Customer Reviews

Diamond Drought

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

 Diamond Drought is the first book in the hip-hop soap opera, Diamond Series. This book is definitely hip-hop fiction. The excessive use of foul language and ghetto slang detract from the reading. This soap opera unfolds on the streets of New York, with the story centered on "Filthy" Rich and his illegal activities. Rich is heavily involved in the drug trade and directs the crime family that runs the avenue with no questions asked. Major, Afta, and Prime are the soldiers who protect Rich, manage the dealings on the avenue as well as operate the club, Diamonds, and the small music studio, Ghetto Sounds. Rich plans to quit the drug trade and turn music producer which will in turn propel his boy, Prime, into the limelight as a rap superstar.

The other players in the melodrama are females and commonly referred to as B%&*$'s. Rich's girl is Leaya, a chick down for whatever when it comes to her man. Leaya is an "around-the-way-girl" who uses Rich's money to floss on the avenue every day. Anna, Leaya's best friend, is a ghetto college student in love with designer labels and men who can fund her spending habits. Shantel, labeled the black Erica Kane, is a cutthroat high-class businesswoman determined to get exactly what she wants in business and in men. Monique is a refined sista who catches the train to read and drink coffee at Starbucks. The other players are Willie, the pimp extraordinaire; Germany, the white girl rapper; and Sparkles, the stripper.

The drama is about sex, drugs and rap music. The story intensifies when gunshots are fired at the club. Who is behind the shots? Which person is supposed to die? What role does Willie play and why does he hate Rich so much? Most of the questions will be answered in the end but some loose ties were left for those readers who will be interested enough to buy the second book in this series. This is definitely a story for those in the hip-hop generation and if you are not familiar with slang used on the East coast forget about understanding the language used. The idea of a hip-hop soap opera is interesting but the story did not have multi-dimensional characters or depth. I have to mention that the author states in the area usually reserved for thanking those instrumental in the development of the work for readers to "buy my %$#& book". Kinda sets you back, huh. What the heck was he thinking? I will definitely have to be strong-armed to read the next installment in this series. Hopefully, it will have more literary value.
Reviewed by M. Bruner for Loose Leaves Book Review

Maybe I am too old for all this "hip hop" slang stuff. Diamond Drought had so much unnecessary slang that I lost focus on the plot. All it talked about was bling bling and expensive cars. I see where Brandon McCalla was trying to take it, but my advice to you Mr. McCalla is that your book will be read by more than just rapping hip hoppers. For anyone interested in this piece, make sure you're not over 30! For the 30+, be careful about reading this one, you won't understand all the language. Speaking of which, it is full of bad language. I didn't like this one at all.

It's street drama, where what you wear says who you are. The women better be good looking with a fat a**, and a rap or two to go with it. Rich is a street hustler trying to go straight with his recording business, but he has not completely let go of the streets. He has his crew (don't they always) and his woman Leaya, who does not really trust her man fully. Rich would give her the world if he could, but there is someone watching Rich's every move, and this person wants Rich to go down...in a two by four!
This drama moves along fast with a host of colorful characters to keep up with, but if you are a avid reader you can handle it. The story has a lot of layers which start to unfold as you get deeper into the book. All the characters were richly developed and added their own flavor to the story. I can honestly say I did not know what the out come of this book would be and I was pleasantly surprised. I did not like the rap versus (the story did'nt need so many of them) and too many brand name dropping!!!! I have a couple of questions for Mr McCalla but I will wait and ask him in an online chat. Otherwise I enjoyed the story. The book has an excellent cover and I am looking forward to Brandon's next book in the Diamond series.

I was told I lack the brain capacity to understand this story. I guess he was correct. This story had no point what so ever. Now it did have a plot towards the end. But all through the book I kept saying no keep reading it will get better. Well needless to say it never did. Considering this is the first part of the saga I feel compelled to say Good Luck with the next ones. For this author to be so arrogant, I would have thought he would have pulled off a better story than this.

Diamond Drought was a great, fast paced ride. Its more a soap opera than an actual street book, it has a intellectual spark and it keeps you reading, I read it in one day and now I want the second one but who knows when that will come out. Brandon you did great, though u killed my favorite character...
please dont kill Major... not the hazel eyed thug...

This book was good but a bit too much for me. Excessive foul language and slang galore. But the plot and characterization came across vividly. If you love hardcore, hip-hop urban fiction, this book is definitely for you. Actually I would give him 3 1/2 stars.

"Diamond Drought" was the first book I picked up in 2 years and was amazed. Intelligently written and fast paced, drama after drama. A Hip-Hop soap opera...YES. I started reading Book 2, "Diamond Dynasty" and all I can say is "Keep it coming". I can only expect great things from Brandon McCalla, and I am proud of you.

I purchased Brandon's book at a book signing for Treasure E. Blue, "A Harlem Girl Lost". I found Brandon to be a very intelligent man. At first I was a bit adamant about purchasing the book, but he assured me that I would not be disappointed. To my surprise, the book turned out to be fabulous. I was definitely feeling the characters and I must say I envy Leaya. (I wish I were her) LOL. As for Rich, I respect his gangsta! I wish there were more men who would ride or die for their women like he would. I do not want to disclose too much info, but I will tell you that I am anticipating the arrival of the Diamond Dynasty sequel. The question I need answered is; Will the Dynasty.... Dy-Nasty?

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a fast paced, insanely
addictive, drama that had a spectacular ending.
Great job, Brandon, I am more proud than you will ever know.
How you come up with this stuff, one shall never know.
But, keep writing, this and everything you do with be awesome.

DIAMOND DROUGHT..........CAN YOU SAY HOT,FRESH,THE BOMB. WHAT EVER YOU SAY,JUST SAY WELL WRITTEN! DIAMOND DROUGHT TAKE'S YOU EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO.THIS BOOK IS A TRUE PAGE TURNER AND WILL HAVE YOU WANTING MORE. I CAN SAY I READ THIS BOOK IN LESS THAN 6 HOURS!BRANDON HAS DONE HIS THANG WIT THIS HERE. BRANDAN I AM A TRUE FAN!!!!!!