From street thug to international heroin smuggler, to murder, to prison inmate, to vengeance, to redemption, about a life of true crime and coming of age.
Assessment:
Plot: The setting and premise of this novel are promising. However, there isn't a clear story arc—the book's plot feels more like a series of events than a fully formed narrative.
Prose: The writing is clear, but there are some small grammatical errors that can be distracting. The long sections of exposition and factual style give the novel a more historical tone, which can work against reader engagement.
Originality: Leo is an unusual choice as the hero and the reportage approach is also different from most crime novels. However, the execution of these choices falters.
Character Development: Readers don't really get to know Leo. The novel could give us an opportunity to see inside his head and understand how he feels about what happens to him, what motivates his actions, and how he changes over time. However, these things are only hinted at. Other characters are numerous, but also in need of further development.
Date Submitted: June 18, 2018
A debut novel delivers a journey through poverty and the heroin trade.
"The book reads like a memoir, action and excitement like a thriller, and educates the reader along the way. If you like books with a criminal nexus or a fan of memoir/ "based on a true story" books, this one would be a slam-dunk for you."
