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taliatalksbooks's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
3.5
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is a prequel to her book The Hate U Give, focusing on Starr’s father, Maverick as the main character. I was a little sad to not have a female main character (because I love Starr and Bri), but I think in this case, it actually worked to the story’s benefit. I really loved Mav, and watching him go through his struggles first hand was a more rewarding journey than I was expecting it to be. With most prequels, I am annoyed by the fact that we know where the characters end up, but there is a lot that Starr doesn’t know about her dad in The Hate U Give. This actually makes this prequel feel fresh and new, even though we already know the fates of the characters. I think this book also address a lot of really important social issues, that are important to understand in order to promote discussion and progress in certain areas. I think that like the other two in this series, Concrete Rose is an important read that is worth everyone’s time, regardless of age.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Racism, Addiction, Classism, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Death, Racial slurs, Gore, Gun violence, Child death, Vomit, and Sexual content
marieandherbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nickiitay's review against another edition
5.0
When I found out Big Mav from The Hate U Give had his own prequel I knew I had to read it immediately. Angie Thomas is a such beautiful writer, the way she used the knowledge the reader already had about Garden Heights through the lens of The Hate U Give to emphasize Maverick's story was flawlessly done. It made me think back to how Maverick acted in Starr's POV, and my goodness it makes much more sense for his reaction to certain situations. Watching seventeen year old Maverick juggle the life of a being a gangbanger with the responsibilities of being a father was quite the journey. It was equally gut-wrenching as it was beautiful, and if that isn't the average synopsis of an Angie Thomas book idk what is.
livrawds's review against another edition
4.0
I do think this book was needed I loved getting more insight into this story but it’s only 4 because nothing will be as good as The Hate U Give that’s just a phenomenon still it’s amazing and Angie Thomas is a brilliant writer
honestrabbit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
4.5
wordsbetweenlines's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Another one I highly recommend.
Angie Thomas has an impeccable ability to draw you in while creating characters that come to life.
Mav is 17 and facing decisions that seem so far beyond his age, and over and over again. It is relentless. He is young. His father is in prison. He is part of a gang. He has a baby on the way. And is there any way out of this that could possibly give him a future?
This was so well done.
I just wish I had read this before The Hate U Give as it’s been awhile and it took some refreshing of my memory to tie it together.
_ren's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Misogyny, and Vomit
Minor: Abortion, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
Angie Thomas can do no wrong! The humor in this book is unmatched! She really knows how to write a great coming-of-age story, and the transition to The Hate U Give in the epilogue is flawless. My only qualm was all the endless baby/pregnancy talk, which I'm not a fan of in ANY book so that's just a me thing. I just wish it focused more on all the other things Mav was going through aside from finding out he became a father at 17. But I understand why that was the main premise. That's the way it is realistically. Again, just a me thing. I still really enjoyed reading this prequel!
ashleibby613's review against another edition
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
5.0
readwithkiekie's review against another edition
4.0
I have to be honest, Concrete Rose isn’t a bad book, however, there’s no actual plot. It’s literally just Maverick’s teenage life, discovering the pregnancies and dealing with gang life. It’s fun and an easy read and quite sweet but it didn’t leave me feeling empowered like THUG or On the Come Up. I’m gonna be controversial and say the publisher requested this book as they knew it’d sell well and Angie wrote it.