Literary Review- Black People: For Entertainment Purposes ONLY

Who would have thought that there was a book out there that gave a powerful message and at the same time gave you action, love, conspiracy and murder? Of course there are plenty of books out there that deliver but only a few deliver like, Black People: For Entertainment Purposes Only.

W. Ivan Wright’s, Black People: For Entertainment Purposes Only is an compelling tale about a successful African American author named Jurney who delivers a book with the same title and becomes one of the most hated people amongst the people he wrote it for: African Americans. Although he has tried to explain what the meaning and the purpose behind his book, it doesn’t stop a crazed veteran named Cephas from trying to kill him. Also to add to the list of drama, he learns that he has a daughter from a past relationship and the mother is trying to get in his pockets.

Although the book had one of the most boring openings, I continued to read and begin to really enjoy the message that all blacks are interested in being or acting like basketball players or rappers. I also appreciated the mild action that did not leave you thinking of blood, guts and gore.

If you like a book that starts off slow but builds to a book of great meaning and purpose then this is the book for you. W. Ivan Wright will truly deliver in the end.

Agasa Elitou-Reviewer

Literary Review- Harlem Heat by 50 Cent and Mark Anthony

If you like Bonny and Clyde or Thelma and Louise then you’ll like Harlem Heat. This is a story about two women Roxy Reynolds and her daughter Chyna who run a gun trafficking ring. These women take charge and rule the streets all on their own but with a price to pay.

Roxy a young mother and her daughter Chyna who is following in her footsteps are real hustlers. They have done it all from exotic dancing to prostitution, and now they are the leaders of a successful gun-trafficing ring. Roxy had been a member of a powerful gang for many years before most of the members were incarcerated many years ago. She gained plenty of experience as a hustler of all trades and she has taught her daughter Chyna everything that she knows especially loyalty and keeping her mouth shut. Although the business was a success, things began to get shaky when old-time gangster Panama Pete is released from prison and has to stay with the Reynold's women.

Chyna is given a tip that Panama Pete is no good and that he has broken one of the major laws of the streets— don’t snitch. It is being said that he is working as an agent for the cops. When Chyna learns this information, she decides to watch his actions to be sure that what she hears is not just bad wax in the ears. When suspicious acts begin to unravel including the rape of Chyna and the theft of all the money that the women had to keep her gun clients happy is stolen by a few thugs, Chyna confronts her mother and tells her that she is being played by her long time friend and things get heated.

Roxy and Chyna are forced to get their money back in a way neither of them expected and now there are cops and gangsters chasing them. Will they manage to get away? Will they be able to keep their heads? Will one of them die?

Filled with heart racing action, Harlem Heat is a one-day reader that you never want to put down. Mark Anthony caught my attention with this book and I hope that there is a Harlem Heat 2.

Agasa Elitou- Book Reviewer

Literary Review- Derelict by 50 Cent and Relentless Aaron

I have read a lot of books— some good and some bad. I enjoy books that stay focused because it keeps my interests. This brings me to my review of Derelict written by 50 Cent and Relentless Aaron. I was satisfied with the first two books in the G-Unit Series for the year 2007, but this one left me blank.

Derelict is about a convict named Jamel who went to jail for writing faulty checks. While serving his time, he slowly starts to make moves on a psychologist he thinks is sexy in the beginning, but he shows in the end how he truly felt about her, especially with the stories that he shares with his jail mates Box, Roy, and Twan.

Jamel talks about his two girlfriends Deadra and JoJo and his two kids throughout the story. He has a few pen pals that are female convicts and of course Dr. Kay the psychologist—he is a true pimp with nothing at all.
Dr. Kay falls for Jamel hard and they have relations nearing the end of the book. When Jamel finally gets out of jail, his friend Troy picks him up and they stop at a motel. Jamel supposedly puts his pimp down to scare Dr. Kay off, but his actions only turn her on and there is no escaping her clutches.
Jamel wants to surprise his women so he and Troy sit in a truck and wait for the women to get home. While waiting, Troy tells Jamel to feel under the seat. To Jamel’s discomfort he feels a M-16 assault rifle which freaks him out because he does not want to do another bid, but Troy is on a campaign to kill Mac a famous rapper who was responsible for putting Troy on life support six years earlier.

I am truly hoping that there is a part two to this book because I was left in a total daze with too many questions about what the hell is happening. What kept me reading the book was that I was expecting him to get out of jail and take revenge on someone. What happened to the probation officer that was supposed to be watching Jamel’s every move? Who was the mysterious person that had and agenda of his own and planned to take Jamel down at any price? None of this happened!!! Jamel stayed in jail most of the time which began to get boring, and it was the last 5 or 6 pages that the caged bird was free. He got out of jail only to dump Dr. Kay and sit in a truck.

The back of the book was much more interesting then the content. My view would totally change if there is a part two to this book. Hopefully this is what 50 Cent and Relentless Aaron have in mind.

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Agasa Elitou

Literary Review- Blow by 50 Cent and Kwan

Many authors write about the ins and outs of street life but there are very few that give the impression that they write from experience. Blow is one of those few. From beginning to end whether you were a hustler or knew the life of hustlers, 50 Cent and Kwan draw you in with the realism of the streets in your face.

Blow is a gripping tale about fours hustlers— Prince, Killa-E, Daddy-O, and Danny who work for the neighborhood drug lord Diego on the streets of Harlem. Prince and his crew run the projects selling crack and cocaine and they’re good at it: they work well together, they make good money, and with the help of Sticks and Stone, two crazy killers, they get the respect that most people take years to achieve. After a while they start to want more— more money, more respect, better product to sell, and larger territory so they go to Diego and ask him for their own spot. Prince feels that since he was good at what he did then he should move up, but Diego rejects him.
When Prince meets a heroin connect, they get what they wish for but they are also plagued with greater enemies and bigger problems. The tables turn when Diego now wants in on the deal that Prince has made, and with the shoe being on the other foot, Prince declines. Of course this means war and Diego along with his killer Manny are looking to settle the score. In addition, there is a traitor in the mist and the police are on their backs, and with Diego at their fronts they’re trapped and blood spills.

This is a straight in your face book that keeps its focus with not too many twist and turns that leave you confused. Although the ending was kind of expected any other ending would have made the book seem unreal. Blow is a good book to read if you like urban street fiction and if you don’t, read it anyway because you might be surprised and agree with me.

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Agasa Elitou- Reviewer