Reviews with content warning for Violence - Promise Boys

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

18 reviews

ktdakotareads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

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ashylibrarian's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is a great book. It very much gives The Hate U Give meets One of Us is Lying. Nick Brooks masterfully draws attention to the despicable systemic racism and inequality that too many young Black and Brown folks (especially male-presenting) face in the United States educational system. Brooks created more than just a young adult mystery - he created a symphonic call-out to systemic inequalities.

Brooks also touches on pretty much everything a young adult mystery should touch on. There was drama. There was Romance. There were shady characters. Characters that made you question your judgment.

I had my assumptions about who the killer was about a third of the way through, but with all of the distractions and character perspectives, I could never be 100% sure. I think that part of this was due to all of the POV changes. I don't often love a book that changes POV so much because it feels like it is easy to become lost, but how Brooks wrote the multiple POVs was smart, intentional, and full of depth. Each main character was so dynamic, and the supporting characters fit into the plot like perfect puzzle pieces.

I am always happy to recommend this title to readers!

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audreylee's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The beginning starts with a bang, literally. Three young male students are accused of killing an uptight principal. The formatting is interesting. Not only does the reader hear from each of the suspects but also other students, teachers, family and community members. It could be overwhelming but, instead, it gives the story a more "well rounded" feeling. There was only one plot hole that distracted from the rest of the story.

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ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious 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

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pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition

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Phoenomonal story. Phoneomal audiobook. No notes!

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a fantastic social thriller. It was heart-wrenching to read about how this fictional school abused students, knowing that in real life, so many adults think you can brutalize children into being successful adults.

There were a few plot threads that felt like they weren’t explored as much as they could have been. The ending also felt abrupt.

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redroseses's review against another edition

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dark hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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lana72905's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I loved the format of the book. The fact that it played out as a news tory of an actual case was an interesting take on a mystery novel that I haven't seen before. It was a little confusing at first, realizing that we didn't start directly at chapter one but rather with interviews, but I got used to it and I did enjoy it! What makes this inly 3.75 stars for me though was the book seemed rushed. The ending to me, whole I didn't expect it,

it felt a little cliché and rushed to scramble together an ending. It was pretty clear the boys would be innocent, but I felt like they could've found out a little bit differently. I just felt like the ending could've been different and not rushed.

. My other gripe would be the fact thst because of those interviews, while I liked them, we didn't really see the real plot takefold until halfway through the novel. It felt dragged out and while it brought depth to characters and the stories, I just wished it didn't rake so long to come to the real plot. But, overall it is a good book and I did enjoy it!

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reaganisreading's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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auteaandtales's review against another edition

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4.75

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