Looked Down Upon: The Exiled Kin

by Jordan Lopez

In "Looked Down The Exiled Kin," we follow the journey of Lucas Ramirez, a teenager who is struggling to find his place in a world that seems to misunderstand him. Born with autism and dealing with poverty, prejudice, and trauma, Lucas feels like an outsider in his own community. His only solace comes from his mother, grandmother, and two friends, Bonnie and Drew.
But everything changes when Lucas discovers the truth about his father's supposed death. Furious and determined to bring his deadbeat father to justice, Lucas embarks on a dangerous mission that takes him on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. Along the way, he grapples with issues of faith, love, and the complexities of family dynamics.

314 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 2023

Reviews

[Summers Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Lucas’s journey and the themes of family and faith. Some parts felt a little slow, but overall, it was a touching story.

[Marco Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action-packed story told from a unique new perspective

Looked Down Upon: The Exiled Kin is to put it simply an amazing book. Jordan Lopez’s first foray into book writing has all the elements to make a unique story that will appeal to many audiences of all ages. He does an excellent job crafting a setting in which you can truly immerse yourself and he is also able to create a vivid picture of each one of the characters and give them their own unique personality, thus making you feel invested in their adventures and motivations. The main character Luke, an autistic teenager, and his best friends Drew and Bonnie particularly share an incredible dynamic and seeing their relationships evolve and them discovering more about themselves and their own goals feels quite fulfilling. Luke’s perspective provides a breath of fresh air for the main character and insights into the struggles that he and people with autism encounter internally as well as externally and how these struggles can impact their life in significant ways. The book has several elements including drama, romance, action, adventure, fantasy, and tons of powerful life lessons, reflections, insight and a shocking final act that will leave you wanting more. I’d highly recommend supporting this incredible author and checking this one out!

[Steven Suon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Looked Down Upon: The Exiled Kin” by Jordan Lopez is a very wonderful book. It is about Luke Ramirez an autistic teenager who one day finds out the untold truth of his father pulling the classic “going to get milk” move instead of getting unalived in a car accident. Luke took it personally and decided to go on a spontaneous trip to reunite with his old man with his friends/reinforcements Bonnie and Drew. Luke endures a lot in this story. He fights some inner and outer demons but Luke has that dawg in him and is truly built different so he is able to overcome them. The story is well written and will keep you wanting to read more so grab some popcorn and possibly some tissues as well. The characters have great chemistry. They develop a lot during the story and grow close VERY close with each other. The book has a healthy number of pages that is jammed packed with action, romance, drama, and some life lessons. Anyone that has the basic ability to read should pick this one up it won’t disappoint!

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looked Down Upon: The Exiled Kin by Jordan Lopez is the first book in The Exiled Kin series. The debut novel follows autistic teen Lucas Ramirez as he struggles to find his way in the world among racism, injustice, love, heartbreak, faith, and perseverance. Luke has always felt at odds with the world around him. Except for his mom, Courtney, his grandmother, and his two best friends, Drew and Bonnie, Luke yearns to find a place he truly belongs.

Bullied relentlessly throughout his school years and suffering from his first heartbreak, Luke learns a startling secret. The father he thought had died when he was a toddler is not only alive, but a terrible man. Suddenly invigorated by a new purpose – to seek justice for his mother – Luke sets out to find the man who abandoned him and caused so much hurt. Once he finds him, will Luke find the courage to stand up to him? And is he prepared if his deadbeat father tries to harm him or his friends?

Looked Down Upon is a coming-of-age novel that emphasizes themes of friendship, family, truth, and not letting others make you feel unloved or unworthy of love, because of a disability, illness, or any other reason. In Luke, the author presents a genuine picture of how an autistic teen might view and navigate the world. It felt like the main plot took a little while to get going, and the pacing was not always consistent, but the story flowed well enough to offer an enjoyable reading experience. Luke’s desire to get justice for his family is something that many readers will be able to understand and empathize with. The book also elicits some strong emotions, ranging from hope, love, and camaraderie to feelings of insecurity, mortal fear, and betrayal. Books that have this quality always manage to provide reading experiences that feel raw, suspenseful, and real.

Looked Down Upon did have a few spots that could have used some additional editing or polishing. Some of the logistical aspects of the plot didn’t always seem completely believable to me – such as the severity of the fighting scenes and the injuries suffered by the characters. I also found Ben’s character to be just a little cliched. Lastly, the dialogue could have used some revised formatting. It was difficult to tell who was speaking sometimes, because different characters would have lines in the same sentences or paragraphs without obvious clarification of who was talking.

Overall, however, Looked Down Upon by Jordan Lopez is a great debut novel with a lot of potential, and I am excited to see how both the author’s writing and his characters grow and evolve in later books.

[Diane Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book to support an autistic client who works in a bookstore (and gave it to him after I read it). Written by an autistic author, it gives a unique perspective on autism, as it is told in the voice an autistic teen. But it's not a story about autism--it's a story about a boy who learns that his father is not actually dead as he's been told--he just left his mother when he couldn't handle having an autistic child. It's about how his friends support him in his efforts to find his father, as well as what happens when a girl expresses romantic interest in him. And what happens when the school bullies come after him and his friends. But there are also some nightmares and mysterious characters, suggesting that a sequel is coming. I'll be keeping an eye out for it!

[Gabi Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing read and very unique in its approach. From the moment I opened the book, I was completely hooked and couldn’t stop myself from reading it. I appreciated the complexity of the characters and the clear care taken to develop a cohesive and compelling narrative. The story was well developed and really helped me immerse myself within the world. I highly recommend giving this a read and experiencing the thrill yourself! I can’t wait for the sequel!!

[Alison Peraz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t help but connect with Lucas. The feeling of being misunderstood, trying to fit in, and craving stability, the author captures that beautifully. His bond with Bonnie and Drew is one of my favorite parts. It shows how friendship can keep someone afloat even when life feels overwhelming. As Lucas pieces together the truth about his father, you can feel his frustration and longing. The story handles tough themes with empathy, and the ending leaves you hopeful

[Patricia Arquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this book to affect me as much as it did. Lucas’s story is about being overlooked, judged, and underestimated, and finding the courage to stand up anyway. The writing is tender and reflective, especially when it comes to his inner thoughts. The mission to confront his father adds tension, but it’s the emotional journey that truly carries the book. This story reminded me how powerful compassion and resilience can be.

[Kelly Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often you find a book with such a diverse group of characters. While written by someone on the autism spectrum, this story is one that anyone can relate to and enjoy. The characters are well developed, and the plot has some twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat! I look forward to the sequel and reading other works by this young author.

[Steward Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always looking for books that leave you thinking about the characters long after you finish. This book challenges stereotypes and forces you to walk in someone else’s shoes. I’m glad I did.
Even with some rough edges, Looked Down Upon is memorable. It’s the kind of story that stays with you; and that’s rare.

[Dylan Braccia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me on the edge of my seat! You really connect with these characters right at the start. There are many twists and turns I didn’t see coming, which builds up the whole story. I had a hard time putting the book down, and look forward to read more work from Mr. Lopez!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book from the fact that it was an easy and enjoyable read to the fact that I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. I especially loved the close knit friendship Luke had with his two friends Drew and Bonnie.

[Jill Pawloski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that the story was based on a young person on the autism spectrum. The descriptions and details painted such vivid pictures in my mind of all the characters and scenes. I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends. 👍🏻

[Patrick Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit, the holidays made it hard to stay focused at first. Too much going on. But once the story picked up, I couldn’t stop. I finally finished it recently because I needed closure and I’m glad I did.

[William Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting to get so attached to this book, especially with the holiday distractions everywhere but every time I opened it, I got pulled right back in. Ended up finishing it because I couldn’t leave Lucas hanging.

[Christian Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Year chaos definitely slowed me down with this book but I kept sneaking in chapters whenever I could. Ended up finishing it later than planned but I don't regret it; the ending was definitely worth it.

[Tamar Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page i was pulled into Lucas's world; raw, intense and full of suprises. His journey to find his father is both heartbreaking and inspiring, with twists that kept me on edge. This book isn't just a story, it's an emotional ride you won't forget.

[Adam Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story grabs you emotionally and refuses to let you go. Lucas' struggles with identity, faith and family are layered with suspense and real world challenges that make it thrilling and heart-felt at the same time. I finished it and immediately wished there was a sequel!

[Maria]

Very Disappointed goodreads did not advise this was the first book in a series!

[Williams Mitchson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story isn’t just about finding a father; it’s about finding yourself. The emotional complexity of Lucas’s relationships (with his grandmother, mother, and friends) is very well done.

[Robie-Lyn Harnois · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to go on an adventure that has some witty humor and a lot of suspense, read this book! I enjoyed every word. You will want to read the next one. Spoiler - the dog lives.