beginning with slow development but escalating to a rapid, suspenseful climax as the story unfolds.
I roll over, spine unforgiving, and struggle to my feet, knees wobbling, pain shooting stars through my skull. Out of the one eye that isn’t swollen, everything is a bright blur. The blinding sun shin...

Notes:

The book is a YA novel published by Katherine Tegen Books in 2020.
It was inspired by the allegations against R. Kelly, making it a heavy and disturbing read.
The main character, Enchanted Jones, is a 17-year-old girl with a dream of becoming a singer.
The story explores grooming and manipulation by an older musician, Korey Fields, who is a sexual predator.
Korey Fields dies early in the story, leading to questions about Enchanted's involvement.
The novel uses alternating timelines to reveal Enchanted's past and the events leading to Korey's death.
It addresses themes of abuse, victimization, and the societal pressures on young women, especially black girls.
The narrative emphasizes the importance of recognizing red flags in predatory behavior.
Though it deals with dark themes, the book is recommended for important discussions between teens and adults.
Readers have reported strong emotional reactions, with many finding it difficult yet necessary to read.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Grown include discussions of sexual abuse, assault, child abuse, manipulation, and substance abuse.

From The Publisher:

An instant New York Times bestseller! "Grown exposes the underbelly of a tough conversation, providing a searing examination of misogynoir, rape culture, and the vulnerability of young black girls. Groundbreaking, heart-wrenching, and essential reading for all in the #MeToo era." -Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman's voice.

When legendary R & B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields?

Before there was a dead body, Enchanted's dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey's charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he's dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted.

"Never have I read a story that so flawlessly hits the highest high and lowest low notes of Black girlhood in pursuit of the American Dream." -Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Jackpot

Ratings (8)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (5)

2 comment(s)

Loved It
4 months

Grown terrified me. And the least terrifying part is the homicide.

This is difficult to read, but helpful in understanding the #Me Too movement and other similar movements. More than anything,

Grown shows that we must resist the urge to question or blame victims of sex crimes, especially when victims are black women.

 
Liked It
5 months

The thriller aspect of this book wasn't really good. especially by the ending it felt unrealistic how things wrapped up.

 
 
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