Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives, #1) in Kiwi Readers

Sep 21, 2013 Marita Hansen added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

This is my book, so I won't rate it, since that would be silly. Anyway, I've finished the re-read (that last line!), and will start re-reading Behind the Tears (book 2) - another of my works that I haven't looked at since it was published. Anyway, after I've published Hungover (Blurred Lines #2), I'm seriously considering adding another book to this series (book 5). I'll see how things go, though 2023 is for finishing off what I've started. I have so many unfinished products, so I'm going to for ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Chippy Marco rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: cry-your-eyes-out, social-realism, to-read-again, new-zealand, hot-guys, saucy-sex-scenes, violence, gritty

Okay, so I've read this twice, which says one thing, I LOVED IT! I tend to prefer dark stories, gritty ones that don't hold back, and this one DEFINITELY didn't hold back. It was heartstopping right from the very first chapter when Maia decided to take off to a party and in the process walks past a gang of boys, the leader (Tama, who's on the cover) having already had MAJOR issues with her brother, and not to mention Maia had previously kicked him in the nuts for grabbing her breasts, soooo... y Okay, so I've read this twice, which says one thing, I LOVED IT! I tend to prefer dark stories, gritty ones that don't hold back, and this one DEFINITELY didn't hold back. It was heartstopping right from the very first chapter when Maia decided to take off to a party and in the process walks past a gang of boys, the leader (Tama, who's on the cover) having already had MAJOR issues with her brother, and not to mention Maia had previously kicked him in the nuts for grabbing her breasts, soooo... you can guess that Maia is not in a good situation. So, the boys start following her and lewd suggestions leaves Tama's mouth, and with Maia being Maia, someone who can't keep her mouth shut, she insults him, and then the sprint is on, a fantastic chase scene that will leave you riveted to the pages, your heart banging away, praying that Maia gets away. And from this one chapter, the outcome of this chase, a chain of events are unleashed and people are bought to their knees. The gang leader goes on the run, but with plans that will cause more havoc, Maia's brother (Nike) goes on the rampage looking to get revenge, and then you have everyone else caught up in their feud: Jess (Nike's wife), Leila (Both Nike and Tama's ex who still holds a MAJOR flame for Nike), Jayden (Tama's best friend), Mikey (Tama's cousin and Maia's crush and the one who broke my heart), Maia herself, and so forth. You get to see and experience these different people's lives and how this one event affects them.

Now a warning, this is definitely an R18 book, because it is violent and has a number of sex scenes (some smoking hot (Yeah, Nike! You'll want a piece of him, I know I did), some loving, some just down and dirty (Tama), and one flying solo, lol, you'll get what I mean, the dirty, dirty guy...). So, this book isn't for wimps. It delves into the rougher side of life in South Auckland, a part of New Zealand, which has a lot of issues. For you Americans, it's probably the equivalent of Harlem.

Yes, I'll be re-reading this one again, especially certain scenes ;) Hmmm... Nike, yum.

P.S.
I think Luke Pasqualino would be perfect to play Nike.

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Update of Jess and Nike:

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Oct 03, 2011 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Wow!! This debut work by Marita Hansen just resonates with authenticity. It is violent and no-holds-barred, but not OTT.....I see flashes of these mentalities and lifestyles in the families of some of the children I teach. Not yet available in mainstream NZ bookstores (set as it is in South Auckland), but certainly should be! Will have to buy a copy for my son via Amazon in the meantime......and I look forward to more from this author.

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Feb 09, 2012 tinyneuron rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I enjoy reading NZ based books especially the gritty ones. One thing I noticed was that all the characters had flaws. I had high hopes for some of them like Maia, Mikey, the health professionals etc. Yes the staff members at the hospital (It seemed like the main characters all end up getting dragged to the hospital for one reason or another.)... and not to forget the Police.

1. Damn the police took ages to find Tama. NZ's police department cannot be that useless. NZ is small and when it comes to I enjoy reading NZ based books especially the gritty ones. One thing I noticed was that all the characters had flaws. I had high hopes for some of them like Maia, Mikey, the health professionals etc. Yes the staff members at the hospital (It seemed like the main characters all end up getting dragged to the hospital for one reason or another.)... and not to forget the Police.

1. Damn the police took ages to find Tama. NZ's police department cannot be that useless. NZ is small and when it comes to seeking out criminals the first people you should ask are their whanau and friends. They're their first line of defense and would surely hide them. I was happy that Mikey's mum called the police on Tama but everything else about her is just unlikeable to say the least.

2. Another issue of mine was Mikey's flat-lining scenario. So Maia's mum called for help and "a nurse ran into the room, quickly followed by a doctor". Okay, as I can remember Mikey is in ICU. No way would there only be one nurse and one doctor running. On Emergency situations, teams of people will run to the room. When I say teams I meant nurses, surgeons, anesthetists, code red team etc and they can all come from different areas of the hospital.

It then said on the book "the doctor placed paddles on and below Mikey's chest". Paddles are obsolete and hospitals rarely use them here in NZ. Say this happened late at night (I doubt it because Maia and her mum got to see Mikey) and there was only the doctor and nurse, then getting the "paddles" ready wouldn't have been the first thing they have done. CPR would've come first - Chest compressions while providing oxygen to the patient, getting the resuscitation trolley...

3. Please don't assume that all staff members in the hospital are stupid because they look old, funny, pudgy, hot etc. I was surprised that they let Maia and her mum into ICU since they're not really immediate family (her mum claimed he was her nephew)and it's a restricted area. But of course everyone is bound to do something stupid since no one is perfect and unfortunately it is true that stupid health professionals do exist. What made me sad is when Tama assumed that the doctor who was asking about Leila's condition was looking down on him. I hope that people who live under terrible conditions like some of the kids in the book don't think that all hospital staff/healthcare providers look down on them. We don't. We'll some of us don't anyway. It doesn't matter if you're dress like a hoodlum, your wound has maggots in it, you abuse us... They are our patients and we are there to treat them regardless. I'm just pointing this out because it's a common misconception and people have trouble trusting healthcare providers because of what they hear from their friends (who sometimes don't know any better) and false media adaptation of health professionals. So rather than getting the appropriate treatment, these people let things get worse.

4. I'm in a bit of a gray area when it comes to revenge. Sometimes violence is the best way to communicate to some people because no matter how much sense your words make, at some point those who are so far off in their heads cannot comprehend the logic in it. Killing someone on the other hand... Doesn't matter how right Nike thought it was but because the law here in NZ sucks (the criminal has more protection than the victim), he was better off just letting the police handle Tama. He's not exactly a professional killer...

5. Maia and Mikey... I wish they had more self esteem. But then there wouldn't be much of an issue to overcome if they did.

6. Despite hating Tama, the cover art was nicely done. The rendering, the pose, tattoo etc.

7. I'm pleased that the book wasn't just another gang influenced story. There really wasn't much of a real gang like in Alan Duff's works. It's just groups of friends and families covering each others backs.

8. The writing is raw but what made me keep reading was its straight-forwardness. No sugar-coating and unnecessary descriptions. It fitted the story.

9. I couldn't seem to find a moral message in this book. Like how some authors convey these do good messages. I don't think I'd recommend the book to a school truant because he might use the book as a weapon to beat someone to a pulp. There's not much lightheartedness in this book that would change their attitude.

10. Nice cliffhanger at the end! ...more

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