Customer Reviews

Something to Die For: A Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nasir Lassiter was a college basketball star on the way to the NBA until being at the wrong place at the wrong time lands him a life prison sentence on a bogus murder change. Five years later, Nasir's conviction is overturned and he finds out that things back home aren't the same. His girlfriend Ayana gave birth to their daughter Brandy and now lives with a wealthy and possessive man name Alonzo. Ayana still has a deep love for Nasir but she must try to get away from Alonzo. Nasir is also saddened by the fact that his mother is hooked on drugs and reveals a terrible family secret. Nasir is trying to make up for lost time with all of the women in his life but when his daughter is kidnaped he may have to sacrifice his freedom to save her.

Something To Die For is a heart-wrenching novel by Travis Hunter. Hunter brought us an emotional tale about a young man trying to make things right again. I really liked Nasir as a character. The fact that he didn't come home from prison solely thinking about revenge but to get his life back in order for himself and his family was refreshing. Readers will be moved by the way Nasir instantly steps up to the plate to be a good father to Brandy. This author did a wonderful job of illustrating how issues such as drug addiction, unfairness in the legal system, and estranged family members can create a ripple effect in the African-American community. Something To Die For is awe-inspiring and enthralling. Travis Hunter is a master storyteller.

Pros: I wonder how many people will pay more attention to the love story and sleep on a lot of the social issues that Travis pointed out. I appreciated how he took fiction to sneak in so many topics that Black America faces today: racial profiling, crooked cops (whether they're on your side or not), the innocent imprisoned, the aftershock of being released from jail, rape, sexuality questioned in jail, black-on-black crime, kidnapping, foster care, pimps, drug dealing, depression, drug using, and so forth. He hit on a lot of topics, but tried to not beat readers over the head with it, by throwing in humor from characters like Monroe, Sammy (who reminds me of my boys from my childhood stomping grounds), Blackhead (I LOVE Blackhead--the midget comment had me on the ground), and Edna (why do I know so many GROSS women like her?). I know Allen's story was supposed to be sad, but I just about cried laughing while reading Sammy's version, because I can imagine sitting on my parent's front porch listening to the fools around there talk about people like him.
Besides all of the social issues, it's a story about a man fresh out of jail who finds out that after ignoring his family on the inside, he's come back to a whole different world...some great things, some bad things, and some things he can't rest until he fixes.

Cons: Priest blew me when he said he didn't know "someone" was still alive. How can you have your ear to the street and not know something like that? Nobody's THAT undercover, not with that type of person.

This was a great book to pick and read. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This book will have you thinking about our community as a whole, family and the decisions we make in our lives. You will be able to relate and understand everyone in this book, from the mother who loses a grip on reality, the parents who love too hard and forget who they really are, the insecure little man with the lazy eye, the young woman who does not realize her true value to the grandmother who has to slap reality into everyone to get them back on the right path. Buy the book, read it and you will enjoy it.

So what is there to die for? Love, hate, sanity, survival, guilt, pain, loss, money, war, prestige???

Your characters make me take a step back and ponder that thought. Some made me "just wanna holler and throw up both my hands"; but then it wouldn't be a great novel if it didn't jump off the pages and captivate the reader as such.

The Hearts of Men remains to be one of my favorites, but "Something To Die For" has a promising future.

Keep up the excellent work. Looking forward to many more great reads.

This is Travis Hunter Best. The story starts out with potential basketball star Nasir who's well on his way. Until one night of bad decision lands him in jail facing life in prison. With those who loved him left to pick up the pieces. Each character dealing with their obstacles. I won't say anymore. Because I don't want to spoil it but needless to see it is a great book and gives the reader something to think about. Go out and get it.

College basketball star Nasir Lassiter was imprisoned for life, for a murder he did not commit. Nasir didn't want his loved ones to see him locked up, so during visiting hours he refused to visit with them and after awhile they eventually stopped coming. The only exception to the rule was his Granny, because she was very adamant in her decision not to leave until she had spoken with her grandson. It was the visits from Granny that sustained and enabled him to make it day in and day out. Mysteriously free after five years, Nasir returns home to find a daughter he didn't know existed, his girlfriend shacking with an insecure, possessive man and his mother strung out on drugs. Nasir feels guilty for shutting the people who needed him the most out of his life. He is determined to right every wrong his family has endured.

SOMETHING TO DIE FOR is Travis Hunter's fifth novel to date. Readers who have graciously awaited its release will not be disappointed. In true Hunter fashion, this is an awe-inspiring novel that depicts men in a positive light. He touches on child abuse, molestation, substance abuse, prostitution and the consequences we face when hanging out with the wrong crowd. Nasir was a positive role model to the people of his community, but in the blink of an eye being in the wrong place at the wrong time, cost him his freedom. SOMETHING TO DIE FOR was well-written, extremely engaging and witty at times. I highly recommend you read this novel.

Reviewed by Pamela Bolden
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This was a very good book that Travis Hunter wrote. It is the story of Nasir Lassister, a college basketball star with a very promising career. That is until he catches a murder charge for a crime he did not commit. While locked up Nasir cuts off everybody except his Granmother Rose.

Fast forward 5 years and Nasir's conviction is over turned. Nasir returns home to find out his ex girl Ayana had the baby she was supposed to abort (Brandy) and is living with a crazed man named Alonzo. Nasir's mother Marcy is addicted heroin.

Nasir has to forgive himself for cutting off everyone, he never knew he had a daughter, he didn't know his mom was strung out and it hurts him inside. Marcy has to forgive her uppity parents who disowned her and Nasir years before. Nasir is on a mission to make things right in Marcy, Brandy and Ayana's lives. Along the way he runs into a few problems, an attempt on his life and his daughter is kidnapped, but Nasir is gonna make it through it all.
Very good read.

Travis Hunter is back, boy is he back. It took me a few hours to read this book, I just couldnt put it down. I am not sure how he does it, but he brings all the charcaters to life. Something to Die For has alot of lessons in it. And I love the character Baldhead he is so dang funny. Enjoy Something to Die For, I know you will.

Well first let me say, I was so happy to hear that Travis was writing another novel. This book grabbed me from page 1 and didn't let go. Mr. Hunter touched on so many things that we face in society today. This wasn't just another book about sex and drugs. It was REAL!! It was AUTHENTIC!! Keep doing what you do Mr. Hunter and I will keep supporting you. If you don't have it go get it, if you do buy another copy for someone else!! For the REAL AVID READERS out there, this ones for you!!

In the latest, long awaited Travis Hunter novel, Something to Die For, the reader is introduced to Nasir Lassiter, a young man who had a promising future as a basketball star, until he was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. While in prison Nasir cut himself from the outside world, refusing visitors and correspondences from those who loved him. Suddenly, out of the blue, he was told to pack his bags and leave the prison; he was a free man. Upon Nasir's return to his old neighborhood, he discovered that the ones he loved the most, suffered the most during his self-imposed exile. His greatest surprise was to find out he was a father. Immediately, Nasir jumped into the role of the doting, protective and loving father. He also became the defender of all the weaker members of the community.

While this was a feel good story with a positive black man, showing that one can overcome obstacles and still do good, I found a few things implausible. Just from my work with children, a four-year-old is just not that accepting of a stranger. Nasir seems to be very emotionless when meeting his grandfather, and I cannot believe someone whom you have not seen or talked to in over five years would let you take their $50,000 sports car for days and then not get mad or upset when you wreck their car. However, if you are looking for a quick feel good book, this is the one for you.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub