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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
tracyreaderwriterswimmer's review
3.0
Much of the writing is slick and streetwise but my frustrations lie with the editing and part of the general story. With regard to the editing, it felt too chopped, which can be a style decision but at times it felt as if sections had been cut and not re-transitioned. I was also very frustrated by the main character's actions. He was a smart and very good kid so it didn't work for me that he continuously made so many bad decisions. The author has talent and I look forward to reading more from her but this one didn't quite work for me.
madst18's review
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
xmarloeeees's review against another edition
2.0
Dit boek vond ik echt een beetje meh. Het had wat mij betreft 200 pagina's minder gekund. Ik vond er geen climax inzitten en daarom las ik met tegenzin verder. De achterkant sprak me heel erg aan, maar het hele verhaal viel me gewoon echt tegen!
mrcfmaths's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Awful
kattheloremistress's review against another edition
3.0
I'd really been anticipating this read for a number of reasons, partly because of my sheer determination to read more diverse, #ownvoices reads, and partly because I'm enjoying Contemporary YA a lot more as of late and I'd been hoping to get into thrillers and other genres I normally forgo. And for the most part this was actually a great read for a variety of reasons, which tackles a lot of issues and is written well. Lawrence did a great job at creating a fast-paced story full of action and intrigue to keep readers on their toes.
I think I'll address a few things that held me back with this book and stopped me from giving it the five stars I'd hoped it would achieved. I mentioned the fast pace, and in many ways this was to it's benefit. However, sometimes it jumped and progressed a little too fast for me and I found myself in more than a few 'blink and you miss it' situations while reading. The MC, Marlon Sunday, REALLY irritated me. A few people have talked about this in their reviews, some saying that liking the character at the beginning and not so much at the end was all part of the fun, but I didn't like it because I think I was SUPPOSED to be rooting for him. And it was nigh on impossible to do so when he continually made error after error, mistake after mistake, and I spent most of the book wanting to yell at him. He got himself into so many stupid situations that I almost started to feel that they didn't develop his character, but were there only to further the plot. Yikes.
Lawrence didn't make all of her characters like this though. In fact, she developed some of them so well that I really applauded her successes. Marlon's mother was definitely one example of this and I loved this strong, firm but fair, life-hardened woman who would stop at nothing to protect her children. SHE was who I was rooting for. Tish was another great character, and though I didn't love her I liked her enough. Lawrence kept me interested in the story with a lot of unusual twists and turns, and I felt drawn into it even more purely because it's set in East London for the most part, which is where I live! There were so many recognisable settings as a result! That coupled with the drama, suspense and tackling of powerful issues such as drugs, gang warfare and the importance of family really aided in keeping this title up there in my list of worthwhile reads.
3.5 Stars.
For full review, see here: http://chasedbymyimagination.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/book-review-orangeboy-patrice-lawrence.html
I think I'll address a few things that held me back with this book and stopped me from giving it the five stars I'd hoped it would achieved. I mentioned the fast pace, and in many ways this was to it's benefit. However, sometimes it jumped and progressed a little too fast for me and I found myself in more than a few 'blink and you miss it' situations while reading. The MC, Marlon Sunday, REALLY irritated me. A few people have talked about this in their reviews, some saying that liking the character at the beginning and not so much at the end was all part of the fun, but I didn't like it because I think I was SUPPOSED to be rooting for him. And it was nigh on impossible to do so when he continually made error after error, mistake after mistake, and I spent most of the book wanting to yell at him. He got himself into so many stupid situations that I almost started to feel that they didn't develop his character, but were there only to further the plot. Yikes.
Lawrence didn't make all of her characters like this though. In fact, she developed some of them so well that I really applauded her successes. Marlon's mother was definitely one example of this and I loved this strong, firm but fair, life-hardened woman who would stop at nothing to protect her children. SHE was who I was rooting for. Tish was another great character, and though I didn't love her I liked her enough. Lawrence kept me interested in the story with a lot of unusual twists and turns, and I felt drawn into it even more purely because it's set in East London for the most part, which is where I live! There were so many recognisable settings as a result! That coupled with the drama, suspense and tackling of powerful issues such as drugs, gang warfare and the importance of family really aided in keeping this title up there in my list of worthwhile reads.
3.5 Stars.
For full review, see here: http://chasedbymyimagination.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/book-review-orangeboy-patrice-lawrence.html
readbycallum's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
oldmansupremacy's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
Read this a while ago, but I remember loving it. The characters were fun and interesting, the story was gripping, and there were so many important themes and discussions in this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ymosofba6's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
4.5