Urban Reviews - Your Source for the Best in AA Fiction!

  3 out of 5 books Set in the near future at the intersection of fables, ancient mythologies, organized religions, literature, and pop culture, Wall Street West uses layers of every aspect of human evolution since the most recent ice age to establish the stakes in the pitched battle of Father Destiny who's fighting for democracy versus King James who represent the super wealthy. This second entry in the “Age of Darkness” series opens with a quote from Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower, then launches into a sometimes overwhelming deluge of historical references. One of many recurring themes is the cautionary tale that warns of the global impacts of financial illiteracy presented in the context of a clever mash-up of Afro-futuristic supernatural fantasy. Passages dense with financial history, theory, and more narrative telling than showing plus unexpected shifts in verb tense often slow the pace, especially in the first few chapters of an overall provocative read. The dedicat...

  4 out 5 books On the surface, the King family looks perfect. However, nothing is the way it seems. Chancellor King is the patriarch of the family and is well connected politically. Ghost, Shadow, and Lolli are the three children of the King family. Shadow is the only one who does not have the same qualities as his siblings and likes to keep to himself. That may change when there is a threat against the family that may tear them apart. The Reluctant King is not what you expected. Although there’s plenty of betrayal, murder, and mayhem in this story, readers will be surprised with what happens to whom. K’wan did a good job with introducing us to a whole new family with complicated situations. Just when you think you know how this story is going to end, K’wan hits you with one his infamous curveballs that will stop you in your tracks. The Reluctant King by K’wan is an enjoyable start to this new series and will make you anticipate the second installment. Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert O...

  4 out of 5 books Animal vows to avenge his murdered wife Gucci and to rescue his children. But first he must find Red Sonja. Animal gets his old crew the Dog Pound back together for one last mission. But who will make it out alive? The Brotherhood has now branded the Black Lotus as a traitor and has locked her up in what use to be her home. The Black Lotus is trying to escape while discovering some dark secrets. Will she be able to escape and clear her name? Animal 5 is the final installment of the Animal series by K’wan. Readers would be doing themselves a huge disservice if they don’t read the prior books before this one. This is not a book that you just casually read, this story will have your full attention. There is a lot action, drama, and heartbreak that K’wan is known for. A lot of loose ends are tied up but there are some that can be left up to the reader’s own interpretation. Although this is the end of this series, this is definitely not the last time we will be entert...

  5 out of 5 books Seventeen-year-old Promise Mohammed has a hard life. When her mom dies in a tragic car accident, Promise is left with an emptiness that can’t be filled. Her main goal is to graduate from high school. But her plans may get derailed while hanging with her best friends Mouse and Keys. Mouse is dealing with trying to keep a stable household for her younger sister due to her drug addicted mother's absence. Keys is a musical prodigy that is looking for his big break. Soon, Promise, Mouse and Keys all get involved into a world that they may not be prepared for. Who will come out on top in the end? Promise Broken is an excellent coming-of-age story by K’wan. Promise reminds you of a Cinderella type character that you want to have a happy ending. The character development in this story is awesome. K’wan pulls you into this story and makes you care about what happens to these characters. Now, this story does take a sinister that will shock readers. Readers will also notic...

  4 out of 5 books Carli Hinton is a singer and songwriter who works at a media company to keep the lights on.  She is a junior account manager and has been assigned to the account of R&B singer/rapper Tau Anderson.  Carli has had a little success locally working with artist Dylan and producer Red, but they all have dreams of successful careers in music.  The trio is working on Dylan’s debut album when Carli’s professional and personal time is consumed by Tau Anderson.  This is a disrespect to Dylan who has been put on the back burner and is witnessing the woman he has feelings for fall for another. Tau has connections that propel Carli and her friends including Dylan closer to their dreams.   I enjoyed GOOD MORNING LOVE.  The characters are engaging and the chemistry between Tau and Carli and even that between Carli and Dylan is evident. Although her father and Tau are both in the music industry, Carli allows her talent to speak for her in th...

  3.5 out of 5 books Childhood friends, Mira, Celine and Jesse grew up in the segregated town of Kipsen. Celine was seen as an outcast since she’s white and her two friends are black.  One day on a dare, Mira and Jesse set out to find the infamous Woodsman Plantation, a place where it is rumored that the spirit of slaves dwelled.  A tragic event occurs that day where Mira is face to face with the undead and Jesse is attacked and accused of murdering a white man.  The dynamic of their friendship are never the same after that day. Celine who declined to participate in the dare, separates herself from Mira and Jesse and Mira’s refusal to admit what she saw and heard that day, break Jesse’s trust in her.  Ten years later, Mira is headed back to Kipsen to attend Celine’s wedding which is being held at the newly renovated plantation which is now a resort.  Although it is now a resort, the venue is a modern-day reenactment of the times of slavery with black worker...

  4 out of 5 books ALL THE DAY LONG is the first book in Embassie Susberry’s The Lost Boys series. Henry Jones Dabney-Sinclair is the product of an illegal interracial relationship.  Despite interracial relationships being against the law during 1930s, his parents still managed as best they could to live as husband and wife and love their sons Jimmy who is white and Henry who is bi-racial.  Growing up in Dabney/Sinclair Mississippi, Henry didn’t really fit in with anyone.  He attended church with black members, but he was schooled at white institutions.  When he start his courses for law school, he meets a band of seemingly mismatched friends who become known as the Lost Boys.  The novel is told during 3 time periods, the 1930s when Henry goes off to college, early 1940s when he and the other Lost Boys have taken on their alter egos and are involved in some shady activities and later 1940s where he meets Petula Taggert, a young lady from his hometown who is...