Drama High: Street Soldiers

Drama High #15

by L. Divine

At South Bay High, the drama just keeps on growing…In the long-awaited 15th volume of the Drama High series, StreetSoldiers picks up with a murder in front of Jayd’s grandparents' house. Mama and Daddy are convinced the police have the wrong suspect in custody and have joined forces to help organize the neighborhood and find the real killer. Mickey's ex-boyfriend has been arrested for the gruesome act, which is more like their wicked next-door neighbor, Esmeralda, and her shape-shifting boyfriend, Rousseau's handiwork. And to make matters worse, Esmeralda's influence in the community is growing stronger every day, and so are the powers of her top apprentices and Jayd's best frenemies, Misty and Emilio. With two of Jayd's closest friends, Mickey and Nigel at war over the custody of Mickey's daughter, Jayd's ex-boyfriend, Rah going back to hisex-girlfriend, Trish without Jayd's knowledge, and having to witnessher most recent love, Jeremy pretend to date her newest enemy,Cameron, Jayd's had just about all the drama she can take and it'sonly the beginning of their senior year. Keenan, her new collegecoffee buddy, is the only one who can take her mind off of her chaoticlife. Jayd decides that it's time to make some changes and get rid ofanyone-and anything-holding her back.

Genres: Drama, African American, Contemporary, Young Adult, Paranormal

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2012

About the author

L. Divine is a young female author of the young adult fiction series Drama High. L. Divine is also a priestess who is originally from California, has lived in Jamaica and currently resides with her children in Atlanta. She also holds advanced degrees in African American studies from UCLA.

Reviews

[Sandra (Book Loves) Atueyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drama High: Street Soldiers (vol. 15) by L. Divine was a good book. This is my fifteenth book read from L. Divine. I enjoyed reading this book because this series is funny and well written. I can’t stop reading this book because Jayd broke up with Jeremy because she realized that Jeremy cheating on her with Cameron. I am happy that Jayd is focus on school and herself because she does not need any drama in her life. I don’t understand Mickey’s character. She didn’t care about Nigel ‘s feeling but she decides to go back to her ex- man. Her ex- man was almost kill Nigel because Mickey. Mickey needs to learn how to tell the truth and taking care of her daughter instead spend the money for herself. I wish Jayd needs to focus on her problem issues instead of worrying about her friends problems. Misty is starting to give my nerves and KJ needs to wake up because Misty is officially witch or vampire. I wish Nellie should tell Jayd about the picture that she send to her. Rah was wrong for not telling the truth to Jayd. So far, this series is good read because the author did a really good job to put out this book. I am looking forward to read another book from this author. This book and author deserve a 5.5 stars.

[Cece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I need someone to talk to about this book.
But I must say it was worth the wait.

[Jenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Hate that I have to wait a while to see what happens though.

[Samara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much ! Jayd is a real female look up too

[Sandelyn Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Street Soldiers is one of the most interesting book that I have read so far. This book is about a teenager named Jayd, and her family is going through a crisis. Jayd's grandmother is the main one going through a lot. Her grandmother's best friend Pam was murdered. The night she was murdered, the police immeditley started on her murder trial.When the police arrested Jayd's best friends ex -boyfriend.Thats when all the drama started. Know that Jayd's friendships, past and recent relationships have gotten in the way of her finding her answer to solve Pam's murder trial. Even though she has a lot of drama going on right know, she is not going to let anybody get in the way of finding the answer that she is looking for Pam and her family, she hopes this will cause a closure to all the drama that happening in her high school and personal life. Hopefully all of Jayd's friends and family will look back on how all the drama affected everybody's friendship and relationship with one another.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive Read All The Drama High Books And They Always Have Me Ready For The Next One... The Ending For This Book Has Me Excited For The Next One I Would Definitely Say Read This Book And All The Others

[Nickole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drama High Is The Best Drama Books I Have Ever Read !! L. Divine Should consider making them into a television series !!

[Tiffany Spencer]

Street Soldiers
As the book begins, two police officers have Mickey’s ex man and are threatning to either put one in him or rough him up if he doesn’t comply. “Daddy” tries to plead with him (Jayd has a feeling he’s been here before) but they aren’t hearing him and finally put him in the car. Jayd pleads with Mama to do something because while she doesn’t have any love for Mickey’s ex, she also knows he didn’t kill Pam. Not his MO to slice and dice. Mama tho seems to be more worried about finding o ut who offed Pam. She leads Jayd inside and she starts to work on something undisclosed to us (that involves chicken and eggs).

Jayd has a dream that Pam is trying to get away from Russell and his gang. She asks Jayd to relay the message to Mama (as she’s the only one that can help her) before disappearing into an alley. The following day, Mama, Netta, and Daddy jump into action and start putting up signs in the neighboorhood, making door to door house calls, and calling out the police for not being more active, and reactivating the Neighboorhood Watch. Before heading off to school, Jayd has a run in and an exchange of words with Russell (She warns him to stay away from her). At school, KJ gets a little rough with Misty because she’s been hanging with Emilio (since their initiation). For some reason, Jayd tries to intervene but Misty says she’s got this (Her look isn’t the only thing that’s changed).

After school, Jayd goes to the courthouse as instructed by Mama, “G” pleads not guilty but is denied bail and sent back to jail. Mickey since this is now avoiding Jayd. Jayd thinks Mickey needs to be supporting her ex like he did her. Come to find out when she drops of Nellie at the salon, Mickey’s there getting her nails done and confesses she got back together with “G”. The reason she hasn’t been at the hearings is because he doesn’t want “his family” involved. Mickey isn’t concerned about Nigel’s feelings or how dangerous it is getting back with “Gi”. This turns into an argument between Jayd and Mickey. So, Jayd just bounces and heads to work. At work, Jayd finds out from Mama’s head that she thinks she can save his soul. Esmerelda is also trying to get her hands on him.and had a hand in his arrest.so she can come running to his rescue which will in debt him to her for life. Jayd tells Mama about her dream about Pam. Again they both remind Jayd to write her dreams down in her journal. They say that Esmerelda has been building up her army and collecting soliders on Hector’s side. They tell her to keep her mind strong, get plenty of rest, and try to eliminate drama. Above all don’t keep her dreams to herself. Mama then gives her a lesson about her “master mind team” a group of wise, old, spirits, she can call on when she needs guidance.

Pam again comes to Jayd in a dream reapting the same thing. Jayd tells Nigel about his mother suing her grandmother. Chance says she should talk to his mom. Mrs. Carmicheal says she’ll be glad to take on the case and not to worry her pretty little head over it. Jayd tells Mama about Mrs. Carmichael’s offer and Mama gives her a talk about keeping her heart closed and not trusting most people. Jayd and her Mama hear drumbeats. Mama tells Jayd about the army Esmerelda is creating from followers. She wants to run all the spiritual houses on the west side. The book explains it that when Esmerelda married Hector’s ile she also married the spirits of Ruusseu’s animal with the spirits of her followers making a living voodu doll. She’s used Rousseau to summon Mama’s father’s spirit to help create the zombies and shape shifters. Mama says that since they were initiaed by Esmeralda she’s the keeper of their soperas. Without them she can’t influence their heads. Jayd gets a scholding and a pop from Mama who mouths off at Rosseau, She tells her not to engage with him. Then she tells her how Esmeralda lost her powers (thus losing her mind). Now that she got her powers and partner back she won’t be tamed so easily. Jayd wants to know how to win the battle. Her mama tells her they have to have faith and trust in the process.

Jayd has a dream of being branded. Ironically, Rah calls and invites her to go with him and Nigel to get new tatoo’s. Jayd decides she’ll also get a tatoo. When done it resembles Califia’s brand in the dream. While thinking about how the experience has tied her with Nigel and Rah, Jayd realizes that Rousseau is trying to join their blood line. First through bitting Pam (one of Mama’s godchildren) and then by unsuccesffuly chasing her down and trying to bite her.

Jayd learns from studying the spirit book that Roussea was her great grandfather’s favorite god son and apprentice. When Jean Paul died Rousseau attempted to bring him back to life per John Paul’s instructions, but instead turned him self into a shpe shifter with one food in and one foot out of the after life. Jean Paul’s spirit can move in between the sprit and physical world if summoned by Rousseau. During a session, Jayd finds out Rah is considering going to UCLA. Trish says she’s applied to Spellman. Rah tells Jayd she should consider applying for a HBCU but she knows this won’t fly with Mama. Jayd also finds out that Rah made Trish Rahema’s god mother and they are back together. Jayd gets upset (UH WHYYY?) and *tries* to dip. Rah catches up with her and says to gain custody of Rahema he needs to stop slangin and have a steady girlfriend and reminds her that she’s with “the white boy”.He has to prove he can provide a stable home. Jayd somehow considers this “lying to her” and reminds him tha she told him if he ever did again she wouldn’t forgive him. JAYD YOU ARE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH RAH! YOU NEVER WERE! Jayd tells him to forget he knows her. SOUNDS LIKE THE BEST IDEA YOU EVER HAD! LEAVE HIM THE HELL ALONE JAYD!

Emilio and KJ almost fight in class. A competition for the forensic club is announced. Chase invites Jayd to a party after school at Matt’s. There’s also a new student named Marsha (that’s also at the party). There’s an awkward moment when Chase, Alia, and the new girl want to know if Jeremy and Jayd are together but he makes an excuse “to get something to drink”. Nellie shows up (invited by Laura) whose again running for court and senior princess. Cameron shows up and in a bitch move, tries to blackmail him by saying if he doesn’t escort her to all the homecoming events she’ll tell everyone he was high in the picture which will violate his agreement with the court (possible end him up in jail and kicked out of school). Nellie then admits to Jayd *she* was the one that sent Jayd the picture. Jayd’s mom gives Jayd the idea to go out for her cosmetology license and get her own shop. Then her aunts come over to plan for Lynn’s wedding.

Jayd finds herself at the coffee shop where Keenan hooks her up with a few good ideas about applying to schools and how to get a refurbished computer. He then asks her out to dinner after his shift. Jayd lets Keenan go back to her place and things start to heat up. When it looks like they might actually have sex. Jeremy shows up wanting help with Cameron. Then Keenan comes out. It’s too much for her so she sends them both home (with her mom’s voice in her head telling her the same thought). Rah calls to invite Jayd to a session but she turns him downand cuts ties with him FOR GOOD! (ITS ABOUT TIME!!)

When Jayd goes to deliver the papers to Mrs. Esop, she walks in on her daughter making the announcement she’s going to marry her girlfriend. Mrs. Esop pulls Jayd aside upstairs in her room and starts to vent that she lost both her children in a year and that while they think she’s a demanding old broad, she only wanted what was best for them. Jayd tells her that they appreciate what she did but she needs to learn to accept them for who they are. Mrs. Esop is curious to know if Jayd got anything out of her time as a debutaunt. Jayd admits to her she loved learning how to fold her napkin and now she’s bought some napkins (cloth) to fold because it makes her feel lady like. The ASU needs to nominate someone for Homecoming Queen. Someone that will knock Nellie’s nomination down. Jayd is having dreams about a pck of dogs with rabies chasing her and Mama. Mama falls. The dogs eyes are glowing. Mama says it’s a warning from the ancestors. She says keep writing the dream down as she remembers it. She says she thinks Esmerelda is trying to turn Lexi. Lexi then appears foaming at the mouth with crazed eyes looking like she’s about to pounce. Esmeralda someone crossed Lexi’s mind with one that has rabies. Lexi leaps up and bites Mama on the leg. Jayd then throws the bed covers over her. They take her to the back house and Lexi is calmed. Mama tells Jayd to write the incident down in her spirit book. Then she tells Jayd to get some rest.

At school, Nigel is showing off the bling he’s been getting from potential schools. Jayd warns him it’s illegal, but Chase tells her to just let him enjoy it. (Earlier Mrs. Esop tells Jayd to give Nigel the message that she loves him and Jayd vows to talk to Nigel about having compassion for his mother and not cut off her and his daughter). Mickey shows up and tells Nigel she doesn’t want him as Nicky’s father anymore and says they can take a blood test. Nigel argues that he doesn’t give a damn what she says that’s his daughter. Mickey deamnds he give up his watch because Nickey needs food and clothes. Nigel says he not giving her a damn thang. He’ll take Nickey to get what she needs hisself. Mickey tells him when he starts acting like a dad he can be one. Nigel takes Mickey’s lunch and throws it in the trash and Mr. A tells them to take it outside. Jayd nominates Maggie for Queen.

Keenan and Jayd have a date. He arrives early and brings a picnic basket with Ethiopian food. The next day is a ceremony for Pam. Keenan offers to go with Jayd. Mickey comes by the day of Pam’s ceremony and says she’s going to do the right thing and say “G” was with her the night Pam was murdered. Jayd reminds her that if she’s caught lying SHE could go to jail. What it all boils down to is an argument and Mickey admitting that “G”’s family has been providing her with a place to stay and she doesn’t want to go back to her parents. “Gi” promised that when he gets out he’ll get them a place of their own. Jayd tells Mickey to grow the hell up and Mickey tells her when she gets a man and a baby she can tell her how to live her life. Then she leaves. Jayd again vows to talk to Nigel. Jayd has a dream she’s walking in the water and stubs her toe on a fish hook. She’s guided by Califia to a red fish (Pam) that says she knew her and M ama would rescue her. Then the fish starts to chase her. Mama pulls her up and saves Jayd. Pam says she needs Jayds blood to survive. Mama takes an electric staff and stabs Pam. Esmerleda then throws a net and catches them all. Jayd now knows how to trap Esmerelda. If they can get their hands on her animals., they can free the victims souls. Somehow Jayd and Mama gets into Esmeralda’s house and is able to use her gift of sight to find Misty and Emilio’s souls trapped in two rattle snakes. One of the birds peeks Mama on the forehead. On the way out Mama passes out. 911 is called.


My Thoughts
(Peam’s Plot): I think that this plot would have made more of an impact if Pam wasn’t just a background character. I can scarsely remember her in the story up to this point. There should have been a scene of two of Mama talking to her or helping her in some way. Maybe having an emotional conversation about her past. It’s bad (and sad) that she was knifed to death but more time should have been spend on her. But this is something books do. They’ll bring in a character then kill them off and it just doesn’t have the effect it’s supposed to.

(G’s plot) This was just the opposite of Pam’s plot. Here’s a character that’s been brought to our attention since book 1 and we STILL don’t care if he does or doesn’t get off for the crime of killing Pam. BECAUSE HE KILLED TREY. Because he’s ATTEMPTED TO KILL NIGEL. Because he’s THREATNED JAYD AND MICKEY. Maybe it was honorable to fight for a black man’s justice and all but this wasn’t exactly a young, black, mean on the way home from a store minding his own damn business with a sprite and a pack of skittles. So, I’m not *really* sure why they choose “G” to rally around to make a statement. He was NOT the poster boy for innocence. And then honestly jail is probably the best place for him. They should probably keep him there for life because when he’s out he really hasn’t done anything productive and he always does something to get sent back so (shrugs).

At first when Jayd called it off with Rah FOREVER, I felt like cheering and shooting off fireworks, but on second thought.. Every time I get excited about Jayd cancelling Rah she goes right back. I just wanted to shake Jayd in this one because I don’t know what kind of dream haze her powers have under but she tends to go back and forth with the DELUSION that she and Rah are “in a relationship”. Did she fprget SHES in a relationship that she hasn’t quite called off although she’s messing around with someone else? So, I’m trying not to get *too* happy.

Mickey gets more and more foul as the series progresses. Maybe she deserves “G”. If your stupid enough to walk away from a man that wants to claim a baby that isn’t his and might possibly take care of you despite you being trifling because he has a promising future then you seserve what you get (a tug that’s either gonna be in jail for life or whot up one day). Why again is Jayd still “friends” with these people? And why does Mr. Adewale’s name kep switching? I think those were the main points. The battle between Esmerelda, Misty, and Emilio is starting to drag a little bit. It’s always a stare down but I am curious to see if something different will happen to free the souls of Emilio and Misty. What’s also starting to drag slightly in the books are the visions with Califia and her history.
Rating: 6 (Jayd FINALLY cuts Rah lose. That deserves a 6 and a half)
history.
Rating: 6 (Jayd FINALLY cuts Rah lose. That deserves a 6 and a half)

[Landon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good. It sucks how I forgot who most the characters were in the book, lol smh. I swear I hate when I take long to read a book or when a book takes a long time to come out. I got the full collection of this series. Have to makes sure I send my uncle the last four books to the series once I'm done with them.

[Zaria]

two of jayd closet friends Mickey and Nigel at war over the custody of Mickey daughter... jade ex boyfriend rah going back to his ex girlfriend..

[Tanisha ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I CANT WAIT TO READ THE NEXT BOOK.

Crossing my fingers that Jeremy and Jade will get back together.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jayd needs new friends. I hate them all.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eeeh...
okay read
damn can jayd grow up already , live her life , and start getting some REAL money I miss the old book covers....
Jeremy getting on my nerves
when jayd around this college dude it's like she gets all low self esteem..... she's a good kid but I don't think she ever gets the chance to have fun.... her character is stuck and so is everyone else.
What a bore !!!!!

[Janiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way she reacted to her boyfriend coming to her house while she had another boy over. And told her grandmother how to defeat their enemy. And i also liked how she let her mom know everything. Studies and stopped worrying about people who didn't care about her

[Brittany Hawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I am completely in love with these books! I started reading them in the eighth grade and haven't stopped since. I was scared that L. Divine would not continue the series so when this book came out I was literally jumping around my room. This book didn't disappoint. I couldn't put it down once I picked it up because I needed to know what happened next with Jayd and her drama-riffic friends of South Bay High. I don't want to give anything away so I won't go into too much detail about the book. Overall, it was as fun, fast-paced, and humorous as the previous volumes. The only thing that I didn't like was how short it was!

-B

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Maybe be some spoilers in this review!x

Took me awhile to finish this book with school and all. But glad I finally got to finish it. And I really want Jay'd and Kennan together, but I also want her and Jeremy back together. Lol then I'm like she needs to get back with Rah. But hopefully, Jay'd forgive Rah even though he keeps lying to her. And I hope Emerald get murk already she's starting to annoy me more and more. I hope Mama didn't die, but I don't think she did, though. Can't wait to start on book 16 (but gotta finish these other books first) lol;/

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayd just got initiated into her spiritual calling. One of her neighbors just got murdered. With the help of her grandmother and grandmother's best friend, she tries to find out if her next door neighbor is behind the attack. Along the way she encounters many problems with past and current boyfriends. She's also having problems with her best friends.

[Lupinus Texensis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have been four stars, if it weren't for the shoddy editing.

I absolutely LOVE this series, but we're talking misspellings and punctuation errors that should have been caught way, way before it went to press.

That said, would read again, one of the stronger books in the series.

[Sierra Cole]

Great Book

It was perfect. I loved the book. It has a cliff hanger which sucks but it's still very good! :)

[Aareana Jjohnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i havent read yet