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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
I didn't know I needed Maverick's story until it was sitting in front of me. Beautifully written and full of those difficult decisions we have known he had to make since The Hate U Give.
I really liked this book. It’s the prequel to The Hate U Give. I read that book so long ago, but not remembering the details of that book didn’t take away from this one.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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:
No
When I heard Angie Thomas was writing a book about Maverick I was excited because he was my favourite character in THUG.
I knew Angie wasn't going to disappoint by giving me a stereotypical book and SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
We as readers follow a young teenage boy who deals with trauma, grief, and gang-related issues.
- I loved how she kept AAVE in the book, it made the story more authentic and easy to follow (try listening to the audiobook if you are having a hard time getting into this book ).
- I LOVED his mom, he allowed him to be (make mistakes and whatnot), and she created a space where Maverick could make mistakes but knew someone was there to not only catch him but also guide him.
- I enjoyed reading about Maverick's journey as a teenage father and all the things he goes through, he went through all the trials and tribulations young teen mothers go through.
- I loved the humour in this book, you have to remember it is a young adult novel and the humour made it feel so.
- Peer pressure is always a hot topic amongst teenagers and I loved the conversation surrounding peer pressure within a boyish space.
- Loved the conversation surrounding single fatherhood and teenage fatherhood from a male perspective.
absolutely phenomenal, a must read for everyone. maverick is such a lovable narrator
After I finished, I immediately went online to refresh my memory about all the details from THUG and it just made it that much better. Makes me want to go back and re-read it! I loved the ending too.
not gonna lie, i was always hesitant when i heard that this book would be about maverick. i didn't know if i'd enjoy a book that dealt with gang affiliation, etc. but i was wrong. i loved this book.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I loved this book just as much, if not more, than the original. I wish I would have read the books closer together, so I could remember all the little details and see how they overlap more. But now I’m motivated to read The Hate U Give again.
“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.”
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
I’ve got to be honest, I had a hard time getting into this one. I think a lot of it was because I felt like I already knew the story and where it was going to go from reading The Hate U Give. Granted that this is Mav’s story (Starr’s father) more fleshed out to help us understand more of the how and why The Carter family is the way it is in THUG and there are some great themes within the book, such as growing through diversity, getting rid of things that no longer serve us, systemic oppression/racism, and the choices we make with the hands that we’re dealt in life… and it was fun to see how Seven and Starr came about in the world of Garden Heights but overall, I just felt like there was nothing that wowed me as far as the plot went. I appreciate what this book means to the publishing world overall as far as diverse authorship and representation so I don’t want to undermine that. I can be honest and say that as a white cis woman, I just probably wasn’t the audience for this one. On the other hand, if I read this before reading The Hate U Give, I feel like I probably would have loved it—or at least appreciated it a lot more. Was it worth reading? Yes, absolutely. Will I read it again? Probably not. If you are looking to read this book and/or The Hate U Give, I would start with this one. I feel like it would add to the appreciation.
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
I’ve got to be honest, I had a hard time getting into this one. I think a lot of it was because I felt like I already knew the story and where it was going to go from reading The Hate U Give. Granted that this is Mav’s story (Starr’s father) more fleshed out to help us understand more of the how and why The Carter family is the way it is in THUG and there are some great themes within the book, such as growing through diversity, getting rid of things that no longer serve us, systemic oppression/racism, and the choices we make with the hands that we’re dealt in life… and it was fun to see how Seven and Starr came about in the world of Garden Heights but overall, I just felt like there was nothing that wowed me as far as the plot went. I appreciate what this book means to the publishing world overall as far as diverse authorship and representation so I don’t want to undermine that. I can be honest and say that as a white cis woman, I just probably wasn’t the audience for this one. On the other hand, if I read this before reading The Hate U Give, I feel like I probably would have loved it—or at least appreciated it a lot more. Was it worth reading? Yes, absolutely. Will I read it again? Probably not. If you are looking to read this book and/or The Hate U Give, I would start with this one. I feel like it would add to the appreciation.
I am convinced that Angie Thomas can do no wrong. This book was so good, and the audio was impressive. I was completely sucked in. I laughed so much. It really rounded the series out.