... one of my favorite things about Angie Thomas is that she’s always willing to dig a little deeper, to peel back another layer. This is what makes her latest novel, Concrete Rose — her best, in my opinion — a gift. It not only eviscerates the 'fast Black girl' stereotype and debunks the myth of the Bailing Black Baby Daddy, it gives us insight into the life of a boy most people wouldn’t even attempt to look at beyond the surface ... Thomas doesn’t sugarcoat any of this: She lets us see the grit and grime of all of it ... what Thomas does not do is permit the reader to perch up on a pedestal of unexamined moral ideals and look down on the characters in this book — and the people they represent in the real world — from some completely unfounded position of superiority ... One of Angie Thomas’s greatest skills is crafting characters that give even adults readers insight into their younger selves. She makes us remember what it’s like to feel as though you can’t speak up without dire consequences; what it’s like to have dreams so much bigger than you are; what it’s like to be stuck between a rock and a hard place with no idea what to do, but also no choice but to figure it out ... No, gang membership, drug slinging and teen parenthood aren’t light or easy topic topics. But in Concrete Rose, Thomas handles them with utmost care, compassion and nuance. It’s a novel that, like Thomas’s other books, plucks at the strings of our complex humanity. It walks us into the life of a character who is easy to condemn from the outside, and then dares us try to judge him once we’ve gotten in ... we all owe Angie Thomas a debt of immense gratitude. Because in allowing us to see the heart and soul of a boy who does just about everything our society vilifies, but is truly doing the best he can with what he has, she has given us the greatest gift of all: permission to let our guards down and be a little more legitimately human.
The inheritance we carry from those who came before us is a knot of roots that can be complicated to unravel. It can take a lifetime of work to distinguish the threads that shape the people we grow to be. Angie Thomas’s latest young adult novel, Concrete Rose, takes on this challenge — sorting through a person’s becoming — with the author’s characteristic mastery ... That familiar hum of collective care is woven throughout Concrete Rose and showcases the full humanity of Black folks — and Black boys in particular ... In Concrete Rose, Thomas casts a loving eye on the lives and realities of Black people, which is a powerful continuation of one of her most moving endeavors as a writer: her challenge to readers to affirm the goodness of all types of characters and to greet them with compassion at every turn, no matter where those turns may lead.
Thomas’ genius is her ability to craft one man’s history in a way that illuminates the forces that brought us to this critical juncture ... Thomas’ book holds a universal truth: Regardless of mistakes made, there is a way to break through concrete, to bloom wildly with freedom. It is possible to take all that is hard, cold, grey and transform it to a thing of unexpected beauty. But it requires all those around us to tend and cultivate.
... a powerhouse prequel ... The Hate U Give became a literary phenomenon because of the depth and authenticity of Thomas’ characters, and those elements shine once again in Concrete Rose. Though it can be read as a standalone work, this prequel adds so much to our understanding of The Hate U Give that reading them together will be especially rewarding.
It is notoriously difficult to write a prequel to a much-loved book...Concrete Rose pulls off the challenge with aplomb. Indeed, it is arguable that this enthralling novel is the better book ... Certainly, Thomas’s story of teenage fatherhood, gang culture and the struggle to escape terrible circumstances, grips from the start ... Thomas, always an accomplished writer capable of thrusting the reader straight into the heart of the story, performs wonders here. Maverick’s character, by turns thoughtful and hot-headed, springs from the page. We root for him even as he makes mistakes, in part because we know he is trying, if not always succeeding ... a lovely, sensitive portrayal of young, black masculinity, which never talks down to its audience and perfectly captures often ignored and unrecorded lives. It should be read everywhere.
A refreshing tenderness suffuses Maverick’s relationships with other male characters ... In a world where inflexible notions of masculinity prevail, the main male characters in Concrete Rose are compassionate and communicative, with a strong moral compass that allows them to advance alternative notions of manhood and thus avoid perpetuating the cycle ... a rich and involving story, and Thomas avoids casting her characters as one-dimensional heroes or villains, choosing instead to explore the circumstances that lead them to make the difficult choices they do in order to survive ... Thomas makes clear just how much a single mistake can cost. Her characters are faced with decisions that no kids their age should be faced with, and it is fascinating to see how or if they will rise to the challenge ... does a fantastic job as a standalone novel, holding our attention and engaging our curiosity. It also boldly addresses issues of gun violence and teen pregnancy with admirable delicacy for a YA novel.
... a close-knit neighborhood that becomes easy to visualize, thanks to Thomas’ world-building skills ... One of Thomas’ standout talents is her ability to show readers of all backgrounds that Maverick, despite his imperfections and struggles, is also more blossom than thorns ... briskly written in Thomas’ unmistakable style, which is breezy but scattered with piercing insights and wry humor ... More unusual for a Young Adult novel is Thomas’ loving, true-to-life, and sometimes hilarious account of what’s involved in parenting an infant ... very satisfying read.
... poignant ... This insightful novel lets readers see Maverick as a teen himself and walk a mile in his shoes, before and during his evolution into the man, father, and husband that he is ... Maverick’s story is one that offers hope, encouragement, and optimism, and it shows those going through difficult times of their own that they can take control of their own destiny.
Thomas proves Game of Thrones–esque in her worldbuilding ability, deepening her landscape without sacrificing intimacy or heart ... Worthy prequels make readers invest as though meeting characters for the first time; here they learn more about the intricate hierarchies and alliances within the King Lord gang and gain deeper insight into former ancillary characters, particularly Mav’s parents, King, and Iesha ... A resounding success.
Convincingly detailing the journey of a young Black man growing into fatherhood, Thomas brings her trademark wit, nostalgic love of the 1990s and all things R&B and hip-hop, and her penchant for heartfelt characterization to this first-person exploration of Maverick Carter’s coming-of- age. Through its portrayal of loss and upheaval, this story acts as a tender love letter to a close Black family and community—one that isn’t without problems but is always full of love.
