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Delonya Conyers - C&B Reviewer

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Delonya Conyers /C&B Reviewer
1027 Walton Avenue Apt. 7E
Bronx, NY 10452-9339

Delonya Conyers discovered her passion for reading in elementary school after reading several books by Judy Blume while enrolled in the Reading Is Fundamental Program (R.I.F). Now over 20 years later not only does she still have the zest for reading that the program instilled in her but she enjoys sharing with other readers her love of literature by writing book Reviews. So that hopefully others can learn what she did at an early age that reading is not only fundamental but also enjoyable.

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Title: Hood
Author: Noire
Retail Price: $15.00
C&B Price: $10.00

Noire latest book, Hood is another dark yet simultaneously satisfying read. This time Noire shifts the setting for her novel to Brooklyn instead of Harlem but still manages to paint vivid images of yet another NY borough that can only detract tourists from visiting. The Brownsville streets have no love for 11 year old Lamont or his four year old brother Monroe who are both homeless and walking the Brooklyn streets on what is undoubtedly the coldest night of the year.

Young Lamont witnesses a lick and his street mentality allows him to utilize this as a way to not only get him and his brother out of the cold but to come-up and possibly earn his stripes in Xanbar's lucrative drug empire. Lamont's craftiness is rewarded by Xanbar and Lamont's transformation into Hood begins. But it is also where his struggles begin.

Noire does an excellent job portraying how cruel the mean streets can be. And as with all Noire novels Hood contains another male antagonist character, Andreko(Dreko) that exemplifies evil. Dreko's own mother is terrified of her son and casts him out on the streets as well. The same streets that Noire deftly weaves into the story so well that you'll feel as if the streets are an actual character and readers will wonder just who'll actually be able to survive them.

Will Hood, Hood's girlfriend Egypt, Egypt's father Fat Daddy, Hood's mentor Xanbar or even the diabolical Dreko survive against the mean streets of Brooklyn? Or will the old adage ring true that the streets love no one? Pick up Hood and find out.

Reviewed by
Delonya Conyers
C&B Reviewer
August 2007

Title: Mastermind
Author: Robert Ricks
Paperback
ISBN: 0977343804
Publisher: Black Pearl Books
Retail Price: $14.95
C&B Price: $10.00

In Mastermind, Robert Ricks introduces readers to Clarence Kittles aka Clear. Clear's poverty filled childhood led him to a life of crime formulating The Black Mob. No ordinary drug cartel, The Black Mob followed precise rules that dictated no wives or kids for it's Captains and giving large percentages of their drug profits back to the same communities they were flooding with drugs. That combined with Clear giving out free haircuts to underprivileged kids from his barbershop on Sundays led him to be known as a Ghetto Robinhood. But this Ghetto Robinhood had a dark side which was easily viewed as he doled out punishment to rule breakers in his organization. Even his teen-aged sister Dayja came under his wrath when she found herself placed in foster care when she became too hot in the behind.

Fourteen year old MagicJr., new to Rochester and Clear becomes his mentor. MagicJr., Clear of his deceased little brother Brandon so he doesn't mind when MagicJr., dating Dayja. But what Clear does mind is when Magic Jr.'s absentee father Magic, Sr. reappears and begins selling drugs on Clear's turf. The conflict between Clear and Magic Sr., with the pressure Clear's under trying to maintain his organization will have readers flipping the pages to get to the outcome.

Author Robert Ricks proves himself to be an excellent storyteller turning what could've been another cliche urban tale into an engrossing tale of a man torn between tearing down his community and uplifting it. The only drawback is the book's cover which makes it appear to be the exact type of book that it isn't. The cover actually does the book a disservice taking away potential readers while also disguising the excellent novel that's contained within.

Reviewed by
Delonya Conyers
C&B Reviewer
February 2008

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