Showing posts with label prep school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prep school. Show all posts

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Book Review - Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

 

 


Promise Boys by Nick Brooks is about three teenage boys of color accused of murdering their principal.  The Urban Promise Prep School’s goal is to turn disadvantaged youth into men with bright futures. The school utilizes strict rules and rigid disciplinary guidelines, and expects their students to adhere to its policies if they want to continue to have a place there. Principal Moore has changed the trajectory of many students’ lives for the better over the years.

When Principal Moore turns up dead in his office, the police believe they have their suspects. Three students, J.B., Ramón, and Trey, each had their own disagreement with the principal hours before he was murdered.  The three students know of each other but they have never interacted much.  They’re not sure if one of them is hiding something, as the three of them were the closest to the murder scene and each of them has a motive. However, they each maintain that they are innocent and didn’t kill anyone. The trio decides to put their suspicions aside of each other and work together to figure out who might be behind the murder. As they go through the events that occur the day of the crime, they realize someone might be keeping a secret and knows more than they are letting on. Will the boys be able to figure out the mastermind behind the murder before their futures are ruined?

The book is told from multiple points of views along with multiple timeframes.  At first, it was a lot to keep track of the different character testimonials and what happened before and after the murder. However, as the story progressed most of the events started overlapping, and a few details did differ depending on who was narrating. As a reader, I had to decide if one character was lying or if another was lying. It was interesting trying to guess who was telling the truth and who might be the culprit.

The story weaved themes of social injustice, racism, and gang violence. It also highlighted the dreams and hopes of the young men and how they wanted to rise above the life and circumstances they were given. One of the characters wanted to break free from the gang life that his cousin is deeply embedded with, and instead own a restaurant. Another character wanted to prove that he could be something more than a street thug, but he was always afraid to ask for help because of the judgements people made about him due to how he looked.

The mystery behind the murder was predictable but it was fun trying to guess who was being deceitful. I thought the book was a good read as it portrayed the power and influence educators have over their young charges. The book also imparted a few important lessons to readers such as not making judgements based on a person’s looks as well as having empathy. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Friday, March 30, 2018

Book Review - Sneaking Out (The Chased Series) by Chuck Vance + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon
Luke Chase is a modern day hero who managed to escape when he was held hostage by utilizing several survival tactics. When he was sent to St. Benedict's prep school, he was hoping to leave that all behind him and have a normal life, including hooking up with hot girls. He, however, didn't expect to get caught up in a murder investigation especially when his roommate is accused of murder. Luke will have to use his famous survival skills to outwit the murderer and bring him/her to justice. Who is behind the murder? Why would they try to kill someone from the school? Is someone from Luke's past trying to hurt him?

At first, I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed this book. The plot was perfect and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time along with being surprised by the ending. I liked how well developed the characters were even though I felt some of the characters were a bit too trusting. If I was in Luke's position, I would consider everyone a murderer and stay very far from them! I definitely can't wait to read more books from these amazing series!

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**



Title: SNEAKING OUT
Author: Chuck Vance
Pub. Date: March 6, 2018
Publisher: Dunemere Books
Pages: 404
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Find it: AmazonB&NTBDGoodreads

Could you sleep next to a murderer?

Luke Chase—yes, that Luke Chase, a modern hero ripped from the headlines—didn’t mean to get caught up in Mrs. Heckler’s murder. He just wanted to hook up with the hot new British girl at St. Benedict’s, and if that meant sneaking out to the woods after hours, then so be it. But little did he know someone would end up dead right next to their rendezvous spot, and his best friend and roommate Oscar Weymouth would go down for it. With suspects aplenty and a past that’s anything but innocent, Luke Chase reluctantly calls on his famous survival skills to find the true killer.


For fans of “A Study in Charlotte” and boarding school lit, “Sneaking Out” (book one in the “Chased” series) immerses readers in the privileged prep school world, with a mystery that exposes the dark side of life on a residential high school campus. 

About Chuck:

Chuck Vance is a pseudonym for a bestselling writer of both adult mysteries and novels for young adults. Vance attended boarding school in Connecticut and graduated from Columbia University. Vance has lived in New York, Moscow, London, Paris and Los Angeles and is frequently on the move.

Website | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a finished copy of SNEAKING OUT & a $30 Amazon GC, US Only.





Tour Schedule:
Week One:
3/26/2018- BookHounds YAInterview
3/26/2018- Bookish In BedReview

3/27/2018- Christen KrummGuest Post
3/27/2018- Between the PagesReview

3/28/2018- The Desert BibliophileReview
3/28/2018- Twirling Book PrincessExcerpt

3/29/2018- CrandomInterview
3/29/2018- Blushing BibliophileReview

3/30/2018- Novel NoviceGuest Post
3/30/2018- two points of interestReview