Reviews

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

haileyannereads's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

3 boys have separate run-ins with their principal that land them all in detention. When the principal is later murdered, all eyes are one the boys- they're troubled kids, so it had to be one of them, right?

This was a great book. I really liked the way we get the story piece by piece and from different perspectives, until we get the whole picture. 

fische's review against another edition

mysterious tense 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? No

4.25

syncstarlight's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.25

evanmather's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

samuelbrown23's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I went into this book, expecting it to be a five star because of the great reviews in TikTok. It literally took me longer then expected to finish the book, I know this is YA but there so many cliches in every chapter nothing was original. I felt like I read this book a million times already because of how simple and unoriginal it is. Really wanted to like it but seems plot was being driven faster than the characters development. Speaking of characters all of them were really annoying, I know again it’s YA but can authors start doing original troupes again. The black kid as usual have missing father and hard working mom, Hispanic kid has only his grandma and some cousin is gang; finally other kid uncle is in the military and getting a tough love

booksgurrsandpurrs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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

 JB, Ramon, and Trey all attend the Urban Promise Prep School. JB is a sensitive artist still figuring out what the future looks like. Ramon has culinary ambitions. Trey is a dedicated basketball student hoping to turn his after school activities into a profession. All three students find themselves in detention the same day their principal is murdered. Now these three young boys are prime suspects. Rumors spread, and articles are written. Will their community stand behind them or turn against them? Are JB, Ramon and Trey willing to trust each other to clear their names or is the situation too divisive to trust each other?

I enjoy the book's formatting that varies from articles, eye witness accounts, interrogations, letters, to POV from each suspect before, during and after the murder.  Underlying this noir genre is a deeper discussion about the function, ideals and design of academic settings. Are kids taught critical thinking skills or to stay silent and obey? 

shailydc's review against another edition

3.0

The story and premise were really interesting. I was surprised by super concise chapters - I wanted more from the story.

52wmckinney's review against another edition

4.0

I listened to the audiobook of this and it was honestly great. Covered some very important aspects of race and growing up, while also being a good read for young adults. Very enjoyable, if frustrating at times (due to the contact).

dripdrop's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.0

daniii22's review against another edition

5.0

Read this book to my group of eighth graders. They loved it from start to finish and could not contain themselves when reading time was up for the day.