Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

21 reviews

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

imstephtacular's review

emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol

scarlett_f's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Excrement, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Very raw writing, especially the first fifty pages. But all brings together a well built story and satisfying conclusion. Upper high school or YA recommended.

ktdakotareads's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Racism, and Violence

ashylibrarian's review

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is a great book. It very much gives The Hate U Give meets One of Us is Lying. Nick Brooks masterfully draws attention to the despicable systemic racism and inequality that too many young Black and Brown folks (especially male-presenting) face in the United States educational system. Brooks created more than just a young adult mystery - he created a symphonic call-out to systemic inequalities.   

Brooks also touches on pretty much everything a young adult mystery should touch on. There was drama. There was Romance. There were shady characters. Characters that made you question your judgment.

I had my assumptions about who the killer was about a third of the way through, but with all of the distractions and character perspectives, I could never be 100% sure. I think that part of this was due to all of the POV changes.  I don't often love a book that changes POV so much because it feels like it is easy to become lost, but how Brooks wrote the multiple POVs was smart, intentional, and full of depth. Each main character was so dynamic, and the supporting characters fit into the plot like perfect puzzle pieces.

I am always happy to recommend this title to readers! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, and Murder

Moderate: Gun violence and Violence

Minor: Child abuse and Sexual harassment

audreylee's review

emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The beginning starts with a bang, literally. Three young male students are accused of killing an uptight principal. The formatting is interesting. Not only does the reader hear from each of the suspects but also other students, teachers, family and community members. It could be overwhelming but, instead, it gives the story a more "well rounded" feeling. There was only one plot hole that distracted from the rest of the story. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Gun violence and Violence

ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

pucksandpaperbacks's review

Phoenomonal story. Phoneomal audiobook. No notes!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

zombiezami's review against another edition

4.0

This was a fantastic social thriller. It was heart-wrenching to read about how this fictional school abused students, knowing that in real life, so many adults think you can brutalize children into being successful adults. 

There were a few plot threads that felt like they weren’t explored as much as they could have been. The ending also felt abrupt.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Pedophilia, Suicide, and Sexual harassment

Gangs, incarceration

redroseses's review

dark hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Gun violence

Moderate: Blood and Murder

Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, Violence, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism