Critics Review

• Promoted as a gritty coming-of-age drama urban thriller with a powerful message and an irresistable central character

  The Voice

• A contemporary urban thriller with a powerful family drama at its heart

  The Bookseller

• I liked the lack of judgement the author made and the fact this is ultimately an action packed story with a strong male protagonist

  Bibliomaniac

• Keeps the reader enthralled and wanting more

  Nudge.com

• One of those books I wish had been written when I was a teenager…simply brilliant

  Medieval Jenga

• What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it

  Tanya Landman, author

• ‘I absolutely adored this story…it’s a truthful and powerful story that is much needed in the UK YA scene

  Charlie in a Book

• Pacey crime thriller that feels unique, realistic and truthful

  Book Trust

• A gripping debut about gang culture and the consequences of making bad decisions

  The Guardian

• It is direct and punchy

  The Guardian

• The book travels at speed to a climax that is both sudden and shocking. This story of family ties, gang culture and the dangers of drugs is without a doubt one of the finest YA debuts I’ve read and Marlon Sunday is a character that you won’t forget in a hurry.

  The Crime Review

• This powerful coming-of-age drama — both violent and sensitive — keeps the reader on the edge of their seat

  Optima Magazine

• Readers with strong stomachs can expect to be entirely hooked into a story that is well written, pacy and within its own terms horribly convincing

  Books For Keeps

• Patrice Lawrence’s Orangeboy – an exploration of gang culture centred around Marlon, who follows in his older brother’s footsteps when an innocent date ends in tragedy – won the 2017 YA book Prize.

  Independent

• Orange Boy is a page turner. It gripped my heart from page one and didn’t let go.

  Marlon goes on a date with the hottest girl in school and his world begins to tip. And it doesn’t stop until everything in his life is upside down.
  Faced with almost impossible choices, Marlon has to grow up fast and work out exactly who he is at the same time as working out how to survive.

  This is a book that explores the meaning of family, friendship and loyalty. And it does so with intelligence and sensitivity.

  It’s fast, clever, often funny and always truthful. Patrice Lawrence is a writer to watch.

  Jenny Downham, author of 'Before I Die'

• What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it.

  Tanya Landman, author of 'Buffalo Soldier'