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dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Car accident
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow. This book tore at my heartstrings. Everytime I got in my car I thought of Bug driving away from the police, Red Hill, and his past. This is a chilling reminder that some people have to fight, literally, to keep what meager things they have, due to cards someone else dealt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one was a slow burn for me. While the ending was more realistic with everything not working out perfectly, I like my protagonist to come out more unscathed than Beauregard did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence
Minor: Ableism, Drug use, Fatphobia, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Racism
Minor: Cancer, Sexual content
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gripping page turner about a heist gone wrong, with deeper message about socioeconomic and racial inequality in the American South. The characters are complex and although deeply flawed, I found myself rooting for Bug.
I read the audio book and found it to be well narrated. The narrator did different character voices which added to the cinematic feel.
I read the audio book and found it to be well narrated. The narrator did different character voices which added to the cinematic feel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Abandonment
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
โข ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ก๐๐ ๐ :
-classic cars + street racing
-fast paced, high stakes, action packed stories
-crime thrillers with complex characters
-character driven stories about family & redemption
-moral ambiguity
โข ๐๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ช๐๐๐ฉ๐จ :
When I finished reading All the Sinners Bleed, I just wasnโt ready to move on from SA Cosby. I needed more! I went into this one completely blind simply because it was available on Libby, & it turned out to be my favorite read of March.
Cosbyโs writing is sharp & vivid, with atmospheric southern grit & emotionally complex characters. Even though Bug is a criminal, he is firecly loyal to his family, & you canโt help but root for him as he tries to navigate his way out of a mess that keeps pulling him back in. My husband is a huge car guy, & I loved the shop talk.
What really stood out to me was Cosbyโs ability to blend high-octane action with deeply personal stakes. This book is suspenseful in more ways than one. The pulse-pounding car chases are thrilling, but knowing whatโs on the line if things donโt work out is the real motivation. Itโs more than just a crime story-itโs about family, redemption, & the weight of circumstances & choices.
If you like fast-paced, character-driven stories with a bit of heart & a lot of grit, buckle up for a wild ride because Blacktop Wasteland is definitely worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail