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auteaandtales's review against another edition
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I enjoyed the story, and the killer wasn't who I was expecting, though plenty of hints were dropped as to who it might be. I liked the focus on who these boys weren't bad kids they were just seen that way because of the color of their skin and the neighborhoods they were from. I also really liked the epilogue and seeing where they ended up.
Also the full-cast audio really drew me into the story and was amazingly done!
Also the full-cast audio really drew me into the story and was amazingly done!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual harassment
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
There was a lot of hype for this book, and for good reason! I'd actually really recommend the audiobook because it has a full cast and really immerses you in the format of the reading experience. This is exactly the type of novel that teens will devour; a bit of mystery, a bit of a thriller, and some hard-hitting issues at the center of it. If I could have, I probably would have listened to the entire thing in one sitting. It was that engaging!
Brooks introduces some twists and turns, and while ultimately, I had an inkling as to what actually happened, I appreciated the red herrings included throughout the book. I can definitely see teens who enjoyed books like One of Us Is Lying and The Hate U Give also enjoying this book. Can't wait to recommend it to teens at the library!
Brooks introduces some twists and turns, and while ultimately, I had an inkling as to what actually happened, I appreciated the red herrings included throughout the book. I can definitely see teens who enjoyed books like One of Us Is Lying and The Hate U Give also enjoying this book. Can't wait to recommend it to teens at the library!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Alcoholism
Minor: Mass/school shootings and Injury/Injury detail
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
***EDIT***
Truth be told, I guess I am just dumb. I did not realize that the NetGalley was only 80% of the audiobook (because I did not see it listed anywhere as such...).
I just finished the full version and it definitely was worth it! I am so glad I finally read two reviews that stated NetGalley only gave 80% of the audiobook out and don't have to be frustrated with the ending anymore.
This is a great book. It very much gives The Hate U Give meets One of Us is Lying. Nick Brooks really draws attention to the despicable systemic racism and inequality that too many young black and brown folks (especially male-presenting) face in the educational system. Brooks created more than just a YA mystery - Brooks created a call-out to systemic inequality and racism.
Brooks also touches on pretty much everything a young adult mystery should touch on, and let me just say the audiobook was killer. The full cast is phenomenal and the added sound effects really elevated the scenes for me.
I had my assumptions about who had done it about a third of the way through, but with all of the distractions and perspectives, I could never be 100% sure. I think that part of this was due to all of the perspective changes. I don't often love a book that changes perspectives so much because it feels like it is easy to become lost, but the way in which Brooks wrote the multiple perspectives was smart and intentional. And there is so much depth and complexity to each of the main characters. This created a seamless flow through the characters without losing the importance of the plot.
I am very much so looking forward to recommending this to readers!
CAN IGNORE THIS PART OF MY FIRST REVIEW - JUST KEEPING FOR MY RECORDS.
**Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
This book...
This book was good. It very much gives The Hate U Give meets One of Us is Lying. This book really draws attention to the despicable systemic racism and inequality that too many black and brown folks (especially male-presenting) face. Nick Brooks touches on pretty much everything a young adult mystery/thriller should touch on, and the audiobook was killer with sound effects. This really elevated the interview scenes for me.
I often don't love a book that changes perspectives so much, but the way in which Brooks wrote the multiple perspectives was smart and intentional. This created a seamless flow through the characters without losing the importance of the plot.
But y'all...I listened to the ending of this book FOUR TIMES to see if I missed something. I thought maybe I just didn't understand something or that I fell asleep during an important time in the audiobook or that maybe because I was listening to an eGalley from NetGalley that part of the book was missing. But...I don't think so. I think it just ends. Abruptly. Please tell me if I'm wrong. I was so invested in the entire book until the last 5 minutes and it kind of ruined a big part of it for me. How did everything come together like that?Was it Stanely Ennis (SP)?? Was it someone that Ennis knew? Is there more to the story? It just seems so weird to me that the story ends on a cliffhanger with the idea that this is a stand-alone novel. Someone explain!
I think teen readers will like this book, but if the ending is actually the one I listened to, I think they may be frustrated, as well. I am interested to see more reviews once the book is published.
Truth be told, I guess I am just dumb. I did not realize that the NetGalley was only 80% of the audiobook (because I did not see it listed anywhere as such...).
I just finished the full version and it definitely was worth it! I am so glad I finally read two reviews that stated NetGalley only gave 80% of the audiobook out and don't have to be frustrated with the ending anymore.
This is a great book. It very much gives The Hate U Give meets One of Us is Lying. Nick Brooks really draws attention to the despicable systemic racism and inequality that too many young black and brown folks (especially male-presenting) face in the educational system. Brooks created more than just a YA mystery - Brooks created a call-out to systemic inequality and racism.
Brooks also touches on pretty much everything a young adult mystery should touch on, and let me just say the audiobook was killer. The full cast is phenomenal and the added sound effects really elevated the scenes for me.
I had my assumptions about who had done it about a third of the way through, but with all of the distractions and perspectives, I could never be 100% sure. I think that part of this was due to all of the perspective changes. I don't often love a book that changes perspectives so much because it feels like it is easy to become lost, but the way in which Brooks wrote the multiple perspectives was smart and intentional. And there is so much depth and complexity to each of the main characters. This created a seamless flow through the characters without losing the importance of the plot.
I am very much so looking forward to recommending this to readers!
CAN IGNORE THIS PART OF MY FIRST REVIEW - JUST KEEPING FOR MY RECORDS.
**Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
This book...
This book was good. It very much gives The Hate U Give meets One of Us is Lying. This book really draws attention to the despicable systemic racism and inequality that too many black and brown folks (especially male-presenting) face. Nick Brooks touches on pretty much everything a young adult mystery/thriller should touch on, and the audiobook was killer with sound effects. This really elevated the interview scenes for me.
I often don't love a book that changes perspectives so much, but the way in which Brooks wrote the multiple perspectives was smart and intentional. This created a seamless flow through the characters without losing the importance of the plot.
But y'all...I listened to the ending of this book FOUR TIMES to see if I missed something. I thought maybe I just didn't understand something or that I fell asleep during an important time in the audiobook or that maybe because I was listening to an eGalley from NetGalley that part of the book was missing. But...I don't think so. I think it just ends. Abruptly. Please tell me if I'm wrong. I was so invested in the entire book until the last 5 minutes and it kind of ruined a big part of it for me. How did everything come together like that?
I think teen readers will like this book, but if the ending is actually the one I listened to, I think they may be frustrated, as well. I am interested to see more reviews once the book is published.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
jazzimcg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
bruhnette's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Promise Boys follows 3 teens, J.B., Trey, and Ramón as they become suspects in the murder of their high school principal. The boys all attend Urban Promise Prep School, a strict school that pledges to turn disadvantaged boys into successful men. Each of the boys vows that they are innocent. Can they work together to find the real murderer or is the killer among them? The story is told from multiple viewpoints and leaves the reader turning the pages at rapid-fire speed. It reminded me a bit of Ace of Spades, which I also loved. I couldn't put this book down! It was a 5-star read for me.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this amazing book.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this amazing book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
bookswithca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Racism, Classism, Bullying, Addiction, Blood, Stalking, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
mals_reads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Blood
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
caseythereader's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to Macmillan for the free advance copy of this book.
- I blew through PROMISE BOYS in one sitting. The format of the book - switching between the three boys' perspectives along with commentary from others in the community, news clippings, etc. - made the book move super fast as I was eager to gather the clues with the protagonists.
- You'll find yourself wanting to shout at the book as each boy's story is told, wanting to grab the adults and make them pay attention to what is actually going on in these kids' lives. It's a really heavy book, despite the speed at which it moves.
- I blew through PROMISE BOYS in one sitting. The format of the book - switching between the three boys' perspectives along with commentary from others in the community, news clippings, etc. - made the book move super fast as I was eager to gather the clues with the protagonists.
- You'll find yourself wanting to shout at the book as each boy's story is told, wanting to grab the adults and make them pay attention to what is actually going on in these kids' lives. It's a really heavy book, despite the speed at which it moves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Gun violence, Murder, and Physical abuse
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