Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

5 reviews

bookishmillennial's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

I listened to the audiobook and omg, if that is accessible to you, please opt for the audiobook! It's so damn good. It's so wonderfully produced and one of the best audiobooks I've read ever!!! These are the narrators:

Three young men of color from the Urban Promise Preparatory School are accused of murder when their principal is found dead. To prove their innocence, Ramon, JB & Trey must find and unveil the real murderer! 

I was truly on edge throughout this entire book, even though some parts felt strictly about character-building and getting to know these kids. However, the narration was top notch, kept me so engaged, and I rooted so hard for these characters to prove everybody wrong! Whomever produced this audiobook needs to produce more YA thrillers/mysteries because this was so dang entertaining!

Also, make this a movie! Thank you! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ashylibrarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

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! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

zombiezami's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

chris_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...