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Promise Boys
Promise Boys is a blockbuster, dark academia mystery about three teens of color who must investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names. This page-turning thriller is perfect for fans of Karen McManus, Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Holly Jackson .
The prestigious Urban Promise Prep school might look pristine on the outside, but deadly secrets lurk within. When the principal ends up murdered on school premises and the cops come sniffing around, a trio of students―J.B., Ramón, and Trey―emerge as the prime suspects. They had the means, they had the motive . . . and they may have had the murder weapon. But with all three maintaining their innocence, they must band together to track down the real killer before they are arrested. Or is the true culprit hiding among them?
Find out who killed Principal Moore in Nick Brooks's murder mystery, Promise Boys ― The Hate U Give meets One of Us Is Lying.
The prestigious Urban Promise Prep school might look pristine on the outside, but deadly secrets lurk within. When the principal ends up murdered on school premises and the cops come sniffing around, a trio of students―J.B., Ramón, and Trey―emerge as the prime suspects. They had the means, they had the motive . . . and they may have had the murder weapon. But with all three maintaining their innocence, they must band together to track down the real killer before they are arrested. Or is the true culprit hiding among them?
Find out who killed Principal Moore in Nick Brooks's murder mystery, Promise Boys ― The Hate U Give meets One of Us Is Lying.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2023
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February 28, 2023
This literally had me hooked in from start to finish. This is way more than just a mystery thriller. It’s a deep and raw story of social commentary in an academia setting while giving us lighter themes like friendship and family. It’s super fast paced, and honestly had my jaw dropped by the end of it. I’m pretty sure I suspected everyone as a suspect of the murder while reading. these characters are relatable, deep, and nuanced. if there’s one thing why YA is going to do the best, it’s going to be an -edge of the seat- thriller/mystery.
June 25, 2023
This is EXTRAORDINARY WORK and it earns more than five stars! Maybe it’s early to declare the best books of 2023 because I probably read about 50 arcs that be released on 2023. But honestly when you see a glowing gem, you can appreciate its uniqueness! This book is different and special! So I can proudly say it will be one of the HITS and the best works of next year! I hope my words may put this great work on your radar and I advise not to add your tbr, just read it, don’t let this beauty be forgotten in your list!
Let’s take a quick look to the plot which hooks you up from the first chapter!
A gun shot terrorizes the students of Urban Promise Prep during the basketball game. The principal and founder of the school: Kenneth Moore is found shot to death at his office by his coworker and DC officers focus on the investigation to find the killer of the principal: who was beloved member of the community.
He started the school as a dream project to create a place for the young brains who are struggled at the regular schools. The teenagers nobody wants to teach and understand can have a brighter future ahead of them by attending to Promise Prep.
This place is their second chance to get approval from the colleges they dream of going.
But this dreamy place that can give opportunities to the children who were forgotten slowly turns into the biggest nightmare of their lives. The rules of the school are extremely rigid! You have to wear stuffy uniforms. No tardiness accepted. You cannot fraternize with the other students. Music and cell phones are forbidden. You cannot make jokes. You cannot raise your voice and you cannot even wear colorful socks or shoes. It seems like Mr. Morgan just created his own kind of prison and he became of the despotic king of this place!
There are three suspects of this murder case. All of them are Urban Promise Prep students and as you can guess: two boys are black and third not is Latin American. The principal sent three of them to the detention at the same day. But during the shooting none of them was at the detention and they have motives to get rid of him.
JB Williamson, tall, intimidating, mostly quiet but suffering with anger management issues ( that’s what the others say) had a fight with principal in front of the students and he punched the wall, threatened to the principal! Always the quiet ones get involved in crimes like this, don’t they? After the shooting, his new girlfriend whose ditched by him sees JB’s shirt covered in blood. He keeps telling that wasn’t his fault! Does he tell the truth?
Trey Jackson, star basketball player, moved from NY after her addicted mother couldn’t be able to take care of him, living with his extra disciplined , ex-serviceman and alcoholic uncle. He might have accidentally brought his uncle’s gun to the school. But it was a stupid misunderstanding. On the other hand, he was suspended to play at the important basketball game. This means he also loses an important shot to go to college. The recruiters were invited to watch him at the game. Even his uncle brought a friend his own to show his nephew’s skills. This is all Mr. Moore’s fault! Here’s his motive!
And Ramon Zambrano, sells his grandmother’s pupusas even though he’s been warned many times before. Mr. Morgan put his cousin to the jail by warning the authorities. And humiliating Ramon in front of his friends, taking the pupusa money and throwing everything his grandmother cooked for hours into trash, sending him detention were the last straws. Somebody has to stop that man!
Did one of them kill the principal or are they the victims of the trashy and biased system that convict the people according to their color!
Those three boys didn’t know each other because the school rules were too strict for the fraternization. But now they will be reluctant allies to find the real perpetrator who took the principal’s life to acquit from the crime that may ruin their entire lives! The clock is ticking and before someone convict one of them, they have to act fast not yo be a scapegoat!
I devoured it in one sitting! It’s so exhilarating, inspirational, moving, powerful! One of the best things I’ve read!
So many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/ Henry Holt and Co. for sharing this FANTASTIC arc copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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Let’s take a quick look to the plot which hooks you up from the first chapter!
A gun shot terrorizes the students of Urban Promise Prep during the basketball game. The principal and founder of the school: Kenneth Moore is found shot to death at his office by his coworker and DC officers focus on the investigation to find the killer of the principal: who was beloved member of the community.
He started the school as a dream project to create a place for the young brains who are struggled at the regular schools. The teenagers nobody wants to teach and understand can have a brighter future ahead of them by attending to Promise Prep.
This place is their second chance to get approval from the colleges they dream of going.
But this dreamy place that can give opportunities to the children who were forgotten slowly turns into the biggest nightmare of their lives. The rules of the school are extremely rigid! You have to wear stuffy uniforms. No tardiness accepted. You cannot fraternize with the other students. Music and cell phones are forbidden. You cannot make jokes. You cannot raise your voice and you cannot even wear colorful socks or shoes. It seems like Mr. Morgan just created his own kind of prison and he became of the despotic king of this place!
There are three suspects of this murder case. All of them are Urban Promise Prep students and as you can guess: two boys are black and third not is Latin American. The principal sent three of them to the detention at the same day. But during the shooting none of them was at the detention and they have motives to get rid of him.
JB Williamson, tall, intimidating, mostly quiet but suffering with anger management issues ( that’s what the others say) had a fight with principal in front of the students and he punched the wall, threatened to the principal! Always the quiet ones get involved in crimes like this, don’t they? After the shooting, his new girlfriend whose ditched by him sees JB’s shirt covered in blood. He keeps telling that wasn’t his fault! Does he tell the truth?
Trey Jackson, star basketball player, moved from NY after her addicted mother couldn’t be able to take care of him, living with his extra disciplined , ex-serviceman and alcoholic uncle. He might have accidentally brought his uncle’s gun to the school. But it was a stupid misunderstanding. On the other hand, he was suspended to play at the important basketball game. This means he also loses an important shot to go to college. The recruiters were invited to watch him at the game. Even his uncle brought a friend his own to show his nephew’s skills. This is all Mr. Moore’s fault! Here’s his motive!
And Ramon Zambrano, sells his grandmother’s pupusas even though he’s been warned many times before. Mr. Morgan put his cousin to the jail by warning the authorities. And humiliating Ramon in front of his friends, taking the pupusa money and throwing everything his grandmother cooked for hours into trash, sending him detention were the last straws. Somebody has to stop that man!
Did one of them kill the principal or are they the victims of the trashy and biased system that convict the people according to their color!
Those three boys didn’t know each other because the school rules were too strict for the fraternization. But now they will be reluctant allies to find the real perpetrator who took the principal’s life to acquit from the crime that may ruin their entire lives! The clock is ticking and before someone convict one of them, they have to act fast not yo be a scapegoat!
I devoured it in one sitting! It’s so exhilarating, inspirational, moving, powerful! One of the best things I’ve read!
So many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/ Henry Holt and Co. for sharing this FANTASTIC arc copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
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February 18, 2024
All these boys talk tough. Give them a little love and watch them melt. They're children. Everyone seems to always forget that. No matter their size. No matter their skin color. No matter their attitude.
The thing about the mystery and thriller genre is that I hardly read them, so I’m confident that I’m more bound to enjoy the books because of my lack of experience with these stories. You start noticing a pattern, similar storylines, and recycled characters when you read a genre so much. It may still be appealing and enjoyable, but there’s no doubt it gets tedious and tiring after reading the same thing repeatedly, with minimal changes between characters’ personalities, tropes, plot lines, social issues, and more. And so, while Promise Boys may not be the most…newest in this genre, I found myself entirely immersed in the world, wanting to find out how it would end, how justice would be served, and what the boys would do to clear their names.
I will start by saying what didn’t work for me, which isn’t my usual: I thought the ending needed a little more depth. While I knew who the killer was, I believe a little more context used to let the readers know how the ending came to be would have sufficed. From how I saw it, it was missing some development. It felt like we needed to accept and move on from how the ending came to be. In addition, I would have loved to see an epilogue to see where the three boys were. We know what happened, but we don’t see it, and instead, we read a small piece of writing, being told where they are and what they are doing. An epilogue was necessary, as it would’ve shown us the boys’ perspectives. Plus, epilogues are crucial to a story. I don’t understand why authors don’t add them sometimes. I think they help us get a bigger idea of where the characters are and not have any questions left.
Besides these minor quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
I’m hesitant about these types of stories, not because they can be realistic, but because sometimes they become overly political to the point where it feels like we are being lectured about certain things. And the thing is, I accept and agree that reading is political and that books are political, especially when that is their point. However, when it comes to these stories, they become repetitive: black boys being accused of murdering a white teacher. Authors want to make a big point related to social injustice, racism, and discrimination. We’ve heard it, seen it, and read it. White teacher, white cop, white parent. No matter who, they’re white. While I understand where the authors want to go with it, respectfully put, it gets very repetitive. So you could say I was worried about this becoming only about race. However, the author makes this, simply put, about the injustice of the educational system. And the thing is, the students accused aren’t accused because they’re black and brown but because they were, unfortunately, the closest suspects to the scene. Coincidentally or not, they were found to be the most prominent suspects for different reasons: J.B. spitting in Moore’s face, Trey threatening to kill Moore, and Ramón yelling at Moore for throwing out his pupusas. The author never makes it a thing to show they were accused because of their skin color. Instead, it’s easy to see that it wouldn’t have mattered if they were white or from a different country. It’s fair to say this was the case because the author is black, and presenting stories reflecting our characters is important, but there is no bias against the characters or the author. It’s just about justice trying to be served, suspects are being accused, and truths want to be found.
The social commentary concerns authority and the lack of social equity in schools and education. The situations for Ramón, J.B., and Trey are realistic but can be attributed to anyone. It shows the disgrace of authority and command, the use of power for evil greed, for a superiority complex to be fulfilled. Urban Promise Prep may seem like it has everything parents want for their children, but inside, it’s run by authoritative figures who only care about money, stats, and reputation. No resources are provided for the students, no applicable electives worthwhile for the future, no class alternatives, and no understanding of students’ issues. I questioned why no one else felt a certain way about the school (besides Ramón, J.B., and Trey) and how it maintained its reputation and galore. Upon further thought, I think that was the point: to show how afraid young teens are of speaking up. We’re constantly told to speak up when we hear something, but have we ever been taught what that means, what it entails, and how to do it? How do we know who to tell, when, and who to trust? Nick Brooks dives into the political theories of philosophy, offering commentary on the government, institutional greed, and racial disparity. Yes, it’s political because it needs to be, but it’s not only political.
For anyone worried about this because it’s YA, I’d have to say, in my defense, it never really feels YA. We know the boys are in their last year of high school and close to graduating, but there are no situations besides school that present them as having attributes to just high school. Instead, there are points about them that can apply to just about anyone. Everyone in this group felt mature for their age, never using pettiness as an excuse or making foolishness out of themselves when serious issues were present.
All three boys are distinct: J.B., a gentle giant who falls for a girl and wants to be the boy who sees her worth, a boy who wants to do and be enough to get his mother away from working too much; a boy who gets nose bleeds from anxiety, a boy who uses his size to his advantage as a means to defend himself but doesn’t like violence and fighting; a boy who is misunderstood for his size, thought to be a murderer because of the quiet presence he has. There’s Trey, who is treated like a soldier by his uncle instead of a boy with dreams of playing basketball; a boy who was too scared to call his uncle and let him know he accidentally took his gun because he was worried he would be scolded for getting to school late; a boy afraid to speak up for himself, who has a mother with substance abuse disorder, a boy who has no one to confide in. Then there’s Ramon, who wants to make enough money selling pupusas for his grandma, who doesn’t want to join the life of a gang member like his cousin, who dreams of opening his restaurant and being a chef. Brooks did a fantastic job describing, showing, and creating all three characters with distinct voices. The characterization is spot-on, and it never feels like all three boys blend in together.
Special shoutout to the author for making Ramón a brown Salvadoran boy born in El Salvador and brought to the U.S. as a little boy. Thank you, Nick, for not making him a stereotype and instead for making him a boy with culinary dreams who loves to help his grandma make pupusas. Also, him selling pupusas at his school was so relatable because I, too, would sell snacks at my school to help my parents at their store. While César, Ramón’s cousin, was in a gang, it never came across as stereotypical to me because he’s Salvadoran, but instead, it was done because of the lack of resources César also had. It felt like he was willing to do and get better had he had the opportunity. He was willing to help Ramón fulfill his dream, no matter what it took. I also loved the addition of Salvadoran slang in this, which was all written and used correctly. The only issue I had was that the demonym for us is not El Salvadoran, but just Salvadoran—or even Salvadorian. There is no El.
As I said before, I knew who the killer was. It was pretty easy to see the hints, as they’re evident in how they acted and presented themselves, but don’t take this as a flaw. I didn’t care, and it did not affect my enjoyment. The author’s writing is entirely gripping and thrilling. I never found myself bored, wanting to skim, but instead, I wanted to spoil myself by reading ahead to see what would happen, who would find out what, and what was happening. It is a case of Whodunnit, with the three accused boys trying to clear out their names by finding out exactly who killed Principal Moore when all three boys know it wasn’t them. They don’t know if any others did, but they know they didn’t. It’s fun and engaging, and something was always happening that added to the suspicions and investigation. I never thought the author added unnecessary, useless information or scenes. Even though I was sure who the killer was, I still wanted to keep reading and find out if I was wrong. Never once did I want to stop reading. I started this on a whim, quite literally, and didn’t stop until I was done. Never have I been more thankful for no longer being a moody reader because, quite frankly, I’m never in the mood for thrillers or mystery novels. They required me to be in a certain mood for the thought processes of the investigations and how I would have to feel like I was ready to be in a story where a murder was being investigated.
The writing may not be for everyone, as the way the story unfolds isn’t your traditional way, but I guess this worked in my favor since, as I said, I don’t read this genre much. The way the story is told starts off different from other similar works. Instead of starting off the story right from the beginning, days and weeks before the murder(s), we are given different perspectives and insights from various students, teachers, and members of the community related to the three students. These insights were fascinating, and I liked how the author used them to add different insights into the boys. It shows how other people root for and defend different people, showing us it’s more than just a case of people looking a certain way and why that can apply to them murdering someone. Or isn’t, which is what I’m trying to say. No, the author shines a light on these three brown and black boys to show how just because they are related to gangs, live in poverty, are quiet, or have violent tendencies does not prove anything. That said, I have to warn anyone curious about this book that the “real story,” the investigation and everything after the murder, doesn’t start until later in the book. Before that, we’re given the insights of different people, but we also spend three different parts of the story for the three boys–the day before the murder and the day of the murder. This was fascinating, unfolding three scenes for the three boys. I think it makes the reading experience more gripping because it presents why and how Ramón, J.B., and Trey are accused.
In conclusion, I would read more from this author. I was captivated by all three boys, curious to read how they would clear the name, no matter the lack of shock at the result. I found the execution well; all characters had distinctive personalities, and the social commentary was critical but felt manageable.
The thing about the mystery and thriller genre is that I hardly read them, so I’m confident that I’m more bound to enjoy the books because of my lack of experience with these stories. You start noticing a pattern, similar storylines, and recycled characters when you read a genre so much. It may still be appealing and enjoyable, but there’s no doubt it gets tedious and tiring after reading the same thing repeatedly, with minimal changes between characters’ personalities, tropes, plot lines, social issues, and more. And so, while Promise Boys may not be the most…newest in this genre, I found myself entirely immersed in the world, wanting to find out how it would end, how justice would be served, and what the boys would do to clear their names.
I will start by saying what didn’t work for me, which isn’t my usual: I thought the ending needed a little more depth. While I knew who the killer was, I believe a little more context used to let the readers know how the ending came to be would have sufficed. From how I saw it, it was missing some development. It felt like we needed to accept and move on from how the ending came to be. In addition, I would have loved to see an epilogue to see where the three boys were. We know what happened, but we don’t see it, and instead, we read a small piece of writing, being told where they are and what they are doing. An epilogue was necessary, as it would’ve shown us the boys’ perspectives. Plus, epilogues are crucial to a story. I don’t understand why authors don’t add them sometimes. I think they help us get a bigger idea of where the characters are and not have any questions left.
Besides these minor quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
I’m hesitant about these types of stories, not because they can be realistic, but because sometimes they become overly political to the point where it feels like we are being lectured about certain things. And the thing is, I accept and agree that reading is political and that books are political, especially when that is their point. However, when it comes to these stories, they become repetitive: black boys being accused of murdering a white teacher. Authors want to make a big point related to social injustice, racism, and discrimination. We’ve heard it, seen it, and read it. White teacher, white cop, white parent. No matter who, they’re white. While I understand where the authors want to go with it, respectfully put, it gets very repetitive. So you could say I was worried about this becoming only about race. However, the author makes this, simply put, about the injustice of the educational system. And the thing is, the students accused aren’t accused because they’re black and brown but because they were, unfortunately, the closest suspects to the scene. Coincidentally or not, they were found to be the most prominent suspects for different reasons: J.B. spitting in Moore’s face, Trey threatening to kill Moore, and Ramón yelling at Moore for throwing out his pupusas. The author never makes it a thing to show they were accused because of their skin color. Instead, it’s easy to see that it wouldn’t have mattered if they were white or from a different country. It’s fair to say this was the case because the author is black, and presenting stories reflecting our characters is important, but there is no bias against the characters or the author. It’s just about justice trying to be served, suspects are being accused, and truths want to be found.
The social commentary concerns authority and the lack of social equity in schools and education. The situations for Ramón, J.B., and Trey are realistic but can be attributed to anyone. It shows the disgrace of authority and command, the use of power for evil greed, for a superiority complex to be fulfilled. Urban Promise Prep may seem like it has everything parents want for their children, but inside, it’s run by authoritative figures who only care about money, stats, and reputation. No resources are provided for the students, no applicable electives worthwhile for the future, no class alternatives, and no understanding of students’ issues. I questioned why no one else felt a certain way about the school (besides Ramón, J.B., and Trey) and how it maintained its reputation and galore. Upon further thought, I think that was the point: to show how afraid young teens are of speaking up. We’re constantly told to speak up when we hear something, but have we ever been taught what that means, what it entails, and how to do it? How do we know who to tell, when, and who to trust? Nick Brooks dives into the political theories of philosophy, offering commentary on the government, institutional greed, and racial disparity. Yes, it’s political because it needs to be, but it’s not only political.
For anyone worried about this because it’s YA, I’d have to say, in my defense, it never really feels YA. We know the boys are in their last year of high school and close to graduating, but there are no situations besides school that present them as having attributes to just high school. Instead, there are points about them that can apply to just about anyone. Everyone in this group felt mature for their age, never using pettiness as an excuse or making foolishness out of themselves when serious issues were present.
All three boys are distinct: J.B., a gentle giant who falls for a girl and wants to be the boy who sees her worth, a boy who wants to do and be enough to get his mother away from working too much; a boy who gets nose bleeds from anxiety, a boy who uses his size to his advantage as a means to defend himself but doesn’t like violence and fighting; a boy who is misunderstood for his size, thought to be a murderer because of the quiet presence he has. There’s Trey, who is treated like a soldier by his uncle instead of a boy with dreams of playing basketball; a boy who was too scared to call his uncle and let him know he accidentally took his gun because he was worried he would be scolded for getting to school late; a boy afraid to speak up for himself, who has a mother with substance abuse disorder, a boy who has no one to confide in. Then there’s Ramon, who wants to make enough money selling pupusas for his grandma, who doesn’t want to join the life of a gang member like his cousin, who dreams of opening his restaurant and being a chef. Brooks did a fantastic job describing, showing, and creating all three characters with distinct voices. The characterization is spot-on, and it never feels like all three boys blend in together.
Special shoutout to the author for making Ramón a brown Salvadoran boy born in El Salvador and brought to the U.S. as a little boy. Thank you, Nick, for not making him a stereotype and instead for making him a boy with culinary dreams who loves to help his grandma make pupusas. Also, him selling pupusas at his school was so relatable because I, too, would sell snacks at my school to help my parents at their store. While César, Ramón’s cousin, was in a gang, it never came across as stereotypical to me because he’s Salvadoran, but instead, it was done because of the lack of resources César also had. It felt like he was willing to do and get better had he had the opportunity. He was willing to help Ramón fulfill his dream, no matter what it took. I also loved the addition of Salvadoran slang in this, which was all written and used correctly. The only issue I had was that the demonym for us is not El Salvadoran, but just Salvadoran—or even Salvadorian. There is no El.
As I said before, I knew who the killer was. It was pretty easy to see the hints, as they’re evident in how they acted and presented themselves, but don’t take this as a flaw. I didn’t care, and it did not affect my enjoyment. The author’s writing is entirely gripping and thrilling. I never found myself bored, wanting to skim, but instead, I wanted to spoil myself by reading ahead to see what would happen, who would find out what, and what was happening. It is a case of Whodunnit, with the three accused boys trying to clear out their names by finding out exactly who killed Principal Moore when all three boys know it wasn’t them. They don’t know if any others did, but they know they didn’t. It’s fun and engaging, and something was always happening that added to the suspicions and investigation. I never thought the author added unnecessary, useless information or scenes. Even though I was sure who the killer was, I still wanted to keep reading and find out if I was wrong. Never once did I want to stop reading. I started this on a whim, quite literally, and didn’t stop until I was done. Never have I been more thankful for no longer being a moody reader because, quite frankly, I’m never in the mood for thrillers or mystery novels. They required me to be in a certain mood for the thought processes of the investigations and how I would have to feel like I was ready to be in a story where a murder was being investigated.
The writing may not be for everyone, as the way the story unfolds isn’t your traditional way, but I guess this worked in my favor since, as I said, I don’t read this genre much. The way the story is told starts off different from other similar works. Instead of starting off the story right from the beginning, days and weeks before the murder(s), we are given different perspectives and insights from various students, teachers, and members of the community related to the three students. These insights were fascinating, and I liked how the author used them to add different insights into the boys. It shows how other people root for and defend different people, showing us it’s more than just a case of people looking a certain way and why that can apply to them murdering someone. Or isn’t, which is what I’m trying to say. No, the author shines a light on these three brown and black boys to show how just because they are related to gangs, live in poverty, are quiet, or have violent tendencies does not prove anything. That said, I have to warn anyone curious about this book that the “real story,” the investigation and everything after the murder, doesn’t start until later in the book. Before that, we’re given the insights of different people, but we also spend three different parts of the story for the three boys–the day before the murder and the day of the murder. This was fascinating, unfolding three scenes for the three boys. I think it makes the reading experience more gripping because it presents why and how Ramón, J.B., and Trey are accused.
In conclusion, I would read more from this author. I was captivated by all three boys, curious to read how they would clear the name, no matter the lack of shock at the result. I found the execution well; all characters had distinctive personalities, and the social commentary was critical but felt manageable.
July 19, 2023
”The more I learn about Moore and his career path, the more I start to get a fuller picture of who he was. Beyond the BS rules that he enforced harder and harder at Promise, he seemed like the kind of guy who liked to be admired… He look at dudes like J.B. And Trey and Ramon and saw something…wrong with them. Something that needed to be crushed into a box, breaking all the bones to make them fit.”
Promise BoysPromise Boys is a fast paced YA thriller that weaves together an important narrative of racism and privilege, and what it means to not only be accused of something you didn’t do, but have all the odds stacked against you because of this disparity. Once I saw that the author is practically a “neighbor” of mine (his D.C. to my Northern VA), I knew I had to read this one sooner rather than later, as I love a setting I can really visualize from visiting.
It’s a short read with zero fluff, and the unique format of storytelling between many different POVs and multimedia inserts is fascinating. I did have part of the whodunnit figured out early on, but the rest really got me which is a feat many mysteries don’t do for me anymore. If you listen to audiobooks, I highly recommend tickling your eardrums with this full cast feature production. Seriously, the bar is now set incredibly high and I will forever be comparing future listening sessions to this one. If you want a fast read that includes deep, timely content that EVERYONE needs to hear, please do yourself a favor and pick up this book in whatever format floats your boat.
”We are the young men of Promise Prep.
We are destined for greatness.
We deserve joy.
We are extraordinary.
We ask from the world what we give to the world; respect, wisdom, and grace.
We are each other’s hope.
We are responsible for our futures.
We promise.”
TW (including, but not limited to and these will include spoilers:
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Promise BoysPromise Boys is a fast paced YA thriller that weaves together an important narrative of racism and privilege, and what it means to not only be accused of something you didn’t do, but have all the odds stacked against you because of this disparity. Once I saw that the author is practically a “neighbor” of mine (his D.C. to my Northern VA), I knew I had to read this one sooner rather than later, as I love a setting I can really visualize from visiting.
It’s a short read with zero fluff, and the unique format of storytelling between many different POVs and multimedia inserts is fascinating. I did have part of the whodunnit figured out early on, but the rest really got me which is a feat many mysteries don’t do for me anymore. If you listen to audiobooks, I highly recommend tickling your eardrums with this full cast feature production. Seriously, the bar is now set incredibly high and I will forever be comparing future listening sessions to this one. If you want a fast read that includes deep, timely content that EVERYONE needs to hear, please do yourself a favor and pick up this book in whatever format floats your boat.
”We are the young men of Promise Prep.
We are destined for greatness.
We deserve joy.
We are extraordinary.
We ask from the world what we give to the world; respect, wisdom, and grace.
We are each other’s hope.
We are responsible for our futures.
We promise.”
TW (including, but not limited to and these will include spoilers:
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
January 22, 2023
TW//
Promise Boys is a cleverly written murder mystery that follows three boys who are all suspects in their principal’s murder.
I flew through this book. Each chapter left me with tons of possible theories to who the murderer was and I constantly needed to know what happened next.
I loved the way that this book was written. Nick Brooks has a really fun writing style that’s easy to get sucked into. The mixed media format was also really well done. It helped this story flow really well and the newspaper stories in particular brought an interesting twist to this murder mystery.
J.B., Ramon, and Trey were all really solid characters to center this story around. They all came from different backgrounds yet I liked them all the same and I found myself rooting for their sucess from the very start of the story.
The setting in this story was excellent. The idea of an elite, well-known school that is way too harsh on students hits close to home for me. I went to a school that reminded me of Promise in some aspects. My school definitely wasn’t as bad, but there was enough in common with Promise that it made me picture my old school while I was reading this story and it made the story feel more real to me because I could see how someone at an intense school like Promise could snap and do something terrible.
I did have a couple issues with this book. The first being that about 45% of this story is exposition. It’s just setting up the evidence and who each character is. It’s only the last 55% were the characters truly become detectives like what’s hinted at in the synopsis. I feel like the balancing between exposition and actual story could’ve been better.
I also felt like despite the cover and the book’s marketing, this book doesn’t feel very much like a thriller. I didn’t personally mind this since I prefer murder mysteries over thrillers, but if you’re considering reading this one, don’t go into this expecting to be scared or to have your heart racing or any of those other feelings that people typically associate with thrillers.
I don’t think this book is for everyone, but it was fairly enjoyable for me. I could easily picture this book being made into a HBO limited series some day.
I received an eArc of this book from a YallFest giveaway and accessed it via NetGalley.
Promise Boys is a cleverly written murder mystery that follows three boys who are all suspects in their principal’s murder.
I flew through this book. Each chapter left me with tons of possible theories to who the murderer was and I constantly needed to know what happened next.
I loved the way that this book was written. Nick Brooks has a really fun writing style that’s easy to get sucked into. The mixed media format was also really well done. It helped this story flow really well and the newspaper stories in particular brought an interesting twist to this murder mystery.
J.B., Ramon, and Trey were all really solid characters to center this story around. They all came from different backgrounds yet I liked them all the same and I found myself rooting for their sucess from the very start of the story.
The setting in this story was excellent. The idea of an elite, well-known school that is way too harsh on students hits close to home for me. I went to a school that reminded me of Promise in some aspects. My school definitely wasn’t as bad, but there was enough in common with Promise that it made me picture my old school while I was reading this story and it made the story feel more real to me because I could see how someone at an intense school like Promise could snap and do something terrible.
I did have a couple issues with this book. The first being that about 45% of this story is exposition. It’s just setting up the evidence and who each character is. It’s only the last 55% were the characters truly become detectives like what’s hinted at in the synopsis. I feel like the balancing between exposition and actual story could’ve been better.
I also felt like despite the cover and the book’s marketing, this book doesn’t feel very much like a thriller. I didn’t personally mind this since I prefer murder mysteries over thrillers, but if you’re considering reading this one, don’t go into this expecting to be scared or to have your heart racing or any of those other feelings that people typically associate with thrillers.
I don’t think this book is for everyone, but it was fairly enjoyable for me. I could easily picture this book being made into a HBO limited series some day.
I received an eArc of this book from a YallFest giveaway and accessed it via NetGalley.
February 10, 2023
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed this one a lot more than I anticipated. The conversations in relationship to the power dynamics that occur between educators and students was quite interesting. 4.5 Stars
Promise Boys is a YA thriller/mystery that follows the J.B., Ramon, and Trey as they attempt to clear their names when they are framed for the death of their prep school principal. Told through a variety of perspectives, readers follow along as they attempt to clear their names of the crime.
What Worked: I'm not going to lie. I was extremely nervous going into this book because of the topic. What I thought would heavily focus on the systemic racism that exists in the context of the judicial system actually covered the power dynamics that exist between students and teachers. It also explored the school to prison pipeline in a realistic way that will enlighten readers. Some of our very own children are conditioned to obey authority and to never question that same authority in a way that is reminiscent of those that serve time in jail and/or prison. I appreciated how these topics were handled and discussed. It not necessarily a topic that I see frequently in YA and Nick Brooks does a hell of job presenting these facts to the reader. Surprisingly, I also enjoyed the way that Brooks utilized a plethora of perspectives to capture the story. While some may find this to be a distraction, I think it was vital to getting not only a well developed plot, but also truly dynamic characters. It also reinforces the idea that we shouldn't be so quick to judge or LABEL our teens. It's never easy to tell what is going on in someone's background and labels, especially those given to children and teenagers, can be damaging. The audiobook for this was also FANTASTIC. The full cast production made a fast paced, entertaining plot even more of an enjoyable of a read.
One of my test of enjoying a mystery and/or thriller is the ability of the writer to keep the identity of the true murderer till the very end. Brooks knocked it out the park. I had a list of suspects and not a single one of them came remotely close to the identity revealed at the end of the book.
Honestly, if you're looking for fresh, new, and fun talent as it applies to YA mysteries and thrillers, I would definitely recommend checking this one out. I can't wait to read his middle grade book as well as anything else he writes in the future!
Promise Boys is a YA thriller/mystery that follows the J.B., Ramon, and Trey as they attempt to clear their names when they are framed for the death of their prep school principal. Told through a variety of perspectives, readers follow along as they attempt to clear their names of the crime.
What Worked: I'm not going to lie. I was extremely nervous going into this book because of the topic. What I thought would heavily focus on the systemic racism that exists in the context of the judicial system actually covered the power dynamics that exist between students and teachers. It also explored the school to prison pipeline in a realistic way that will enlighten readers. Some of our very own children are conditioned to obey authority and to never question that same authority in a way that is reminiscent of those that serve time in jail and/or prison. I appreciated how these topics were handled and discussed. It not necessarily a topic that I see frequently in YA and Nick Brooks does a hell of job presenting these facts to the reader. Surprisingly, I also enjoyed the way that Brooks utilized a plethora of perspectives to capture the story. While some may find this to be a distraction, I think it was vital to getting not only a well developed plot, but also truly dynamic characters. It also reinforces the idea that we shouldn't be so quick to judge or LABEL our teens. It's never easy to tell what is going on in someone's background and labels, especially those given to children and teenagers, can be damaging. The audiobook for this was also FANTASTIC. The full cast production made a fast paced, entertaining plot even more of an enjoyable of a read.
One of my test of enjoying a mystery and/or thriller is the ability of the writer to keep the identity of the true murderer till the very end. Brooks knocked it out the park. I had a list of suspects and not a single one of them came remotely close to the identity revealed at the end of the book.
Honestly, if you're looking for fresh, new, and fun talent as it applies to YA mysteries and thrillers, I would definitely recommend checking this one out. I can't wait to read his middle grade book as well as anything else he writes in the future!
March 27, 2024
I moved this up the tbr after I saw my friends’ high ratings and reviews. I’m so glad I did. It was a winner. I think my problem with YA is that I don’t relate to a lot of it anymore. That hasn’t changed here. While I don’t relate, I do empathize. That makes things entirely different.
Promise is a private school for the underprivileged. When the principal is murdered, fingers go wagging. At the students. This book sheds light on classicism, and the idea of nurture v. nature. I won’t get into socioeconomics, but I think it’s an important read. I enjoyed every minute.
🎧 NetGalley
Promise is a private school for the underprivileged. When the principal is murdered, fingers go wagging. At the students. This book sheds light on classicism, and the idea of nurture v. nature. I won’t get into socioeconomics, but I think it’s an important read. I enjoyed every minute.
🎧 NetGalley
February 7, 2023
Funded by a generous benefactor, Urban Promise Prep had become the most prestigious college prepatory academy for at risk youth. And a lot of Urban Promise’s success was due in part to Principal Kenneth Moore’s no nonsense approach to discipline and a demerit system that supposedly kept the students in line.
Among all the students attending Urban Promise, three boys stood out as troubled teens who regularly had run ins with Principal Moore. Trey Jackson, Ramon Zambrano, and J.B. Williamson were considered troublemakers and bullies at times. So when Principal Moore is found dead from a gun shot wound, it wasn’t surprising that Trey, Ramon and J.B were the lead suspects in the murder investigation. All of them claimed innocence, but neither one of them had a solid alibi. And all of them had motive.
Promise Boys is a quick read with short chapters. But the story really packs a punch with colorful and interesting characters. I loved how author Brooks managed to capture the essence of the personalities in the boy trio. Brooks’ experience as an educator dealing with at risk youth shines through in this novel.
The plot unfolds through multiple points of view over several timelines. It was easy to follow because the chapters and subchapters are clearly outlined. The narrative follows a whodunit trope, but there are a few plot twists enroute to the finale. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but there wouldn’t be a story if the witness reveal occurred early in the game.
Overall, Promise Boys is an excellent read save for the reveal toward the end. Four stars.
I received a physical copy of the books from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group through the Bookish First raffle. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Among all the students attending Urban Promise, three boys stood out as troubled teens who regularly had run ins with Principal Moore. Trey Jackson, Ramon Zambrano, and J.B. Williamson were considered troublemakers and bullies at times. So when Principal Moore is found dead from a gun shot wound, it wasn’t surprising that Trey, Ramon and J.B were the lead suspects in the murder investigation. All of them claimed innocence, but neither one of them had a solid alibi. And all of them had motive.
Promise Boys is a quick read with short chapters. But the story really packs a punch with colorful and interesting characters. I loved how author Brooks managed to capture the essence of the personalities in the boy trio. Brooks’ experience as an educator dealing with at risk youth shines through in this novel.
The plot unfolds through multiple points of view over several timelines. It was easy to follow because the chapters and subchapters are clearly outlined. The narrative follows a whodunit trope, but there are a few plot twists enroute to the finale. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but there wouldn’t be a story if the witness reveal occurred early in the game.
Overall, Promise Boys is an excellent read save for the reveal toward the end. Four stars.
I received a physical copy of the books from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group through the Bookish First raffle. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 2, 2022
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
Pitched as Karen McManus meets Angie Thomas meets Jason Reynolds, Promise Boys is a story about three teens of color whose lives suddenly turn upside down when they’re all suspects in the murder of the school’s principal. It shows the threat teens of color, especially boys, feel daily. Because they’re always at fault. Always. Even if they aren’t. Especially when they snap.
JB, the smart one who desperately wants to go to college, suddenly snaps and spits Mr. Moore in the face. Trey, the basketball star who’s hard on the outside and soft on the inside, suddenly snaps and tells Mr. Moore he’ll kill him. And Rámon, the cook who sells his abuelita’s pupusas, suddenly snaps when Mr. Moore throws his pupusas into the trash.
Did one of these boys kill Mr. Moore, or is there another culprit?
When an author gets compared to great authors like the ones I mentioned above, I’m always a bit skeptical. Because it’s so difficult to write a story as good as those authors do. And still, Nick Brooks managed to deliver one. Promise Boys is actual and immediate, and incredibly powerful. I started reading this story on a Sunday evening, and I read a quarter of the book without even noticing. Nick pulled me in, and I couldn’t let go. Build up from interviews, newspaper articles, multiple voices from side characters, and those of the three boys, Promise Boys is a must-read. It’s one of those stories that makes you think of how the system repeats itself. Time and again.
I have nothing more to tell. Just read it!
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pitched as Karen McManus meets Angie Thomas meets Jason Reynolds, Promise Boys is a story about three teens of color whose lives suddenly turn upside down when they’re all suspects in the murder of the school’s principal. It shows the threat teens of color, especially boys, feel daily. Because they’re always at fault. Always. Even if they aren’t. Especially when they snap.
JB, the smart one who desperately wants to go to college, suddenly snaps and spits Mr. Moore in the face. Trey, the basketball star who’s hard on the outside and soft on the inside, suddenly snaps and tells Mr. Moore he’ll kill him. And Rámon, the cook who sells his abuelita’s pupusas, suddenly snaps when Mr. Moore throws his pupusas into the trash.
Did one of these boys kill Mr. Moore, or is there another culprit?
When an author gets compared to great authors like the ones I mentioned above, I’m always a bit skeptical. Because it’s so difficult to write a story as good as those authors do. And still, Nick Brooks managed to deliver one. Promise Boys is actual and immediate, and incredibly powerful. I started reading this story on a Sunday evening, and I read a quarter of the book without even noticing. Nick pulled me in, and I couldn’t let go. Build up from interviews, newspaper articles, multiple voices from side characters, and those of the three boys, Promise Boys is a must-read. It’s one of those stories that makes you think of how the system repeats itself. Time and again.
I have nothing more to tell. Just read it!
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2023
Thank you to the author Nick Brooks, publishers Macmillan Audio and MacmillanYoung Listeners, and as always NetGalley, for an advance audio copy of PROMISE BOYS.
I loved this. I'm throwing back a little bit here, but for me, this full cast audiobook experience was like DANGEROUS MINDS meets MYCROFT HOLMES. In this tense dark academia murder mystery thriller, the principal at Urban Promise Prep turns up murdered, shot to death with a missing weapon. Students J.B., Ramon, and Trey don't know each other very well, but they soon shake out as the primary suspects for the crime. They can help each other figure out what actually happened to Principal Moore...if they can stop suspecting each other and start working together.
I remember being skeptical when I saw that this audiobook was performed by a full cast of narrators. I've always liked books read by one narrator. But I loved this listening experience; it was like getting the best of a book and a movie combined into one. I don't know if this format would work with anything but a book written in first person, multiple POVs. I can't imagine how it might work with a third person POV! But it's brilliant here and that's what matters. Each of the narrators gives a great performance. I highly recommend the audiobook format of this book!
In PROMISE BOYS, Brooks builds a solid, but not perplexing mystery. I had a guess about who killed the Principal, but I was delightfully wrong. So close though! The story progression and character development is just right, good pacing and believability. I was engrossed in this one and couldn't put it down!
Rating: 🫓🫓🫓🫓🫓 / 5 papusas
Recommend? Absolutely!
Finished: February 28 2023
Read this if you like:
🔫 Murder mysteries
🏤 Dark academia
👩🏾🦱 Diverse voices and stories
🌄 Second chance / redemption trope
I loved this. I'm throwing back a little bit here, but for me, this full cast audiobook experience was like DANGEROUS MINDS meets MYCROFT HOLMES. In this tense dark academia murder mystery thriller, the principal at Urban Promise Prep turns up murdered, shot to death with a missing weapon. Students J.B., Ramon, and Trey don't know each other very well, but they soon shake out as the primary suspects for the crime. They can help each other figure out what actually happened to Principal Moore...if they can stop suspecting each other and start working together.
I remember being skeptical when I saw that this audiobook was performed by a full cast of narrators. I've always liked books read by one narrator. But I loved this listening experience; it was like getting the best of a book and a movie combined into one. I don't know if this format would work with anything but a book written in first person, multiple POVs. I can't imagine how it might work with a third person POV! But it's brilliant here and that's what matters. Each of the narrators gives a great performance. I highly recommend the audiobook format of this book!
In PROMISE BOYS, Brooks builds a solid, but not perplexing mystery. I had a guess about who killed the Principal, but I was delightfully wrong. So close though! The story progression and character development is just right, good pacing and believability. I was engrossed in this one and couldn't put it down!
Rating: 🫓🫓🫓🫓🫓 / 5 papusas
Recommend? Absolutely!
Finished: February 28 2023
Read this if you like:
🔫 Murder mysteries
🏤 Dark academia
👩🏾🦱 Diverse voices and stories
🌄 Second chance / redemption trope
Want to read
April 15, 2024dark academia!!!!!!
August 31, 2023
When Principal Moore is found dead at Urban Promise Prep School, three students — J.B., Trey, and Ramon — become prime suspects. Each of the boys remain adamant about their innocence. If they didn’t kill Principal Moore though, who did?
Promise Boys is a dark academia, young adult mystery, set in DC. It focuses on students living in difficult circumstances and fighting against stereotypes. I appreciated the story’s fast pace, I read this in about 24 hours and there wasn’t much fluff — There’s a lot on the line for J.B., Trey, and Ramon, and they are working with limited time.
Promise Boys is a dark academia, young adult mystery, set in DC. It focuses on students living in difficult circumstances and fighting against stereotypes. I appreciated the story’s fast pace, I read this in about 24 hours and there wasn’t much fluff — There’s a lot on the line for J.B., Trey, and Ramon, and they are working with limited time.
Read
January 28, 2023This is one of those books that you just devour in a matter of hours. I loved the format. The book is made up of various articles and interviews by witnesses in addition to some chapters from key characters’ perspectives. The writing is excellent and the story just flowed keeping me glued to the pages. Urban Promise Prep school for boys seems like the perfect DC alternative for families in neighborhoods with poor public schools. But there are secrets lurking inside it’s walls. And nothing brings out secrets like a dead body. When the principal Mr. Moore, is found shot the three boys that had detention are the prime suspects. Trey, Ramon, and J.B. each are determined to figure out what happened. The characters are all very interesting and I was quickly invested into knowing if one of the boys did (and hoping not) and what was going to happen to them (which was good because I cared a lot less about Principal Moore receiving justice).
October 23, 2023
I ate this book up!!!! 😮💨
3 hours! 3 hours! it took me to read this book. When I tell you this is a fast paced, no fluff, straight to the point mystery, I'm telling no lies!!!
I instantly felt so protected against the 3 main boys in the book (who are suspected of killing their high school principal) and just had to get to the bottom of who the real culprit is.
Minus the 3 MC, everyone else had me raising my eyebrows in suspicion and I kept going back and forth with 'whodunnit'.
Promise Boys truly had me gripped, and I loved how Nick Brooks really developed the characters of J.B, Trey and Ramon. I'm not going to lie the ending had me a bit chocked up. I want MORE Nick Brooks! PRETTY PLEASE!
I would love to see this book be turned into a mini series.
I highly highly highly recommend everyone to give this book a read.
Please check TW before reading
3 hours! 3 hours! it took me to read this book. When I tell you this is a fast paced, no fluff, straight to the point mystery, I'm telling no lies!!!
I instantly felt so protected against the 3 main boys in the book (who are suspected of killing their high school principal) and just had to get to the bottom of who the real culprit is.
Minus the 3 MC, everyone else had me raising my eyebrows in suspicion and I kept going back and forth with 'whodunnit'.
Promise Boys truly had me gripped, and I loved how Nick Brooks really developed the characters of J.B, Trey and Ramon. I'm not going to lie the ending had me a bit chocked up. I want MORE Nick Brooks! PRETTY PLEASE!
I would love to see this book be turned into a mini series.
I highly highly highly recommend everyone to give this book a read.
Please check TW before reading
February 4, 2023
On a scale of enjoyment, I had a good time. Or about as good a time as I could of had with this book given what feels like the ever commented on distancing myself from YA.
Maybe it's the circles that I am vaguely apart of, but with every year it does feel like the way that I reflect upon YA books seems to shift. Sure a good book is a good book and can transcend age categorization, but there are always going to be aspects of a novel that will hit harder for the intended age audience than they will for me trying to put myself in the shoes of my younger self.
Promise boys is the story of three seemingly unconnected teenagers at the best performing school in Washintgon DC that are thrown together when the principal of their school is killed while the three of them are in detention. It has all the hallmark signs of a good mystery, none of our suspects can account for the others whereabouts at the time of the murder and all three are given plausible reasons to be the culprit if it is one of them and not someone else that could be uncovered over the course of the investigation.
The biggest issue for me was how short the book is. Now part of me understands it, the book is a mystery and not a thriller, there aren't a lot of twists and turns included to make the reader question what is reality and what isn't... The problem arises when roughly the first half of the book was spent introducing our three leads. Each of them gets a section where we learn about them from the people in their lives; classmates, teachers, family. Then we get a section from their perspective about the events leading up to the murder and concludes with their police interrogation. It's only after we've gotten that, which again is almost half of the already short book that we then start moving forward with something that could resemble an investigation into who murdered this sleazy principal.
Again, I was here for the investigation. At least mostly. I just felt that even with all the introduction to these boys that we got, the book still felt a little flat. It wasn't nearly as intriguing as a mystery could have been. While sometimes you're compelled to want to finish a book in a single sitting because the writing of the book compels you to, this felt like if you were to set it aside for a couple days you might forget that you'd ever started it in the first place and so the book being short was not out of any particular artistic aim but one done to ensure that as many readers reached the end of the book as possible.
So yes, I had a good time, and I think that many other readers will have a good time. But I think that the bulk of readers that decide to pick this up will simply have an average reading experience and will likely not think about the book long after they've finished it.
Maybe it's the circles that I am vaguely apart of, but with every year it does feel like the way that I reflect upon YA books seems to shift. Sure a good book is a good book and can transcend age categorization, but there are always going to be aspects of a novel that will hit harder for the intended age audience than they will for me trying to put myself in the shoes of my younger self.
Promise boys is the story of three seemingly unconnected teenagers at the best performing school in Washintgon DC that are thrown together when the principal of their school is killed while the three of them are in detention. It has all the hallmark signs of a good mystery, none of our suspects can account for the others whereabouts at the time of the murder and all three are given plausible reasons to be the culprit if it is one of them and not someone else that could be uncovered over the course of the investigation.
The biggest issue for me was how short the book is. Now part of me understands it, the book is a mystery and not a thriller, there aren't a lot of twists and turns included to make the reader question what is reality and what isn't... The problem arises when roughly the first half of the book was spent introducing our three leads. Each of them gets a section where we learn about them from the people in their lives; classmates, teachers, family. Then we get a section from their perspective about the events leading up to the murder and concludes with their police interrogation. It's only after we've gotten that, which again is almost half of the already short book that we then start moving forward with something that could resemble an investigation into who murdered this sleazy principal.
Again, I was here for the investigation. At least mostly. I just felt that even with all the introduction to these boys that we got, the book still felt a little flat. It wasn't nearly as intriguing as a mystery could have been. While sometimes you're compelled to want to finish a book in a single sitting because the writing of the book compels you to, this felt like if you were to set it aside for a couple days you might forget that you'd ever started it in the first place and so the book being short was not out of any particular artistic aim but one done to ensure that as many readers reached the end of the book as possible.
So yes, I had a good time, and I think that many other readers will have a good time. But I think that the bulk of readers that decide to pick this up will simply have an average reading experience and will likely not think about the book long after they've finished it.
November 22, 2022
4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Oooh this was so good! It's immediately intense and hooks you in right from the get go. Easily readable in one sitting, with perspectives from not only the three boys suspected of murdering their principal, but also perspectives of every single person around them, shining a light into the lives of Ramon, J.B. and Trey. This is a truly powerful story, with implications stretching far beyond a whodunnit murder mystery.
I did find that the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for me - there's quite a long introduction of perspectives and newspaper articles and interviews before you get into the actual chapters from the three main characters, and so with the ending wrapping up like 10 pages before the end of the book, I couldn't help but wished that had been slightly more fleshed out just for the book to feel better balanced.
However, that being said, this was still such a great read, and holds a really important message despite being quite short, and I would definitely recommend picking this up!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Oooh this was so good! It's immediately intense and hooks you in right from the get go. Easily readable in one sitting, with perspectives from not only the three boys suspected of murdering their principal, but also perspectives of every single person around them, shining a light into the lives of Ramon, J.B. and Trey. This is a truly powerful story, with implications stretching far beyond a whodunnit murder mystery.
I did find that the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for me - there's quite a long introduction of perspectives and newspaper articles and interviews before you get into the actual chapters from the three main characters, and so with the ending wrapping up like 10 pages before the end of the book, I couldn't help but wished that had been slightly more fleshed out just for the book to feel better balanced.
However, that being said, this was still such a great read, and holds a really important message despite being quite short, and I would definitely recommend picking this up!
January 9, 2023
Did not expect to devour the book like this. 2 hours??? Sheesh.
I thought this was pretty great! I was rooting for these boys from the beginning. Young Black and Latinx boys have a lot working against them, including many adults who are supposed to guide and support them, and I think Brooks gave a great portrayal of what it’s like to be in their shoes. Abuse is not discipline!
I definitely enjoyed the mystery. I loved seeing these kids put their detective caps on, and their resourcefulness and resilience made for a pretty decently thrilling narrative. I also like the way the story was told. At first I didn’t think I’d care to follow so many characters outside of our boys, but I actually ended up enjoying the book even more BECAUSE of the added perspectives and snippets from the others!
While I do think some aspects of the mystery and the reveal fell a little flat towards the end, the journey to get there made up for it.
I’ll be keeping an eye on what Nick Brooks has coming out next.
Thanks Fierce Reads for my copy!!!
I thought this was pretty great! I was rooting for these boys from the beginning. Young Black and Latinx boys have a lot working against them, including many adults who are supposed to guide and support them, and I think Brooks gave a great portrayal of what it’s like to be in their shoes. Abuse is not discipline!
I definitely enjoyed the mystery. I loved seeing these kids put their detective caps on, and their resourcefulness and resilience made for a pretty decently thrilling narrative. I also like the way the story was told. At first I didn’t think I’d care to follow so many characters outside of our boys, but I actually ended up enjoying the book even more BECAUSE of the added perspectives and snippets from the others!
While I do think some aspects of the mystery and the reveal fell a little flat towards the end, the journey to get there made up for it.
I’ll be keeping an eye on what Nick Brooks has coming out next.
Thanks Fierce Reads for my copy!!!
February 7, 2023
All of us have heard the saying, “Boys will be boys”.....but, at the Urban Promise Prep School, the boys that are “selected” to attend, they are treated as if they are being readied for prison, the rules they are made to follow, the harsh treatment of the principal and the methods employed in it, by the creator, Moore, boys are not allowed to do much of anything. Boys are not treated as boys but as if they have already committed crimes, meant to learn in this manner, more like a prison work program, but for students. All that is missing is a number rather than a name.
Promise Boys are not allowed to talk in the hallway and are made to walk on a line outside their classrooms, even when school time is over. While many of the young men who grow up in the urban areas from which these boys come from end up without an education, many even, in jail, educators and the author of this program, Principal Moore does not seem to believe in a self fulfilling prophecy. That by these boys being treated like criminals will only induce them to become criminals in the future, so used to being treated as if they have already committed a crime. Being who these boys are, where they come from, essentially, making them dangerous before anything has even happened.
As I continued to read Promise Boys, I felt worse and worse for these young men, especially after their principal ended up murdered, and any of those that had an issue with him are immediately suspects. Three boys that were in detention during that time, especially since they had current issues with Moore, immediately became the lone suspects. It’s as if no one could see that Principal Moore had any issues with outsiders, that only these young men would be the murderer, because of who they are and where they come from. Nick Brooks, the author of Promise Boys, has managed to bring the reality of our society to print, how it treats young men with black or brown skin, and puts into storyform, their plight, currently, as they are raised in a world that doesn't seem to want them. Or know how to make anything better, society casting them as a criminal before a crime has even been committed.
Nick Brooks, in writing the book, switches back and forth between many people that make up the entire culture surrounding the Urban Promise Prep School and what happens there. He uses people that go to the school, neighbors and friends of those that know of the school or those that attend, even gang members who know the boys there. From Hispanic grandmothers to outside students from others schools who go to the prep school for “community service”, even boosters who support the school with funds and others things, we see a wide range of thoughts when it comes to the boys, Principal Moore and all that goes on at this newfangled urban “prep” school, and the murder, as readers piece together the puzzle surrounding the principal and what was really going on with his methods, which got worse and worse as time passed.
Those that readers really want to hear from, J.B., Ramon and Trey, the three boys who, at the time, had some issue with Principal Moore when he was murdered and are the only suspects for his murder, do not seem to be the ones that have done it. But, there is still the intent there, that the boys could have committed the act. But, then, everyone has some issue with Moore. And, even if they aren’t the one that pulled the trigger they all may be, in some way, attached to the crime. However, the real crime that comes to the surface as readers continue, is that Moore seems to have created an environment in which several or almost every person that interacted or met the man could have killed him, for one reason or another. And that, most definitely, is not a person you want developing and employing methods to educate young men who already have a disadvantage, most growing up in very troubled, dangerous environments, at an institution that oversees their education and future.
As you read the stories of J.B. Ramon and Trey, you realize these boys have had a hard life, made all the harder by the way that Principal Moore has set up this Urban Prep School. One of the boys, to make a little extra money, makes foodstuff at home and brings it to school and sells it to the other young men, to help pay the bills for his grandmother's household where he lives. He doesn't do anything illegal, the boy is an entrepreneur, doing something that should be supported by others. But, Principal Moore, when he finds out, does not allow the food sales, deeming it “contraband”, saying “the street food garbage” makes the school “smell like a block party”, along with using swear words freely, when talking (yelling) at the students. Moore even keeps the money that Ramon makes, when he last catches him selling, pocketing it in front of the student body. Setting a good example for the young men is definitely not a school objective and readers begin to think the the Moore Method is Principal Moore doing whatever he wants, whatever form seems to be the worst treatment of the boys, he employs.The lives of the Promise Boys who go to this school, nothing is easy and nothing, it seems, is allowed.
The day of the murder, an accident of fate brings a gun to the school. While no one would ever believe the gun “accidentally” got there, this is why, when we take an innocent person, try to convict them, all the evidence needs to be present, in a court of law. Because, while no one would believe a kid would take the wrong bookbag of a gun carrying ex-Marine (and that is why all you conceal carry adults have to be ever vigilant about where you keep your weapon) to school, be afraid of what would happen if he were to disrupt his schedule to return it, this was the reality of how the gun got there. The gun that ends up being the weapon that shoots Mr. Moore. Well, maybe. Probably. But, Nick Brooks writes the books so that evidence of what happened that day slowly presents itself to readers, so that you can piece the ending together, what happened, by the book's conclusion.
Moore being the harsh, demanding man he is, of course there were problems with many other people, any teacher, even an outside booster, could be the murderer. And, each of the three boys, acting on their own, begin to unravel the life of Moore, the lives of others involved with the school, and each other, to find the culprit before they, themself, are arrested and convicted of the crime. Because no one else who seems to matter is helping them. But, while they may have done nothing, the very fact that they are suspects may ruin their entire lives, regardless of whatever the truth is. We find that the only “promise” the boys at the Urban “Promise” prep school really get, is the promise that they themselves, may never make it out of the urban environment in which they were birthed into. And to boys like this, that is a promise that they had all along, nothing new coming from this prep school, but more problems than they already had.
Nick Brook’s, Promise Boys, is a look at urban youth and the things that can happen when dreams (and children) go unchecked, told through a fictional story. It is a mystery, yes, the whole story, as the reader searches, waiting, until the end, for Principal Moore’s killer to be revealed. And, it’s a really good mystery, if that’s all you take from the book. That reader’s piece the mystery through different people’s stories, throughout the book, was also a fun change of pace, like puzzle pieces from different people that fit together to make a whole picture. And, without knowing it, the reader, I think, is reading the killer's words too, all the while, not knowing who it is. But the story isn’t as simple as everyone in the book thinks it is, just as our reality, the same is true here. And, there is no footage from the murder on school security cameras and emails are released to the public, threatening ones sent to Moore saying he would be punished, the three boys try and cast aside their differences, not cast the blame on one another like everyone else has, and work together to figure out who really did it.
This book teaches the reader so much, there are so many warnings, lessons here that the writer reveals, much more than the simple mystery..and, in the end, that people come together, rather than separating themselves… I took much more away from Promise Boys than who-done-it and I promise that you too, will. Just make sure that you look for the truth in these pages, because it is here. Not the truth of this exact story, but the thoughts and issues behind it. What is beneath and beyond all the words, the story.
And, of course, I cried, in the end. A very, very, good one! Truly a real ending, with a promise. Really, a book with one too.
Happy Reading!
And a great read for Black History Month!
Promise Boys are not allowed to talk in the hallway and are made to walk on a line outside their classrooms, even when school time is over. While many of the young men who grow up in the urban areas from which these boys come from end up without an education, many even, in jail, educators and the author of this program, Principal Moore does not seem to believe in a self fulfilling prophecy. That by these boys being treated like criminals will only induce them to become criminals in the future, so used to being treated as if they have already committed a crime. Being who these boys are, where they come from, essentially, making them dangerous before anything has even happened.
As I continued to read Promise Boys, I felt worse and worse for these young men, especially after their principal ended up murdered, and any of those that had an issue with him are immediately suspects. Three boys that were in detention during that time, especially since they had current issues with Moore, immediately became the lone suspects. It’s as if no one could see that Principal Moore had any issues with outsiders, that only these young men would be the murderer, because of who they are and where they come from. Nick Brooks, the author of Promise Boys, has managed to bring the reality of our society to print, how it treats young men with black or brown skin, and puts into storyform, their plight, currently, as they are raised in a world that doesn't seem to want them. Or know how to make anything better, society casting them as a criminal before a crime has even been committed.
Nick Brooks, in writing the book, switches back and forth between many people that make up the entire culture surrounding the Urban Promise Prep School and what happens there. He uses people that go to the school, neighbors and friends of those that know of the school or those that attend, even gang members who know the boys there. From Hispanic grandmothers to outside students from others schools who go to the prep school for “community service”, even boosters who support the school with funds and others things, we see a wide range of thoughts when it comes to the boys, Principal Moore and all that goes on at this newfangled urban “prep” school, and the murder, as readers piece together the puzzle surrounding the principal and what was really going on with his methods, which got worse and worse as time passed.
Those that readers really want to hear from, J.B., Ramon and Trey, the three boys who, at the time, had some issue with Principal Moore when he was murdered and are the only suspects for his murder, do not seem to be the ones that have done it. But, there is still the intent there, that the boys could have committed the act. But, then, everyone has some issue with Moore. And, even if they aren’t the one that pulled the trigger they all may be, in some way, attached to the crime. However, the real crime that comes to the surface as readers continue, is that Moore seems to have created an environment in which several or almost every person that interacted or met the man could have killed him, for one reason or another. And that, most definitely, is not a person you want developing and employing methods to educate young men who already have a disadvantage, most growing up in very troubled, dangerous environments, at an institution that oversees their education and future.
As you read the stories of J.B. Ramon and Trey, you realize these boys have had a hard life, made all the harder by the way that Principal Moore has set up this Urban Prep School. One of the boys, to make a little extra money, makes foodstuff at home and brings it to school and sells it to the other young men, to help pay the bills for his grandmother's household where he lives. He doesn't do anything illegal, the boy is an entrepreneur, doing something that should be supported by others. But, Principal Moore, when he finds out, does not allow the food sales, deeming it “contraband”, saying “the street food garbage” makes the school “smell like a block party”, along with using swear words freely, when talking (yelling) at the students. Moore even keeps the money that Ramon makes, when he last catches him selling, pocketing it in front of the student body. Setting a good example for the young men is definitely not a school objective and readers begin to think the the Moore Method is Principal Moore doing whatever he wants, whatever form seems to be the worst treatment of the boys, he employs.The lives of the Promise Boys who go to this school, nothing is easy and nothing, it seems, is allowed.
The day of the murder, an accident of fate brings a gun to the school. While no one would ever believe the gun “accidentally” got there, this is why, when we take an innocent person, try to convict them, all the evidence needs to be present, in a court of law. Because, while no one would believe a kid would take the wrong bookbag of a gun carrying ex-Marine (and that is why all you conceal carry adults have to be ever vigilant about where you keep your weapon) to school, be afraid of what would happen if he were to disrupt his schedule to return it, this was the reality of how the gun got there. The gun that ends up being the weapon that shoots Mr. Moore. Well, maybe. Probably. But, Nick Brooks writes the books so that evidence of what happened that day slowly presents itself to readers, so that you can piece the ending together, what happened, by the book's conclusion.
Moore being the harsh, demanding man he is, of course there were problems with many other people, any teacher, even an outside booster, could be the murderer. And, each of the three boys, acting on their own, begin to unravel the life of Moore, the lives of others involved with the school, and each other, to find the culprit before they, themself, are arrested and convicted of the crime. Because no one else who seems to matter is helping them. But, while they may have done nothing, the very fact that they are suspects may ruin their entire lives, regardless of whatever the truth is. We find that the only “promise” the boys at the Urban “Promise” prep school really get, is the promise that they themselves, may never make it out of the urban environment in which they were birthed into. And to boys like this, that is a promise that they had all along, nothing new coming from this prep school, but more problems than they already had.
Nick Brook’s, Promise Boys, is a look at urban youth and the things that can happen when dreams (and children) go unchecked, told through a fictional story. It is a mystery, yes, the whole story, as the reader searches, waiting, until the end, for Principal Moore’s killer to be revealed. And, it’s a really good mystery, if that’s all you take from the book. That reader’s piece the mystery through different people’s stories, throughout the book, was also a fun change of pace, like puzzle pieces from different people that fit together to make a whole picture. And, without knowing it, the reader, I think, is reading the killer's words too, all the while, not knowing who it is. But the story isn’t as simple as everyone in the book thinks it is, just as our reality, the same is true here. And, there is no footage from the murder on school security cameras and emails are released to the public, threatening ones sent to Moore saying he would be punished, the three boys try and cast aside their differences, not cast the blame on one another like everyone else has, and work together to figure out who really did it.
This book teaches the reader so much, there are so many warnings, lessons here that the writer reveals, much more than the simple mystery..and, in the end, that people come together, rather than separating themselves… I took much more away from Promise Boys than who-done-it and I promise that you too, will. Just make sure that you look for the truth in these pages, because it is here. Not the truth of this exact story, but the thoughts and issues behind it. What is beneath and beyond all the words, the story.
And, of course, I cried, in the end. A very, very, good one! Truly a real ending, with a promise. Really, a book with one too.
Happy Reading!
And a great read for Black History Month!
March 5, 2023
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars rounded ^
I can NOT believe this is this authors debut novel!!! I will *definitely* be looking out for more Nick Brooks novels in the future!!!
WOW. WOW. wowowow! What an incredible read. An amazzzzing true crime/ dark academia mash up! I was completely invested from the first page, all the way to the ending!! This author fleshed out this story so very well; I was SO intrigued trying to figure out who the murderer was! And honestly, it made me really think about how shameful it is how huge a majority of people look at crime cases, especially when one or more BIPOC individuals are suspects.
We must always remember, innocent until proven guilty— and I can guarantee most people, whether they think themselves open-minded, fair-thinking individuals… do not naturally think that way. It is truly AWFUL to think about. Even if someone appears guilty, doesn't necessarily mean that they are. Until you know every detail of a case, and someone is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, they are INNOCENT.
Anyway, I’m just trying to make you think, not preach to you! Onward!
The character development was SUPERB! I was hoping/praying the entire time that they didn't commit this crime. And no spoilers, but I was SO satisfied with the way the killer was revealed, & the ending in general.
Amazing read.
100% recommend
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher, Henry Holt, & Co for the e-ARC! This in no way impacts my review; All opinions & thoughts are my own.
I can NOT believe this is this authors debut novel!!! I will *definitely* be looking out for more Nick Brooks novels in the future!!!
WOW. WOW. wowowow! What an incredible read. An amazzzzing true crime/ dark academia mash up! I was completely invested from the first page, all the way to the ending!! This author fleshed out this story so very well; I was SO intrigued trying to figure out who the murderer was! And honestly, it made me really think about how shameful it is how huge a majority of people look at crime cases, especially when one or more BIPOC individuals are suspects.
We must always remember, innocent until proven guilty— and I can guarantee most people, whether they think themselves open-minded, fair-thinking individuals… do not naturally think that way. It is truly AWFUL to think about. Even if someone appears guilty, doesn't necessarily mean that they are. Until you know every detail of a case, and someone is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, they are INNOCENT.
Anyway, I’m just trying to make you think, not preach to you! Onward!
The character development was SUPERB! I was hoping/praying the entire time that they didn't commit this crime. And no spoilers, but I was SO satisfied with the way the killer was revealed, & the ending in general.
Amazing read.
100% recommend
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher, Henry Holt, & Co for the e-ARC! This in no way impacts my review; All opinions & thoughts are my own.
March 23, 2023
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks is a brilliant read. The characters are easy to relate to the flow of conversations is true to real life. Even after I was done reading this book, space I wanted more. I can’t wait to see what Nick Brooks comes up with next!
JB, Ramon, and Trey are three boys doing their best at the urban promise prep school. They don’t know each other very well, but on one fateful day all three of them have detention. While they are in detention the principal of the school is shot and killed and all three boys become prime suspect in his murder. The three boys band together to prove their innocence and to concoct a plan with their friends to reveal and outs the real murderer of principal Moore. Along the way to solving the murder, the reader hits of you into each boys life. We learn their struggles, what they’ve been through, and what they see for their future. One of my favorite parts in this book was JB and Keyana’s relationship. It warmed my heart and reminded me of when I met my husband when we were 15. It’s true love!
JB, Ramon, and Trey are three boys doing their best at the urban promise prep school. They don’t know each other very well, but on one fateful day all three of them have detention. While they are in detention the principal of the school is shot and killed and all three boys become prime suspect in his murder. The three boys band together to prove their innocence and to concoct a plan with their friends to reveal and outs the real murderer of principal Moore. Along the way to solving the murder, the reader hits of you into each boys life. We learn their struggles, what they’ve been through, and what they see for their future. One of my favorite parts in this book was JB and Keyana’s relationship. It warmed my heart and reminded me of when I met my husband when we were 15. It’s true love!
June 5, 2023
In this YA book, three boys at a charter school are suspected of killing the strict and much-disliked head of the school. I thought that the way that the school and the backgrounds of the boys were described were good and realistic, but I didn’t like much else about this book.
Part of my problem was that I listened to the multicast audio. Most of the characters whose voices were narrated were pointless to the story and just acted as filler, and the background sound effects were very annoying. In the last part of the book the 3 boys start “investigating” to find the real murderer and it felt very Scooby-Doo. I thought that the resolution was a cop out. This book is probably ok for its intended audience of young adolescents.
Part of my problem was that I listened to the multicast audio. Most of the characters whose voices were narrated were pointless to the story and just acted as filler, and the background sound effects were very annoying. In the last part of the book the 3 boys start “investigating” to find the real murderer and it felt very Scooby-Doo. I thought that the resolution was a cop out. This book is probably ok for its intended audience of young adolescents.
May 4, 2023
Extremely well-written mystery, set at an elite charter school that purports to elevate boys from bad neighborhoods, sending them on to college and keeping them off the streets and out of prison. But the school is like a prison itself, and now the warden is dead. But who shot the principal, a man praised and admired outside the walls of the school for his "wonderful" work, but hated and feared by the students he bullied? There are three suspects, and all of them have a motive and none of them have an alibi. . .
I got to meet Nick a few weeks ago, and hear him talk about this book, and I was hooked then, and I'm still hooked now. The short chapters, text messages, and transcripts are perfect for pulling the reader forward, making the book feel like a puzzle you're trying to piece together alongside the suspects. The only drawback was that it was so short, so I felt like I was just starting to really know and care about the characters, when it all ended. The ending was satisfying, though!
I got to meet Nick a few weeks ago, and hear him talk about this book, and I was hooked then, and I'm still hooked now. The short chapters, text messages, and transcripts are perfect for pulling the reader forward, making the book feel like a puzzle you're trying to piece together alongside the suspects. The only drawback was that it was so short, so I felt like I was just starting to really know and care about the characters, when it all ended. The ending was satisfying, though!
March 9, 2023
Took a while to get into, but the audiobook is so well-crafted, and the ending was great.
here's the vlog where I finished it: https://youtu.be/zxA5Trx73Ko
here's the vlog where I finished it: https://youtu.be/zxA5Trx73Ko
September 24, 2022
4.5 but wow oh wow - this is going to take over the world, mark my words now. I want to see this on the bestseller list for as many months as ONE OF US IS LYING has been. Whip-smart, fast-paced, and thrilling as hell, Brooks is an author to watch. I'm absolutely convinced this will be HUGE. And it's well freaking deserved.
February 28, 2023
This YA was surprisingly good!
Riveting and entertaining.
The writing is simple but the structure is clever.
This is not about characters’ development, so don’t expect too much.
I wished that the whole book was totally in the epistolary format, instead of a combination, but it worked well.
This was really a good for me.
I did enjoy the storyline, but I thought that the conclusion was rushed and too simplistic.
I do recommend the audiobook, which has a terrific cast of narrators.
I think that the teens will enjoy this work.
Riveting and entertaining.
The writing is simple but the structure is clever.
This is not about characters’ development, so don’t expect too much.
I wished that the whole book was totally in the epistolary format, instead of a combination, but it worked well.
This was really a good for me.
I did enjoy the storyline, but I thought that the conclusion was rushed and too simplistic.
I do recommend the audiobook, which has a terrific cast of narrators.
I think that the teens will enjoy this work.
February 10, 2023
Thank you Macmillan Children’s Books/Fierce Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a promotional TikTok video. All opinions are honest and my own.
TW: racism, prejudice, encounters with law enforcement, addiction, child neglect due to addiction (past, mentioned but not in detail), toxic masculinity, gang violence, murder, death, violence, gun violence in a school setting
Initial pondering around midnight on February 10, 2023:
Honestly, I’m really grateful that I was reached out to regarding this book and that is was the first book I read during Black History Month. I do not always gravitate towards YA Contemporary, but this is such a prevalent, relevant, well-paced novel that I tore through. Yes, this book is heavy as we follow Ramón, Trey, and J.B. whom are all suspects in the murder of their Principal Moore. This book is difficult as Nick Brooks tells the story without hiding the ugly reality for many Black and Brown boys in the United States. However, there are still moments of hope, community, love, brotherhood, and determination which I think is equally as important. This murder mystery/thriller/social commentary, has quick pacing which keeps you gripped and engaged on the edge of your seats. I enjoyed and appreciated every moment of this book.
I recognize that people will see that I was paid and will properly scoff and denounce my review. Which, honestly, I do understand, but I behoove you to consider this:
1. I am only required to make a TikTok, contract has not even officially been signed as I type this. I’m writing a book because I truly, and throughly enjoyed this story and want to uplift and celebrate Black authors and Black stories when I can.
2. I rarely give 5 stars and I am given ARCs, promo copies, and have participated in other paid TikTok promotions where I have given books less than 4 stars.
3. You do not know me personally, probably, but I value my integrity and place as a reviewer.
Anywho, I’m rambling but if you’re afraid this book will make you distraught, well it might, look at the non-exhaustive trigger warnings I listed. However, the way this book reads and how it shifts between various POV chapters, and character profiles adds a layer that is not quite as harrowing as what you might expect.
TW: racism, prejudice, encounters with law enforcement, addiction, child neglect due to addiction (past, mentioned but not in detail), toxic masculinity, gang violence, murder, death, violence, gun violence in a school setting
Initial pondering around midnight on February 10, 2023:
Honestly, I’m really grateful that I was reached out to regarding this book and that is was the first book I read during Black History Month. I do not always gravitate towards YA Contemporary, but this is such a prevalent, relevant, well-paced novel that I tore through. Yes, this book is heavy as we follow Ramón, Trey, and J.B. whom are all suspects in the murder of their Principal Moore. This book is difficult as Nick Brooks tells the story without hiding the ugly reality for many Black and Brown boys in the United States. However, there are still moments of hope, community, love, brotherhood, and determination which I think is equally as important. This murder mystery/thriller/social commentary, has quick pacing which keeps you gripped and engaged on the edge of your seats. I enjoyed and appreciated every moment of this book.
I recognize that people will see that I was paid and will properly scoff and denounce my review. Which, honestly, I do understand, but I behoove you to consider this:
1. I am only required to make a TikTok, contract has not even officially been signed as I type this. I’m writing a book because I truly, and throughly enjoyed this story and want to uplift and celebrate Black authors and Black stories when I can.
2. I rarely give 5 stars and I am given ARCs, promo copies, and have participated in other paid TikTok promotions where I have given books less than 4 stars.
3. You do not know me personally, probably, but I value my integrity and place as a reviewer.
Anywho, I’m rambling but if you’re afraid this book will make you distraught, well it might, look at the non-exhaustive trigger warnings I listed. However, the way this book reads and how it shifts between various POV chapters, and character profiles adds a layer that is not quite as harrowing as what you might expect.
December 30, 2022
I absolutely adored the mixed media that showed the multitude of ways that we fail black and brown boys, even ways in which we often fail them when we have good intentions. And to keep me on the edge of my seat and have a sweet romance all at once? Brilliant work
Bookish Brews | Ko-Fi | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Facebook
Bookish Brews | Ko-Fi | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Facebook
July 18, 2023
Sie gehen alle auf die gleiche Schule – die als Vorzeigeprojekt geltende Urban Promise Prep – doch so wirklich kennen sich der riesige JB, das Basketballtalent Trey und der Nachwuchskoch Ramon nicht. Es ist eher Zufall, dass sie alle am gleichen Nachmittag nachsitzen müssen. Die Gründe für die Strafe sind eher gering, aber an der Promise gelten strenge Regeln: es darf nicht gesprochen werden, man muss strikt in einer Reihe gehen, die Uniform hat zu sitzen. Wird gegen eine dieser Regeln verstoßen, darf man nicht auf Nachsicht hoffen.
Es ist nicht leicht an der Promise, aber mit seinem unnachgiebigen System hat Rektor Moore schon einige Erfolge erzielt. Wie es den städtischen Jugendlichen geht, ist nicht so wichtig, solange sie am Ende einen Schulabschluss und einen Studienplatz haben. Trotzdem hat sich Moore so über die Jahre einige Feinde gemacht.
Als er nun erschossen in seinem Büro aufgefunden wird, fällt der Verdacht schnell auf die drei Jungs, die im Nebenraum nachsitzen mussten. Drei Teenager, zwei schwarz, einer hispanisch mit Straßengang-Connections: Jackpot für die Ermittler. Einer von ihnen muss es gewesen sein. Sie alle hatten kurz vor der Tat die Wut des Rektors zu spüren bekommen, die Frage ist nur, wer bereit war, ihn dafür zu töten.
JB, Trey und Ramon steht das Wasser bis zum Hals. Obwohl sie sich kaum kennen, müssen sie jetzt zusammenhalten – und vor allem rausfinden, wer Moore umgebracht hat. Denn ihre einzige Chance hier noch heil rauszukommen ist, den wahren Täter zu finden.
______________________
Auf dieses Buch habe ich mich sehr gefreut und es hat mir auch ziemlich gut gefallen! Ein bisschen The Hate U Give, ein bisschen Krimi, ein paar Unterschiedliche Erzählstile (Fließtext, Nachrichten, Polizeivernehmungen,…)
Trifft den Zahn der Zeit, spricht viele aktuelle Themen an, dabei vorrangig den Umgang amerikanischer Polizisten mit PoC-Jugendlichen. Ein tolles Jugendbuch, das dringend mehr Aufmerksamkeit verdient hat!
Es ist nicht leicht an der Promise, aber mit seinem unnachgiebigen System hat Rektor Moore schon einige Erfolge erzielt. Wie es den städtischen Jugendlichen geht, ist nicht so wichtig, solange sie am Ende einen Schulabschluss und einen Studienplatz haben. Trotzdem hat sich Moore so über die Jahre einige Feinde gemacht.
Als er nun erschossen in seinem Büro aufgefunden wird, fällt der Verdacht schnell auf die drei Jungs, die im Nebenraum nachsitzen mussten. Drei Teenager, zwei schwarz, einer hispanisch mit Straßengang-Connections: Jackpot für die Ermittler. Einer von ihnen muss es gewesen sein. Sie alle hatten kurz vor der Tat die Wut des Rektors zu spüren bekommen, die Frage ist nur, wer bereit war, ihn dafür zu töten.
JB, Trey und Ramon steht das Wasser bis zum Hals. Obwohl sie sich kaum kennen, müssen sie jetzt zusammenhalten – und vor allem rausfinden, wer Moore umgebracht hat. Denn ihre einzige Chance hier noch heil rauszukommen ist, den wahren Täter zu finden.
______________________
Auf dieses Buch habe ich mich sehr gefreut und es hat mir auch ziemlich gut gefallen! Ein bisschen The Hate U Give, ein bisschen Krimi, ein paar Unterschiedliche Erzählstile (Fließtext, Nachrichten, Polizeivernehmungen,…)
Trifft den Zahn der Zeit, spricht viele aktuelle Themen an, dabei vorrangig den Umgang amerikanischer Polizisten mit PoC-Jugendlichen. Ein tolles Jugendbuch, das dringend mehr Aufmerksamkeit verdient hat!
April 26, 2024
4.5⭐️
DNF @55% but NOT BECAUSE ITS BAD!! this is a really good YA thriller and the audio with the full cast is INCREDIBLE
I’m DNF-ing because it’s hitting too close to home and making me feel upset and anxious about real-world issues and that’s just not what I’m looking for right now (but it’s great that there are books that integrate social issues/commentary into them)!!
truly an amazing and very well written book and that’s why I’m rating it so high even though I won’t be finishing it. I looked up the ending and it’s great too! so definitely would recommend this one
DNF @55% but NOT BECAUSE ITS BAD!! this is a really good YA thriller and the audio with the full cast is INCREDIBLE
I’m DNF-ing because it’s hitting too close to home and making me feel upset and anxious about real-world issues and that’s just not what I’m looking for right now (but it’s great that there are books that integrate social issues/commentary into them)!!
truly an amazing and very well written book and that’s why I’m rating it so high even though I won’t be finishing it. I looked up the ending and it’s great too! so definitely would recommend this one
January 21, 2024
2.5 stars
Promise Boys did a great job at highlighting the struggles of bipoc young men. I love the overall theme. The story is fast-paced and easy to follow.
However, midway, I started feeling very underwhelmed. The latter half felt rushed, and I was left unsatisfied. I’m disappointed because I was sure that I'd love this one!
Promise Boys did a great job at highlighting the struggles of bipoc young men. I love the overall theme. The story is fast-paced and easy to follow.
However, midway, I started feeling very underwhelmed. The latter half felt rushed, and I was left unsatisfied. I’m disappointed because I was sure that I'd love this one!
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