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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this story. The farther I got into it the more on the edge of my seat I was. It was twisted and sick!
One word . . EPIC!
A “deal with the devil” has never been so evil!
FORTY ACRES was the most intense political thriller—thought-provoking, and gripping debut novel (my pulse is still racing) - full of power and revenge. Has my vote for “Thriller Debut Novel of 2014”, a talented author, Dwayne Alexander Smith, has just won me over as a “fan for life.”
Amazing writing, brilliantly developed characters, well researched, and an astounding storyline. So much depth to this suspenseful thriller, want to discuss, debate, and challenge the “what if’s” (as I bookmarked something from every chapter); however, this is one of those “ONE in a million books” you dare not say a word to spoil, or hint of anything in a review, to give away the suspense for readers.
From controversial issues of race and power, hatred, wealth, love, trust, betrayal, and secrets--it has it all.
Whereas, “Devil’s Advocate” raised “winning is everything”, FORTY ACRES is about “revenge and power.” Several similarities –both have smart, intuitive wives, devil/master, and both main characters are attorneys who get sucked into a world of mystery, power, and wealth. Of course, Forty Acres in a “class by itself”. A WINNER out of the gate!
FORTY ACRES deserves an unveiling. Each page is just too BLOODY GOOD. You feel yourself experiencing every setting, footstep, movement and facial expression, trying to predict the next move, with details so realistic, you are holding your breath, as you turn the next page to see what lies ahead.
Martin, black attorney and main character ROCKS, and fell in love with him – brilliant strategies, witty one-liners, and oh the dedication of the book by the author was PRICELESS.
As the author is a screenplay writer, I can envision a movie based on this predicted bestseller, with a cast of stars (I want a front row seat) for a total blockbuster. With a surprise at the end – one can only hope for a series to follow. “I guess, my heart can get back to normal until his next book” . . . Here’s hoping it is soon!
Update 2018: Yes, a movie is coming and Will Smith (my hero), starring. I am assuming a entire cast of top stars.
This provocative new novel is most deserving of a 5 STAR and assured to be a hit. Compliments to the author and publisher for an appealing front cover and overview, which drew me in immediately, and exceeded all my expectations. Highly recommend to thriller lovers-fans of Grisham and The Firm will devour.
Since reading Forty Acres digital copy last year recently purchased the audiobook narrated by Andre Blake, with an award-winning performance and also hardcover for my collection.
JDCMustReadBooks
BEST BOOKS OF 2014
Be sure and read The Unkind Hours June 2018. 5 Stars.
A “deal with the devil” has never been so evil!
FORTY ACRES was the most intense political thriller—thought-provoking, and gripping debut novel (my pulse is still racing) - full of power and revenge. Has my vote for “Thriller Debut Novel of 2014”, a talented author, Dwayne Alexander Smith, has just won me over as a “fan for life.”
Amazing writing, brilliantly developed characters, well researched, and an astounding storyline. So much depth to this suspenseful thriller, want to discuss, debate, and challenge the “what if’s” (as I bookmarked something from every chapter); however, this is one of those “ONE in a million books” you dare not say a word to spoil, or hint of anything in a review, to give away the suspense for readers.
From controversial issues of race and power, hatred, wealth, love, trust, betrayal, and secrets--it has it all.
Whereas, “Devil’s Advocate” raised “winning is everything”, FORTY ACRES is about “revenge and power.” Several similarities –both have smart, intuitive wives, devil/master, and both main characters are attorneys who get sucked into a world of mystery, power, and wealth. Of course, Forty Acres in a “class by itself”. A WINNER out of the gate!
FORTY ACRES deserves an unveiling. Each page is just too BLOODY GOOD. You feel yourself experiencing every setting, footstep, movement and facial expression, trying to predict the next move, with details so realistic, you are holding your breath, as you turn the next page to see what lies ahead.
Martin, black attorney and main character ROCKS, and fell in love with him – brilliant strategies, witty one-liners, and oh the dedication of the book by the author was PRICELESS.
As the author is a screenplay writer, I can envision a movie based on this predicted bestseller, with a cast of stars (I want a front row seat) for a total blockbuster. With a surprise at the end – one can only hope for a series to follow. “I guess, my heart can get back to normal until his next book” . . . Here’s hoping it is soon!
Update 2018: Yes, a movie is coming and Will Smith (my hero), starring. I am assuming a entire cast of top stars.
This provocative new novel is most deserving of a 5 STAR and assured to be a hit. Compliments to the author and publisher for an appealing front cover and overview, which drew me in immediately, and exceeded all my expectations. Highly recommend to thriller lovers-fans of Grisham and The Firm will devour.
Since reading Forty Acres digital copy last year recently purchased the audiobook narrated by Andre Blake, with an award-winning performance and also hardcover for my collection.
JDCMustReadBooks
BEST BOOKS OF 2014
Be sure and read The Unkind Hours June 2018. 5 Stars.
I don't like the narrator and the beginning is already boring me
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was interesting to say the least.
It is about Martin, a young black attorney who just won a civil rights case. After winning, the attorney for the other side invited Martin to his house for a little get together. Martin is than invited to a little getaway trip with the men he met at the party. He decides to go (against the wishes of his wife). While away on this trip, Martin becomes aware of something he never thought possible. Something he can’t imagine.
Something that goes against everything he believes in.
The plot of this book really made me think. I found it disturbing, shocking, upsetting and intriguing. I wanted to know everything about this group and Martin. This book started off on the slower side for me but than picked up.
It is about Martin, a young black attorney who just won a civil rights case. After winning, the attorney for the other side invited Martin to his house for a little get together. Martin is than invited to a little getaway trip with the men he met at the party. He decides to go (against the wishes of his wife). While away on this trip, Martin becomes aware of something he never thought possible. Something he can’t imagine.
Something that goes against everything he believes in.
The plot of this book really made me think. I found it disturbing, shocking, upsetting and intriguing. I wanted to know everything about this group and Martin. This book started off on the slower side for me but than picked up.
A fast paced story that was fascinating and horrifying. It is a thought provoking concept that would make an interesting book club read.
This was a re read. Perhaps it’s because I listened to the audiobook this time the sexism made me very uncomfortable. The author is a male and most of the characters are male so it’s on me for continuing with the audiobook
This was a re read. Perhaps it’s because I listened to the audiobook this time the sexism made me very uncomfortable. The author is a male and most of the characters are male so it’s on me for continuing with the audiobook
I found the novel slow to start with, but once it got going it was very intense and quite different to what I have read before. The plot is controversial and thought provoking. Well written and enjoyable.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was a very thought provoking take and twist on slavery in the modern day.
A compelling debut novel that made me want to keep reading. Parts were underdeveloped and others were overly descriptive. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and the topic was fascinating! Revenge at it's highest level for crimes of the past. Interesting take and viewpoint. I look forward to discussing this with my book club next month.
The premise of this book was really interesting, and different. I had a problem with the execution, and writing of it, which is why it was only a 3 star for me.
The premise - race relations are challenged and history repeated as a group of highly powerful black men participate in 40 Acres - a hidden "oasis" where whites are slaves, and the black men their masters.
The part I found interesting was the idea of the "noise" that was pointed to as the purpose for creating such a colony. The idea that, in the minds of black men, there is a noise that comes from years of racism and oppression - one that makes them act out or act in unconscious subservience to whites. I wish that there would have been more of an intellectual discussion about this premise.
However, what it was instead, was a thriller - which is fine. It had some of the same vibe as the Robert Langdon series (Da Vinci Code, etc.). I listened to it, and the narrator was a bit heavy handed in the drama department, and I didn't really like his reading of it.
Big issues I had:
-it wasn't well written. Lots of the same writing conventions used over and over. And over. (Anaphora to the MAX. I'm over it and it's not always a good idea.) And the characters and their actions were not well developed - things just happened. And if there was a set up or build up to it, it was really blatant and clunky.
-the section about using the white women for sexual gratification read more like some twisted sexual fantasy than anything. Again, I think that the premise of this could have lent itself to an interesting exploration of that "noise" - but that wasn't the purpose of this book. The purpose was more to entertain, which is fine. I didn't realize that I wanted something different from it, until I finished it.
-I had a problem with the main character's random and sudden attachment to Alice. His heroics were often attributed to her, and I just didn't buy that connection. It wasn't sold very well.
Anyway, it was entertaining for what it was, but I think it could have been more.
The premise - race relations are challenged and history repeated as a group of highly powerful black men participate in 40 Acres - a hidden "oasis" where whites are slaves, and the black men their masters.
The part I found interesting was the idea of the "noise" that was pointed to as the purpose for creating such a colony. The idea that, in the minds of black men, there is a noise that comes from years of racism and oppression - one that makes them act out or act in unconscious subservience to whites. I wish that there would have been more of an intellectual discussion about this premise.
However, what it was instead, was a thriller - which is fine. It had some of the same vibe as the Robert Langdon series (Da Vinci Code, etc.). I listened to it, and the narrator was a bit heavy handed in the drama department, and I didn't really like his reading of it.
Big issues I had:
-it wasn't well written. Lots of the same writing conventions used over and over. And over. (Anaphora to the MAX. I'm over it and it's not always a good idea.) And the characters and their actions were not well developed - things just happened. And if there was a set up or build up to it, it was really blatant and clunky.
-the section about using the white women for sexual gratification read more like some twisted sexual fantasy than anything. Again, I think that the premise of this could have lent itself to an interesting exploration of that "noise" - but that wasn't the purpose of this book. The purpose was more to entertain, which is fine. I didn't realize that I wanted something different from it, until I finished it.
-I had a problem with the main character's random and sudden attachment to Alice. His heroics were often attributed to her, and I just didn't buy that connection. It wasn't sold very well.
Anyway, it was entertaining for what it was, but I think it could have been more.