Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

9 reviews

_ren's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Blood, Grief, Misogyny, and Vomit

Minor: Abortion, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol

zombiezami's review

challenging reflective sad tense fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Classism, Violence, Racial slurs, Gun violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Murder, Death, Pregnancy, and Bullying

Moderate: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Excrement, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Stalking, Vomit, Drug use, Police brutality, Mental illness, Medical content, Death of parent, Confinement, and Addiction

Minor: Slavery, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol

Incarcation, Gang violence

theespressoedition's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, and Vomit

Minor: Abortion and Sexual content

morganperks's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Murder, Grief, Drug abuse, Violence, Bullying, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Cursing, Racism, Addiction, and Infidelity

Minor: Abortion and Police brutality

britt's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pregnancy and Toxic relationship

lormurenzi's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Drug abuse

bunchofbeereads's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Death, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Gun violence

storiesandsidequests's review

emotional hopeful 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

4.5

I went into this expecting to feel so much and I was not disappointed. Angie Thomas truly deserves all the praise for the way she handles so many important issues in Concrete Rose.

The characters and relationships in this book are so well-developed and realistic, which is what made the story so compelling for me. Mav has his flaws and struggles with making making the right decisions. He makes mistakes and briefly lets hopelessness overwhelm him, but his growth throughout the story as a father and an individual was beautiful.

Stories about fathers raising their children and going through highs and lows of parenting are not common but I think they should be. Too often in books and movies, we see the stereotype of the absent black father but Concrete Rose shows us the opposite. Through the pages, we see Mav’s fear, frustration, and genuine love for his son, Seven, when he is the sole parent responsible for raising him. He does have some amazing people supporting him.

I really loved Mav’s mom and think she might be my favorite character in this book. She is a force to be reckoned with and makes sure that Mav knows he is responsible for caring for Seven but she doesn’t hesitate to help when Mav is truly overwhelmed. I’m glad that she was able to find her own happiness as well.

All of that ride or die stuff, it’s nice until you feel like you’re dying for not living.

I especially liked this quote from Mav’s mom toward the end of the book and the fact that she decided that she was not going to put her life on hold because of other people and circumstances that she couldn’t control.

Mav’s relationship with Lisa was also well-developed and complex. I liked that she was a strong character with her own dreams, fears, and flaws and despite their relationship being complicated by many factors, I thoroughly enjoyed the way their storyline was handled. Also, everyone needs a Mr. Wyatt – someone who will give them a second (and third) chance, tough love, and a push to better themselves and pursue their dreams.

The issue of gangs, gun violence, and drug dealing are all tough but necessary topics and they were well incorporated into the story. Thomas addressed the fact that many black boys get trapped in that life because it is the only way they feel that they are able to provide for and protect their families. Seeing the trauma of loss and the way this perceived lack of agency affects Mav (and other Black boys) was frustrating and heartbreaking.

Final Thoughts:

This is such an important book and I truly think every teen should read this. It dealt with so many important issues including racism, gang violence, drug dealing, family, relationships, and identity. Concrete Rose proves a great portrayal of a young Black man who wants the best for his children while he struggles with the realities of his situation. More than anything, this book is one of hope and provides and encouraging message to Black boys that they can and should find a way to pursue their dreams.

The only reason it wasn't perfect for me is because I personally don’t care to read a detailed account of raising a baby. I’m in my 30’s so if I wanted to hear about changing diapers I’d talk to one of my many friends who’ve had babies in the past couple of years. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Murder, and Racism

Moderate: Pregnancy and Toxic relationship

melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-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

4.0

This book tells the story of Maverick Carter and what happened when he was stuck with a baby at 17, then how his second baby Starr was conceived. It also discussed how he got into and then chose to leave the gang his dad used to run.

For the most part, I really loved this story. It was very inspiring to have Maverick working his way back up after multiple bad decisions and deciding what to do with his life.

There were other aspects of this book that I thought were unnecessary. Some things felt like they didn't need to be included, and I thought this book could have been a decent bit shorter.

I also had a problem with the treatment of unprotected sex within this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Grief, Sexism, Violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content