Reviews with content warning for Torture - Blacktop Wasteland

I loved Razorblade Tears and everyone said this was even better and they were right. I could not put this book down. I love this author’s style. He takes a fictional story filled with action and in every moment he can, throws in the reasons why life is this way for people deemed criminals or hardened or troublemakers. They are humanized as victims of the system and the cycles of poverty as well as having no support when times get tough. He tackles all the “isms” with hard hitting truth. Nothing is sugar coated and you take this ride with the knowledge that this is a reality and there is a real reason behind what happens in society today. I will definitely be reading anything this author writes in the future.

Content Warnings

starrysteph's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was an exhilarating read. Intense stakes, a sharp written voice, and excellent pacing that goes from lingering moments of deep characterization to heart-pounding action scenes. I was shocked and horrified and triumphant.

This is a story about inescapable poverty & racism. It's a story about family - about generational violence and struggling with identity and our MC's deep desire to be a good father. At its core, it's a story about one man yearning for freedom. Throw in a heist (where things rapidly funnel out of control) and a lot of action-packed getaway drives, and you've got me hooked.

We follow Beauregard ("Bug") as he attempts to create an honest life for himself and his family, leaving his exploits as a getaway driver in the past. But a lot of things go wrong all at once, and Bug is tempted by an old acquaintance to lean back into the Life he so desperately wanted to bury for one final heist. (Though is it ever one final heist?)

Bug is a deeply compelling protagonist - he makes some pretty nasty choices, but you still find yourself rooting for him. That's not easy to pull off.

The prose is overall strong, but at moments Cosby leans into the similes so much that it got a little distracting. There's also a lot of detailed car talk, but even as a reader with 0 expertise in this area I felt like I was able to follow along (it just took a little extra effort at times, and led to some descriptions that felt quite dry).

It's a gritty read with a lot of depth. It's intense. It's violent. It's heavy on the heart. But in my opinion? It's worth it.

CW: murder, violence, gore, body horror, gun violence, drug use, racial slurs, torture, fatphobia, cancer, sexual content, car accident, animal death, fire, vomit

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sadieh's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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jennneely82's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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abby315's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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rliedtke's review against another edition

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tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

If I liked crime novels I think this would easily be a 5 star read, I just think it’s not my genre. That being said I still enjoyed it and think overall it’s an excellent book. I loved the writing and the family issues going on along with everything. I listened with the audiobook for a lot of it (I’m weird and go back and forth) and I think it’s a great audiobook as well!

If you like crime/heist stuff I strongly recommend!!

Content Warnings

nbeckham's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Couldn’t decide whether I was on Beauregard’s team or not. Great read. Would make such a good movie! The author did such a good job placing you in the setting, I could see those roads and feel the summer heat.

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