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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
This is a prequel to The Hate U Give and I read it immediately after finishing THUG, which was incredible. The characters in THUG are phenomenal so it was amazing to see the world through Maverick’s eyes and his story. The only reason I’m giving it a 4 instead of 5 is that comparatively, especially after just having read THUG, this wasn’t as good or impactful to me personally. It was still very good, just didn’t completely blow me away like the original.
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of those books you can't seem to put down and don't want to finish at the same time. Another great book by YA writer Angie Thomas. It's the prequel to the hate u give and somehow I hope there's going to be another book as it ends as Maverick is only 17 years old. Can't wait for the next book about this family. A great read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was my first audio book and I actually enjoyed it :)
This story follows Maverick and his life as a teen in high school during his 12th grade year. He also gets wrapped into selling drugs because that’s what he’s surrounded by and that’s what his dad did. Then he realizes he’s a father.
I liked this story and Maverick’s mom is a strong woman, he’s put her through so much in the story and I just want to give her a hug. I also really enjoyed the development of the characters too. I feel like even how much Maverick complains about Mr. Wyatt, they end up having a closer bond.
I recommend :)
This story follows Maverick and his life as a teen in high school during his 12th grade year. He also gets wrapped into selling drugs because that’s what he’s surrounded by and that’s what his dad did. Then he realizes he’s a father.
I liked this story and Maverick’s mom is a strong woman, he’s put her through so much in the story and I just want to give her a hug. I also really enjoyed the development of the characters too. I feel like even how much Maverick complains about Mr. Wyatt, they end up having a closer bond.
I recommend :)
★★★★★
What I tell you? Roses can bloom in the hardest conditions.
When we talk about Angie Thomas, we're talking about someone who's going to be in the literary canon. Someone who is going to have a hand in shaping the minds of young readers for years to come. She's just special. She's doing work that very few authors are. She's expanded the world of a modern classic and somehow managed to do it with a book that's just as good, just as impactful — perhaps even more-so.
Maverick was an excellent choice of main character for this prequel. He's so compelling and incredibly easy to root for, despite the fact that he doesn't always make the best of decisions. As both a product of his circumstances and of his own choices, there's a ton of interesting conflict and questions here. How do we escape our intergenerational trauma when the world sets us up to fail? Must violence always beget violence? Can we be our own role models?
What's most admirable about this novel is that it doesn't rest its laurels on its relation to such a beloved story. There are a few fun and heartbreaking references to characters and moments in [b: The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give (The Hate U Give, #1)|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190], but they're more of a wink to those in the know than anything else. This is a formidable standalone; you can read the books in either order, or just read one and go on your merry way. But they're both well, well worth it. You'll love Maverick as much as you love Starr, and vice versa. They are such different personalities with wildly contrasting backgrounds, but Thomas has imbued them both with such vibrancy — and she's written their stories with a complete lack of judgment.
And even amidst all the seriousness, this book is downright hilarious at several points. Thomas' sense of humor is just...chef's kiss. This is by no means a light-hearted book most of the time, but it's such a fun time for much of the reading experience thanks to the sprinkles of levity.
The side characters are equally compelling; Maverick's cousin Dre, his mother Faye, and especially his girlfriend Lisa are absolute gems. Even King and Iesha, who are portrayed as THUG's antagonists, are given real humanity and sympathy here. Many of the adults in THUG are given more dimension. Even though I never reread books, I'm tempted to revisit THUG knowing what I know now, because it would only enrich that experience.
I highly recommend the audiobook; Dion Grant balances the comedy and drama of the narrative so brilliantly, giving Maverick the perfect voice.
On that note, I expect that this book will come up against just as many bans as its predecessor did. For one, it's written in AAVE and entirely authentic to Maverick's voice. Beware of non-Black readers who disparage this choice; it is purposeful, and Thomas knows what she's doing. Additionally, teen fatherhood is centered in this book. That will mean so much if this book makes it into the right hands, but there will certainly be folks who want to censor that very real experience. Don't let them.
Young readers deserve to have this story. I hope it blows up like Thomas' previous works; it's just as worthy. I'll be thinking about this book for a long while.
What I tell you? Roses can bloom in the hardest conditions.
When we talk about Angie Thomas, we're talking about someone who's going to be in the literary canon. Someone who is going to have a hand in shaping the minds of young readers for years to come. She's just special. She's doing work that very few authors are. She's expanded the world of a modern classic and somehow managed to do it with a book that's just as good, just as impactful — perhaps even more-so.
Maverick was an excellent choice of main character for this prequel. He's so compelling and incredibly easy to root for, despite the fact that he doesn't always make the best of decisions. As both a product of his circumstances and of his own choices, there's a ton of interesting conflict and questions here. How do we escape our intergenerational trauma when the world sets us up to fail? Must violence always beget violence? Can we be our own role models?
What's most admirable about this novel is that it doesn't rest its laurels on its relation to such a beloved story. There are a few fun and heartbreaking references to characters and moments in [b: The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give (The Hate U Give, #1)|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190], but they're more of a wink to those in the know than anything else. This is a formidable standalone; you can read the books in either order, or just read one and go on your merry way. But they're both well, well worth it. You'll love Maverick as much as you love Starr, and vice versa. They are such different personalities with wildly contrasting backgrounds, but Thomas has imbued them both with such vibrancy — and she's written their stories with a complete lack of judgment.
And even amidst all the seriousness, this book is downright hilarious at several points. Thomas' sense of humor is just...chef's kiss. This is by no means a light-hearted book most of the time, but it's such a fun time for much of the reading experience thanks to the sprinkles of levity.
The side characters are equally compelling; Maverick's cousin Dre, his mother Faye, and especially his girlfriend Lisa are absolute gems. Even King and Iesha, who are portrayed as THUG's antagonists, are given real humanity and sympathy here. Many of the adults in THUG are given more dimension. Even though I never reread books, I'm tempted to revisit THUG knowing what I know now, because it would only enrich that experience.
I highly recommend the audiobook; Dion Grant balances the comedy and drama of the narrative so brilliantly, giving Maverick the perfect voice.
On that note, I expect that this book will come up against just as many bans as its predecessor did. For one, it's written in AAVE and entirely authentic to Maverick's voice. Beware of non-Black readers who disparage this choice; it is purposeful, and Thomas knows what she's doing. Additionally, teen fatherhood is centered in this book. That will mean so much if this book makes it into the right hands, but there will certainly be folks who want to censor that very real experience. Don't let them.
Young readers deserve to have this story. I hope it blows up like Thomas' previous works; it's just as worthy. I'll be thinking about this book for a long while.