Dare (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: counter guy, hype woman, bowling party, Big Rob, Camp Hustla, Black Death (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Abiola Abrams is best known as the host of BET's The Best Shorts. Her first novel, Dare, is a Faustian tale set in the world of hip hop. Abrams has a keen ear for dialog, and though almost outrageous at times, her characters are believable and often fascinating. Dare may end up in several nooks of your bookstore, filed under "chick lit," "African American literature," or even in the burgeoning "street lit" genre. Don't be fooled by the labels, this is a promising and enjoyable debut." -- David Gutowski, Large Hearted Boy

"Abiola Abrams' debut is like a breath of fresh air for young fiction and the depiction of women in hip hop. Finally, the world will see the conflicted struggles of ladies in the rap biz in a way that women in hip hop have known and understood for years." -- Raqiyah Mays, Writer/Radio Personality on Hot 97 & 98.7 Kiss FM

"Abrams uses the mystery, bling and oft times violence of the hip-hop world, the rapper's delight, if you will, as a backdrop for a strangely twisted coming of age story. Sometimes lovers, both old and new, don't know what to make of a caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly. Neither do friends, for that matter. But what happens when a woman looks around, finds herself hiding in a corner, and coaxes herself out to play? Now that's the stuff good books are made of. Taking a DARE doesn't get any more enlightening than this." -- The Rawsistaz Reviewers

"DARE is the first novel by Abiola Abrams, who is also a filmmaker and a pretty dynamic sister. The book is a hip-hop retelling of Faust, but as Abrams acutely describes, it's about "finding love and finding yourself." I thought this book was dope for several reasons. Including: 1) It represents what great hip-hop fiction can be: smart, edgy, hip-hop inspired, but not just hip-hop, empowering, and provocative. 2) It's a great story about living life, not just existing, and makes you think about your own journey thus far. 3) It's fun and entertaining." -- AOL Black Voices

"Filmmaker Abiola Abrams blends literary and hip hop sensibilities for a daring debut." -- Upscale Magazine

Product Description

Meet Maya Hope. Double-dipped in cocoa with brick-house curves, she's a lover of jazz, a political poet, and a sociologist with a broken heart. Her best friend and roommate Athena Wagner is her opposite in every way- a petite ex-cheerleader who's always blaring rap, grinding out rhymes, and ready to take the next man home. When Maya is forced to fill in at one of Athena's auditions, she finds herself on an undercover escapade in the wild world of hip-hop as the sexy rapper Jezebel.

After striking a deal with her own personal devil, Maya sets off on the tempting roller-coaster ride of a lifetime -- finding more fun than she's ever had and trying to choose between two loving men...but not without consequences. An off the hook cast of colorful characters includes Lucy, the diva deluxe brand-addicted publicist from hell; Shell the Boy Wonder, label boss and Thug, the handsome hardcore rapper with something to prove. Dare is an unforgettable, envelope-pushing odyssey of two gutsy women playing by their own rules and trying not to lose themselves in the music in this contemporary satirical retelling of Faust. Not your standard urban read, this juicy literary tale belongs in contemporary fiction, women's fiction or chick lit.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (December 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416541667
• ISBN-13: 978-1416541660
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #800,569 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I dare you to read this and not find something you'll love! , April 24, 2008

By	R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Maya and Athena have been sisters of the heart since gradeschool days, but they're nothing alike. Maya's a Masters degree level sociologist, a poet, and a political activist. Athena's a cheerleader, a rapper wannabe, and though Maya loves her--she thinks her roommate's 'easy'.

But love is thicker than disagreements and the bonds of sisterhood are strong between these two sister-friends. When Athena's Mom becomes ill and Athena cannot make the rapper audition of a lifetime, Maya comes and does Athena's audition.

When Maya's audacity causes her to win, Athena convinces her to take a sabbatical from her job and continue the ruse until they can get things straightened out and get Athena her chance to shine.

Maya thinks she's crazy, til Athena DARES her. Now, these two women aren't children, but Maya can't refuse that dare.

"Dare" is a beautifully written book by a woman whose soul is full of light and who obviously wants to brighten up her reader's lives, too. You not only get a heart-rending tale of a strong woman's life, you get life lesson's as well. Abiola Abrams has filled "Dare" with personal dares that will change your life if you open yourself up to them--one of these is a "Beauty Day". No, this isn't pampering at the spa, it's noticing and acknowledging beauty everywhere.

Ms. Abrams writes with the rhymic beauty of both a musician and a poet. Her imagery is strong with color and sensory impressions. Scenes from "Dare" will bring tears to your eyes and leave you laughing and cheering.

You don't have to love rap or hip hop to love this book. You do need poetry in your soul and be willing to open up and learn--because Maya does have some amazing insights into life in general.

Go on--read the first chapter on this page. I dare you. Bet you won't put the book down til you're done. I also bet you're going to keep the book for the rules and the inspirational material in between the narrative.

Rebecca Kyle, April 2008

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Daring debut!, December 21, 2007

By	Miles Maker (Harlem, New York) - See all my reviews

Sociologist Maya Hope is re-united with Hip Hop culture when she reluctantly agrees to stand-in for her best friend Athena at a nationwide talent search for the next emcee. After confronting Hip Hop mogul "Shell" at the audition, Maya is rewarded for having "cojonés" with a recording contract from the hottest Rap label in the industry, Camp Hustla. Athena dares Maya to accept the offer and sign the deal with the intention of making the switch in a few weeks--but their song and dance gets remixed when Maya morphs in the limelight from would-be fan to famous. Her swagger subdued, Athena is reduced to mere hype-man status, while Maya succumbs to willing victim in her own social experiment. Tension builds when Maya's ex-fiancé Rob is introduced as her new manager, proving once again that revenge is the best therapy when your ex-man faces the next man.

Maya clashes with superficial celebrities, deceitful insiders, the media machine and her own self-esteem on a sordid Hip Hop tour of self-discovery from the female perspective. The truths among the lies in the Rap game have never been disclosed so insightfully--with thought-provoking portrayals and captivating narrative. Abrams' breakaway debut novel is a chart-topping, champagne popping, heel-clicking adventure you wouldn't Dare ignore!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY-- REAL & SMART AFR-AM CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE!!, March 25, 2008

By	Jackie Simon Adams (Beverly Hills CA USA) - See all my reviews

GO DARE! I am so excited about writing this review. One of my best friends and I have been arguing about this book for a week, so we're both going to post our reviews. I absolutely loved it, and she wasn't crazy about it. But it got us both talking so I guess that the brilliant author accomplished her point. Here's what the big issue is-- this book is MIS-CATEGORIZED. It is listed as "Urban Lit," but as one of the other reviewers says, Dare is definitely either "CHICK LIT" or just "CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE." I guess that since it's a book by a black woman, the simple category they threw it into was "urban fiction."

Here is why I ENJOYED DARE SO MUCH and my friend did not-- our tastes in reading are totally different! I am a LITERARY reader. My favorite authors are Maya Angelou, Edwidge Danticat, Erica Simone Turnipseed, Zadie Smith, Toni Morrison, Gloria Naylor and Sofia Quintero. I LOVE SMART BOOKS that are creative with strong characters and a meaningful plot. My friend-- whose negative review you will see here ;-D -- loves "urban reads"-- books about hip hop, hustlers, gangsters, etc. If that is what you read or what you are looking for, that is definitely not Dare. No insult against any other authors, but Dare is literature. If you are used to easy reading about pimps, prostitutes, gangs and hustlers, buy something else. If you are an educated reader who loves profound, poetic and thoughtful storytelling and literature, BUY THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!!

The crazy thing is that because I am biracial, I have friends of all races. However, the books that my white girlfriends read and my black girlfriends read are totally different. The black books tend to be so one dimensional and basic. My white girlfriends are loving Dare too because they are not used to books like the others that appeal to the lowest common denominator. Edwidge Danticat and Abiola Abrams ROCK.

Dare is so rich and it was wonderful for me to read something that is as good as or better than "regular" chick lit but aimed at ME!!! The character was not a pimp, prostitute or a hustler, but a strong, proud, educated black woman like me. I didn't intend to keep going on and on, but I guess that the only flaw Miss Abrams has as a writer, if any, is that as a black writer she is above the pack, and that by itself might hold her back. People who are used to Big Macs can't understand caviar.

I can't wait for the next book by Abiola Abrams. I couldn't put Dare down. I loved the affirmations and literary references. More, please!!