jhbandcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The first couple of chapters ease the reader in slowly. You learn about the main character, his problems, his love for family, his violent history. By a third of the way in, you’re trapped - there’s no way you’re getting out of this book without reading it to the end. The first action sequence is mind-bogglingly good and it just gets better and better.
Cosby writes action that doesn’t let up. Everything is clear not just in terms of plot but in logistics. I fear I’m not articulating how bowled over I was by this book.
If you strip away the action and mystery, what’s left is an aching diatribe on the state of the Black man in white America. It’s a scathing rebuke.
Truly fabulous book. I hope Cosby keeps writing and writing and writing. He’s a literary treasure.
Graphic: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Racism, Torture, and Violence
bootsmom3's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Body shaming, Car accident, Classism, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexual content, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Blood, Death, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Medical trauma, Cursing, Gun violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Alcohol, and Cancer
bek67's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Cursing, Murder, and Death
Minor: Body shaming, Gun violence, Gore, Racial slurs, Torture, Drug use, and Racism
cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Murder and Torture
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Racial slurs
raenbow's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Body shaming, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Cursing, Gun violence, Car accident, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Fatphobia, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Body horror
cc_shelflove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Racism, and Car accident
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Death of parent
emco_0's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Torture, Car accident, Vomit, Racial slurs, Drug use, Murder, Violence, Sexism, Fatphobia, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Trafficking, Ableism, and Death of parent
healingtothemax's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Car accident, Murder, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Classism, Sexual content, Racism, Racial slurs, Death, Cursing, Addiction, Drug use, Blood, Police brutality, and Gun violence
dtrain3000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Blacktop Wasteland touches upon race, crime, and identity all while wrapped in a plot about a high-stakes heist.
I really enjoyed watching the main character Beauregard's personal journey and struggling with the two sides of his identity. I also liked the way the author ended the book. It felt messy and realistic.
I would recommend if you're in need of a quick heist read.
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Murder
aharper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, and Gun violence
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Death
Minor: Sexual content