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skudiklier's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I finished this book last night, after starting it when I woke up yesterday morning--which should tell you something about how much I liked it I guess. I've loved every book Angie Thomas has written, and this was no exception. You can definitely read this without having read The Hate U Give, but obviously you should read that anyway, and I do think you get a richer experience reading this one if you've read THUG.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Slavery, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Fatphobia, and Genocide
charlottereadsthings's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
From best-selling author Angie Thomas, Concrete Rose is a prequel to The Hate U Give and follows Maverick Carter.
In this story he is a seventenn year old boy, trying to defy the expectations society has placed on him, only to be crushed under the weight when he learns that he is going to be a father. Grief and navigating fatherhood is a complex mix that really drives the story: are you willing to keep stepping up when everything feels like it's falling apart?
I'll be honest, for the first 30 pages I wasn't entirely sold on this book. Personally, I wasn't sure if a stort centered around Maverick would be something I'd be interested in. But Angie Thomas is such a fantastic writer that I put my faith in her hands and wasn't disappointed. My heart yearned for Maverick. I wanted to climb into the pages and sit him down, help him work through his issues.
Of course, not all of this book is upsetting, from the cracks in the concrete rises strength and hope, and another sucess from Angie Thomas.
In this story he is a seventenn year old boy, trying to defy the expectations society has placed on him, only to be crushed under the weight when he learns that he is going to be a father. Grief and navigating fatherhood is a complex mix that really drives the story: are you willing to keep stepping up when everything feels like it's falling apart?
I'll be honest, for the first 30 pages I wasn't entirely sold on this book. Personally, I wasn't sure if a stort centered around Maverick would be something I'd be interested in. But Angie Thomas is such a fantastic writer that I put my faith in her hands and wasn't disappointed. My heart yearned for Maverick. I wanted to climb into the pages and sit him down, help him work through his issues.
Of course, not all of this book is upsetting, from the cracks in the concrete rises strength and hope, and another sucess from Angie Thomas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Violence
piperhath's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Concrete Rose is the prequel to The Hate U Give which tells Maverick's (Star's father) story. From working for Mr Wyatt to selling drugs to dealing with grief, we get to learn more about his story and how he came to have two children (Seven and Star) by 18.
- Well Angie has done it again! This is probably my favourite book of the year so far. In THUG, I really liked Maverick's character and always wanted to see more development so to have a whole book centered around this is so amazing. Next we just need Isesha/Lisa. While we do see the same themes of struggle like we do in other Angie books, I will have to agree with other reviews when they say that this is probably Angie's less anticlimactic books. There is less drama and more focus on the raw emotions but it is still wonderfully well written and emotional that I think everyone should read if the loved Angie's other books as this one does not disappoint!
- This is such an important book, like both if Angie's other books as this one highlights the importance of young black males in society. It demonstrates that their emotions are valid and it is perfect okay to reach out when you need help. It also demonstrates you can always "go against the grain" and stand on your own two feet and should be proud to do so, just like Big Mav does and is.
- I am excited to hear everyone else's thoughts on this book! I have nothing but praise for this one!
- Thank you @harpercollinsnz for sending me a copy of this proof in exchange for an honest review, as always, you rock 💗
- Well Angie has done it again! This is probably my favourite book of the year so far. In THUG, I really liked Maverick's character and always wanted to see more development so to have a whole book centered around this is so amazing. Next we just need Isesha/Lisa. While we do see the same themes of struggle like we do in other Angie books, I will have to agree with other reviews when they say that this is probably Angie's less anticlimactic books. There is less drama and more focus on the raw emotions but it is still wonderfully well written and emotional that I think everyone should read if the loved Angie's other books as this one does not disappoint!
- This is such an important book, like both if Angie's other books as this one highlights the importance of young black males in society. It demonstrates that their emotions are valid and it is perfect okay to reach out when you need help. It also demonstrates you can always "go against the grain" and stand on your own two feet and should be proud to do so, just like Big Mav does and is.
- I am excited to hear everyone else's thoughts on this book! I have nothing but praise for this one!
- Thank you @harpercollinsnz for sending me a copy of this proof in exchange for an honest review, as always, you rock 💗
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Blood
booksandcoffeerequired's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, Grief, Murder, Racial slurs, and Violence
allisoncc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion, Blood, Racism, Sexual content, and Stalking
ehmannky's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved everything about this book and it made me cry a whole lot with all of the squishy dad feelings and the love that Thomas just pours into every word of Maverick's story. I feel like the metaphor or a rose blooming and pruning away toxic people to become better was handled wonderfully. It's amazing that Thomas had me on the edge of my seat while reading because I just didn't' know what Maverick was going to do or how his story was going to pan out when in fact I did know, because I have read The Hate U Give. Prequels are hard to do effectively, and Thomas succeeded.
Additionally, this book was just a work that is imbued with love and it just warms my heart to see such empathy and care extended to characters who are so vilified in US culture. Like! Maverick sells drugs and is a member of a gang andcontemplates murder! He almost shoots someone! I've never seen a contemporary YA book have a character nearly kill someone on purpose and for that character to be sympathetic. The whole book is really exemplary of the idea that being good is a not an innate quality of a person, but rather a result of the choices someone makes. It's not a one-time thing, and a few bad actions do not mean that you are doomed to be a Bad Person. Just stellar all around.
I also loved the use of AAVE in the structure of the book. It took me a second to get into the flow of the book, since I'm white and I don't have linguistic fluency AAVE. But it just was such the right choice for the story to bring you right into the story with Maverick.
Additionally, this book was just a work that is imbued with love and it just warms my heart to see such empathy and care extended to characters who are so vilified in US culture. Like! Maverick sells drugs and is a member of a gang and
I also loved the use of AAVE in the structure of the book. It took me a second to get into the flow of the book, since I'm white and I don't have linguistic fluency AAVE. But it just was such the right choice for the story to bring you right into the story with Maverick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racism
leighannebfd3b's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Addiction and Infidelity
amy_louise's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love Angie Thomas' writing and like her previous two books, once I started reading this I couldn't stop. Her characters are complex and realistic and I felt totally involved their lives. It's been about three years since I read The Hate U Give but I still remember it so vividly and I think that's because of her characters and the atmosphere she creates. Since this is its prequel I knew roughly what to expect from the storyline so it was really interesting seeing all the pieces slot into place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
How does Angie Thomas do it?? I read this entire book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. Honestly, it was the prequel I didn't know that I needed. More in a full review to come next week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs and Police brutality