Customer Reviews

Butta' and the Tower of Bling

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Butta and the Tower of Bling is a fast-paced adventure into the world of urban fiction. Corey Burkes in this his debut novel has produced mainstream fiction that will make the reader sit up and take notice of the characters rich with dialogues who speak and act like people we know. The novel is a brilliant depiction of a cross-section of American Culture with which we can all identify. Shady characters, evil antagonists, gutsy protagonists, and a host of supporting characters all spring to life from the pages of Butta' and the Tower of Bling.
Burkes' unique writing style is both edgy and irreverent. His characters speak and act like everyday people you meet on the street. They remind you of the people who make up the heart and soul of any American city; some you know, some you don't know, and some you wish you had never met. As Butta' herself claims, "I speak so I can be understood." Fully fleshed out and conveying attitude, these are the kind of fictional characters that are so believable you want to keep on reading.
The story line is based on a deep seated grudge held by Butta. Hung alongside her family as a small child by a nasty white supremacist, Butta spends her entire life devoted to taking down this neo-Nazi who has become the master of a diamond making invention that her father created. Butta a genius at cat burglaring hires an entourage of equally interesting support to help her pull of her biggest heist yet, stealing back the invention her father created!
The plot has multiple layers that demonstrate a maturity of writing skills seldom seen so early in an author's career. The consistent build up to the climax keeps the reader eager to turn to the next page. The careful blend of dialogue and background is so balanced and blended that the reader becomes absorbed in the story. From the botched lynching and thieving white supremacist to the harrowing escape in the final moments of the book, the pace is never dull, the story enthralling, and the rush to the finish will have the reader up all night racing to the finish. The protagonist's father says it best, " Now I know why we call you Butta....you so smooth."

I am not a big fiction reader, but . . . I loved this book! The background of Butta was thorough and informative, the suspense was gripping and the writing was excellent. The book was a gift and because I do not read fiction, it sat on the coffee table for months. I finally picked it up to read it and could not put it down!!!! The suspense left me wanting more. I finished the book in four days. Well done Mr. Corey Burkes, well done!!!! I can't wait for the next book!

This is just one of those books that I didn't want to end. From the moment I opened the book, I couldn't put it down.

The author made me understand what had hardened Butta into the woman she became, yet there were passages in which her empathatic and caring nature were made obvious in her concern for her trusted circle of friends. He made me hate Lingo Stein for his bigoted injustices and greed; I cheered Butta on toward the end, and was elated for Butta when I read the ending. Yet saddened too that it was over, at least for me, for now. :(

I can't wait til December for the sequel!!!

WOW!! That's how I feel about this book. Mr. Burkes certainly left me wanting more. I have to admit I bought this book almost a year ago and never really even looked at it. Saw it on my bookshelf TWO (2) days ago and pick it up and could not put it down. The story was so captivating and interesting, that I started calling up friends to tell them they should purchase the book. It took me about 2 days to read it, but if I had the uninterrupted time, I would have finished it in 1. I am now looking forward to getting The Shysters Club and ALONE. I am also going to start bugging all of my friends and family to get this book. Excellent job Mr. Burkes!! Keep them coming!! And PLEASE follow-up on the Butta/Munch/Trigger/Kasey storyline.

Butta' witnessed the death of her entire family when she was nine years old. It was done by a Klansman who wanted something her father had. The family was lynched old fashioned style, hanging by ropes in a barn that was then burned down. Even though everyone knew what had happened, the suspects were found not guilty. Butta' was more than angry and grew up with nothing but revenge on her young mind. Finally the day came when she found Lingo Stein, the engineer behind her family's demise, and she began to plan her retribution. Unfortunately, she miscalculated and botched the job. Stein, who was now extremely wealthy - all from the secret he stole from Butta's dad - used all his influence to get Butta' jailed for a long time. Once again, everyone knew the charges did not fit the crime, but nothing was done to rectify the situation. While Butta' was doing her time, she never gave up on planning her revenge. Will Butta' succeed the next time or will her anger get in her way again?

BUTTA' AND THE TOWER OF BLING by Corey A. Burkes is a story of racism and revenge. It shows the US for what it really is in its racist behavior of the past that continues today in a dressed up form and its worship of money. The characters are reasonable and Butta' is a likable young woman, while it is so easy to hate Lingo Stein. Some of the other characters definitely add flavor and a bit of humor to a very serious book. Unfortunately, there were tense switches and grammatical errors that interrupted the flow, but perhaps those will be ironed out in the finished copy. It is definitely a book worth reading.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Debut author, Corey A Burkes brings forth a gripping tale that will have readers wondering if settling an old score is really worth it.
When Butta' sets out to avenge her family's death by taking out Lingo Stein, a very powerful man who has made a living by producing the Earth's finest and largest diamonds, she is taking a risk that could cost her not only her life but the lives of her friends as well. But Butta' is set out to prove that Lingo's wealth was due to what he had stolen from her father. Showing no mercy, Butta's daring heist will take readers on an invigorating ride that will not stop until the last line is read.
Mr. Burkes has done an incomparable job in weaving together such dynamic characters in a riveting novel that the Writer's Inn has no choice but to give five stars. Job well done, Mr. Burkes and we look forward to seeing more of your work in the near future!

Butta has been waiting for years to avenge the death of her family caused by Lingo Stein. Lingo is the owner of Stein Diamonds International and is one of the most untouchable, powerful men in the world. It is the eve of Lingo's fifteen year anniversary of making the world's largest diamonds. He also unveils a high-tech and deadly vault that secures his vast diamond collection. Butta thinks that this is her chance to prove to the world that Lingo's wealth was due to what he stole from her father. With the help of her trusted associates, Butta comes up with a plan to get rid of Lingo permanently. But will Butta and her friends make it out alive?

Butta and the Tower of Bling is a thrilling novel by Corey A. Burkes. Burkes created a storyline that is filled with suspense and adventure. This story takes the reader on a fast-paced ride that doesn't stop until the very last page. Burkes did a good job of not including any other subplots to this story that would have distracted the reader. Butta was just totally focused on avenging the death of her family and was not distracted by a romantic relationship, which was refreshing. Butta and the Tower of Bling is an exciting read that is anything but ordinary.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Corey Burkes has defined Urban Fiction with his debut novel, Butta and the Tower of Bling. Delivering a suspenseful, action packed read that is absolutely original and loaded with in your face attitude.

Lingo Stein had gone to great lengths to establish his company, Stein Diamonds as the number one diamond producing company in the world and he would go even further to protect it. Certain that Lingo Stein's vast enterprise and extensive wealth had been built upon a creation stolen from her father, Butta dedicated herself to one thing...revenge!

Getting her hands on a man that was seemingly untouchable would take a great deal of planning and would involve substantial risks. Together with three of her trusted friends Butta begins laying the groundwork for the a high tech heist and a cold-blooded execution. Fifteen years in the making, Lingo unveils his latest project, a diamond vault, housed in a brand new, state of the art tower. And this is just what Butta had been waiting for...but she would have only one shot...she had to make it count! Successfully breaching Lingo's extensive and quite deadly security system was only part of a much larger plan. The questions swirl as the tension rises...Can revenge bring comfort to the grieving? How far is too far?

A refreshing novel that never feels fake or rushed...it flows easily, with each chapter adding depth and substance to this detailed picture of urban culture. You will find no cookie-cut characters or stifled dialogue here, instead, Burkes allowed the cast of characters to be true to themselves- If a character is an unpolished rogue thief, the context of their narrative reads as such. Burkes ability to draw out such strong emotions and portray dastardly deeds from polar opposite positions propels the story. The ugliness that keeps the wheels of power and greed turning even at the expense of others as opposed to the love of a daughter for her father and the lengths to which she will go to avenge his death makes for an original reading experience. With such originality and strength, I look forward to reading Burkes future works.

Wow!!! What a powerful book; I haven't read anything this exciting in a while. I really enjoyed reading this book; I have to admit that the suspense was so gripping that i just had to skip to the end; but then I still had to read the whole book, because I desperately needed to know the means to the end!