Reviews

Diamond Boy by Michael Williams

connie_d's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-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

4.0

kelleemoye's review against another edition

5.0

*4.5 stars

I loved Williams's Now is the Time for Running, so I was so happy to see that he had written a companion and that it explained one of the interesting secondary characters from Running.

I was blown away by the characterization within this book. Although the plot is what propelled the story, the characters in this book are what made it.

I also love the thinking that this book would cause. This book is at the same time easy to connect with, but also so completely different than anything most of the readers will have experienced. Quite unique.

laura_m_j's review against another edition

5.0

The characters are still with me, days after finishing this story of a teen in modern day Zimbabwe. The contrast between a normal middle class life as a school boy, playing soccer and texting friends and the search for work with the diamond cartels creates a frightening glimpse into the start contrasts of Southern Africa.
Michael Williams is on my favorite author list now.

theothermaura's review against another edition

5.0

Diamond Boy is definitely a must read in my book. Michael Williams brings to light the dangers and corruption surrounding the diamond mines in Zimbabwe. If you want a book that can make you laugh, smile and cry within one page this is the one for you. The characters were realistic, and made the book memorable. Each character served a purpose and brought to light the dangers that would surround their gender or age group in the diamond mines, or southern Africa.

The novel successfully touches upon the themes of friendship, family, disability, growing up, the dangers of greed, and the pressure and dangers of societal expectations. The book centers around the heart-wrenching and inspiring story of Patson Moyo. Just when you think Patson’s life couldn't get any worse than living in poverty and working in the dangerous diamond mines, Micheal Williams throws a new obstacle in Patson’s path. With the help of his friends and the wise words of his father, Patson finds the strength to overcome every obstacle.

Overall I give this book a 10/10. It's full of many memorable quotes and friendships, but it does address many heavy subjects (nothing to be scared of, they're just shocking). My favorite aspect of the novel was the relationship between Patson and his best friend Arves, which brought comedy when it was needed and saved Patson during his darkest time. The note at the end was touching and perfectly sums up the lesson taught by the story:

“I know you are going to make it. Even though it looks bad now, you’re going to be all right.”

cayla_claasen's review against another edition

2.0

I had to read this for school, but was utterly disappointed. Instead of showing the brutality of Zimbabwe through many small actions, everything was just dumped onto the reader, leaving it confusing to figure out what was going on, then the next chapter just goes on as if nothing happened.

sc104906's review against another edition

4.0

Patson and his family move to live with the stepmother's brother, who is a diamond lord. Patson believes that mining for diamonds will make his family richer beyond anything they could imagine. However, diamond mining is very dangerous. Miners must appease government officials, and the diamond gang lords. Consequences for upsetting these people can be deadly, as Patson learns when he crosses the wrong people. With his sister kidnapped, his father missing and probably dead, his stepmother living with a new man, Patson begins the perilous journey to reunite his family and find diamonds that could change everything.

This is very similar to blood diamond.

librariann's review against another edition

4.0

Ages 12+

A good "issue" book that wasn't preachy. It made me glad that I have my fancy science stone instead of a diamond. Then again...industrial diamonds. AGGGGGH. There is no end to American Oppressor/Enabler Guilt.

itratali's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense slow-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

4.75

tavishi's review against another edition

5.0

This was an awesome book! This book is realistic fiction and was extremely interesting to read. Diamond Boy intrigued me and made me curious as to how this book would end. It was also a very hooking book and was quite hard to put down. There were lots of vivid emotions and a rollercoaster plot, meaning that the plot kept me wondering what would happen next. In addition, I loved how real this book was, and how not everything was happy and perfect, but how there was sadness, anger, and a sense of injustice. This is probably in my top 20 favourite realistic fiction books and I would definitely recommend it to realistic fiction fans or just anyone in general! Happy reading!

spe's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

3.0

This book was a school read, but I honestly enjoyed it, at first I was put of by the cover but as you read the book the plot is gripping and you find yourself rooting for the characters.