This book is written in verse
It is so captivating and covers so many important topics
This was a great YA book written so well

While this had potential and I know other people will like it, it didn't really catch my attention. It was a quick read, written in free verse. But I would have liked to have more examples of her poetry in the book.

I liked her supportive teacher and the ending.

This poetry book is an absolute master piece. it was the first book I had read by this author and I absolutely adored it. Would highly recommend.

A book like no other. Absolutely fantastic! Such an intriguing and effective read. Absolutely excellent book and a brilliant read. Recommend!

Love Elizabeth Acevedo's writing - she is incredibly talented and her writing is beautiful.... _ I would recommend to readers who enjoyed Acevedo's other bods

For my first book written in verse, this was a stunning introduction. A hugely powerful book that has lit a fire in me for more poetry.

The Poet X is a verse novel that, with the rhythms of slam poetry, tells Xiomara's powerful and affecting story of what it's like to be a teenage girl suddenly in possession of a woman's body. It also considers how her religious parent's expectations constrain her growth into a young woman.

This was a fantastic read. It read a lot faster than what I was expecting, but I enjoyed every second of it. The power of the story was so clear and I loved how it explored those strange teenage years where you begin to develop that self-awareness of yourself, your body, and your sexuality. A lot of big topics were tackled with ease. So much so that I'm excited to read more of Acevedo's work. My only complaint would be that the ending was too neat for my liking, but is such a minor issue.

A great read and a fantastic introduction to stories told in verse. I've heard that the audiobook is incredible, so if I ever decide to reread, it'll be in that format!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I read this book in 24 hours. I absolutely devoured this, and that’s not something I would normally do. This book is all about voice, and Xiomara’s voice is truly and utterly, fully bought to life here in a really unique way. I’m just ashamed this was sitting on my TBR for so long.

With The Poet X, Acevado has written a powerful, coming of age story about a young Black woman who uses poetry to understand the world around her. It’s a true journey, and one that starts with X as a girl who doesn’t speak often, and ends with her pushing her words out into the world.

The poetry here is wonderful, and I really am tempted by the audiobook version – this is a book that deserves to be spoken and heard out loud. The words flow so well, each – as it should in poetry – feeling carefully selected, but in a natural way. There are techniques which work well here that wouldn’t in prose, and it really manages to bring a lovely balance to the two.

Through the book, Xiomara learns more about herself, her world, her family, while pushing herself to her own edges. She starts off as someone who doesn’t talk much, but leans into her fists to say what she can’t. Her journey is one many young women would be familiar with, as she battles against her upbringing to discover and become the woman she truly is.

The style really emphasises aspects of the character, and it’s easy to imagine the events as they happen, as Xiomara questions her relationships with her family, her peers, and God, either encouraged or discouraged by those around her. It’s written in a way that the pace is up to the reader – you can move through it fairly quickly, but there are many moments which deserve the reader slowing down and really absorbing the words on the page.

Every book needs elements of tension, and Acevedo really does well with this, giving moments where it becomes impossible to put it down, leaving the reader keen to discover what is going to happen next and how Xiomara is going to deal with it. I loved the use of language, the portrayals, and the way we see this community and neighbourhood completely through Xiomara’s eyes.

Each character feels different and unique, especially in their relationships to Xiomara, and we get to witness the way she expects them to react to her and the way they really do. I know I’ve used this word above, but powerful really is a good word to describe this, in both the plot and style. And the way each poem stands on its own, slightly different from one another rather than blending into each other, ensures our reactions to each poem are exactly how Acevedo wants us to react.

The Poet X is a truly wonderful, beautifully unique book, with an excellent main character and really strong voice at its core. If you haven’t yet checked this out, it’s well worth devoting time to doing so.

Thank you to Egmont Books for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley.

Wow.

If you haven't read this book. Read it now. Like now. Vwhy are you still here?
GO!

Stunning, stunning piece of writing. Ms Acevado has done it again.

This is one of my favourite books. I’ve not previously been that interested in poetry, but this book written in verse has made me want to read more. Beautifully written and so powerful - everyone needs to read this.

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighbourhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook as Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, but still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.
This was such a beautiful story of someone trying to find themselves as they grow, especially as a twin in a strict religious household, finding her feet as her own person but also the first blossoms of having a relationship and being confident in the person she is.
Acevedo has such a beautiful way with words that flow so perfectly and full of emotion, the touch of Spanish filtered through with English and the haikus she creates as she is dealing with her emotions, it helped bring her to life for me. I was with X the whole way through. For someone who has nothing in common with myself, I felt like I could relate to her in many ways. I can't fully explain the ways I loved this story, X is such a powerful young person who has so much to give and prove that she is more than what her body contains. For someone so young she is so aware of her body and how she is seen not for her personality or even her brains and cleverness.
If that isn't enough to deal with, her home life is not easy for her or her twin brother and with her mothers strict upbringing, they find they cannot be themselves and she struggles to connect with her. It was hard to read about their journey but I am glad that it all worked out in the end.
TW: sexism/misogyny, homophobia, sexual assault/harassment, slut-shaming and abuse.
Written in verse, The Poet X is a wonderful story that needs to be read by everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
4/5

I'm not normally a fan of poetry, I will be honest.
When I first heard about this book, it was massively hyped on Booktube.
So I got it with my Xmas vouchers.
Going into it I wasn't sure what to think as my brain was trying to indulge a lot of information.
First of all, it being a diverse book, second that it's slam poetry, and third very cultural with an occasional snippet of a language I am not fluent in.
When I got 3/4 through the book, I decided I was enjoying the story line on Xiomara.
I found myself getting emotionally involved near the end as well.
I feel like people who enjoy poetry, especially slam poetry would love this book.
It definitely has an interesting and important message!

I loved this book. I consumed it, And I couldn't get over how simply it read, while conveying such depth. Teenage angst is not new but it felt so fresh and raw. Xiomara is first generation American, fighting to find her identity while challenged by not just the changes in her body and emotions, but also a rigid, religious lost mother. She has the support of her genious twin, but he has issues of his own. The only way she can find peace is through self expression - her poetry. But even this she has to keep secret.

Written in verse (not something I normally like, but hardly noticed), Poet X captures your heart with her bravery and honesty and gift with words. To paint complex pictures with simple words is an incredible art, And the metaphors capture complex feelings and emotions with such accuracy. So much depth and raw emotion, I will not forget this story easily - the pictures are seared to my brain.

I expected to enjoy this more than I did, considering the accolades. It read rather slowly and explored certain parts more repetitively than it had to. The hispanic cultural elements were really interesting and a great sign of the need for more books like this. Books about poets writing poetry never really interest me, and this took a lot of the book (and is a personal preference of course). Overall, not a lot happens. There are some interesting bits of language, but compared with other verse novels, especially Sarah Crossan but also Dean Atta, this didn't grip me. Overall it was fine, if forgettable.

This is a YA fiction that has themes of identity and relationship.

The central character is Xiomara, a 15 year old who writes poetry about the struggles of her life. She is Dominican origin living with her twin brother Xavier and their elderly parents in Harlem, New York.

It is mainly written as short poems and diary entries refering to a time in Xiomara's life.

I liked how the author used the first person narrative and focuses on Xiomara because it makes you understand what she is feeling, thinking, saying and what's happening around her. I liked how it's written in verse and has Spanish words or phrases so it's authentic. It would've been even better if these had a translation in the footnote so it didn't feel like I missed part of the reading or understanding of the storyline.

This is the second book I've read by Elizabeth Acevedo and I'll be looking forward to reading more by her.

I received an ebook from Netgalley.

Elizabeth Acevedo has a way with words that floors me every, single, time.
I don’t often read poetry or novels in verse. I know a lot of people who are the same, and it’s not that we avoid poetry or poetic novels, I guess it’s just that we tend to forget about them and don’t pick them up.
If you pick up ONE poetic novel/verse novel in your lifetime, let it be this one.
From start to finish I was absolutely mesmerised. It was so powerful, so gripping and I was in tears by the end. I had chills.
Acevedo paints such a strong, impactful picture in such a beautiful way and it’s honestly mesmerising.
I heard so many incredible things about The Poet X and I won’t lie, I thought they were exaggerations, but they’re not. Mind blowingly beautiful, impactful, thought provoking and honest.

Wow! I was blown away by this book told completely in verse. I'm an absolute poetry dunce so I wasn't holding out high hopes for myself when reading this but Acevado writes in such an accessible way and in so many different types of poetry that I was instantly enthralled and swept along with the story. I loved the characters and the message their story was conveying. I read this so quickly that I was disappointed when it ended, I could have carried on indefinitely with this book. Don't be put off by the poetry element, it is a really great read.

Thanks to #NetGalley, the publisher Egmont Publishing and the author Elizabeth Acevado for providing me with a digital ARC of #ThePoetX in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way. This book was an amazing read and I did not want to put it down. This book is written in verse and normally I would not read a poetry book but I am so glad that I did. We follow Xiomara through her coming of age, her questioning her religion and family problems. We also find out that Xiomara has an amazing talent in slam poetry and watch her blossom as she gains confidence. I look forward to reading more by this author - this book comes highly recommended.

Thank you Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from it and thought I might struggle with the style of writing, but a few pages in and I was hooked and read the whole thing in two sittings. I think all young adults should read this book, it touches on so many important topics in a relatable way. Xiomara’s character will stay with me for some time.

Elizabeth Acevedo’s 'The Poet X' is another powerful story by the author. I have previously read 'Clap When You Land', and I loved the lyrical style of the verse-written novel, and 'The Poet X' has not disappointed on this account. And even more, as 'The Poet X' features poetry/slam poetry themes inevitably the book becomes even more lyrical, has an even greater rhythm to it. I’ve been super lucky to get my wish granted by the publisher, and read this book over the weekend.

'The Poet X' follows Xiomara as finds her place in school and home and in relation to religion. As she learns to be herself and speak up. For the first time in her life, she has feeling for a boy in her biology class, but her religious mother would never allow her to date a boy. Xiomara is forced to attend confirmation classes even if she has a crisis of faith and doesn’t really think that’s the best place for her. I loved how she found her voice through writing, through poetry, and ultimately joined the poetry club and attended slam poetry open mic. You can see so much growth in Xiomara as she learns to speak up on the issues that matter to her. I also enjoyed her twin brother’s story – heartbreaking and somehow unresolved, the ending still somehow offers the hope for both of the siblings.

While I think in some ways, the storyline of 'Clap When You Land' resonates with me more, I have enjoyed 'The Poet X', and Elizabeth Acevedo is definitely one of my favourite YA authors.

This was such a lovely book. I love the layout of the poems as it made it a lot of fun to read. The story of love in many forms , it shows the good and the bad sides. Honest and raw this book was beautiful.