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 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
4.0
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 against another edition
- 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
faerietale_princess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
sambo_0103'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
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
literaryintersections'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
5.0
Beauregard is tough and rough, but also a loving family man. His complexities were super realistic and also made it hard to like him. He is such a badass and I want to see him live on a screen. The car scenes and robbery scenes were so interesting and also heartbreaking. This book is so damn sad but also funny and wild and unique. I can't wait to read the rest of his books.
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
cc_shelflove's review
- 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
narbine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Vomit, Cursing, Gun violence, Alcohol, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Medical content, Torture, Gore, Violence, Abandonment, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
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
oohgoshtara'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
5.0
Beauregard “Bug” Montage is an honest mechanic, a loving husband, and a hard-working dad."
My first noir crime thriller. Blacktop Wasteland is a fast paced crime novel. It tells the story of "Bug"a man pushed to his limits by childhood trauma, fatherhood, race, and poverty. He's haunted by his fathers legacy and how he walked out of his and his mother's life. He's trying to be a better man. A better husband, father, provider, friend but circumstances and his past keep getting in the way. As things begin to snowball he takes a risk that can change the trajectory of his life one way or another. The writing is engrossing and puts you right into the environment. It feels exciting you want to know what's going to happen next. There's mystery, action, suspense. This novel is an absolute page turner that keeps you on edge. The characters were well developed. I especially liked his wife Kia. Although I would have liked the ending to be more conclusive I appreciated that it was open ended and hope that Bug is finally able to push through and be that better man than his father was. I enjoyed this genre and will read more by this author.
Moderate: Violence