4.84k reviews for:

Concrete Rose

Angie Thomas

4.42 AVERAGE

greenvillemelissa's review

4.0

---

This is a prequel to The Hate U Give, focusing on Maverick (Starr's father). It shows the struggle of a young black man, who becomes a father too young. It was a good read.

amiray's review

5.0

---

I believe this is my favorite Angie Thomas book so far! I loved Maverick’s point of view. It was written with a very powerful voice that kept you on the hook. The progression of the novel was very natural, not too fast or slow. It was nice to see the background behind all of the THUG characters and see Maverick grow up.

apriljp57's review

4.25

challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

qbenson11's review

4.0

---

Another great book by Angie Thomas! This one is a prequel to her first book, “The Hate U Give.” Concrete Rose follows the life of a teenage Maverick (the patriarch in THUG) who lives in the Garden Heights neighborhood. His father is in prison and his mother is struggling to provide for the family, when Maverick learns that he’s a father to a 3-month old boy named Seven. Maverick battles with how to make money by getting a job at the convenience store or by selling drugs, the more lucrative option.

library_of_sinead's review

4.0

---

Concrete Rose was one of my most anticipated books to be released in 2021. It's a prequel to The Hate U Give, a book that I would recommend to everyone, so I was very excited to read this prequel.

This book follows the father of the main character from The Hate U Give when he is 17 years old as he finds out he is the father of his best friend's ex-girlfriend's baby. Angie Thomas really concentrated more on character-building in this prequel than on the plot - not a bad thing! There are definitely some big moments in the book but the main focus is on Maverick learning to be a father and trying to do what is right when everything is stacked against him.

I thought this was a great read and would definitely recommend it to anyone who has read The Hate U Give as it gives even more family history and just rounds the characters out even more.

4 stars.

mrskreads84's review

5.0

---

Absolutely excellent, just like all her novels. It really focuses on peer pressure and gang family versus blood relatives.

crunkbsnappin's review

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense 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

anavae's review

5.0

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence

jmbq_reads's review

5.0

---

4.5 stars, possibly more. Wonderful look at the backstory to The Hate U Give and the story of Starr's father Maverick.

ave_s's review

4.25

dark emotional reflective 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: Yes