Customer Reviews

Derelict

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

 

 

DERELICT by Relentless Aaron is a disappointment.

I've read other books by Relentless Aaron and they had direction in the storyline. Sad, but this book here leaves the reader clueless.

While reading the story, I was in anticipation of the author to get to the point - but there was none. Sorry, Relentless, this story fell flat.

I don't give up hope (based on reading your other novels), I trust you'll publish something else for my interest. Afterall, authors don't "always" knock the ball out of the park. Heads up & good luck on your next book. I'll be waiting to read it.

Jamal Ross is locked away from his family, friends, and the life he once knew as he completes a seven year sentence for bank fraud. While in jail he creates new relationships with his cell mates and develops an unlikely bond with the prison psychologist. Through their counseling sessions the reader learns of Jamal's past and how he ended up in jail. Dr. Kay, the prison psychologist, begins to take a greater interest in Jamal as she continues learning more about him. Soon, instead of Jamal seeking Dr. Kay out for comfort, she is looking to him for comfort and willing to take their doctor-patient relationship to another level.

When Jamal is not spending time with Dr. Kay, he is dreaming up plans for a better life once he gets out. This includes returning to the mothers of his two children, JoJo and Deadra, and making a home for all of them. Not only that, he has also drawn plans for a new club he hopes to open in order to leave the illegal lifestyle behind. The only problem is that there is someone close to him who isn't ready to move on with life. Instead, he has spent seven years dreaming of revenge.

While I liked that co-authors 50 Cent and Relentless Aaron use federal prison as the backdrop for DERELICT, the rest of the novel falls short. In my opinion, this novel does not do what it sets out to as listed in the synopsis. I expected to read a novel about life after jail, but the novel takes place while Jamal is still inside the prison walls. Also, this novel is not fast-paced and did not keep my interest. There were times when it seemed that parts of the novel were out of place. Jamal's character was developed; however, many of the other characters, including Dr. Kay, were not. In the end I was left wondering what motivated her actions. Lastly, the end of the novel brought no closure. This may be so the co-authors can write a sequel, but it just leaves the novel incomplete.

Reviewed by Criss Coles
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Main character Jamel is on the last leg of his 7 year bid at Fort Dix Correctional Facility. He has two women and children waiting for him back home. To add some excitement to his last days in the pen, Jamel decides to try and manipulate Kay, the prison psychotherapist. Kay falls for Jamel's lines and ends up a pawn in his little game. She has this warped idea that she and Jamel will be a couple upon his release, but Jamel has other plans. The whole thing with Kay was just to pass time. He has his two women that held it down for him at home to tend to, not to mention a relationship to form with his kids.

What readers won't like about the book is that the actions that take place between the pages are not what are expressed in the synopsis. It is somewhat of a false advertisement. I have come to find out that there is a sequel; however, there is no indication of that on the cover or at the conclusion of the book. This will obviously cause readers to think it is a standalone book. Even with there being a sequel I found the story as it was to be underdeveloped. It lacked the action and intensity that I have come to expect from a Relentless book. The plot did not have enough going on. The marketing is what is going to cause Derelict to become somewhat of an annoyance to those who purchase it.

Kaye's character was underdeveloped. For her to be so easily intrigued by Jamel I feel there was something else in her background that should have come out to explain why she was such a pushover. I mean we are talking about a professional woman, never married, who is of a respectable age. I did not understand how she was so gullible. At the end of the story I found it to be lacking purpose. We don't know exactly what Jamel's intentions are now that he is out of prison. We know he dreams of opening a dinner club, and that Mack - the guy who is behind him being in jail is a successful rapper. Still, I was not left with that "fired up" feeling that usually has me book-store hopping to find out what happens next.

I will not let this deter my "Relentless Reading" because I have been pleased with the MANY other books I have read by this author. My favorite Relentless novel to date is The Last King Pin.

Englishruler
ARC Book Club Inc.
3 Stars

This was the worst book from G-Unit books. The book was dull and boring. I literally had to force myself to finish this book. Relentless Aaron needs to step up or step aside and let some real writers get put on. This book was a waste of trees. Note to G-Unit Books: try Wahida Clark, Danielle Santiago, or Keisha Ervin. These authors know how to put it down.

I have read some of the other reviews of this book, and I have to say that my personal experience with it is different than most.

I saw Jamel Ross and his journey in life trying to find his way as a testament to what so many men feel. I think one of the things I liked that we don't always see in what's considered Street Lit is that you get to go deeper into the character's mind and his motives. Though he might not be seen as the best of men, Jamel is trying to be the best that HE can be. There is no real model around him of what a "good guy" is, and in the world he realizes that some will always just judge him on what they see and what he has done.

There are characters, however, that try to get to know him. For them there is a mix of fascination and attraction that draw them in, but I also see that they are able to go beyond what others might see when it comes to him.

Is he the best role model for young men? I wouldn't think so, but he is an example of what can happen when there are not enough role models around for young men to observe and learn from.

For me DERELICT proves so many points that are important today, even years after the book was released. I think that with the past that 50 Cent and Relentless Aaron have had, it is the right book for them to present in order to show how potential can be hindered by perception.

derelict started out slower than most g unit books however wow heck of a plot. the derelict has a love interest, one that is quite surprising. good book

This book was terrible. I tried to force myself to read it but I found myself skipping ahead to find some excitement. It just dragged on. This was a waste.

I'm an avid reader and I love urban literature as well as other genres like sci fi, mysteries, biograhies I love to read. I've purchased and read all of the G Unit books and I enjoyed them all but I have to be honest this one was less than mediocre. It started off slow and it picked up just a little and then it ended horribly. Thumbs down and no stars. If I could rate it no stars I would unfortunately that's not an option on amazon.

I'm so mad at myself for buying this book. I had actually read the reviews on it prior to getting it but I saw this book and the other 2 in stores and grabbed them all. 50, how could you put your name on such garbage? All of the other authors were on point but I was sooooo lost with this book. I tried to finish it but I just gave up. At one point I was thinking Jamel was out but he's still in telling the story! Maybe one day I'll finish it. Too bad I can't give it a -5....

This was my first book by this author and I definitely will not be reading anymore....

I AGREE I HAVE READ ALL OF THE G-UNIT BOOKS AND THEY ARE GREAT, BUT THIS BOOK IS THE WORST WITH RELENTLESS AARON. IT TOOK ME 3 WEEKS TO READ A BOOK THAT WOULD NORMALLY TAKE ME A FEW HOURS, OMG!!! - THE WORST PART IS THE BOOK JUST ENDED RIGHT WHEN YOU THOUGH SOMETHING WAS JUST ABOUT TO HAPPEN. I WAS LIKE WTF?