Book Review: “By Any Means Necessary” by Candice Montgomery

“By Any Means Necessary” by Candice Montgomery (2019)

Genre: LGBT, Contemporary, YA

Page Length: 320 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

An honest reflection on cultural identify, class, and gentrification. Fans of Nic Stone and Elizabeth Acevedo will eagerly anticipate Torrey.

On the day Torrey officially becomes a college freshman, he gets a call that might force him to drop out before he’s even made it through orientation: the bee farm his beloved uncle Miles left him after his tragic death is being foreclosed on.

Torrey would love nothing more than to leave behind the family and neighborhood that’s bleeding him dry. But he still feels compelled to care for the project of his uncle’s heart. As the farm heads for auction, Torrey precariously balances choosing a major and texting Gabriel—the first boy he ever kissed—with the fight to stop his uncle’s legacy from being demolished. But as notice letters pile up and lawyers appear at his dorm, dividing himself between family and future becomes impossible unless he sacrifices a part of himself. (Description from Goodreads)

Review:

This novel follows the story of Torrey a black teenager who is a first generation college student in his family. His excitement for this new journey is dampened when he finds out the bee apiary back home is being sold. He took over it after Miles, his uncle, passed away and wants to keep the legacy while his grandfather, Theo, wants to get rid of it. Torrey grapples with what to do while trying to adjust to college life, make new friends, and reconnect with a boy from the past.

Torrey is torn between school and saving the apiary from being sold. Being in college is an opportunity for him to widen his horizons, but at the same time he doesn’t want to destroy his uncle’s legacy and hard work. Though he feels somewhat out of place as colleges freshman, he has a strong support system of friends and also a blossoming relationship with a former flame. He misses home but at the same time is glad be in a new place due the negative treatment he received from his grandfather.

The book’s main theme focuses on gentrification as Torrey’s neighborhood is slowly being replaced little by little and low income people being pushed out of their homes and businesses. Torrey’s fight fiercely to save the apiary, and makes a stand against the bigger corporations buying up businesses:

I think he (Miles) understood, better than I ever will, that sometimes the fight is necessary. It always gets you to the other side and at the end of it, you’ll always have picked up something new, regardless of the fight’s outcome: a couple new bruises or some bragging rights. Both of which can be valuable in the hands of a Black boy.

I felt that Torrey’s character is not only complex but is relatable to a wide audience as well. He’s got a lot of growing up to do and he’s trying to process a lot of stuff. He’s vulnerable, feels conflicted, but also stands up for what he believes in. This was an engrossing read from start to finish and I enjoyed how it discussed multiple topics including sexuality, gentrification, college, and discovering yourself.

Trigger Warnings: Homophobic/Racial Slurs

Final Verdict: