What do you think?
Rate this book
GAGE: The Hustle Chronicles Prequel
Forced to murder his own father but, hailed as a savior by his brothers Julius Gage has a tough row to hoe. He’s been thrust into an adult world that he’s ill prepared for and all that matters is keeping his family together. With no adults in the picture the state of Arkansas is all too willing to separate the brothers. Julius has no choice but, to steal his younger brothers away from the state and reunite his family. Their only hope is to find their older brother Otis Gage in hopes that he and he alone can fix what’s been broken. The Gage brothers travel to the mean streets of Detroit, Michigan in an attempt to not only escape the demons of rural Arkansas but, to also start anew. None of the brothers are prepared for the dog eat dog world of crime, sex, drugs and mayhem that they are about to encounter. Lost love, hatred, greed and an utter hunger for the finer things fuel the Gage brothers and in fact threatens to tear the already fragile family apart. A chance encounter with a new friend thrusts them into a business that they’re very proficient at but, that could unravel all of their hopes and dreams. Can they weather a storm that’s been brewing for years or will the love of money destroy a legacy that Julius Gage is fighting tooth and nail to establish? Their journey unmasks an abusive past, the misuse of power and the disintegration of an American family. Redemption usually begins with the soul’s commitment to withstand evil and it’s easier said than done. Who can you trust when you can’t trust yourself? The only question that has everyone puzzled Do the Gage’s kill for the pleasure or is it all for the money?
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2016
15 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 1, 2016
Book Review: Gage by Blacc Topp/Dean Swift
This is the eighth novel I have read by the author Blacc Topp and his consistency in putting out well written, well-crafted stories has not changed. As I finished reading Gage the prequel to the Hustle Chronicles I was amazed as his writing skill continues to develop and grow as he continues to elevate his craft to the next level. When I thought he had reached his plateau, he stepped it up and went beyond them as he continues to do with each novel. I don’t do spoilers but it safe to say the author did not disappoint and out did himself once again with this one. When we go back to book one of the Hustle Chronicles, we start with the prologue of Nathaniel Gage as he abuses his wife and four sons out of sheer hatred and bitterness because he was not received with the respect he felt he was due from the towns folks. You see Nathanial’s mother was a loose woman who would sleep around town with the white men for drinks and a good time, so Nathaniel looked like a white man (he did not know who his father was) until you got to his kinky hair and then it was obvious that he was a black man. He was ridiculed, but then he was too cowardly to stand up for himself or even make eye contact with them for fear of what they might do. This makes Nathanial even more bitter and angry and he winds up beating his wife and children as a result of it until one day he goes too far and beats his wife to death. When the youngest boy Charlie finds his mother’s dead body, he screams for his older brothers Julius, Otha Lee and Eugene. After seeing their mother’s cold dead body the brothers arm themselves and go looking for their father. The boys find their father digging a grave behind the house to bury their mother and the oldest boy shoots the father in the grave he dug for his wife. This part of the story ends in the prologue and the book picks up with the brothers as adults, but many of us readers wanted to know more about Nathanial and what happened to the brothers once they became orphans and we find all of our answers in the book Gage.
In the novel Gage, Blacc Topp skillfully pieced the story together and answered all those questions we had about the journey and paths the four boys took after that dreadful day when they became orphans. Instead of doing flash backs, he took us back to the time on that fateful day that changed their lives forever. He first took us to meet the young Nathanial Gage and revealed somethings that gave us some understanding and made us feel sorry for the man we grew to hate. Nathaniel’s story was not a pretty one and it gave us more insight as to what made this innocent boy grow into the monster he actually became. By the time he married Gertrude and had the boys, he was already tainted and damaged goods filled with hatred and all those inner demons that haunted him caused him to brutalize the very family that loved him. So as the boys grew older and the oldest killed his father for murdering their mother, they embarked on a journey of hunger and homelessness until they find a comradery in unlikely source who housed them, feed them and trained them to become the Gage’s that we read about in the Hustle Chronicles Trilogy.
In the novel Gage we learn about the bonds that truly hold a family together and the ones that can tear a family apart. I you wondered why the brothers paired off the way they did as they got older (Julius and Charlie; Eugene and Otha Lee), this novel will explain that . Gage wraps up and closes out any questions we had about Nathaniel and the Gage brothers. Some of their story is not very pretty but it’s the story that made them into the men that would cause others to shudder at the mere mention of their name. The boys grew up to become feared as they were The Gage’s, the family to be feared and never crossed.
I have to admit, that this is a saga I did not want to see end. We knew how it all turned out in the Hustle Chronicle’s Trilogy; however it was good to live and grow with the brothers in this novel. I wanted to put my foot up Eugene’s smart mouth behind and you will want to as well, but you couldn't help but love little Charlie and respect Julius for for being a boy doing the job of a man trying to provide and hold them all together. I enjoyed this novel and I highly recommend giving it a try. Trust you will be drawn in from the first page and you won’t come up for air until you have finished.
Kudos Novelist Blacc Topp on another well written, well-crafted novel.
This is the eighth novel I have read by the author Blacc Topp and his consistency in putting out well written, well-crafted stories has not changed. As I finished reading Gage the prequel to the Hustle Chronicles I was amazed as his writing skill continues to develop and grow as he continues to elevate his craft to the next level. When I thought he had reached his plateau, he stepped it up and went beyond them as he continues to do with each novel. I don’t do spoilers but it safe to say the author did not disappoint and out did himself once again with this one. When we go back to book one of the Hustle Chronicles, we start with the prologue of Nathaniel Gage as he abuses his wife and four sons out of sheer hatred and bitterness because he was not received with the respect he felt he was due from the towns folks. You see Nathanial’s mother was a loose woman who would sleep around town with the white men for drinks and a good time, so Nathaniel looked like a white man (he did not know who his father was) until you got to his kinky hair and then it was obvious that he was a black man. He was ridiculed, but then he was too cowardly to stand up for himself or even make eye contact with them for fear of what they might do. This makes Nathanial even more bitter and angry and he winds up beating his wife and children as a result of it until one day he goes too far and beats his wife to death. When the youngest boy Charlie finds his mother’s dead body, he screams for his older brothers Julius, Otha Lee and Eugene. After seeing their mother’s cold dead body the brothers arm themselves and go looking for their father. The boys find their father digging a grave behind the house to bury their mother and the oldest boy shoots the father in the grave he dug for his wife. This part of the story ends in the prologue and the book picks up with the brothers as adults, but many of us readers wanted to know more about Nathanial and what happened to the brothers once they became orphans and we find all of our answers in the book Gage.
In the novel Gage, Blacc Topp skillfully pieced the story together and answered all those questions we had about the journey and paths the four boys took after that dreadful day when they became orphans. Instead of doing flash backs, he took us back to the time on that fateful day that changed their lives forever. He first took us to meet the young Nathanial Gage and revealed somethings that gave us some understanding and made us feel sorry for the man we grew to hate. Nathaniel’s story was not a pretty one and it gave us more insight as to what made this innocent boy grow into the monster he actually became. By the time he married Gertrude and had the boys, he was already tainted and damaged goods filled with hatred and all those inner demons that haunted him caused him to brutalize the very family that loved him. So as the boys grew older and the oldest killed his father for murdering their mother, they embarked on a journey of hunger and homelessness until they find a comradery in unlikely source who housed them, feed them and trained them to become the Gage’s that we read about in the Hustle Chronicles Trilogy.
In the novel Gage we learn about the bonds that truly hold a family together and the ones that can tear a family apart. I you wondered why the brothers paired off the way they did as they got older (Julius and Charlie; Eugene and Otha Lee), this novel will explain that . Gage wraps up and closes out any questions we had about Nathaniel and the Gage brothers. Some of their story is not very pretty but it’s the story that made them into the men that would cause others to shudder at the mere mention of their name. The boys grew up to become feared as they were The Gage’s, the family to be feared and never crossed.
I have to admit, that this is a saga I did not want to see end. We knew how it all turned out in the Hustle Chronicle’s Trilogy; however it was good to live and grow with the brothers in this novel. I wanted to put my foot up Eugene’s smart mouth behind and you will want to as well, but you couldn't help but love little Charlie and respect Julius for for being a boy doing the job of a man trying to provide and hold them all together. I enjoyed this novel and I highly recommend giving it a try. Trust you will be drawn in from the first page and you won’t come up for air until you have finished.
Kudos Novelist Blacc Topp on another well written, well-crafted novel.
March 18, 2017
This was really good book. This book told the story from the beginning it was a great insight to how the Gage boys started out and how they got to be the way they are today. This book was what was needed to fill in all the blanks that I had questions too. Blacc Topp you are truly a beast with the pen. Great job fam great damn job.......
August 27, 2019
Very good read
I was very different and i liked that it was set in a different state that is not usually talked about and it had a different culture intwined with blacks just to show that blacks arent the only ones who are low on the totem pole...it was very good read and wish more books were like this..i enjoyed it...awesome
I was very different and i liked that it was set in a different state that is not usually talked about and it had a different culture intwined with blacks just to show that blacks arent the only ones who are low on the totem pole...it was very good read and wish more books were like this..i enjoyed it...awesome
October 13, 2019
DOPE!
OMG! I SOOOO Loved this book. These boys went through so much growing up. Such a terrible & tragic chilhood. Glad they escaped their pitifu existence in the South but it's like jumping from the fire into the frying pan entering a criminal lifestyle. Unfortunate reality for too many of our young black men. Can't wait to read more!
OMG! I SOOOO Loved this book. These boys went through so much growing up. Such a terrible & tragic chilhood. Glad they escaped their pitifu existence in the South but it's like jumping from the fire into the frying pan entering a criminal lifestyle. Unfortunate reality for too many of our young black men. Can't wait to read more!
November 12, 2017
This book brought me out my reading slump that I've been in for the last two and half weeks. Topp knows how to draw yo attention from the beginning to the end. The characters and plot was on point. Impeccable writing @ it's best
February 27, 2019
Damn good book, a must read. I am looking forward to more of his writing.
Go and read this one, it is really good. I will be reading more of his writing. I just hope they are as good as this one.
Go and read this one, it is really good. I will be reading more of his writing. I just hope they are as good as this one.
July 26, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! This book was a great introduction to the author and his writing. I can't wait to continue the series. Great authentic writing!😍👌🏾
September 15, 2017
This was my first read by this author. The author was highly recommended to me. I don't know why I took so long to read it. The gage brothers are not someone you wanna mess with. I loved this book
February 27, 2019
Not bad
This book was a pretty easy read. The story had a very good flow and keeps you wanting to turn the page.
This book was a pretty easy read. The story had a very good flow and keeps you wanting to turn the page.
October 28, 2020
5 stars
This was a great book. To read. I read the 1st 2 in 2 days. Now I'm looking for part 3
This was a great book. To read. I read the 1st 2 in 2 days. Now I'm looking for part 3
February 10, 2017
Gage!!!
Sitting reading this book took you all the way back in time. Nathaniel Gage was a troubled soul. Otis didn't have a chance, now those other Gage boys Julius, Other Lee, Eugene and little Charlie boy now those three have that killer instinct, but little Charlie boy is a tad bit insane. I love how the Galickis became there family was so sad that Ernie died so young. Was even sadder when Mama Gina was killed along with Mr. G. This book was so good that you want to read it again and again.
Sitting reading this book took you all the way back in time. Nathaniel Gage was a troubled soul. Otis didn't have a chance, now those other Gage boys Julius, Other Lee, Eugene and little Charlie boy now those three have that killer instinct, but little Charlie boy is a tad bit insane. I love how the Galickis became there family was so sad that Ernie died so young. Was even sadder when Mama Gina was killed along with Mr. G. This book was so good that you want to read it again and again.
September 5, 2016
The much anticipated prequel to "The Hustle Chronicles" takes the reader back to the beginning. You see where the GAGE name originated from, the humble and racist beginnings and how they survived. You find out about family members not previously mentioned and witness guest appearances from other characters.
Reading this book puts the reader in the mind of "The Autobiography of Malcolm X",because the streets of Detroit has no love in either book, but serves a purpose in the characters' growth.
I am so proud of Blacc Topp aka look forward to the many great things that are sure to follow. Do yourself a favor and go get this book!!
Reading this book puts the reader in the mind of "The Autobiography of Malcolm X",because the streets of Detroit has no love in either book, but serves a purpose in the characters' growth.
I am so proud of Blacc Topp aka look forward to the many great things that are sure to follow. Do yourself a favor and go get this book!!
November 4, 2016
This book well written . Gave me more information and understanding of the Gage Brother's and the family . You will not be disappointed reading this book. Before you start the book make sure that you are off the next day. Once you start this book you wont stop. Blacc Topp is an amazing author and will have you ready to go though your chips soda cigarettes cause you wont put the book down till you finish . Team Julius all day . Family comes first . Please get this book and trust and believe you will not be disappointed . Thank you Blacc Topp for a amazing book that your readers will not put down once they start reading it .
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews