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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
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.
Listen to the audiobook!! I loved this book, especially hearing Maverick become a dad. I also loved Mr. Wyatt's character.
'The hate You Give' by Angie Thomas is one of my all-time favourite YA books, so when I spotted 'Concrete Rose' at the bookshop, I had to read it. At first, I was a little confused about whom the main character was, but luckily I quickly realised it was Star's father, Maverick.
I loved reading Maverick's perspective. Maverick is a very flawed character, because he is a teenager that has grown up in really difficult circumstances. It shows the pressure he experiences to remain part of the gang that many of his family members are in, and it truly shows how difficult it can be to get out of criminality. Maverick originally doesn't want to get out, but ultimately is forced to (by his well-intentioned cousin Dre).
Maverick is a character that keeps on making mistakes, but at heart truly has good intentions. He makes a bunch of stupid decisions, but ultimately makes the right choices for himself. I find his growth incredibly admirable and inspiring.
I was inspired by both Dre and Mr. Wyatt because they are the main reason why Maverick is able to change his life for the better. They represent the push and support that can be life changing & life saving.
I was absolutely heartbroken about Dre's murder, it unfortunately shows a very painful reality.
In seeing Maverick trying to deal with his grief, there are some important discussions about the pressure that is put on black men especially to suppress their emotions and never cry. In this scene it is Mr Wyatt who comforts Maverick and convinces him that he should show his emotions and let it all out... This in term causes Maverick to be able to really grief and explore his emotions in a healthier way (which also makes him an incredible father to his children later on). This discussion highlights a very real issue, that should be combatted.
I loved reading Maverick's perspective. Maverick is a very flawed character, because he is a teenager that has grown up in really difficult circumstances. It shows the pressure he experiences to remain part of the gang that many of his family members are in, and it truly shows how difficult it can be to get out of criminality. Maverick originally doesn't want to get out, but ultimately is forced to (by his well-intentioned cousin Dre).
Maverick is a character that keeps on making mistakes, but at heart truly has good intentions. He makes a bunch of stupid decisions, but ultimately makes the right choices for himself. I find his growth incredibly admirable and inspiring.
I was inspired by both Dre and Mr. Wyatt because they are the main reason why Maverick is able to change his life for the better. They represent the push and support that can be life changing & life saving.
I was absolutely heartbroken about Dre's murder, it unfortunately shows a very painful reality.
In seeing Maverick trying to deal with his grief, there are some important discussions about the pressure that is put on black men especially to suppress their emotions and never cry. In this scene it is Mr Wyatt who comforts Maverick and convinces him that he should show his emotions and let it all out... This in term causes Maverick to be able to really grief and explore his emotions in a healthier way (which also makes him an incredible father to his children later on). This discussion highlights a very real issue, that should be combatted.
I’m not sure if reading this after The Hate U Give lowered the rating for me or not. Where this book starts didn’t really work for me. I never bought into Mav’s friendship with King and the book didn’t help, because it basically starts with cracks in the friendship.
And because I know what happens from reading The Hate U Give, nothing felt like a surprise. I wanted to know more about Starr, but with Mav I felt like…I kinda already knew?
However, Angie still wrote a great book with compelling characters. Concrete Rose just didn’t grab me like THUG.
And because I know what happens from reading The Hate U Give, nothing felt like a surprise. I wanted to know more about Starr, but with Mav I felt like…I kinda already knew?
However, Angie still wrote a great book with compelling characters. Concrete Rose just didn’t grab me like THUG.
always Angie
Team Angie all the way. She never fails! Hooked from beginning to end…and I love that throughout the entirety of the book, it was raw, real, and just to the point. Love this one too, Angie.
Team Angie all the way. She never fails! Hooked from beginning to end…and I love that throughout the entirety of the book, it was raw, real, and just to the point. Love this one too, Angie.
Possibly better than The Hate U Give??? I loved Maverick and Lisa in THUG and so I really enjoyed reading their story and their development. The events of this book are a lot less eventful than what Starr faces in THUG but actually I found the subtleties of this so much more emotionally impacting. Angie Thomas has crafted such rich characters in the Carters and the community of Garden Heights and I love the intergenerational storytelling (although omg when baby Khalil appears in this - tears!!)
The ending was a bit different from how it was hinted at in pre-release stuff/blurbs and I maybe would have liked the story to continue slightly further in Mav's life but on the whole I did like the note in ended on. Perhaps the possibility of another book telling the story of what happened to Maverick next...?
The ending was a bit different from how it was hinted at in pre-release stuff/blurbs and I maybe would have liked the story to continue slightly further in Mav's life but on the whole I did like the note in ended on. Perhaps the possibility of another book telling the story of what happened to Maverick next...?
I love Angie Thomas’ stories so much! If you liked The Hate U Give, you have to read this to find out about Starr’s parents’ journey. I fell in love with her dad, Maverick, from this book. So good!
While I loved The Hate U Give Concrete Rose was just ok for me. It was nice to learn to the back story but it wasn't anything special.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Hate U Give. The pacing was a bit slow and it just wasn't as captivating. I was hoping that some of the questions that I had after reading THUG will be answered in this one, but they weren't.
Spoiler
Like for example we don't get any insight on Maverick's time in and after prison because that happens a few years after Concrete Rose finishes.
~ ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion ~
You can't go wrong with an Angie Thomas book. I really enjoyed Maverick's story. It was heartbreaking at times and resilient. The way Angie writes, you can just set yourself in this whole neighborhood and see it clearly. I love when an author can conjure that kind of imagery. This will be a great start to 2021 for reads.
You can't go wrong with an Angie Thomas book. I really enjoyed Maverick's story. It was heartbreaking at times and resilient. The way Angie writes, you can just set yourself in this whole neighborhood and see it clearly. I love when an author can conjure that kind of imagery. This will be a great start to 2021 for reads.