Not bad though it’s very slow-paced. The characters talk so formally/awkwardly outside of Chavo and Joey. At one point, Hector’s sister tells her mom she uses “regular young-people talk.” *Scooby-doo noise* The plot reigns supreme here because the characters feel a bit bland.

Despite a few Spanish and English curse words, the tone felt like a very young YA or Middle Grade, due to a lot of telling, at times. I wonder if a first pov would’ve been more enjoyable? Now, this wasn’t Christian fiction, but faith and scriptures are certainly present.

Overall, I liked Hector’s family and his journey to becoming brave. Hector’s back and forth struggle with revenge was really good and his dynamic with Joey. Joey’s trash, but, as readers, as we learn more about him, we get as conflicted and muddled as Hector. While I understand the ending, the open-endedness felt a bit unsatisfying or unfinished. I wanted to see a reunion with Azi and his family again. Also, it felt like Gloria fell off the face of the Earth. We don’t find out what happened to her.

2.5 ( )

This is a story of revenge. How to exact that revenge and live with the consequences. How do you move forward after your life is shattered and you take that extra step that cements the poor choice you have made as a result. This book was a glimpse into the author’s life growing up in the projects of El Paso. Harsh, gripping, and devastating are what comes to mind after reading this book. Read in one sitting and it blew me away. ( )

this book really took a turn that i wasn't expecting about halfway through. i thought i was comfortable with the story and the characters and then out of nowhere everything changed. it was a surprising and bold move, and i think maybe shows the point that grief and the idea of duty can drive us to do things that we wouldn't normally do. i like the questions this book brings up and discusses - what is courage? what does cowardice look like? how do you live with grief and loss and a desire for revenge? does taking revenge take courage or cowardice? is there a difference between duty and love?

hector is a good character to work through these issues. i wish there was more that connected the first part of the book with the second, other than hector. but the author made that transition well, and it never felt like an abrupt loss, just something i wish there had been more continuity with. overall this is well done and surprising in a lot of ways. ( )

Thanks to @scholasticinc and @coloredpagesblogtours for the gifted copy. Happy pub day to "On the Hook" by @francisco_stork!

QOTD: What book had a plot twist that completely left you speechless?

"Courage was more than willingness to take risks. It was a quality of mind that allowed a player to face imminent danger, even an inescapable trap, with self control. Courage did not panic, did not give up. It was composure under pressure, the ability to keep the mind alert and focused no matter what. It was doing what needed to be done even when you're afraid."

"On the Hook" is about Hector, a promising high school who is doing all the right things to get into a great college and make his family proud. He's a talented chess player with killer grades. One day he is threatened and attacked by a local gang member and freezes up. This eventually leads to a tragic incident which threatens to derail his entire future and changes his family forever.

I really enjoyed the pacing of the author's writing. The beginning really focuses on the back story and then "Bam" you get hit right in the face with the plot turn right in the middle of the book. The emotions conveyed are so honest and raw that you instantly feel Hector's pain. You almost want to intervene but you know you can't because it all feels so real. I had to close the book and take a break immediately because I was completely immersed in the story.

This story really moved me deeply even though I'm not the intended audience. It is a great one to read with youth and discuss closely. This is definitely one to add to your middle grade and older classroom libraries.

What really sticks out about this one are the core questions it poses:

♟How do you gain the courage to fight for your own life despite your circumstances?
♟How do you move past anger and revenge and not get lost in it?
♟How do you find your voice in an uber masculine world that dictates that men have to get physical in order to prove bravery?
♟How do you maintain your faith in the face of so much tragedy?
♟How do you separate duty and love?
♟Is revenge ever greater than the consequences?
♟How do you overcome crippling fear?

Bookdragon rating 4.25 🔥 ( )