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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Beat Of My Heart, November 8, 2008
This review is from: Gunmetal Black (Paperback)
Gun Metal Black by Daniel Serrano is an intriguing story that looks through the eyes of a young Hispanic man growing up in the middle of turf wars, drugs, woman, and music. Eddie Santiago grew up in a two-parent home and was introduced to the Conga drums at an early age. He grew to love them and appreciate them as much as his parents. Learning music early was not the only thing young Eddie would be a witness too. Following around his well-known father left nothing to the imagination, because his dad believed in sharing everything with him. From how to use a gun to loving a woman; Eddie's world gets rocked when his hero is murdered right before his eyes. Shattering his dreams of living the American dream Eddie turns to the streets and gets his hustle on.
Mixing and mingling with little regards to where his life is headed, Eddie gets a bum rap and is forced to do a ten-year stint in jail. With nothing but time on his hands, Eddie reminisces about his childhood and where it all went downhill. Counting the days until freedom and pondering his future, will Eddie try to turn his life around or will he get in where he fits in? This book is filled with colorful characters, graphic bloody details, salsa flavor, and Hispanic history. Mr. Serrano mixes Salsa, Mambo and a little love interest in this tale of drugs, war and sanity.
In Gun Metal Black we are shown a side of the game that has never been described with a hint of passion, dirty cops looking to shake the drug dealers, convicts who actually want to enhance their lives, and cut-throat friends who will sell your soul to the devil just to come up in the street game. Hold on to your seats as you travel through time, listening to old school music, falling in love, and fighting the masses and trying to maintain your composure. I recommend this book to readers who are interested in history, passion, and of course violence.
Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
interesting read, January 11, 2009
This review is from: Gunmetal Black (Paperback)
Gunmetal Black is definitely not a book I would normally read- it contains some graphic violence and vivid descriptions of street life. I did, however, find the story intriguing. It depicts a part of our world that is so very sad but very real.
I thought Serrano did an excellent job describing his characters and how they were thinking and feeling during the story. Personally I found the mix of English, Spanish and slang a bit confusing since I don't speak any Spanish at all but I managed to grasp the story anyway. I really appreciated how Serrano shows just how much a parent can influence their child- for better or worse.
There is foul language and sexual content but I concede that the story would be rather unrealistic without those aspects of that lifestyle.
I also appreciated the reading group guide included in the back of the book which contained some very insightful questions.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gunmetal Black, January 9, 2009
This review is from: Gunmetal Black (Paperback)
Eddie Santiago is finally released from the harsh prison life he has endured for the past ten years. His childhood friend and best buddy, Tony, picks him up from the prison in a very nice car. Eddie knows Tony is back into the street gangs and he wants no part of it. He saved money while in prison so he could leave Chicago and go to Miami, where a former Cuban convict awaits him. They plan to start a small salsa record company. Tony takes Eddie about town, even though Eddie is pleading to go to his own apartment. Before Tony finally gets around to it, they are pulled over by two very dirty cops who search them and the car, and take all of Eddie's money.
Depressed, he knows he is probably going to go back into the street life with Tony. He needs to figure out a way to get his money back from the police. One thing after another happens and he still hasn't found leverage to force the evil cops into giving his money back. Will he get caught as he tries to replenish his funds and earn enough to live? Will he ever find a woman to love now that he is free again?
Daniel Serrano has penned a fascinating street novel that delves into the real lives of people who are victims of their circumstances. GUNMETAL BLACK takes a trip through the mean streets of Chicago and shows how easy it is to fall into the gang mentality. The characters are well developed and it is easy to understand how they feel and what they want. It is a very good novel.
Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers
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