Customer Reviews

Block Party

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Block Party by Al- Saadiq Banks is a fast-paced, entertaining read. It grabs you from the first page and keeps you entertained until the very end. The characters are real, the setting is true and the message is clear. As an author myself, I am most impressed with what Al- Saadiq Banks has to offer. This is exciting urban fiction!

I cannot believe I had this book in my possession for months and never read it. The reason being I did not like the bold print throughout the book. I am glad I got pass that.

Block Party is about the life of Donald "Cashmere" Pierson.

He has just returned home after a seven year prison bid and the streets and the players have changed. Can Cash adjust to this change?

Cash is a devoted husband, father, friend, and street hustler. No matter how hard he tries to ignore the call of the street he can't. Will this be his downfall?

I loved this book and I am looking forward to reading any book Mr. Banks writes.

Al Saadiq Banks is a prolific urban novel writer who wrote the titles No Exit, Sincerely Yours', Caught `Em Slippin, Menace II Society, Block Party, and Block Party 2: The Aftermath. In Block Party, Banks illustrates the harsh reality of drug dealers in Newark (Brick City), New Jersey. The in this gripping novel the writer developed characters such as Cashmere, Mayor, Slim, Ice, Love and Desire. In this suspenseful tale of the underworld of Brick City, Cashmere was in federal prison for seven years due to drug dealing.
In the book, Cashmere was a drug dealer who made a lot of money on streets. He developed great recognition for his hedonist lifestyle of luxury cars, houses, and clothes. While in prison he marriage, Love; a school teacher who was unconditionally in love with Cashmere.
Unfortunately for Cashmere, after being released from prison there was a new dealer on the streets who did not leave any room for competition at all. Mayor was the new leader of the dope game. Mayor and Cashmere had a misunderstanding due to Cashmere aggressiveness and naiveté about the new street financial capitalist the Mayor.
As the story progresses Cashmere who is nearly forty years of age is peer pressured into selling drugs by his son's grandfather Slim and Mayor, who constantly harassed Cashmere about his older model Mercedes Benz car. Eventually, Cashmere submits to the pressure telling himself it would only be a 90 day run. In addition, to dealing with his drug dealing, he also has problems with his children's mother Desire. Upon Cashmere's release from federal prison, Desire developed a loving relationship with a young jealous drug dealer named Ice. Cashmere as a father became concerned about his sons' welfare.
Block Party is an urban novel that depicts some of the social nihilism that exists due to one's desire to become rich by selling drugs. Mayor who is nineteen years dealer was making millions with his dope product called Block Party. Cashmere became an archrival to the Mayor in the story, and he took his life in his own hands. The Mayor's only concern was trying to make money to stay on top of his "game."
The book highlights social realities such as AIDS, violence, robberies, and substance abuse. The author described the social reality of dope addicts, hustlers, and unethical means one would undergo to stay on top of the "game." This book is a deterrent to adults and young adults who may be curious about making fast money through narcotics dealing.
Block Party is suspenseful, gripping, emotional, and exciting. It is a must read.

I'm almost at a loss for words to describe just how good this book is. I've read all of Mr. Banks books but this one is my personal favorite. I have to say that it actually surpassed The Coldest Winter Ever which had been my all time favorite urban novel. Mr. Banks never dissapoints and none of his book endings are ever predictable. Mr. Banks is a sure bet!! I would read a cookbook if he wrote it. He's just that good...Need I say AnyMore?

Once again i must come back on here and give Mr.Banks his acknowledgements on another great story. Sincerly Yours is such a good story i am at a lost of words to describe it. If you are a true fan and have read the first two you will really appreciate the story Mr.Banks is giving us. He brought in new characters with a completely different story line. Suave and Sincere's relationship is one many people wish for, a man who does not cheat or hasnt the whole 10 years now that in itself was great.lolol no really there story was just so good and well put together. The addition of the old characters and there conclusions in this one was a great surprise. If you have not read any of his books honestly you will love all 3 you have to start with NO EXIT in order to appreciate the rest of them. Continued success and much love to Mr.Banks and his family.

Cashmere is fresh out of federal prison and is looking to get back into the game for a while. Little does he know that the youngbloods got the game changed. Cash and his parter, Slim aka "Bangman" set out to get what is rightfully theirs. Will they get back on top or will Junebug aka "The Mayor" ang his goonsquad put them in their place?

This book needs no introduction. If you havn't heard about it yet you must have been under a rock for years. It is arguably the best urban book ever to be put on the streets! You can feel the tension and love between characters. It is a well thoght out story that shows the rise and fall of notorious leaders. It is a street book and it has a little bit of everything in it. Action, love, drugdealing, and the whole package. A++!

Block Party is a Five Star page turner no doubt. This book was written so well you feel as if you are riding shoot gun in the car with Donald "Cashmere" Pierson himself. The game is to be told not sold, Al-Saadiq Banks keeps in real in "Block Party" bringing the good times, bad times and ugly ways of the streets. "Block Party" is a must read book it will make you think and have you speechless at the same time as you wait for the After Party...

www.coast2coastreaders.com (Book Reviewer)

From start to finish you won't be able to put it down. I started at 3:00 p.m. and was done by 9:00 p.m. This is a very good street story about honestly everyday life. Men go to jail all day and year long and the reality of it is the majority of them all have the same thoughts. They will come back out and make it! Cashmere was one of them, you would think after 7 years in federal prison he would have come up with another plan. Once again Mr. Banks did it! He leaves you hanging at the end again, but it is truly worth the read. He puts little boys up to grown men. In reading this you have to stop and think well darn who is the adult here? If you are looking for a good story and you've read NO EXIT you really should try BLOCK PARTY.

All I Can Is That, This Book Was Slamming!Urban Street Drama At Its Very Best..I Loved It!I Loved Each & Every Character In This Story..."Cash Was My Favorite Of Them All,He Was My Favorite Because He Was Relentless, About Having What He Wanted At Any cost!Eventhough, He Had To Pay The Price For His Selfish & Greedy Ways "In The Game". Thats The Chance You Gotta Take, And He Was Willing To Do Whatever He Had To Do To Get Back In The Game & To Stay In The Game...All Good Things Must Come To An End..Even This Story...I Didnt Want It To End..Looking Forward To More......

Block party was a cool read. Cashmere and "The Mayor." I felt the characters and will give the word out. I gotta read "NO Exit." Now.