Customer Reviews

Unsigned Hype: A Novel

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a person who fully believes in the importance of reaching the youth. The problem that usually prevents us from doing this is we don't try to reach the youth where they're at.

Enter filmmaker and author Booker T. Mattison and his debut novel, Unsigned Hype.

From a reader's perspective, the book doesn't miss a beat; I read the book in one sitting, captured by the music backdrop, the tight writing, the well developed characters, and the drama that ensues well to the end of the novel.

As a person, the book touches me because it meets the youth where they are, where their dreams are, where their trips and stumbles through life are, and it shows youth that having faith, having God is important. That with him and your faith, you can still have your dreams--even if they're a little altered due to their journey.

I definitely recommend this book to all readers interested in a strong story and an equally strong message. Looking forward to see what Mattison puts out next.

Unsigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison is a street novel that grips you from the first page until the very end. With cool, relatable characters such as Terror Tory, Bang Up Black and Boo Boo you feel like this is a tale from your back yard. Growing up in Mount Vernon, Tory lives with his mom and two older brothers and he has inherited his deceased dads' ear for music. From blasting tunes and playing the piano, you name it this brother is spinning the 1s and 2s. Interested in becoming a music producer, Tory helps his friend, Fat Mike, create a demo that lands them a spot in the Unsigned Hype competition.

While Tory is living a dream, Fat Mike is basking in the mini glow this competition has thrown their way. However, when they don't win Mike becomes sour and agitated that Tory, now known as Terror Tory, gets a hook up to make beats and produces some of the local talent. Unsigned Hype is a great read for all, especially today's youth who do not exactly live in the best neighborhoods but still have a dream. Mr. Mattison incorporates religion, morals and caring parents in this urban novel; where everyone feels right at home. This is a feel-good story about our youth and helping them to help themselves.

I recommend this book to readers of all genres and ages and will be passing this one on to my daughter. Unsigned Hype gave me a warm feeling as the story unfolded and walked me through the life of a teen growing up and the challenges as well as obstacles he had to face. Making the right decision is hard especially when you are unsure of your purpose in life. Pick up a copy.

Reviewed by: Cheryl Hayes
APOOO BookClub

This was an interesting book. Totally outside of what I usually read. It's a YA book, but very urban in feel. I think it's an important voice that hasn't been heard a lot in the past. The book shows that even in that environment, it is possible to live your life with integrity and honesty and faith. I thought the book was really good. For those readers who really aren't familiar with the hip-hop culture, it gives some really good insight. At the same time, I know if it weren't for the blog tour I probably wouldn't have picked this one up. But I'm glad I did have the opportunity to read it.
[...]

This book was well written by Booker T. Mattison. He did an excellent job in describing the urban life in Mount Vernon and the surrounding boroughs in New York City. I would recommend this book for all Young adults' ages 13 and Older. Parents can also take a few lessons out of this book, for nurturing their children in the urban community. Unsigned Hype novel should be added to all Junior and High school curriculum (grades 6-12). I planned to share this book with my 14 year old Nephew.

I loved everything about this book by Booker T. Mattison, award-winning film writer and maker, award-winning novelist, professor and family man.

The story is told through the voice of fifteen-year-old Tory, who has been fatherless since he was a small boy. His dad was murdered while coming home from tutoring a student. Moms had done her best to rear her three sons with good moral values and manners.

Tory inherited his dad's love of music and of being a DJ. He has his dad's old record collection of over 800 discs. When Tory mixes the music for a friend of his who has hopes of being a rapper, they enter a contest and win. However, a big producer picks up Tory but leaves his friend behind.
Tory catapults to instant star status and is surrounded by people with no scruples: sexually promiscuous, drug dealers and users, and those involved in other dangerous activities. It's easy to get taken in when the big money starts coming in and thousands of people are shouting your name.

Moms fears that Tory, screen name Terror Tory, will lose his footing and she enlists the help of Mr. Lord who taught with her husband and attends the same church she does.

Tory is be-smitten by Mr. Lord's daughter, Precious.
"Precious Lord is really her name? You've got to be kidding me."

With Moms' love, the attention and influence from Precious, and the fatherly advice from Mr. Lord, Tory learns the true meaning of integrity and truth.

I wish every teen would read this book ... and their parents too.

Find out more about Tory at [...]

Unsigned Hype is a thrilling novel that entitles the story of dreams and success at a young age. Young Terror Tory, as he calls himself in the novel, is raised by his mother after the devastating death of his father when he was young. He follows in the path of his father by becoming an aspiring DJ, and he's also very good at it. This boy can spin hits in seconds with little to no effort at all. So it's no surprise when Tory is selected by power 97 to have his own hour of mixing, live on the air. He ends up teaming with a very talented bi-part by the name of "Bang Up" and combined with Terror's mixing ability and Bang Up's freestyle flow of lyrics; they end up making several smash hits. Becoming the city's favorite duo, these two encounter some rough edges regarding their age difference, Bang Up's habit of breaking the law, and Tory's lack of common sense at times. With so many more amazing events, this story is by far one of the best reads I've had in a long time. There were so many life lessons taught and not to mention, it was very funny. I loved some of the comments and metaphors/similes used to give the story humor. I give Unsigned Hype five stars and I recommend it as a novel that all teenage young men should read! Though the morals are all some things we should learn to value.

I had the pleasure of meeting Booker T. Mattison in person and his charm shines through his writing. Unsigned Hype was one of the most hilarious, family orientated, and realist novels I have read this year and that's speaking from a lot of books I have read. Mattison wrote with such ease to me and the dialogue seemed the most natural out of any other writer I have read. I felt as if the characters were real people and I was reading a letter written directly to me. The story line consists of a teen boy named Tory who has the musical talents that is rare among those in the industry today. He has the talent to develop great music and he was also a talented DJ. His journey to success in producing music was not a fairy tale and in this book you witness the realism of success. What glitters ain't always gold. This book comes from a Christian stand point but I honestly didn't realize that I was getting a biblical lesson; it's just not that obvious. Which is a good thing because I dislike books that are preachy. Mattison wrote this book in such a way it was so entertaining, real, and came from the streets that you have no idea that it will teach you some life lessons.

This book is for all ages and it will be one I will keep in my collection and never forget.

Tamika Newhouse
AAMBC Reviewer

A great book for middle school and high school youth! Positive, encouraaging and real. Give it to every young person you know - a perfect birthday gift or summer read.

Dreams can come true, but not without a price. For Tory Tyson's family, the noble dream of expanding minds through education and demonstrating financial responsibility comes to a devastating halt, leaving Tory's mother to raise three sons on her own in Mount Vernon (New York).

Tory, the youngest son, is a burgeoning entrepreneur; he is a DJ for local events and produces music tracks for local artists. Tory's formal musical training and love of hip-hop merge to make him the hottest young producer around. When fate blends with preparation, Tory is discovered by hip-hop's finest, MixMaster Magic, and is given his own spot on one of New York's infamous hip-hop radio show.

At the age of 15, Tory is suddenly plunged into the raw side of hip-hop culture and discovers the backlash of resentment and jealousy, which seem inexplicably linked with success. He must now decide who he is, what his music represents and what obligation, if any, he has to the community as a whole.

Here, Booker T. Mattison scripts a multifaceted masterpiece in easy fashion. Told in first person, Mattison manages to realistically capture an adult world through teen eyes and emotions. The beauty of this work is that Tory is not left to filter through life's chaos on his own: his mother, a close family friend, his brothers, and, possibly, his future wife, provide an alternative to what the streets determine his life should be. Ultimately, the decision about his life's path is one that only Tory can make.

UNSIGNED HYPE is a must read especially for teenagers and young adults. Never preachy, it is an honest and engaging story about life's choices and the subsequent ramifications.

Reviewed by a. Kai
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Though "Unsigned Hype" by Booker T. Mattison is considered fiction, any person inside or outside of Hip Hop will be able to relate to this achievement in literature. Terror Tory's journey to success contains many nuggets of wisdom along the way. Excellent examples of the psyche and mindsets of the various ways people view the concept of religion and even the stereo types associated with Christianity are dealt with within the book. But don't get it twisted, this is not a religious book, but rather a work of art that is story telling at it's finest. The inner workings of the Hip Hop culture is covered well (I grew up in the culture). But that's not all, anyone desiring to enter into the marketplace and spread their musical talents would learn quite a few lessons on, "what it takes" to make it and at the same time how to stay grounded. The value of family and excellent "home-training" is also presented STRONG throughout the book. Terror Tory's mom is a testament to the oustanding "Moms" of all races but especially to the mothers within the urban community. I would even venture enough to say, to filmakers like Tyler Perry and Spike Lee who look to bring moral stories from the urban streets to the screen, I wouldn't sleep on this...Booker T Mattison, is here and is bound to provide a wealth of excellent material for years to come.