Customer Reviews

Triple Take: A Novel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On Chicago's South-side, the drugs are plentiful and the money is flowing. Alonzo "Zo" Johnson is one reason the crackheads are happy and the dope fiends are nodding, Richard "Richkid" Kidman pimp of Chi-town once had the respect of his prostitutes until he made one too many mistakes and lastly Eugene "Lil G" Pierce, a confidence man whose head is larger than life and a reputation of the same size.

In their youth, all three of these cats encompassed the streets of the Windy City, along with Jonathan "JC" Collins, until a robbery changed their friendship and lives forever. For ten years, JC sat in his cell harboring thoughts of revenge against his childhood friends who gave him up to save themselves.

Triple Take will astound you; it is not an innovative read, but the writing certainly is. You can tell the author is a poet by his eloquent writing style. Moore creatively draws you into each chapter, giving you the reader just enough to have you guessing who this chapter will be about and what fate will beset them.

Donald Goines wrote from memory of how his neighbors lived and how some died. Moore uses this same style of writing easily because he grew up in the projects on the far South-side of Chi-Town. He has the language and lifestyle photocopied to memory. One of my favorite genres is `Ghetto Realism" and Y. Blak Moore is certainly one author to watch out for. I look forward to his future works and plan to save a space for them on my bookshelf.

Triple Play is for the reader who can handle an intense and explosive read, in addition to a page-turner.

Missy

A brilliant, raw, and powerful novel. If this story had been written by anyone else, it wouldn't have worked. In Moore's hands we are taken for a walk down paths most of us know little about, and hope to never experience. His life in the projects of Chicago with all the violence it comes with is the emotional well from which this story is drawn. The novel is a tale of the spiritual revenge and redemption of a man just released from prison. The writing is rough and unpolished, but I swear it reads like poetry. Though I know little about the American ghetto, I've lived in some of the darker places in this world, and I can tell you this story is universal. It is rare to hear a voice from this world that I encourage you to grab this chance to hear a story that rarely rises above the din. There is nowhere else you will here it (at least nowhere you would want to go).

Triple Take by newcomer Yanier Moore is Intense. Intriguing. RAW. Gritty. In Your Face. Action-Packed. Fast Paced. Triple Take is all of that and more as we travel through the mean streets of Chicago with main character, Jonathan "JC" Cole. JC has just been released from prison and he is out to seek revenge and right the wrong of three individuals who set him up and betrayed him ten years ago in order to save themselves.

I must preface my review by saying that I do not usually read books where the storyline is centered primarily on characters that appear to have no redeeming qualities and exist primarily to be thugs, drug addicts, dope pushers and prostitutes. However, I was more than a little intrigued and inquisitive regarding whom was the author that could bypass the self-published route and go straight to a national publisher, and have their street life novel published! While these types of novels are growing in popularity (and many are even being compared to Donald Goines), most of them are "underground" and primarily self-published. I must admit that Moore didn't disappoint me. I started Triple Take at 2:00pm and was finished just shy of three hours later.

Not since Sister Souljah's Coldest Winter Ever have I read a novel about street life (or as some call them ghetto fab reads) that captivated, fascinated, and held my attention until the very end. Thinking about living vicariously and walking on the wild side? Then check out Triple Take by Yanier Moore and get ready to experience a world that most of us hope to only read about and experience as a voyeur. Triple Take is an explosive and energy charged novel that many will enjoy especially young readers and the male audience. I'm glad I took a chance on Triple Take and I look forward to future novels by Yanier Moore!

Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

If you are like me, raised in a middle class neighborhood and never really been exposed to the drug world, you will read Triple Take by Yanier Moore with your mouth hanging open. The antics and violence portrayed by the characters JC, Peanut, Rat and the others may be commonplace in their world, but it seemed surreal to me.

The action takes place in Chicago. The reader is first introduced to JC, Jonathan Collins, who is looking forward to his release from prison after serving ten years. He used his time in prison to harbor his anger and to plan revenge for those who put him there. From the day he is released, he seeks to destroy Richkid, Zo and Lil G; the ones who betrayed him. Unfortunately, Richkid and Lil G were taken care of by other means so JC only had to concentrate on ruining Zo, the top drug dealer in the area. With the help of his companions, Champagne, Rat and Shaunna, they wreak havoc on Zo's empire, leaving him wondering who is trying to take over his territory. The crew is an anonymous force working quietly and in the background, before JC reveals himself to Zo and Lil G at the very end.

This book is told in a mostly narrative form. It could have been more stimulating had the characters told the story using dialogue and actions rather than the author narrating. I felt as if I were listening to someone telling me what had happened, rather than experiencing it. However, it was an interesting read with some very interesting characters. There was good character development. The protagonist JC was very well developed and was portrayed as both a bad guy and a good guy. If "street life" books are your forte I am sure you will absorb this book. If not, I think you will be a little fascinated as I was with this novel.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

Triple Take is an excellent story, and Blak Y. Moore is an excellent storyteller. In my family and the neighborhood I grew up in story telling was an art. I believe this has been lost in modern America. Moore exemplifies the art of telling a rich tale and brining the characters to life. The writing is lighting quick, rough and unapologetic. Triple Take is told in a romantically rhythmic way, which smoothly carries you along and at the same time slaps you up-side the head with power and rawness.

I would have like to have seen some of the back-story and some of the characters' histories fleshed out more. Although, there were a lot of avenues Moore could have pursued he kept the story straight, fast moving and hard hitting. This book could have easily of been a welcomed 100-200 pages longer. Moore pulls you in making you not want to finish the last pages and say good-bye to the characters. I look forward to further books by Moore and will make sure to keep a look out for the next publication. I hope we have not seen the last of Jonathan Collins, Rat or the Apostles.

I thought this book was great.Remember people IT'S NOT A TRUE STORY! Black Moore used his imagination, and got a little crazy with it but did a DAMN good job. I know some parts of the book were a little over the top, but every great story teller exaggerates. That's what makes the story intresting. After all that has happened to JC he finally gets a break. A beautiful girl, great friends, and a BAD A-- PENTHOUSE to enjoy it all. I don't mind routing for the underdog sometimes.
Being from Chicago, I had to remind myself a few times that this wasn't really happening. For example, the shoot out at Zo crib in Beverly. Now anybody from Chicago know damn well you ain't gonna pop a firecracker out there! But what if somebody DID do it and got away with it? We'd be talking about that from now until forever. And it would take somebody with real heart (or a damn fool) to even try it. This builds JC's wild character. Black Moore had to go over the top with it to let you know how crazy JC is, and how he will stop at nothing to get ZO!
All in all this was a great book. I couldn't and I wouldn't put it down. Chi-Town support ya' boy, because it's worth it's weight in gold.

Jonathan (JC) Collins is jailed for ten years because his so called
friends, Richkid, Zo and Lil' G couldn't follow instruction. He is
disappointed, angry, and hell bent on revenge. While imprisoned he
befriends an inmate named Rat. When JC gets out of jail, he promises
Rat that he will be there for him when he gets out. True to his word
JC is right there when Rat is released with new clothes, jewelry,
sneakers, and a new car. Once out JC meets his physically sexual
equal, Champagne. She is a retired stripper with her own story to
tell. Not only do JC and Champagne have a sexually charged
relationship, but emotional and intellectual stimulation is there
also. JC tells Champagne and Rat of his plans for revenge and they
are `down with the program,' no matter what the cost. JC sets his
plan into motion against the person who has the most to lose,
Alonzo "Zo" Johnson. Zo is a big time drug dealer, although not
respected but feared because of who his right hand man was, Peanut.
JC knew taking down Zo would be risky but with his friends behind him
he knew it could be done, but at what cost, he would find out.

Y Blak Moore's debut novel is an excellently written, fast paced
story about, friendship, revenge and love. This story is packed full
of action. I can actually see this being made into a movie with Omar
Epps or Mekhi Pfifer playing JC and LisaRaye playing Champagne. I
read this book in 1 ½ days and found it hard to put down.

Tracey
R.E.A.L Reviewers

J.C. Cole and his three best friends pull of a heist that the four of them promise to keep to themselves until the heat dies down and then they could spend the money they hid. The three friends, "Richkid", "Lil' G", and "Zo", decided that was too long to wait, and splurge on the spot, capturing the attention of some playas who knew they were broke yesterday. After a dime is dropped on them, they turn on J.C., leaving him to serve ten years and them free as part of a plea bargain. J.C.'s time is spent dreaming for revenge, which goes into effect when he is released. With Rat, his jailhouse best friend, by his side, and with the help of their girlfriends, they plot to not only bring down his ex-friends, but kill them as well. Ironically, the only way to fund his project is by making use of the drug trade to set himself up as a major player to get what may be needed to dismantle and destroy. Fast paced with a lot of action, the intelligence level is definitely not wasted here. Each step is thought out and executed with nothing but hate at the forefront. An excellent debut!

Y. Blak Moore did a great job with his first novel. It sucked me in from the first page and did not spit me out until the very end. I like the way the book was written and the characters he created. He also showed that even though J.C was a rough neck, he also had a soft side. The only complaint I have is that in the scene in where J.C and Champagne meet for the first time, the actions that take place are not the norm! Overall, I enjoyed reading his first novel and look forward to his future works.

Englishruler
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating: 4 Stars

I took a chance in buying this book, without having many reveiws to determine if this was a good read. Just let me say, I have never written a review before, so that says a lot here. This book was full of action and kept me on the edge of my seat. For a 1st, Mr. Blak truly out did himself.I give this book a 10+ I have already droped this book in a total of 8 family and friends hands to read within a month, and everyone raves about this book. I look forward to reading furture work by this author and have added him to my list of great reads. i continue to tell others to invest in this book