20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Travesty or Authentic?, September 2, 2009
This review is from: Gunz and Roses (Paperback)
Keisha Ervin's new novel, Gunz and Roses records the liaison and wobbly link of Gray Rose and Gavin "Gunz" Marciano. By all accounts both Rose and Gunz are attracted to each other, but after that the connection seems to be reminiscence of a see saw....one minute up ....the next minute down. Throughout the entire book, this is the connection between the two. It does become annoying and the name dropping of apparel is completely exaggerated! So much so that it became a nuisance! Rose had a group of friends who were definitely friends with good solid advice, always ready to step in and give advice, even if it wasn't wanted. But isn't that what real friends do, know our faults but love us anyway! I really enjoyed their bond of friendship, the attempt at the humor could have been omitted for it seemed as though there was no natural flow to it.
The last 100 pages of the book were indeed the best part to me, it showed excitement, growth between a maturing Rose and Gunz and then it ended. Because of the ending I thought this book was deserving of a four. However, that was before I discovered through reading the reviews that one of the scenes wasn't quite as authentic as I originally believed. Upon viewing this scene I realized that I couldn't possibly and honestly reward it with the rating of a 4.
I was excited about the book Gunz and Roses. Read it, thought it was a good read and complimented her new editor, for I noticed a new repertoire of intriguing vocabulary, verbiage, and well crafted phrases. So to say the very least, I thought I saw growth, for I recognized the escalation of her honing her craft. To say the very least I was particularly proud of Keisha, a new beginning, a new book, a new editor, a new publishing company, nothing but growth, so if would seem.
So I preface my review with the above and to say I have read Ms. Ervin's books since her first novel, Me and My Boyfriend. I was quickly taken in by her appeal to young readers, especially. So for the last five years I have followed her career and read her books. Through the good and not so good times, I have been there reading both books and reviews.
Because of my history with this author, and wanting nothing but the best, I feel that I must offer some strong constructive criticism. When we as the reader read an author over and over again, it is because we have come to trust and respect their work, hoping that they respect us enough to be real with us, giving us their very best and most of all, original work. This originality must be throughout the book.
While realizing there is nothing new under the sun, but it is all in the packaging. And this package wasn't packaged as an original. So to be honest to the art of literature, I simply can't reward the author with anything above the lowest rating. It is the desire of this reader that the author will hone her craft with dignity and honestly in the future.
Everyone's work is important and precious to them and should be given that respect of recognition, when "borrowing" scenes or passages from one another.
So Ms. Ervin, if given the opportunity please give us honest and original work, as we have been nothing but loyal to you for many years.
So, until the time comes when I realize that you are authentic, and it saddens me to say...but I must, I will not support you or your endeavors until you have rectified this travesty of literature.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
WHAT A WASTE, September 17, 2009
This review is from: Gunz and Roses (Paperback)
I too am a big fan of Keisha Ervin, but I got to say that this book was a huge letdown. The breaking up and getting back together between Gunz & Gray was getting on my last nerve. It seems like every time I turned a page they were screwing or fighting. After a while a just started flipping the pages of the book to get past all the screwing just to see if they actually have any kind of meaningful conversations. How in the hell was a relationship established. Then when the author stole the scene from the movie Sugar Hill, I was outdone. I am not going to give up on Ms. Ervin just yet, but if she don't come up with some better storylines besides drug dealers and weak a$$ whiny girlfriends, I am going to stop spending money on her books.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Keisha Please...get yourself together, April 30, 2010
This review is from: Gunz and Roses (Paperback)
Ok, so I, like many others who posted, am a fan of Keisha's. I mean I have been there through copying Wahida Clark, Baby Boy, Mya etc. But this one was ridiculous. I mean come on girl im still waiting on you to give it to us. The sex scenes seem to be the only original elements in the book and it may be sad to say but those were probably found somewhere else too. it's not like copyright infringement is beneath her. I hate to go hard on the sista but when I spend my money, especially on novels, I expect to go through a range of emotions and this one could have been returned to the store. I may have to start actually start sitting in the bookstores and deeply previewing her titles. It is my greatest joy to support Black urban fiction because there is some real talent out there i.e. Tu-shonda Whitaker, Niobia Bryant Wahida Clark, etc, and placing Keisha in their category right now isn't possible. Keish, if writing is going to be your thing, if it is going to be your passion and make you money you have to get dedicated. How long do you think we as consumers and readers of your work will support and patronize you when you cannot stand and deliver? It's a recession too, girl please...get yourself together. Obviously we can tell passion from tired and busted. That's what it seems like you got tired of writing and used space fillers. You better hope these people ( artist and writers you "borrow" from) don't try to stick you for your paper. Still waiting on a good one.
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