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A review by natashaleighton_
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
An unputdownable YA thriller that expertly uses multiple POVs (from main characters, secondary sources and even the media) into an intrigue-filled and plot twisty murder mystery that highlights the systemic inequality in both the criminal justice and education systems towards boys of colour —and hopefully see readers reevaluate and spark conversations around the harmful effects these biases have in our societies.
It follows three teens whose lives are irrevocably changed when their school’s principal is shot to death and they’re all named as suspects in his murder. In order to clear their names, the three boys (Trey, J.B and Ramón) band together to track down the killer before they find themselves wrongfully charged for the crime.
This was such an evocative and incredibly moving story that I found myself thoroughly and emotionally invested in!
J.B, Trey and Ramón were all incredibly well written characters whose lives I became inextricably concerned for and felt the multimedia aspects and interviews with students, teachers and local members of the wider community gave a richer and more realistic portrayal to how investigations like this actually work.
With widespread media coverage and the age old rumour mill acting as judge & jury in the court of opinion, able to spread misleading narratives long before a suspect can even plead their case.
I loved all three boys and really enjoyed getting to see their experiences in life, but seeing how the system was failing them (with soo many people in positions of authority giving up on them before the murder) was incredibly heartbreaking. The details into their home lives and the dreams they have for their futures was truly lovely to see and really brought each boy to life.
J.B is the quiet one that keeps his head down and works hard to earn that promise scholarship for university and make his mum proud. But the suffocating, prison-like conditions of the school make things much more challenging, his only light right now is Keyana—the smartest and prettiest girl in he know (and who he’s had a crush on forever) has finally agreed to date him.
Trey is the charismatic basketball star and a bit of a joker despite having such a tough uncle, who expects nothing but excellence from Trey on an off the court. But someone’s it’s a role that Trey finds too overwhelming to maintain.
And Ramón is a culinary wizard who unlike his beloved cousin Cesar—the leader of the Dioses del Humo gang (who’s been trying to recruit him), Ramón only dreams of starting his own restaurant who helps shoulder some of his grandmother’s financial burdens by selling pupusas at school.
I enjoyed the murder mystery sleuthing aspects and felt the ending was genuinely satisfying, in terms of finding answers —I just wish the investigation aspect was little longer as given how pacey the book was, it flew by soo quickly.
Nick Brooks’ film making skills were also very visible in the seamless transition between tenses and POVs, as well as in the visual descriptions—which were wonderfully,emotionally visceral—and I definitely hope to see this adapted on the big screen at some point in the future.
Overall, a moving and incredibly enjoyable YA thriller that you won’t forget any time soon—I definitely recommend to fans of Angie Thomas and Holly Jackson.
Also, a huge thank you to MacMillan for the physical proof.
It follows three teens whose lives are irrevocably changed when their school’s principal is shot to death and they’re all named as suspects in his murder. In order to clear their names, the three boys (Trey, J.B and Ramón) band together to track down the killer before they find themselves wrongfully charged for the crime.
This was such an evocative and incredibly moving story that I found myself thoroughly and emotionally invested in!
J.B, Trey and Ramón were all incredibly well written characters whose lives I became inextricably concerned for and felt the multimedia aspects and interviews with students, teachers and local members of the wider community gave a richer and more realistic portrayal to how investigations like this actually work.
With widespread media coverage and the age old rumour mill acting as judge & jury in the court of opinion, able to spread misleading narratives long before a suspect can even plead their case.
I loved all three boys and really enjoyed getting to see their experiences in life, but seeing how the system was failing them (with soo many people in positions of authority giving up on them before the murder) was incredibly heartbreaking. The details into their home lives and the dreams they have for their futures was truly lovely to see and really brought each boy to life.
J.B is the quiet one that keeps his head down and works hard to earn that promise scholarship for university and make his mum proud. But the suffocating, prison-like conditions of the school make things much more challenging, his only light right now is Keyana—the smartest and prettiest girl in he know (and who he’s had a crush on forever) has finally agreed to date him.
Trey is the charismatic basketball star and a bit of a joker despite having such a tough uncle, who expects nothing but excellence from Trey on an off the court. But someone’s it’s a role that Trey finds too overwhelming to maintain.
And Ramón is a culinary wizard who unlike his beloved cousin Cesar—the leader of the Dioses del Humo gang (who’s been trying to recruit him), Ramón only dreams of starting his own restaurant who helps shoulder some of his grandmother’s financial burdens by selling pupusas at school.
I enjoyed the murder mystery sleuthing aspects and felt the ending was genuinely satisfying, in terms of finding answers —I just wish the investigation aspect was little longer as given how pacey the book was, it flew by soo quickly.
Nick Brooks’ film making skills were also very visible in the seamless transition between tenses and POVs, as well as in the visual descriptions—which were wonderfully,emotionally visceral—and I definitely hope to see this adapted on the big screen at some point in the future.
Overall, a moving and incredibly enjoyable YA thriller that you won’t forget any time soon—I definitely recommend to fans of Angie Thomas and Holly Jackson.
Also, a huge thank you to MacMillan for the physical proof.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Racism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Classism