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In Powder Blue
In Powder Blue is a literary crime novel set in post-9/11 Long Island. After losing his mother in the South Tower, Vincent LoCicero grows up haunted by grief and pulled into the criminal world by his uncle. As Vincent navigates the brutal reality of addiction, betrayal, and family legacy, he must confront whether escape is even possible—or if he's already too far gone. Told in a gritty, cinematic voice, the novel explores themes of trauma, masculinity, survival, and the long reach of history. For fans of Mystic River, The Sopranos, and The Power of the Dog.
455 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2025
About the author
Nikolas Pleiadi
5 books24 followersNikolas Pleiadi is a Long Island-born author whose work explores grief, addiction, legacy, and the weight of silence. His debut novel, In Powder Blue, is a gritty, emotionally charged literary crime story set in post-9/11 Levittown — a place where loyalty runs deep, and ghosts never stay buried.
Blending the psychological depth of Mystic River with the raw tension of The Sopranos, Pleiadi writes fiction that feels personal, cinematic, and uncomfortably real. He believes in flawed characters, haunted places, and stories that hit like a fist to the chest.
When he's not writing, he's probably driving too fast down the Wantagh Parkway, lifting heavy things, or building something that hurts a little to talk about.
Visit him at: www.nikolaspleiadi.com
Blending the psychological depth of Mystic River with the raw tension of The Sopranos, Pleiadi writes fiction that feels personal, cinematic, and uncomfortably real. He believes in flawed characters, haunted places, and stories that hit like a fist to the chest.
When he's not writing, he's probably driving too fast down the Wantagh Parkway, lifting heavy things, or building something that hurts a little to talk about.
Visit him at: www.nikolaspleiadi.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 13, 2025
What makes this novel truly exceptional is its emotional depth.The writing is so detailed, cinematic, and layered with symbolism. These details built a world that feels heartbreakingly real. The ending can be happy or somber or even both at the same time depending how you look at it. The ambiguity behind it when you hear the repetitive phrase of Maria saying “See Vin, it’s okay here” sent chills down my spine. Did Vincent really make it out? Or was peace just another illusion? Leaving that question lingering in the air makes this story unforgettable. You can tell Nikolas Pleiadi put his all into writing this.
If you’re looking for a crime drama with heart and soul, In Powder Blue is a must-read. Five stars, without hesitation.
If you’re looking for a crime drama with heart and soul, In Powder Blue is a must-read. Five stars, without hesitation.
May 28, 2025
I got to read In Powder Blue early as an ARC reader and I’m still trying to catch my breath, honestly. The whole book pulled me in.the characters, the setting, the way it handled grief and addiction and family but it was the ending that really got ne.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
July 25, 2025
10/10. The music linked to the story is the coolest concept that I’ve seen. I love an underdog story, especially involving addiction, trauma, etc. Had all the makings of classic literature with heartbreak and redemption
March 26, 2026
Trigger Alerts:
– Addiction
– Toxic relationships
– Emotional manipulation
– Identity struggles
– Mental health
In Powder Blue by Nikolas Pleiadi is a literary fiction novel set in the modern-day United States, centered on a relationship that becomes increasingly complicated and emotionally intense. The story follows a narrator caught in a relationship that blurs the line between love and control. As things unfold, you see how attachment, insecurity, and personal struggles start shaping the dynamic in ways that aren’t always healthy. It’s character-driven, focusing on emotions and internal conflict. It’s not a light read, and it definitely leans more into mood and feeling than action. I never connected with the book. I can’t say a lot of what it was about. A lot slower than probably needed
– Addiction
– Toxic relationships
– Emotional manipulation
– Identity struggles
– Mental health
In Powder Blue by Nikolas Pleiadi is a literary fiction novel set in the modern-day United States, centered on a relationship that becomes increasingly complicated and emotionally intense. The story follows a narrator caught in a relationship that blurs the line between love and control. As things unfold, you see how attachment, insecurity, and personal struggles start shaping the dynamic in ways that aren’t always healthy. It’s character-driven, focusing on emotions and internal conflict. It’s not a light read, and it definitely leans more into mood and feeling than action. I never connected with the book. I can’t say a lot of what it was about. A lot slower than probably needed
April 13, 2026
4.75! Powerful. Raw. Beautifully written.
June 20, 2025
This powerful and honest book follows the journey of someone who battles and ultimately overcomes drug addiction. It’s a raw, emotional story of struggle, relapse, and resilience. The author’s vulnerability makes their transformation feel real and inspiring. A must-read for anyone seeking hope, understanding, or a reminder that recovery is possible.
July 23, 2025
Very relatable
I grew up in an Sicilian family on Long Island with some very similar relatives and neighbors.
Some of thks story brought back happy,
scary, crazy memories.
Excellent job!
I grew up in an Sicilian family on Long Island with some very similar relatives and neighbors.
Some of thks story brought back happy,
scary, crazy memories.
Excellent job!
April 23, 2026
This book was beautifully written, vividly descriptive, and absolutely heartbreaking. It tells a story I’ve heard in many forms far too often lives lost to drug addiction. The novel pulls you into a world so many hear about but few truly understand from the outside. Pleiadi, offers the perspective from within, and I hope it helps others gain a deeper understanding of those living with addiction. It didn’t begin that way, and it’s not what they wanted for themselves it’s just where they are now. While the book dragged in parts, I still enjoyed it and believe it’s worth the read. (3.5⭐️s)
March 23, 2026
Kudos to the author. The writing is beautiful. This is a story that you don’t read as much as you feel. To say it’s gritty is doing it a disservice. At times I was in despair. I desperately wanted different choices and even within the poor choices I desperately wanted different outcomes.
I can only recommend committing to this and going in a bit blind.
I can only recommend committing to this and going in a bit blind.
March 26, 2026
This was our book club read for March and ok not my usual read at all, so definitely got me trying something new and also a new author.
This was a dark addict story, of a boy who after losing his mother in 9/11 is led down a road of drugs and other things his uncle pull him into. Along the way we see the dark side of being a drug dealer, user and crime, while watching his world fall apart around him, with deaths and being led to what can only be his death bed or prison.
This was full of grief, trauma, suspense, death, theft, crime and so much more, but there are also elements of comedy, love, family and self worth. This is definitely a trigger warning book with the drugs, death, as it does go into a lot of detail and shows how one moment can change your life for either the good or bad.
I found the writing style easy to read and follow and expressive the author seems to grasp the additive behaviour in this book. It was a good overall book and glad I read it.
This was a dark addict story, of a boy who after losing his mother in 9/11 is led down a road of drugs and other things his uncle pull him into. Along the way we see the dark side of being a drug dealer, user and crime, while watching his world fall apart around him, with deaths and being led to what can only be his death bed or prison.
This was full of grief, trauma, suspense, death, theft, crime and so much more, but there are also elements of comedy, love, family and self worth. This is definitely a trigger warning book with the drugs, death, as it does go into a lot of detail and shows how one moment can change your life for either the good or bad.
I found the writing style easy to read and follow and expressive the author seems to grasp the additive behaviour in this book. It was a good overall book and glad I read it.
March 9, 2026
A really well written books that touches on a lot of really heavy topics in a way that feels VERY true to life.
May 21, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of In Powder Blue, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most emotionally layered and unforgettable books I’ve read in a long time. On the surface, it’s a crime novel.. but that doesn’t begin to cover what this story actually is. It’s a coming-of-age epic set in post-9/11 Long Island. It’s about addiction, survival, grief, and masculinity, but also about family, and how the people who shape you can save you or destroy you (sometimes both.)
The main character, Vincent LoCicero, is the kind of narrator who gets under your skin. He’s raw, self-aware, wounded, and often funny as hell..especially in the early scenes with his friends or while navigating his chaotic world with that dry, burned-out humor that only trauma survivors seem to master. And yet, there are passages in this book that absolutely crushed me. The scenes with his father, especially when they don’t talk, when they can’t talk felt so real that I had to put the book down.
Then there’s Uncle Joe, one of the most compelling and disturbing characters I’ve read in recent fiction. He’s magnetic, bitter, terrifying, and familiar in a way that’s hard to admit. You can feel his damage spilling onto Vincent’s life. And Anthony, his cold, quiet shadow. The way he moves behind everything, the power he has without raising his voice..it’s chilling. Every time he shows up, you tense up, because you know something big is about to happen. Their dynamic, especially when you realize who’s pulling the strings, is masterful.
And somehow, amidst all that darkness, there’s beauty. There are sentences in this book that feel like poetry. The powder blue Mercedes that becomes more than just a car. It becomes memory, hope, grief, legacy. The symbolism in this novel doesn’t hit you over the head. iOt sinks in, slow and permanent, like scars.
If you’re looking for a book that’s just action, this might not be for you. But if you want something that feels like real life that’s messy, funny, heartbreaking, and beautiful then read this. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t save, or grew up around silence instead of softness, this will hit you deep.
In Powder Blue is the kind of book you underline. The kind you remember. And trust me: by the time the last scene fades out, you’ll want to sit in the dark for a minute, just letting it settle.
The main character, Vincent LoCicero, is the kind of narrator who gets under your skin. He’s raw, self-aware, wounded, and often funny as hell..especially in the early scenes with his friends or while navigating his chaotic world with that dry, burned-out humor that only trauma survivors seem to master. And yet, there are passages in this book that absolutely crushed me. The scenes with his father, especially when they don’t talk, when they can’t talk felt so real that I had to put the book down.
Then there’s Uncle Joe, one of the most compelling and disturbing characters I’ve read in recent fiction. He’s magnetic, bitter, terrifying, and familiar in a way that’s hard to admit. You can feel his damage spilling onto Vincent’s life. And Anthony, his cold, quiet shadow. The way he moves behind everything, the power he has without raising his voice..it’s chilling. Every time he shows up, you tense up, because you know something big is about to happen. Their dynamic, especially when you realize who’s pulling the strings, is masterful.
And somehow, amidst all that darkness, there’s beauty. There are sentences in this book that feel like poetry. The powder blue Mercedes that becomes more than just a car. It becomes memory, hope, grief, legacy. The symbolism in this novel doesn’t hit you over the head. iOt sinks in, slow and permanent, like scars.
If you’re looking for a book that’s just action, this might not be for you. But if you want something that feels like real life that’s messy, funny, heartbreaking, and beautiful then read this. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t save, or grew up around silence instead of softness, this will hit you deep.
In Powder Blue is the kind of book you underline. The kind you remember. And trust me: by the time the last scene fades out, you’ll want to sit in the dark for a minute, just letting it settle.
May 28, 2025
I got to read In Powder Blue early as an ARC reader and I’m still trying to catch my breath, honestly. The whole book pulled me in.the characters, the setting, the way it handled grief and addiction and family but it was the ending that really got ne.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
It’s not just sad or shocking..its earned. It feels like you’ve lived a whole life by the time you get there. I won’t spoil anything, but I sat there with the book closed in my lap for like ten minutes after. Just… sitting with it.
I’ve read a lot of books, but this one felt personal. Even if you didn’t grow up on Long Island or lose someone on 9/11, there’s something universal here .about pain, love, silence, legacy. It reminded me of The Sopranos, but it also reminded me of people I love. People I’ve lost.
If you’re looking for something that stays with you.not just a good story, but something that matters , read this.
June 20, 2025
This compelling book tells the story of a person’s fight to overcome drug addiction. It’s a heartfelt and unflinching look at the challenges of recovery, marked by setbacks and strength. The honesty throughout makes the journey feel deeply personal and inspiring. A powerful read for anyone looking for hope or insight into addiction and healing.
April 23, 2026
It was a difficult read for me, I found myself struggling to want to pick it up as well as having to push myself to finish. It almost became a DNF.
The story comes across as very disjointed and, at times, overloaded with plotlines that didn’t initially feel necessary. There are also heavy moments involving drug use and death that can be hard to get through.
That said, the author does something incredibly effective: he drops you straight into this life with no filter. You don’t observe it—you feel like you’re inside it.
After talking with others, my perspective shifted. What I saw as “messy” or disjointed, they experienced as intentional. The structure mirrors a mind dealing with grief, trauma, and addiction—nothing about that is linear or clean, so the storytelling isn’t either. The same goes for the book feeling “overstuffed”—for some, those layers add depth that doesn’t fully click until after you’ve sat with it.
It also isn’t a simple cautionary tale. It reads more like an honest look at how someone ends up in those situations, which makes it hit differently depending on your expectations going in.
I originally rated this 1 star, but after hearing other perspectives, I reconsidered. It’s not bad writing—it’s writing that puts you somewhere uncomfortable and unfamiliar, and it does that very well. That won’t work for everyone, but for some readers, that’s exactly why it resonates. However, once finishing the story - I give it 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
November 29, 2025
This book was tough to get through. As someone who has never touched drugs, not even Marijuana, I had a difficult time, thankfully, understanding the choices Vin and Joe made. I don't understand how people get pulled into that life and even when they see that it's killing those they love and probably them, too, they stay in it. I understand heartbreak, sadness, and hopelessness, but not on that level, again, thankfully. However, I believe it's important to read books like this, to experience these kinds of situations vicariously, so that I can be empathetic to people I meet who live like this so that I can try to help them in any way I can, if they allow me to do so, even if it's just listening to them. Again, for me, this was a tough read, but I'm glad the author was able to pull himself out of this life, create a new life, and provide credible fiction for people to understand the devastation and despair addicts face, especially in today's chaotic world.
March 3, 2026
Engrossing!
Wow. I honestly don’t know how autobiographical this book is. I understand that Nikolas Pleiadi knows what he was writing about. This story is not for the faint of heart, it’s heavy. Pleiadi is a wonderful writer …. His prose is so easy to follow. He gives us the character Vincent, who you get to know intimately and just want to knock some sense into him. You want to scream at him to come clean and stop being such a jerk. Why? Because you like him. You want so much more for this poor guy. Excellent book, excellent author.
Wow. I honestly don’t know how autobiographical this book is. I understand that Nikolas Pleiadi knows what he was writing about. This story is not for the faint of heart, it’s heavy. Pleiadi is a wonderful writer …. His prose is so easy to follow. He gives us the character Vincent, who you get to know intimately and just want to knock some sense into him. You want to scream at him to come clean and stop being such a jerk. Why? Because you like him. You want so much more for this poor guy. Excellent book, excellent author.
October 24, 2025
Wow! Just wow! I was intrigued by this book only by being from NY. I grew up on Long Island and have passed through many of the same places mentioned. This story was personal, heart breaking, emotional and showed perseverance. I had a love hate relationship with 1-800-UNCLE JOE. The Midget understood the game. Trauma and heartbreak led to a life of love and a new game.
November 5, 2025
In Powder Blue
A gripping, pull at your heart novel. A young boy with the loss of a mother due to the tragic event of 9/11, and a world of narcotics. Many references to Godfather and Sopranos and this novel is just like those shows and movie but in a reality.
A gripping, pull at your heart novel. A young boy with the loss of a mother due to the tragic event of 9/11, and a world of narcotics. Many references to Godfather and Sopranos and this novel is just like those shows and movie but in a reality.
February 22, 2026
I thought this was phenomenal. Very well written. A story of loss, addiction, recovery, hope. Sad to see how easily a young child can be pulled down the wrong path at such a vulnerable time of life. Highly recommend!
April 8, 2026
Loved the writing style of this author! His descriptions are so vivid and unique — nothing trite or overused. There were missing pieces that I would love to discuss with others. Not a flaw of the author, just aspects I needed more clarity on. Would make such an excellent book club book!!
December 27, 2025
Touching, poignant, and so real - so raw. It kept me turning page after page hoping for the happy ending - a light at the end of an endlessly dark tunnel. Absolutely loved!
February 22, 2026
Very Heavy
This book really pulled me in. The more I read the more it pulled me in. I could not put it down.
This book really pulled me in. The more I read the more it pulled me in. I could not put it down.
March 24, 2026
Raw and unfiltered, this story takes you into the underground of drugs and the life of someone who probably never had a chance at living it any other way.
March 25, 2026
Riveting
Sal's life is a amazing.Everything he went through would end an ordinary person. He Persevered. It's an amazing book that you won't want to put down.
Sal's life is a amazing.Everything he went through would end an ordinary person. He Persevered. It's an amazing book that you won't want to put down.
March 28, 2026
Best book I’ve read in quite awhile. It should be a movie; I’m hoping it will be.
April 1, 2026
This is the best book I have ever read!! Keeps you locked in from the start. Great story! High recommend
April 9, 2026
I enjoyed listening to this book. I liked the author’s way of writing. I rooted for the protagonist who brought so much death and anguish to others.
October 25, 2025
The perfect mix of crime and real life scenarios that we can all resonate with. This book was fast paced and grabbed you the minute you started reading.
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October 1, 2025great book and relatable
It was an easy read,fast paced and exciting while also raising awareness of the drug problems in this country. I am a long islander and from queens originally. I !loved the references to all love the island.
It was an easy read,fast paced and exciting while also raising awareness of the drug problems in this country. I am a long islander and from queens originally. I !loved the references to all love the island.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews