TAKEDOWN

Multidimensional characters convincingly play on the sympathies of readers in this realistic and suspenseful urban drama.

After being released from juvenile detention, Darren vows revenge against the leader of the drug-dealing gang for whom he took the fall. He’s an intelligent young man with dreams of making it in the music world, a sweet adoration for his young brother, and a magnetic attraction to Jessica, a girl at school; Darren’s also an informant for the police. By becoming a dealer for the same gang that pinned the blame on him, he hopes to provide tips that will help bring down the head of the organization, Diamond Tony. Short, action-filled chapters are expertly crafted to urge readers on, and the gradual revealing of details about Darren’s family and background adds a layer of depth. Many chapters end with raps penned by Darren, often expressing his feelings about what’s going on in his life, and while these fit well with his constructed persona, they feel a little awkward at times—perhaps since they are meant to be heard over a beat instead of read. While this does interrupt the flow of the narrative a bit, it does not detract overall from what is an exceedingly readable novel.

A smart and believably gritty tale of the streets with genuine heart.