The Girls in Queens
by Christine Kandic Torres
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"Brisma and Kelly, two young Latinas growing up along Clement Moore Avenue in Queens, would do anything for each other. They keep each other's secrets, hide from their mothers' chancletas, and ward off creepy neighbors. At the beginning of high school, Brisma falls deeply in love with Brian, the local baseball legend. Always the wallflower to the vibrant and alluring Kelly, Brisma is secretly thrilled to be chosen by Brian, to finally have someone all to herself. As the three kids learn to show more play the roles that have been set before them, they create a cacophony of unrealized hopes and dreams, smoldering embers that finally find some oxygen. Years later, Brisma and Kelly haven't spoken to Brian, ever since a backyard party gone wrong, but Los Mets are on a historic run for the playoffs and the three old friends-now on the cusp of adulthood-are brought back together again. Brisma finds herself once again inextricably drawn to Brian, only to once again find Kelly standing in the way. When a sexual assault accusation emerges, both girls rush to support and defend Brian. While Kelly remains staunchly by his side, Brisma begins to have doubts as old memories resurface of her own relationship with him. As the two lifelong friends prepare to bring down the other in order to take what they both believe is owed to them, they have to decide if their shared past is enough to sustain their future. Told in alternating timelines and reminiscent of Dominicana, My Brilliant Friend, and Normal People, The Girls in Queens explores a lifelong friendship, the complications of sexual abuse allegations within communities of color, the furious loyalty of young women, and the danger of forgetting that sometimes monsters hide in plain sight"-- show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I was sent a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Excellent, excellent book! While heartbreaking and often very sad, this book is a beautiful tale of growing up, and of what it means to be women = particularly Latinx women. The writing is beautiful, and I often found myself caught by the author's turn of phrase that completely captured the scene and the moment. It's emotional, and because of that it took me a little longer to read than some books do, but I absolutely loved this book and am looking forward to reading more by this author!
The Girls in Queens by Christine Kandic Torres is a 2022 HarperVia publication.
This book has been on my TBR list for a little over a year. I waffled back and forth before deciding to give it a try, mainly due to the YA label attached to it.
Ultimately, though, it wasn’t the category that caused problems for me, but the pacing of the book. There was potential and I think the author was not only trying to examine dangerous attitudes and the examples set for young girls by those who should be teaching them better but was also trying to establish a bit of nostalgia and capture the special friendship bonds forged in our pre-teen years.
Unfortunately, the whole thing fell flat. Nothing very exciting takes place during the first half of the show more book, but it does start to gel in the second half and the last quarter of the book almost made it worth one’s patience. But honestly, it didn’t make a big enough impact for me to say I’m glad I stuck with it to the end. It was one of those ‘too little, too late’ situations, I’m sorry to say.
Overall, I appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish, but sadly it fell short of the mark.
2 stars show less
This book has been on my TBR list for a little over a year. I waffled back and forth before deciding to give it a try, mainly due to the YA label attached to it.
Ultimately, though, it wasn’t the category that caused problems for me, but the pacing of the book. There was potential and I think the author was not only trying to examine dangerous attitudes and the examples set for young girls by those who should be teaching them better but was also trying to establish a bit of nostalgia and capture the special friendship bonds forged in our pre-teen years.
Unfortunately, the whole thing fell flat. Nothing very exciting takes place during the first half of the show more book, but it does start to gel in the second half and the last quarter of the book almost made it worth one’s patience. But honestly, it didn’t make a big enough impact for me to say I’m glad I stuck with it to the end. It was one of those ‘too little, too late’ situations, I’m sorry to say.
Overall, I appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish, but sadly it fell short of the mark.
2 stars show less
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- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
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