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Mastermind
Clarence Kittles a.k.a. `Clear' is the Mastermind behind his New York crime-crew, The Black Mob. But, he's more than just street-smart. Clear knows exactly how to organize and keep his biz on the down-low, disguising his true identity through a legitimate business, a barbershop.
Growing up in poverty, he vows never to go back to that life again. Anyone trying to hook-up with him better understand one thing - Clear is a stickler for rules! Understanding that most hustlers get caught by not following them, he has no patience for rule-breakers and quickly turns into the most ruthless man when dealing-out punishment. On the flipside, most people in the community have come to know Clear as the `Ghetto Robinhood', an up-standing businessman who gives away free haircuts to kids of women on welfare and donates money to churches.
Magic Jr. is a smart-youngster who basically grew-up without a father just like Clear. When they meet, Clear can't help but think about how much Magic Jr. reminds him of his deceased brother, Brandon. He begins to treat Magic Jr. like a younger brother, even hooking him up with his sister (Dayja) while schooling him on the game.
Dayja is Clear's little hot-mama sister that he's trying to wrestle free from the grips of the Child Protective Services system that he'd originally had her placed into because of her wild ho-like behavior. She's also the main reason that he works so hard at the game, so that he can provide her with anything that she wants.
Magic Sr., was a drug-addict during Magic Jr.'s early childhood. It wasn't until Magic Jr.'s teen-years that he even knew the man that he was named after. Having endured the bad-side of the game, Magic Sr. cleans himself up and decides to now profit from the very same game that had him strung-out by becoming a dealer. When he chooses to set-up his operation on drug-turf that belongs to Clear, that action could lead to a deadly conflict.
Big Mac is the co-founder of The Black Mob and Clear's boy from way back. But, just because he was there at the beginning doesn't mean that he's immune from the rules that he helped to create - Clear ain't having it!
Porsha is Clear's ride-or-die chick that is like a mother to Dayja. She is no stranger to thugs and the drug-game. She says that she's down for whatever and will do anything for Clear, but has never been tested.
Candy is a booty-shakin' stripper turned conniving strip-club owner. Despite her name, there ain't nothin' sweet about her, as her only goal is to take care of #1 - herself! And she's so grimey, that she'll do it in anyway possible.
As Clear becomes frustrated by some of his crew's lack of discipline that can threaten his freedom, he begins to systematically reduce the size of The Black Mob, one-by-one. He knows that even though he's got cops on his payroll - that may not be enough to overcome careless mistakes.
At times, Clear feels like he's the only one who truly understands that `The Game' is chess, not checkers!
Growing up in poverty, he vows never to go back to that life again. Anyone trying to hook-up with him better understand one thing - Clear is a stickler for rules! Understanding that most hustlers get caught by not following them, he has no patience for rule-breakers and quickly turns into the most ruthless man when dealing-out punishment. On the flipside, most people in the community have come to know Clear as the `Ghetto Robinhood', an up-standing businessman who gives away free haircuts to kids of women on welfare and donates money to churches.
Magic Jr. is a smart-youngster who basically grew-up without a father just like Clear. When they meet, Clear can't help but think about how much Magic Jr. reminds him of his deceased brother, Brandon. He begins to treat Magic Jr. like a younger brother, even hooking him up with his sister (Dayja) while schooling him on the game.
Dayja is Clear's little hot-mama sister that he's trying to wrestle free from the grips of the Child Protective Services system that he'd originally had her placed into because of her wild ho-like behavior. She's also the main reason that he works so hard at the game, so that he can provide her with anything that she wants.
Magic Sr., was a drug-addict during Magic Jr.'s early childhood. It wasn't until Magic Jr.'s teen-years that he even knew the man that he was named after. Having endured the bad-side of the game, Magic Sr. cleans himself up and decides to now profit from the very same game that had him strung-out by becoming a dealer. When he chooses to set-up his operation on drug-turf that belongs to Clear, that action could lead to a deadly conflict.
Big Mac is the co-founder of The Black Mob and Clear's boy from way back. But, just because he was there at the beginning doesn't mean that he's immune from the rules that he helped to create - Clear ain't having it!
Porsha is Clear's ride-or-die chick that is like a mother to Dayja. She is no stranger to thugs and the drug-game. She says that she's down for whatever and will do anything for Clear, but has never been tested.
Candy is a booty-shakin' stripper turned conniving strip-club owner. Despite her name, there ain't nothin' sweet about her, as her only goal is to take care of #1 - herself! And she's so grimey, that she'll do it in anyway possible.
As Clear becomes frustrated by some of his crew's lack of discipline that can threaten his freedom, he begins to systematically reduce the size of The Black Mob, one-by-one. He knows that even though he's got cops on his payroll - that may not be enough to overcome careless mistakes.
At times, Clear feels like he's the only one who truly understands that `The Game' is chess, not checkers!
407 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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February 9, 2018
This was a very interesting read. It kept me on my toes throughout the whole book. Clear and Magic Jr's characters resonated with me the most causing me to fall in love with their journey throughout the book. I hated Magic Sr for all the things he took his family through and for feeling so entitled. I liked Aunt Abigail as well because she stayed true to herself no matter what. Dayja came across as a spoiled brat originally and I had no idea why Clear treated her the way he did but I realized he was only looking out for her. I eventually grew to like her character. Porsha's story hurt me to the core. Because she fell in love with the wrong guy she had to settle for the rules of the game he chose to play and I hated it for her. This book revealed serious lessons of poverty and what fuels poverty stricken people to enter the drug game but it also showcased the consequences of the lifestyle with some interesting twists. I was left wanting more. This author did an awesome job even with the few errors.
Displaying 1 of 1 review