lokes 's review for:

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

3.75

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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: Complicated

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This was quieter than I expected after reading the other books in this series but it did not stop the story from being very, very real. It follows Maverick in a very personal way, giving insight to all of his complicated and messy feelings about becoming a father and dealing drugs. The moral conflict is the main focus, and the author wrote it beautifully and made sure to take the reader with Mav. While it follows similar themes like the first books, the story is less action packed or with a big impact on many characters or plot lines in the world from the book. It instead focuses on the small(er) obstacles in the lives of a few but brings up bigger problems like police brutality and racism in general. 

In the end it’s a very hopeful and necessary read which is beautifully written. I really enjoyed spending time with Angie Thomas’ characters once more!