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terrio92's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
klparmley's review against another edition
4.0
I will read as many as he writes if this series continues.
grimdarkandgleeful's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cr4nkyp4nts's review against another edition
DNF at 46%
So much potential but the head hopping and the ease at which everything seemed to fall into place for Isaiah made getting immersed in the story impossible. I finally had enough after It took me well beyond my ability to suspend disbelief and I found myself shaking my head and not wanting to spend any more time on the book.
I'm giving it two stars because the I liked the story the author was trying to tell me, even though I didn't like the execution very much, and the narrator was great. I want to find other things he's done.
I did receive an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but waited so long to read it that I was able to listen to the audio book version. The narrator is fantastic. He was the biggest bright spot in the experience.
So much potential but the head hopping and the ease at which everything seemed to fall into place for Isaiah made getting immersed in the story impossible. I finally had enough after
Spoiler
the visit to and confrontation with the assassin.I'm giving it two stars because the I liked the story the author was trying to tell me, even though I didn't like the execution very much, and the narrator was great. I want to find other things he's done.
I did receive an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but waited so long to read it that I was able to listen to the audio book version. The narrator is fantastic. He was the biggest bright spot in the experience.
edshara's review against another edition
3.0
Call me morbid, but when I read books labeled mystery/thriller, I expect a lot of death and dying. In this case, what I got was a lot of close calls, near misses and a very abrupt conclusion.
IQ is an interesting character and a lot is learned about his background. Although I’m not sure I buy no one finding out all that was going on with him, in the flash back chapters. While this wasn’t exactly what I was hoping it would be, I am interested in reading the second book in the series. The premise of the series is interesting enough to give it one more shot.
IQ is an interesting character and a lot is learned about his background. Although I’m not sure I buy no one finding out all that was going on with him, in the flash back chapters. While this wasn’t exactly what I was hoping it would be, I am interested in reading the second book in the series. The premise of the series is interesting enough to give it one more shot.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I love the idea of a high school dropout who has a genius IQ as well as a strong moral compass and a drive to help his community out. This is nitty gritty, set deep within the disadvantaged, where crime and violence and gang wars are everyday occurrences.
Though this easily kept my attention, I wanted to see more deductive reasoning and brilliance. Isaiah’s a very interesting hero with an understated confidence. It doesn’t hurt that one of the most intriguing things about this book/series is the fascinatingly complex and twisted relationship between him and frenemy Dodson. Just when you question the logic behind their long standing association, the ending was remarkably poignant. Again, a promising start and a desire for more!
I love the idea of a high school dropout who has a genius IQ as well as a strong moral compass and a drive to help his community out. This is nitty gritty, set deep within the disadvantaged, where crime and violence and gang wars are everyday occurrences.
Though this easily kept my attention, I wanted to see more deductive reasoning and brilliance. Isaiah’s a very interesting hero with an understated confidence. It doesn’t hurt that one of the most intriguing things about this book/series is the fascinatingly complex and twisted relationship between him and frenemy Dodson. Just when you question the logic behind their long standing association, the ending was remarkably poignant. Again, a promising start and a desire for more!
cherri350's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
spicycronereads's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
It was fine. Entertaining though there were some pacing issues.
Not sure what to make of a Japanese American author writing Black characters as gang members.
Not the kind of thing I normally read but it was my book club’s pick for this month. I considered not even finishing it but didn’t want to hurt the feelings of the person who picked it.
Not sure what to make of a Japanese American author writing Black characters as gang members.
Not the kind of thing I normally read but it was my book club’s pick for this month. I considered not even finishing it but didn’t want to hurt the feelings of the person who picked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Gang violenceanitaconchita's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
3.0
Very much a book that is meant to establish a setting and compelling main character for a longer series, and for me it worked. Isaiah and Dodson are compelling characters, and they become more so as the story goes on. The central mystery is meh, but it’s great for setting your our main characters. Dialogue is enjoyable and laugh-out-loud funny in many parts, and there were some brilliant descriptions. Enjoyed it overall, but beware major toxic masculinity and casual misogyny.