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Mustafa and Adem #2
Once a Warrior
It’s been three years since Mustafa Bahdoon, one-time leader of the Southside Killaz, saved his fugitive son Adem from the clutches of pirates in Somalia. But when Mustafa is asked to rescue a young girl from the gang’s sex trafficking empire, he returns from retirement to seize control once again. But his coup ignites a vicious gang war on the streets of Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, still haunted by guilt over the girl he left behind in Somalia, Adem reprises the role of Mr. Mohammed, legendary pirate negotiator. But the CIA is on his tail and he soon finds himself unwillingly enmeshed in a deadly campaign against organized crime.
Half a world apart, survival for both father and son depends upon telling friend from enemy, truth from lie, and their own true selves from the roles they must play.
Once A Warrior is the highly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning All The Young Warriors .
Praise for ONCE A
“A complex book with likeable, complete characters who I was rooting for despite their many faults. THIS is the kind of thriller that should be on every airport bookshelf.” —Chris Rhatigan, author of Wake Up, Time to Die
“This is a book that can make a long trans-Atlantic flight pass as if it’s barely been minutes since take-off. It would be perfect for the beach on a lazy holiday. It’s just what you need to take your mind off the cold outside when you’re sitting by a fire in mid-winter. It’s a great read start to finish wherever you happen to be and whatever the situation.” —Nigel Bird, author of Southsiders
“The novel takes on some of the most urgent social justice issues of our sex-trafficking (making young girls into slave-prostitutes, to be blunt), drug and gang violence, the disillusionment of unwelcome immigrants, the chaos and despair that comes in the blend of terrorism and ungoverned Middle East/African nations and territories...I don’t have answers to those questions, and I’m not sure Smith does, either. But he raises the questions, and that may be the more important thing.” —Dana Yost, poet and essayist
Meanwhile, still haunted by guilt over the girl he left behind in Somalia, Adem reprises the role of Mr. Mohammed, legendary pirate negotiator. But the CIA is on his tail and he soon finds himself unwillingly enmeshed in a deadly campaign against organized crime.
Half a world apart, survival for both father and son depends upon telling friend from enemy, truth from lie, and their own true selves from the roles they must play.
Once A Warrior is the highly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning All The Young Warriors .
Praise for ONCE A
“A complex book with likeable, complete characters who I was rooting for despite their many faults. THIS is the kind of thriller that should be on every airport bookshelf.” —Chris Rhatigan, author of Wake Up, Time to Die
“This is a book that can make a long trans-Atlantic flight pass as if it’s barely been minutes since take-off. It would be perfect for the beach on a lazy holiday. It’s just what you need to take your mind off the cold outside when you’re sitting by a fire in mid-winter. It’s a great read start to finish wherever you happen to be and whatever the situation.” —Nigel Bird, author of Southsiders
“The novel takes on some of the most urgent social justice issues of our sex-trafficking (making young girls into slave-prostitutes, to be blunt), drug and gang violence, the disillusionment of unwelcome immigrants, the chaos and despair that comes in the blend of terrorism and ungoverned Middle East/African nations and territories...I don’t have answers to those questions, and I’m not sure Smith does, either. But he raises the questions, and that may be the more important thing.” —Dana Yost, poet and essayist
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Neil Smith
63 books191 followersI write crime novels. PSYCHOSOMATIC, THE DRUMMER, plus the Billy Lafitte series--YELLOW MEDICINE, HOGDOGGIN', THE BADDEST ASS, and HOLY DEATH--and the Mustafa & Adem series--ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS and ONCE A WARRIOR, in addition to WORM, CHOKE ON YOUR LIES, and the SLOW BEAR trilogy.
I'm an English Professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, and editor of the online lit mag Revolution John.
I'm an English Professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, and editor of the online lit mag Revolution John.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 27, 2014
Reprising thier murderous roles as Bahdoon and Mr Muhammad respectively, Mustafa and son Adem find themselves in different countries risking their lives to rescue two women; for Mustafa its his cousins daughter illegally trafficked into the sex trade in the US, for Adem, its Sufia, a former beauty burnt by the life she used to lead yet one that still poses a possible future for Adem in Yemen.
Gang wars, torture techniques, CIA, and life on the cusp of conspiracy - ONCE A WARRIOR has it all. Much like its predecessor, this sequel has a lot going on. Author Anthony Neil Smith switches the narrative between his two protagonists as they each face thier own demons. The approach makes for a clearer rendition of events and provides readers with easily distinguished plot threads that both originate and culminate together.
One of the things I like the most about the second book to feature Adem and Mustafa is the growth of characters. While neither shys away from violence they are more mature in their outlook and dont actively seek bloodshed unless there is justification or it's entirely unavoidable. Added to that, the Mr Muhammad persona has got to be one of the most enjoyable personalities I've read, moreso because Adem, the character who slips into this guise is so vastly different.
Following the conclusion of the excellent ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS, I wasn't sure where another story would take these two lead characters, now having finished ONCE A WARRIOR I am crossing everything humanly possible in hope of reading more. I get the feeling we haven't seen the last of these characters with a feeling of continuity and further exploration strong.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
Gang wars, torture techniques, CIA, and life on the cusp of conspiracy - ONCE A WARRIOR has it all. Much like its predecessor, this sequel has a lot going on. Author Anthony Neil Smith switches the narrative between his two protagonists as they each face thier own demons. The approach makes for a clearer rendition of events and provides readers with easily distinguished plot threads that both originate and culminate together.
One of the things I like the most about the second book to feature Adem and Mustafa is the growth of characters. While neither shys away from violence they are more mature in their outlook and dont actively seek bloodshed unless there is justification or it's entirely unavoidable. Added to that, the Mr Muhammad persona has got to be one of the most enjoyable personalities I've read, moreso because Adem, the character who slips into this guise is so vastly different.
Following the conclusion of the excellent ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS, I wasn't sure where another story would take these two lead characters, now having finished ONCE A WARRIOR I am crossing everything humanly possible in hope of reading more. I get the feeling we haven't seen the last of these characters with a feeling of continuity and further exploration strong.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
December 6, 2016
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, I wondered how the second book could both retain the energy of the first story while also adding something new - but I'm the idiot for doubting Anthony Neil Smith.
Book 2 ramps up the character story and rips the bandage off all those old wounds from All the Young Warriors. The emotions, relationships and situations are intensified creating a pace and energy that, when combined with the alternate character perspective per chapter, forces you to read on, wanting to know what will come next. With characters and situations like this you're forced to make your own decisions as to what is right and what is wrong - knowing only that it's never going to be as straight forward as you think.
Another welcome punch in the face from The Doctor of Noir!
Book 2 ramps up the character story and rips the bandage off all those old wounds from All the Young Warriors. The emotions, relationships and situations are intensified creating a pace and energy that, when combined with the alternate character perspective per chapter, forces you to read on, wanting to know what will come next. With characters and situations like this you're forced to make your own decisions as to what is right and what is wrong - knowing only that it's never going to be as straight forward as you think.
Another welcome punch in the face from The Doctor of Noir!
January 15, 2024
Smith is just flat out the king of the fucked.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews