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A review by hangryforfiction
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
"Mr. Wyatt say grief hit you in waves. Sometimes it pull me out to sea and take me under. No wonder it's hard to breathe as I cry."
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Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is the prequel I didn't even know I needed. I loved The Hate U Give when I read it a few years ago. It's one of those stories that's stayed with me even in detail all this time. Concrete Rose tells the story of Maverick, the father of THUG protagonist, Star, before she was even born. Maverick is tough and complex and authentic, and Angie Thomas is just an incredible writer. Thomas has this unique ability to write characters that you immediately connect with and need to know more about. This book just endlessly rewarded me with it's complexity and depth. The characters in this one and Thomas' others are just so real that even when I finish the books I can still imagine their lives going on somewhere else. I could read their stories for years and never tire of them. These are stories that need to be told so badly, and I'm so glad that Angie Thomas is the one to do it. I also have to mention how happy I was to see her love of basketball come through on this one as well as the little 90s references throughout. I can't wait to see what Angie Thomas comes up with next. This is another one to add to my favorites shelf! 🤓
•••••
(CW: gun violence, gangs, death, grief, racism/racial slurs, drug use)
•••••
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is the prequel I didn't even know I needed. I loved The Hate U Give when I read it a few years ago. It's one of those stories that's stayed with me even in detail all this time. Concrete Rose tells the story of Maverick, the father of THUG protagonist, Star, before she was even born. Maverick is tough and complex and authentic, and Angie Thomas is just an incredible writer. Thomas has this unique ability to write characters that you immediately connect with and need to know more about. This book just endlessly rewarded me with it's complexity and depth. The characters in this one and Thomas' others are just so real that even when I finish the books I can still imagine their lives going on somewhere else. I could read their stories for years and never tire of them. These are stories that need to be told so badly, and I'm so glad that Angie Thomas is the one to do it. I also have to mention how happy I was to see her love of basketball come through on this one as well as the little 90s references throughout. I can't wait to see what Angie Thomas comes up with next. This is another one to add to my favorites shelf! 🤓
•••••
(CW: gun violence, gangs, death, grief, racism/racial slurs, drug use)