Still Hood [Paperback]

Still Hood, the sequel to Hood Rat, by K'wan, is a tale that mixes hustling, love, celebrity, and violence, creating a piece of fiction that is bittersweet to the core.

True was beginning to live the life of a real rap star. With a hot debut album and greater things on the horizon, failing was no longer an option for him. When bullets showered upon him like rain, he knew someone was out for his blood, but who and why were in question.

Jah and Yoshi had a relationship most did not understand. Because of Yoshi's history and high profile position as a stylist, it was not hard for Jah to question her fidelity. Though Yoshi's unwavering love quieted Jah's rage, would this combination help redirect his fate? Old habits die hard and a killer is a killer is a killer, right?

Dena wanted more than the apartment she shared with her mother, siblings, niece, and nephews. Getting an education, money, and love were her tickets to better living. Though her brother, Shannon, attempted to guide and protect her from becoming a product of her environment, a pimp named Black Ice, with a tongue slicker than grease, entered her world and provided her with most of the above. Would Dena's affair with Ice answer the age-old question, `What does love have to do with it?'

Still Hood was an explosive series of events. The story had so much depth that I was easily consumed by the subplots and, at times, lost track of its many details and characters. While the pacing was on point, a fast reader could easily become frustrated by the lack of being instantly gratified. There is no denying K'wan has it going on. With violent scenes reminiscent of the movie Scarface, Still Hood could easily migrate to the silver screen.

I recommend Still Hood to readers who enjoy extremely detailed stories with subplots that are just as strong as the plot, those willing to forgive grammatical issues for the sake of reading a good novel, and urban fiction supporters who love gritty tales. K'wan fans would really appreciate this sequel.

Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub

When does change embody storylines to take on more intrigue without damaging an author's muse and stylistic rendering? Is it a case of `once a hood rat always a hood rat'? Okay, you get the picture. If you've ever read a book by K'wan you would know what to expect, and perhaps understand my pet peeve about not giving readers a little more flavoring that would make the dish appealing. You would also know the types of settings that have been definitive of his writing; and surely you would be able to predict what would be subsequent to the plot if his brand of characterization plays true to the game. The `game' in this instance is the same with a new address. It's the streets of Brooklyn centered on media madness in the form of music and the videos that fuel it. Our main characters are Yoshi and Jah. Yes, you met them in the author's preceding book, HOOD RATS. More of the same, you say? You betha! This time around we have have the two whom have embellished their relationship to the degree that romance is a thin unbalanced line between imaginary illusions and good intent. Yoshi plays her game to the hilt, always being in the right place at the right time; while Jah is always a day late, and perpetually playing catch up and wondering how to acquire equal parity albeit with a streak of jealousness.

The plot finds True, a somewhat successful artist who catapults to fame and fortune, only to find the enemies who want him out of the picture. The author paints Dena Jones as a quasi-tragic figure, who realizes that there's something more on the other side of the street, but circumstances says otherwise. She gets caught up in the game and manages to be two thirds of the catalyst that gives meaning to violence begetting violence. Others in the mix are Shannon, the older brother of Dena who only knows one means to an end - mischief and murder; and the two-timing Lance,Dena's boyfriend playing up to a taboo relationship with Michelle. Mix in the usual gunrunning, dope dealing, and sexual machinations and you get a book this time with no significant improvement from the author's last offering.

I read the book hoping to find solace in the fact that K'wan would give me more of his storytelling skill sans the sameness to his usual writing. The video shoot transforms the rest of the novel's depressing violence, including multiple murders, a less than appealing gang rape and the repeated acts that leave a less than memorable impression of an author that can write better. Greed and deception will always be major selling points in urban fiction, but what about enough denouements to keep us glued and clamoring for everything to tie in best for a story beyond the streets? I felt too, that the novel's cast of characters was a bit overblown that tend to cause a crowded environment. For K'wan fans, I'm sure would revel in the very uniqueness of writing Urban Fiction that they are used to. However, I rated it 3 stars out of 5.

K'WAN CAME BACK STRONG WITH THIS ONE. IT'S A CLASSIC IN IT'S SELF. IF YOU READ HOOD RAT THEN YOU GOOD BUT TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH THIS BOOK STANDS ON IT'S OWN. HE BRINGS IN NEW CHARACTERS THAT YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR....AND THE OLD ONES THAT YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO THEM. SEX, MONEY & MAYHEM AND THEN SOME K'WAN DOES HIS THING EVERYTIME. KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK..I SEE YOU LEFT IT OPEN(WINK).

I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL.....YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED I PROMISE.