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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
jenpaul13's review
3.0
Drug cartels fighting can be an intricate affair for those involved, particularly when each party wants to send a message of their strength and superiority. Lola by Melissa Scrivner Love follows Lola through what might be her last few days as she works to keep herself out of the deadly crosshairs of the cartel.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
The Crenshaw Six is a gang in South Central Los Angeles looking to make their mark in the region, drawing themselves into the battle between the resident drug cartels. With Lola's man Garcia appearing to be the leader of the Crenshaw Six, the real leader, Lola, is able to piece together important information by playing the role as a submissive, occasionally battered, woman. With her life of the line for a botched drug deal, Lola needs to figure out where the heroin and two million in cash disappeared to, and fast. With her cunning and strength, Lola manages to uncover the truth behind one of the cartels in her attempt to survive.
As a portrayal of the intricacies of gang hierarchies it was refreshing to see an acknowledgment of the ability of a woman to be a powerful leader. Lola is a strong, intelligent character with enough vulnerability to make her feel real and Lucy is similarly strong and precocious in the situations she finds herself in with Lola (although perhaps a little too precocious and helpful to be entirely believed); however, the other characters presented are more surface-level depictions of a stereotype serving a purpose in Lola's life. For a crime story, this is a decent read that is rather entertaining, as long as you don't look too closely at some of the details, which should have been researched a little more thoroughly to retain some realism and characters who could have been fleshed out a bit more.
*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
The Crenshaw Six is a gang in South Central Los Angeles looking to make their mark in the region, drawing themselves into the battle between the resident drug cartels. With Lola's man Garcia appearing to be the leader of the Crenshaw Six, the real leader, Lola, is able to piece together important information by playing the role as a submissive, occasionally battered, woman. With her life of the line for a botched drug deal, Lola needs to figure out where the heroin and two million in cash disappeared to, and fast. With her cunning and strength, Lola manages to uncover the truth behind one of the cartels in her attempt to survive.
As a portrayal of the intricacies of gang hierarchies it was refreshing to see an acknowledgment of the ability of a woman to be a powerful leader. Lola is a strong, intelligent character with enough vulnerability to make her feel real and Lucy is similarly strong and precocious in the situations she finds herself in with Lola (although perhaps a little too precocious and helpful to be entirely believed); however, the other characters presented are more surface-level depictions of a stereotype serving a purpose in Lola's life. For a crime story, this is a decent read that is rather entertaining, as long as you don't look too closely at some of the details, which should have been researched a little more thoroughly to retain some realism and characters who could have been fleshed out a bit more.
*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
mchyczij's review
4.0
Ok this was a surprise success for me!
This is not my usual genre, however I chose to read it due to a randomized book selection I did with my friends. And honestly, I’m glad I did! I wasn’t sure how this was going to go over for me as it started. Gangs, guns, culture wars, drugs- all things I’m not normally itching to read about. However, in the past I have liked television shows on the subject so never say never.
What made this book for me is the bad-assery of Lola. Listen, we love a girlboss. When her role in the gang is revealed I actually squealed with excitement of what this meant for the book. I’m still thinking about the end of the chapter with the interrogation of Mila too. I actually gasped out loud!!
Sometimes it’s great to branch out in genres. Turns out I really can like anything!
I’ve already added the sequel to my TBR
This is not my usual genre, however I chose to read it due to a randomized book selection I did with my friends. And honestly, I’m glad I did! I wasn’t sure how this was going to go over for me as it started. Gangs, guns, culture wars, drugs- all things I’m not normally itching to read about. However, in the past I have liked television shows on the subject so never say never.
What made this book for me is the bad-assery of Lola. Listen, we love a girlboss. When her role in the gang is revealed I actually squealed with excitement of what this meant for the book. I’m still thinking about the end of the chapter with the interrogation of Mila too. I actually gasped out loud!!
Sometimes it’s great to branch out in genres. Turns out I really can like anything!
I’ve already added the sequel to my TBR
lesserjoke's review
3.0
I want to like this novel a lot more than I do. The premise of a Mexican-American woman leading an L.A. street gang is strong, and it's great when Lola confronts the limitations that society puts on her gender and class. I also really like the parts with the protagonist's unofficial foster daughter, and how she balances being a parent and a ruthless crime boss. We could use more antiheroines like that.
Unfortunately, a lot of the plot development is clunky, and Lola seems to get by largely on luck or on other people making bad decisions -- which could be a fine narrative choice for this character's arc, but not when the author continually frames her as such a stone-cold criminal mastermind. The result is a decent story that falls short of its potential. (Trigger warning for graphic gangland violence, as well as discussions of rape and child molestation.)
Unfortunately, a lot of the plot development is clunky, and Lola seems to get by largely on luck or on other people making bad decisions -- which could be a fine narrative choice for this character's arc, but not when the author continually frames her as such a stone-cold criminal mastermind. The result is a decent story that falls short of its potential. (Trigger warning for graphic gangland violence, as well as discussions of rape and child molestation.)
eldritchreader's review
5.0
This book is great. Fantastic. Grand. Raw. Dark. Honest.
It is so god damn good.
It is so god damn good.
celjla212's review
4.0
4.25 STARS
This book took a little while to get me interested, but once I got into it, I was under Lola's spell just like the rest of her crew. The Crenshaw Six is a small time gang in Los Angeles that is being led by 26 year old Lola Vasquez. To the outside world and her neighborhood, Lola is just a tiny woman, loyal to her man Garcia, who everyone believes is the actual leader of the gang. But behind closed doors, Lola leads with a fierceness and commanding quiet that comes from years of having to raise herself and her little brother in the barrio.
As the chapters roll on, I relished learning more about the complex woman that is Lola. She needs to be tough because of her position, but she's often even shocked at herself and the things she does. She is never afraid to say what's on her mind, and she never lets a man believe he holds any power over her. She is in a relationship, yes, but it's more out of convenience than love. Make no mistake, Lola is out for number one.
I absolutely loved how the author made her characters come to life. She's gifted at describing how people react in situations, and certain nuances that really make you envision how that person is. You also feel what Lola is feeling. You won't cry, because she doesn't and can't, but you will see what moves her heart and you will be moved as well.
The one caveat I had was wondering how much of this book might truly happen, and how much is just kind of a big stereotype about Hispanic gangbangers. The author herself is not Hispanic or from that neighborhood (though she does say she's lived in LA), so I found myself asking how much she actually knew about what she was writing. Readers who are from the area or more experienced with this type of background might be more inclined to agree with me.
The plot does seem to get overly complicated by rival drug lords, who's cheating whom, who's really in charge, and what not. But where the book really shines is when Lola is just by herself. Her men don't really matter in the ultimate scheme of things. Lola is a character I won't soon forget.
This book took a little while to get me interested, but once I got into it, I was under Lola's spell just like the rest of her crew. The Crenshaw Six is a small time gang in Los Angeles that is being led by 26 year old Lola Vasquez. To the outside world and her neighborhood, Lola is just a tiny woman, loyal to her man Garcia, who everyone believes is the actual leader of the gang. But behind closed doors, Lola leads with a fierceness and commanding quiet that comes from years of having to raise herself and her little brother in the barrio.
As the chapters roll on, I relished learning more about the complex woman that is Lola. She needs to be tough because of her position, but she's often even shocked at herself and the things she does. She is never afraid to say what's on her mind, and she never lets a man believe he holds any power over her. She is in a relationship, yes, but it's more out of convenience than love. Make no mistake, Lola is out for number one.
I absolutely loved how the author made her characters come to life. She's gifted at describing how people react in situations, and certain nuances that really make you envision how that person is. You also feel what Lola is feeling. You won't cry, because she doesn't and can't, but you will see what moves her heart and you will be moved as well.
The one caveat I had was wondering how much of this book might truly happen, and how much is just kind of a big stereotype about Hispanic gangbangers. The author herself is not Hispanic or from that neighborhood (though she does say she's lived in LA), so I found myself asking how much she actually knew about what she was writing. Readers who are from the area or more experienced with this type of background might be more inclined to agree with me.
The plot does seem to get overly complicated by rival drug lords, who's cheating whom, who's really in charge, and what not. But where the book really shines is when Lola is just by herself. Her men don't really matter in the ultimate scheme of things. Lola is a character I won't soon forget.
shannonw19's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Melissa Love does an amazing job of making you feel like you are right in the middle of gangland LA.
Without giving the plot away, a small Hispanic gang in LA tries to make the big league....with a woman calling the shots. But no one outside the nominal leader of the gang can know the secret. It is a thrilling ride and well worth the read.
Without giving the plot away, a small Hispanic gang in LA tries to make the big league....with a woman calling the shots. But no one outside the nominal leader of the gang can know the secret. It is a thrilling ride and well worth the read.
nbonz4's review
2.0
I have recently decided that I just don't have time to push through books that I don't enjoy. I tried to push through this one but I felt like there wasn't enough happening, and what was happening was a bit predictable. I hope everything turns out well for Lola. I don't think I'll ever know but I'm ok with that.
sarabookdragon's review
1.0
I received this book as an advanced readers copy ebook to read and review by Penguin, and this review is by no means influenced. The thoughts and review and solely my own.
Let me set some facts straight. I was not able to complete the book, and thus not sure how it would have turned out, but the reasonings behind this were:
1- It was such a slow book, knowing me, I would finish books in a MONTH tops, if I was reading several other books and having a life. However, as much as I hate to say this, I dreaded it every time I wanted to start reading, because of how slow it was.
2- I just did not like the writing style AT ALL. I mean I read books from very different genres, but this has nothing to do with it. I just could not feel the characters. I was lost more than once. The way the author characterized her characters, I had to switch who they were constantly in my mind. it was so confusing and I hate when I have to do this once, let alone multiple times, and this was all in the first few chapters. the writing style was also so slow, it did not pick up the pace at all.
3- maybe affected by the writing style, the plot ( well at least till almost 45% of the book) was weak, filled with unnecessary wordings, drama, and the constant jump between past and present without it being clear or concise was rather annoying.
I would say, the plot might have turned out better than I am mentioning here, but i wouldn't know because i couldn't force myself to read it, thus now it is gone.
I would love to know that some of you like it, especially that i myself like action, crime driven plots, but this just did not do it for me.
This is my opinion, and by this i do not mean to affect anyone, or hate on any other reader who loved it.
Let me set some facts straight. I was not able to complete the book, and thus not sure how it would have turned out, but the reasonings behind this were:
1- It was such a slow book, knowing me, I would finish books in a MONTH tops, if I was reading several other books and having a life. However, as much as I hate to say this, I dreaded it every time I wanted to start reading, because of how slow it was.
2- I just did not like the writing style AT ALL. I mean I read books from very different genres, but this has nothing to do with it. I just could not feel the characters. I was lost more than once. The way the author characterized her characters, I had to switch who they were constantly in my mind. it was so confusing and I hate when I have to do this once, let alone multiple times, and this was all in the first few chapters. the writing style was also so slow, it did not pick up the pace at all.
3- maybe affected by the writing style, the plot ( well at least till almost 45% of the book) was weak, filled with unnecessary wordings, drama, and the constant jump between past and present without it being clear or concise was rather annoying.
I would say, the plot might have turned out better than I am mentioning here, but i wouldn't know because i couldn't force myself to read it, thus now it is gone.
I would love to know that some of you like it, especially that i myself like action, crime driven plots, but this just did not do it for me.
This is my opinion, and by this i do not mean to affect anyone, or hate on any other reader who loved it.
beastreader's review
1.0
I could see potential in this book but it moved way too slowly for me to get to that potential. I got as far as chapter fourteen and was left still wondering when the story was really going to pick up. The author did a good job of describing the people and the vibe. What was lacking however is a strong connection to the characters or anything intriguing happening in these fourteen chapters. It was just a lot of talking. Which after a while, I found myself tuning it out. At this point Lola had not even shown how or why she was the boss or the one to be feared. She was portrayed as a quiet person. Her true nature had not come out yet. If you are willing to stick with this book, you may get farther than me. I am sure Lola is a force to be reckoned with.