nyxiabel 's review for:

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
5.0

A fantastic prequel to an already amazing book.

For those who don't know, this book is about Maverick Carter, Starr's (THUG) Dad. The book is set while Maverick is 17 and goes through his struggles with being part of the set but not wanting to be. It shows the realities of teenage pregnancy, post-partum, single parenthood, gang relations and touch morality choices.

Maverick wants to be the best for the child he has found out is his. He wants to do the best for his Ma, and for his cousin Dre. He wants to make clean money and raise his son to be a good man, but how can he do that when he's still in the set and everyone sees clean as 'weak'?

This book initially didn't grab me as much as THUG or OTCU, however, I got into it pretty quickly and it became a page-turner. I enjoyed taking a trip back in time and getting to see all of THUG's characters in their baby days and how and why they have turned out the way they have. Seeing how Starr's parents faced adversity and how they pushed back, the subtext showing us how Starr ended up being the strong girl she is because of the strength of her parents.

Of course, I am a white girl. I haven't had these experiences but I have seen them in the world and around me. But through a frosted window. Angie's books are exceptional at painting a portrait and characterising real life experiences clearly for all audiences. I look forward to the next book, and every other book she writes.

I received this ARC from Harper Collins NZ in exchange for an honest review