Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

 


I was a huge fan of The Hate You Give when it debuted a few years ago, and of course I loved the movie as well. Concrete Rose is the prequel to Angie Thomas's best seller and it just may be better than THUG! Concrete Rose gives us the backstory on Maverick Carter. He's the son of Adonis Carter who happens to be serving a prison sentence of 40 years to life. At 17, Maverick is known to most of his King Lord gang as 'Lil Don. He has a reputation to uphold being son of Adonis. But his life changes dramatically when he realizes he is going to be a father. Can he balance being a responsible father with gang life? How will he pay the bills if he doesn't stick with his set. Will Maverick listen to those around him who are giving him good advice, or those around him who are giving him selfish advice?

This book raises a ton of thought provoking questions. What's more important? Your reputation or your family? What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be responsible? 

I think the thing that makes this book so perfect is the way Thomas creates and builds her characters and the relationships they share. Each relationship is layered and complicated to some degree or another. There are definitely some awesome exchanges between Maverick and Adonis, Maverick and Mr. Wyatt, and Maverick and his various friends. This book was special in every way. Anyone who loved THUG will devour Concrete Rose!    

-TK

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