The Gods of Asphalt [Kindle Edition]

H.E. ELLIS (Author)

Book Description

When police search seventeen year-old Sawyer Hayden’s wallet after he steals and crashes a vintage motorcycle they find just three things:

The fake I.D. his brother bought him, his real ID without a motorcycle endorsement and the empty condom wrapper he saved from his first night with Sarah.

What police don’t find is his list. A list of the three things Sawyer blames for turning his once promising athlete of a father into a trucker who’s life went nowhere. A list that before tonight he never left home without.

Before tonight Sawyer lived his life by that list, like a map he used to avoid the same path his father traveled. A map he used to find a road of own, a road he knew for a fact would pave the way to a college scholarship and a future in basketball.

But that was before tonight.

Because despite all Sawyer’s careful planning his map sends him down a road toward an obstacle he never sees coming. An obstacle that slams him head on and reveals a fate worse than failure.

Success.

Now broken, bleeding and running out of time Sawyer is forced to make a new list. A simple list with only one strategy.

Live long enough to fail.

Product Details

• File Size: 632 KB
• Print Length: 359 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1466261927
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005IQ1FT6
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #812,337 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a story that touches your heart and captures your soul. March 13, 2013

By Colleen Bratley

Format:Kindle Edition

You enjoy sharing the time with Sawyer, his family and friends feeling like you belong. You understand them, you could be one of the family, and really enjoy their company.

Oh to be sought after by a guy like Sawyer. You just have to love him. Yeah, he does some stupid things, but then who doesn't. And actually, considering the road his life has gone down, it doesn't really surprise you, but it sure gives you an emotional reaction. H.E. Ellis does a great job of developing her characters and as the story unfolds, so do the personalities that you end up absolutely loving. So much so that I really can't wait to read Book 2, River, to hear more about him and of course Sawyer and the others. Sawyer is my hero now.

While you are trying to figure out what makes each of the characters tick, you have to marvel and how the author weaves the story to reveal each person in their own light, but also how the interaction affects them. Well, at least you think you have it figured out, or what the reasons might be, but then sometimes you didn't get it quite right, and the story brings you to another place and emotion, that you just didn't see coming.

Sometimes in a story, as you become involved with the characters, you want things to end a certain way, or things to happen in a certain way. H.E. Ellis is really good at creating the emotions that actually force you to become involved. It brings you to the party, and you just can't leave. No reader really has any other choice. You feel the joy, fear, pain, love; you name it, all the way through the book. And sometimes the clock stops ticking as you relate something to yourself, which gives you an even keener insight to the characters and the story.

I must admit, I didn't think I would be so entertained. I really enjoyed the story from start to finish, and cheered for the characters with their trials and tribulations as if they had been known personally to me for years. The best part is, each character had its part, but of course the main character being Sawyer, you felt complete understanding and an almost finish with him. I say almost because he is interesting and fun, so you want more. I don't think you could ever get tired or bored with him. But the other characters she left you wondering and wanting more information to explain their souls. It makes you wantanxious to read the rest of the series. H.E. Ellis better write fast, I think the fans will grow restless otherwise. Very, very well done H.E. Ellis.

5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't want to put it down February 20, 2013

By Tooie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Engaging from beginning to end, The Gods of Asphalt takes us on a journey of emotion and growth. Sawyer and River, two brothers with a far from normal childhood, struggle with their past and find a way to define themselves through Ellis' depiction of teenage angst and growing pains.

Their relationship with each other, their family and their peers is written with such honesty and tension that the pages seem to turn themselves as you are wrapped into the weave of their lives. Within their turmoil we are given true insight into their characters and find something compelling in each of them. Ellis writes with such realism that the book takes on a life of its own. She gives depth to not only the main characters, but to each of the ensemble that support Sawyer and River on their adventure.

The Gods of Asphalt is the first in a series and this foray into the family dynamic puts the spotlight on Sawyer. His journey to finally break free of his past and live a life that is defined only by him is an endearing story and one that will have you strapping into your seat as you ride along on his roller coaster.

I would recommend setting aside several hours if you start this book because you won't be able to put it down.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read! February 18, 2013

By Patricia Hartigan

Format:Kindle Edition

Fantastic read that gets 5 big, shiny stars from me. The action starts on the very first page, grabs your attention and just never lets up.

The story is told from a male pov which is more unusual in YA books and I have to say I found this a refreshing change. Sawyer and his brother River are the main characters and the relationship between them is endearing, it’s a no punches held one (literally! they scrap all the time!) but at the end of the day, they always have each other’s backs. The dialogue between them is snappy, witty and pure entertainment, a real highlight of the book for me.

The plot is interesting and I’m very happy that I choose to read this book at the weekend as I could just plough through it which was all I wanted to do. Sawyer moves to the town of Valentine to live with his grandfather to give himself the best chance of winning a basketball scholarship to college. So it’s about the new relationships he makes there and an ongoing conflict with his father. There are family secrets too. Some immediately obvious but I didn’t guess the full extent of these secrets until they were revealed near the end of the book.

All the characters are true to life and I can honestly say I enjoyed getting to know them all. And I just loved when I got to the end of the book and saw there is more books planned for the series, I feel like this is the start of a beautiful new friendship between me and folks of Valentine. And even better the next one is about bad boy River, bring it on asap, I can’t wait to have a full book all about him!

Note : Thanks to H.E. Ellis for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

More About the Author

Full-time writer with Chevy Impala obsession seeks readership with an appreciation for the fine art of mocking. Interests include candlelight dinners, long walks on the beach, and Abe Vigoda. Must love New England. Author of ICONIC INTERVIEWS, REAPERS WITH ISSUES and THE GODS OF ASPHALT series.

www.heellisgoa.com

www.reaperswithissues.com