Concrete Rose

-Overall solid book
-Felt different although connected to Hate U Give

-Kinda wished to see Maverick get his store up and running

Me gustó mucho, me hizo reír muchas veces y me encantaron los protagonistas. Aunque no fue suficiente

What a phenomenal book!! I definitely think that this book could be read before or after The Hate U Give. I read this book after and it really gave me some perspective on some of the characters. A friend of mine read this one first and loved both just the same. I think that is a testament to Thomas' amazing writing!! In this book we meet Maverick, Starr's father, and we follow his journey as a high school senior living in Garden Heights and part of the King Lords. It may seem cliché to say this but there really are twists and turns at every page and every chapter. Maverick is dealing with being a father, being a high school senior, getting a job to support his family, and being part of the King Lords gang. It is a lot for a teen to hold on their shoulders. But Maverick wants to prove that he can be a man and provide for those he loves. But being part of a gang also means that sometimes he is put into situations where he is caught between loyalty and tough decisions. This book was one that made you feel every emotion that Mav feels - anger, jealousy, sadness, happiness, fear, and desperation. Anyone who has read The Hate U Give NEEDS to read this book!!