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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
4.5 stars, possibly more. Wonderful look at the backstory to The Hate U Give and the story of Starr's father Maverick.
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
Having read and loved The Hate U Give and On The Come Up, I knew I would love Concrete Rose. Concrete Rose is a prequel to The Hate U Give. I loved Maverick's back story and how much he grew as a character. I loved his relationship with the Wyatts, his mother, Lisa, and how he wanted to be better. Concrete Rose is a great coming of age story and I highly recommend it.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I like to be reminded that beauty can come from much of nothing. To me that’s the whole point of flowers.”
“He may seem like a mountain, but I’m starting to feel like one myself.”
“It’s kinda like how we have to do with ourselves. Get rid of things that don’t do us any good. If it won’t help the rose grow, you’ve gotta let it go.”
“I look up at the night sky. It’s pitch black, and yet that somehow make the stars shine brighter. Hundreds of lights in all that darkness.”
“I like to be reminded that beauty can come from much of nothing. To me that’s the whole point of flowers.”
“He may seem like a mountain, but I’m starting to feel like one myself.”
“It’s kinda like how we have to do with ourselves. Get rid of things that don’t do us any good. If it won’t help the rose grow, you’ve gotta let it go.”
“I look up at the night sky. It’s pitch black, and yet that somehow make the stars shine brighter. Hundreds of lights in all that darkness.”
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
one of my favourite reads this year
the book felt like a tv show in my head and i was truly invested
would reread it in a heartbeat, should be read in schools tbh
the book felt like a tv show in my head and i was truly invested
would reread it in a heartbeat, should be read in schools tbh
Contains spoilers...
Angie Thomas excels at giving characters a clear voice. I've been a fan of hers since the first page of The Hate U Give. Concrete Rose is an interesting prequel to Star's story. I have to say that this one was harder for me to then Thomas' other two books, because it was much more heavily linked to gang life. Maverick is in a gang, whereas Star and Bri are surrounded by it, but not actively involved. Maverick is a really interesting character to read, and Thomas does a great job writing from a male's POV. I was definitely surprised that we don't actually learn why Maverick went to prison, even though we know he did because it is mentioned in the Hate U Give. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Angie Thomas excels at giving characters a clear voice. I've been a fan of hers since the first page of The Hate U Give. Concrete Rose is an interesting prequel to Star's story. I have to say that this one was harder for me to then Thomas' other two books, because it was much more heavily linked to gang life. Maverick is in a gang, whereas Star and Bri are surrounded by it, but not actively involved. Maverick is a really interesting character to read, and Thomas does a great job writing from a male's POV. I was definitely surprised that we don't actually learn why Maverick went to prison, even though we know he did because it is mentioned in the Hate U Give. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
We get to see Maverick as a teen and the choices he made. Becoming a teen dad and the pressures he faced .
Another great book from Angie Thomas!
If you loved The Hate U Give, you definitely need to read Concrete Rose. This book takes place 17 years before The Hate U Give, and follows the story of Starr Carter's father, Maverick. Thomas really knew what she was doing working this story backwards. Without the perspective of Starr, I think many *white* readers may brush the realities of this book to the side or make assumptions. Thomas is digging deeper into a world many of us know nothing about, but doing it little by little so we actually learn instead of discount or criticize. What a gift to pick up a book for entertainment, only to genuinely be taught something profound.
If you loved The Hate U Give, you definitely need to read Concrete Rose. This book takes place 17 years before The Hate U Give, and follows the story of Starr Carter's father, Maverick. Thomas really knew what she was doing working this story backwards. Without the perspective of Starr, I think many *white* readers may brush the realities of this book to the side or make assumptions. Thomas is digging deeper into a world many of us know nothing about, but doing it little by little so we actually learn instead of discount or criticize. What a gift to pick up a book for entertainment, only to genuinely be taught something profound.