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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Reads like an engaging thriller, feels like an upsetting but important thought experiment.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Martin is a black lawyer whose career is taking off, when he is approached by Damon Darrell, another black lawyer who is well known and well respected in town. Damon reaches out to Martin as a friend, and their friendship quickly grows into a bond like that found between brothers. Damon introduces Martin to his other group of friends-- all of which are successful black men. One day Martin is invited on a getaway with this group of impressive and powerful friends, and it leads him to some startling revelations and the discovery that his friends are involved in white slavery, and followers of an old black man by the name of Dr. Kasim.
At times this story seemed awkward and somewhat childish in its simplified assessments. And I always get frustrated with storylines like this that have some mentor spewing crap that everyone views as genius. It seems preposterous to me when the sensible protagonist Martin almost immediately seems to seriously consider the madness as a truth (even if he eventually decides it isn't). Why even pollute and convolute a perfectly fascinating storyline with such ridiculousness? Why not just have simple revenge as the motivating factor? Rather than ridiculous theory and propaganda that fuel this group of mad lunatics, make them simply a group of angry and cruel black men? That would have been more believable, but perhaps the author didn't want to risk playing into the "angry black man" stereotype? I just always have a hard time falling for the group that seem to be under mass hypnosis, perhaps because I am such a strong-minded individual.
I had such high hopes for this story, but in the end I wound up having a really hard time with the main character Martin, and all of his justifications for his own actions. I thought it was a fascinating idea, but it wound up preposterous. It would have been much better if it had been built on simple revenge, but instead it was convoluted with Dr. Kasim and his propaganda. I don't know. I had high hopes, but in the end I would up pretty disappointed and not liking it all that much.
At times this story seemed awkward and somewhat childish in its simplified assessments. And I always get frustrated with storylines like this that have some mentor spewing crap that everyone views as genius. It seems preposterous to me when the sensible protagonist Martin almost immediately seems to seriously consider the madness as a truth (even if he eventually decides it isn't). Why even pollute and convolute a perfectly fascinating storyline with such ridiculousness? Why not just have simple revenge as the motivating factor? Rather than ridiculous theory and propaganda that fuel this group of mad lunatics, make them simply a group of angry and cruel black men? That would have been more believable, but perhaps the author didn't want to risk playing into the "angry black man" stereotype? I just always have a hard time falling for the group that seem to be under mass hypnosis, perhaps because I am such a strong-minded individual.
I had such high hopes for this story, but in the end I wound up having a really hard time with the main character Martin, and all of his justifications for his own actions. I thought it was a fascinating idea, but it wound up preposterous. It would have been much better if it had been built on simple revenge, but instead it was convoluted with Dr. Kasim and his propaganda. I don't know. I had high hopes, but in the end I would up pretty disappointed and not liking it all that much.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of the worst books I’ve ever read in my life. What is Martin’s attachment to Alice, because she is a beautiful, curvy, white woman with strawberry blonde hair? His words not mine. It’s weird his obsession with her! Also, does the author not know any other words to describe women other “beautiful.” Why is Anna so pressed to tell Martin she is pregnant, she couldn’t wait 4 days? Martin was willing to sacrifice his WIFE for a barely alive Alice!! I drew the line at him daydreaming naming his unborn baby, Alice. It’s weird and just crazy. I will not be reading anymore of this man’s books. He had a great concept and just did not execute well!
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did enjoy this book, but as others have mentioned, it is hard to rate it. The premise and beginning I would give a solid 4 stars (with some scenes in the 5 star range). BUT it felt that the end of the book was extremely rushed (as if it were only a 2 hour movie and we had to get to the end quickly). Unfortunately, Mr. Smith wrapped it up and left too many unanswered questions that left the story truly unbelievable.
All of that beings said, the first 250 pages were amazing, and the topic is outrageously controversial and would make for great book club discussions! It was definitely exciting and easy to get through, but overall 3.5 stars at best.
All of that beings said, the first 250 pages were amazing, and the topic is outrageously controversial and would make for great book club discussions! It was definitely exciting and easy to get through, but overall 3.5 stars at best.
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced