Customer Reviews

The Apostles: A Novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, Y. Blak Moore, you did it! Someone finally wrote a "hood" novel that wasn't either over the top with way-out situations or condemmed from all the bad grammar and spelling errors. Job well done!
Soft spoken Solemn Shawn is not to be played with. After being locked up behind his abusive stepfather, he takes his rebellious ways to the streets of Chicago. He's successful with his mission to gain power, control, and respect for his gang, The Apostles, but vows to give it all up when he discovers the true love he has for his pregnant girlfriend.
Solemn is looking forward to fatherhood and realizes what really matters in life-his girlfriend and unborn child, until a former Apostle memeber-turned adversary plants a deadly seed that grows into an all out bloody war fare.
I'm not an advid reader of street fiction, but The Apostles just might change that for me. I can't stress enough over the fact that this was so well written and entertaining. It's highly recommended for everyone! A must read!

This is one the best books I've read in a while, I enjoyed the writers style, the plot and characters were well developed. The Apostles kept me interseted from start to finish.

Solemn Shawn has such a powerful presence you forget he is a character in a book. Everything about him epitomizes what a man should be.

This story is about Shawn and the Apostles. The Apostles are more than a gang. They are a family; that takes care of one another putting no one man above the rest.

Solemn Shawn, conveys to the family that it's time to get out of the street business forever, will it work? Or will they remain the most notorious gang in Chicago feared by all?

I absolutely loved this book, and highly recommend it!


Reviewed by: Angie

The Apostles gave the raw details of everyday life of gangsters, haters, politicians, and police surviving on the streets. All of them did what they wanted to do or rather what they had to do to make money. Moore's eloquent street style and experience is exhibited by his explicit detail of Solemn Shaw and his gangs lifestyle.
I reccommend this book to those who want to know the real deal on hustling. Not just some second hand information that the author heard from one of his partners. As it is said if you "respect the game," then you'll respect the author's message of the game.

"We are our brothers' keepers. If we live like we have been destined to live as brothers, not strangers, but brothers, even places like this will be like home for a weary Apostle."

As you read The Apostles it takes you through past and present in the life of Shawn Terson. A child with the misfortune of an abusive step-father, with an alcoholic mother who stood to the side adjusting the volume on the radio in order to avoid hearing her son being beaten.

ULTIMATELY Shawn takes a stance against the abuse after the loss of his only friend. At age 14 Shawn is convicted unjustly to four years to The St. Charles Boys Reformatory. We witness the exit of Shawn Terson, and the remarkable birth of Solemn Shawn. The most revered, and Leader of the well organized Apostles.

Solemn Shawn decides that after twenty years it's time for The Apostles to do things legitimately.

"Apostles, now is not the time for any disloyalty."

As a war finds it's way to The Apostles feet, they deal with it vowing that this is it! Shawn has loss so much and his only thing now is to get away and try something new; maybe take a walk in the rain, A?

But, Vee leader of the not so equal Governors' once loyal Apostle and now Solemn Shawn's number one nemesis, stumbles on the revenge that he's always wanted. Finally to repay Shawn for his treachery. Unlike Solemn Shawn Vee subjects his insubordinates with corporal punishment, and has chosen to lead them into destruction.

This is an extreme read, A. It's set in the streets of CHI so ya'll know I was page turning like yeah, A this here spot is nice.

The Apostles' is guaranteed to explain to you what happens in the lives of some of our equivalents. Take a walk with Y. Blak Moore, I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

All of you so called AVID readers tired of trying to cipher through the hoopla looking for the truth ... this is the book for you, A! Good looking out on the recommendation Tee-Tee!

"Our enemies shall fall before us because we fear nothing but God and the loss of his tender mercy."

Chicago's meanest streets are infested with gang activity, drug trafficking, and dishonest cops who think they're above the law. The two primary gangs are The Apostles, led by Solemn Shawn, and The Governors, led by a former Apostle, Vaton "Vee" Dawon. Infusing present day action with flashbacks from Solemn Shawn's life growing up, we are able to see how he became to be called Solemn Shawn, the hardships of his life, and how someone so young could be so serious about life. Quiet-spoken, yet fearless, Solemn Shawn was not only respected during his young years locked up after a run-in with his step-father, but also when he started his gang and later when he was released.

On a quest for power, each gang has their own rules of the street, but pretty much stay off each other's turf. The problems arise when a Governor is given the "cold war" -- a process by which he's beat up for some infraction against the group and then all his personal effects are confiscated...all by members of the same gang. He's a bit beyond bitter and in essence loses his mind. He goes to The Apostles trying to join their camp, but is turned away. Hell-bent on getting back at all of them, he kills a Governor and leaves items behind to incriminate The Apostles.

An all-out war ensues and as you can imagine, lives are lost, loyalties are questioned, and everyone is left wondering who will come out on the top. Not that it's not bad enough what's happening, but it's really bad timing for Solemn Shawn as he's decided to move out of the area with his pregnant girlfriend and settle down into the right way of living. He's in love with her, looking forward to being a father, and wants to protect her from the world in which he's become enmeshed.

This is my first time reading this author's work, but I was highly impressed with THE APOSTLES and Blak's ability to take street fiction and my perception of the genre, and show me a better quality than what I've read before. Though dealing with the street life, I didn't feel as if he glorified it, nor were any of the scenes over-the-top or just thrown in for shock factor. They were real. Well-written, fast-paced, and non-stop action. He did an excellent job with characterizing each individual, especially Solemn Shawn. I wanted to step inside the pages and get to know the characters better, to help them in their various dilemmas. And, while I didn't want the ending to happen the way it did, I applaud Y. Blak Moore for keeping it real.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This was a very good story. It has a good mixture of reality and fiction. It is believable. The only part I did not like was the ending--the fate of some of the characters. I had no problem with many of them dying (I appreciated the non "happily ever after" ending), but it is the WAY the ending happened. I think it could have been better written. It is still a good read though. I got the audio book. It was very well narrated also.

NOTE** This novel does have alot of cussing in it.

Moore's writings are a huge departure from the fiction that I usually read - the predictable and safe stuff by the gluttony of writers on today's scene. I truly enjoyed this story. The rawness and grittiness of the dialogue and story takes me to places that I mostly likely will not see in my lifetime. Some of the outcomes of the characters were predictable, but I really thought that Solemn Shawn would have had a totally different fate. Another reason why I liked this story - no fairy tale, sunshiny day, the sun'll come out tomorrow ending. If you liked this one, read Triple Take - that one was just as good if not better.

This book is a page turner, the author is very good with discription and keeping the action flowing. I love his style of writing.

I purchased this book without reading the back because I already knew it was going to be good. I knew Blak was an awesome author when I read his first novel Triple Take. For all of those who hasn't gotten the chance to, you need to go out and get The Apostoles. Trust you won't want to put it down