On the Come Up

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas's second novel, following her acclaimed debut The Hate U Give. Published in 2019, the book tells the story of Bri, a sixteen-year-old aspiring rapper in a working-class neighborhood who is determined to make it in hip-hop despite the obstacles stacked against her. When a video of her freestyling goes viral for the wrong reasons, Bri must navigate intense scrutiny, family pressures, and her own doubts about whether she belongs in a male-dominated industry.

Thomas explores themes of ambition, identity, and resilience through Bri's eyes as she grapples with her father's legacy as a former rapper, her mother's skepticism about her dreams, and the weight of being a Black girl trying to claim space in a world that often dismisses her. The novel balances humor, heart, and social commentary, examining how young people fight to define themselves on their own terms. Thomas's dialogue rings authentically, and her portrayal of hip-hop culture goes beyond stereotype to show the artistry, community, and struggle that define the industry.

• Coming-of-age story centered on a teenage female rapper
• Explores family dynamics, ambition, and self-determination
• Contemporary fiction set in an urban community
• Deals with themes of identity, race, and artistic expression

Available nationwide across Pakistan with Cash on Delivery.