Review by Booklist Review
Former gang member Qwess is offered a multimillion-dollar deal with an up-and-coming rap label to foster new talent and create his own albums. He wants his longtime friend and fellow Crescent Crew member, Reece, to sign on for this legitimate career, but Reece declines; his plan is to to be street king of the East Coast by overcoming all other drug-selling crews, whatever the cost. When Qwess' girlfriend is murdered while driving Reece's car, Reece exacts brutal vengeance. When Qwess returns from an international tour with Flame, a rising star, Reece is living in a mansion while helping Section 8 housing tenants, running legitimate businesses, and continuing to kill off adversaries. Reece's girlfriend, Destiny, is around too often for Qwess' comfort, while Reece, who thinks he has a lock on life, discovers that he has been trusting the wrong people. Suspenseful and twisting, Sinclair's engrossing story of two friends on opposite paths through life may appeal to fans of Eric Jerome Dickey. Watch for future titles from Sinclair in the Crescent Crew series.--Amy Alessio Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Three lifelong friends control drug traffic through North and South Carolina and now look to dominate the growing Southern rap industry. Qwess, Rolando "Doe," and Reece have parlayed their bond to seize fabulous wealth, lust after sexy women, and gain total respect from Carolina's hoods. Tired of the drug game, Qwess wants to go legit and earn fame as a rapper. Doe agrees to become the vice president of the record label, but Reece loves the streets and vows to remain as leader of the violent Crescent Crew. Hooking up with 18-year-old rap performer Flame, Qwess and Doe sign a $7 million contract. Meanwhile, Reece thinks nothing of murdering the Crew's enemies but enjoys torturing them first. Things move fast in Sinclair's hard-hitting tale marked by outrageous wealth that seems too good to be true. VERDICT "Gangsterotica Tales" creator Sinclair (Skin Deep; Forbidden) relies on established urban fiction plot mechanisms of pornographic-type sex scenes, cinematic drive-by killings, and women using their sexuality to boost male egos. Still, the story reveals loyalty among thieves, making it a solid selection for libraries with enthusiastic urban fiction readers.-Rollie Welch, Lehigh Acres, FL © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
