Drug Paradise

by Kariuki Kimuyu

In Mombasa, Oyunga a young chef involved in a deadly drug cartel is set to marry Lily, his business partner. On the day of his engagement party he meets Marion, a dashing beauty with a warm soul who reminds him of a normal life. He plans to run away with her and leave it all behind. Except there’s one problem, the only door out of the cartel is a coffin.

235 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2019

About the author

Kariuki Kimuyu is a writer based in Nairobi, where he is currently working on his fifth book. Kesho & Malkia. When he is not whacking away at the keyboard, you can find him taking long walks or stopping to buy anything consumable by the roadside.

Reviews

[Nduu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next sequel

[Empress of Bookingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one thing to write real life story but to write a story so sinister yet entertaining is another. As Marion said "I mean, just write spectacularly and people will read your work regardless." The 'Drug Paradise' is as volatile and lethal as the drugs and characters themselves. Told in the third person narration giving life to the characters and plotline.

This captivating debut read like a movie honest to God. Fast-paced, rich and dramatic. The adrenaline junkie in me loved every bit of this high read. I especially loved the short chapters. I could easily have read this one in one setting but given my slump and somewhat busy schedule.

I couldn't help but giggle every time I got to a steamy parts. If Kimuyu made me giggle this much what would Philip Etemesi's 'The Fornicator' do to me? 🤣🤭Maybe in the back of my mind I don't expect those scenes. Please this should be read by 18 and over.

Set in - I can't say all over Kenya - mainly Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu; it felt good literally roaming on streets am familiar with. The well sown themes of drugs, violence, love, sex, family, substance abuse, power, corruption...held the seams of the story to produce a highly volatile need to finish the book.

I truly enjoyed the wordplay and writing style. Read: "I remember how I longed for you. I longed for you the same way the Titanic longed for land and like the Titanic, I'm now here in a wreckage, sinking in a sea of my own making, with land nowhere in sight."

However, I felt a bit of flesh could have been added to this carnal story. But I do feel this will be done in plenty in the sequel to come? I don't mind a thick book especially if it's highly igniting and entertaining.

The book is a freaking beauty: from the cover to its content! My kinda cuppa tea. For the gripping suspense and keeping my highly entertained it's gets 5 stars but overall it get 4 stars. Kudos to this Kenyan author. Omera you've done me proud. Was to be expected given I've really enjoyed reading posts on his blog.

[Fawash Smiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drug paradise is a Kenya Novel written by Kariuki Kimuyu. It has so many themes such as love, drugs, power, betrayal, money, etc. The language used is quite simple and easy to understand. Some shengs and Swahili words are used making it authentic.

I would say it's one of the book that would make you flip page after page in one sitting. An absolutely thrilling read. What I loved most about is that I could visualize every event in my head as I was reading and every single time I would say to myself “this would make a great movie.”

Another thing I loved about it is that wakimuyu has the power to make you feel connected with the characters. I was literally advising my favorite characters in my head(If only they could hear me. Haha), cried when something bad happened to them. I could simply relate to them.

Such a thrilling read. I would definitely recommend. I am already left in suspense and I can't wait for the part two of the book.

[Angie Kihara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book more than 12 times in the last year. It is easy to read and gets my mind lost in its world. I found myself reaching for it every so often especially when I needed a break between work and school. It was comforting to me.

Kimuyu knows how to draw you in. He already does it exquisitely in his blog: http://www.kisauti.com
His books spill raw emotion that instantly hooks you into a sort of trance that has one turning page after page incessantly.

He promises that this is the first of a series of books following the life of Oyunga, Oyunga, a chef gets mixed up in a Drug Cartel that calls the shots in the country. He is neck deep in the madness but with a new flame and the possibilities of a new life, he plans to leave it all behind but not on his nefarious fiancée’s watch.

I seriously cannot wait to read the other installations.

[Kadin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's one of the book I'll reading at the same time my mind is materialising the events into my thoughts. The suspense & anticipations with the characters is really good.
The ending left my mouth open it was that good.
I can not wait for the second part this year.

[Ceh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick captivating read; and a good job for a first book

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and very easy to read. I finished the book in one sitting. The suspense at the end left me looking forward to a sequel

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was amazing. A good read. Looking forward to more work from Kariuki Kimuyu. His writing is a fresh breath of air in this over saturated market.

[Moraa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I liked this book but it could have done with some improvement. There were several cliches and the premise wasn't all that novel. Fortunately, the author somehow made up for it with their writing.

[Allan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is poorly written. The author had time to elaborately describe the perfume brands and outfits the characters wore but rushed through the cliché filled plot. I would not recommend this book.

[Samuel Chege · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read this book, I unfortunately was not aware of a prequel, The Engagement. The novel introduced three main couples, Oyunga and Lily, Arigula and June and Martin and Prisca. A lot rotated around Oyunga and Lily, of course being the main act. I feel the story line of Martin and Prisca, though not the main characters was under developed. There was a lot going on between them. I did not connect with their life story. As for June, she was just a distant consideration. Somehow, I liked Lily's commitment albeit being diabolical. And my favourite actor, Marion..oh Marion. I felt like Oyunga's story line ended with her death...and she was an unexpected collateral damage of Oyunga and Lily's mind games.
Kariuki Kimuyu remains one of my favorite Kenyan author, he really connects with his audience. I can't wait for the sequel. I foresee a reunion of Lily and Oyunga against the unexpected villain, Muthoni.

[Emmanuel Kirimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been long since a book got me hooked from cover to cover but let me tell you Maina this one made me sleep at 2am.
The author did a great job on the characters I enjoyed them apart from Muthoni who I think was given to us in bits though I loved her short appearance at the end.
Oyuga you guy my guy is just an optimistic bitter man how can you leave lilly and go for Marion"I forgot it's because of the nyash and un-hoe like behavior which lilly had😂😂"
Lilly is just a typical slayqueen who has money and uses the one super power given to women to get what she wants in the cartels innner circle.
Great book this one it's quite fast paced.

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing to be feared like a woman with a target! She is a force to reckon, a rage, a tide so strong it could wreck the earth but interestingly she does all these with the world around her as still as waters in the deep seas.

Revenge is the best, if not worse motivator and loyalty knows no deviation. Kariuki Kimuyu always finds a way to place an agency in between the chaos in his pages, and one spot he has always reserved at the top, is for a vangeful matriarch!

One thing you will love about him, is the quality and texture of the paper in his books. Get a copy of #DrugParadise and run the drug cartel with the black cat.

[Wakarima · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is representation of what's going on in the society: Drug abuse, toxic relationship, leadership/power, money, betrayal. On one hand Lily has a business to protect while on the other hand she wants to keep her relationship going, also the set in was great and even its inclusion on the cover was well done(my interpretation of the cover).The world is cruel but it was extremely cruel on Marion she didn't deserve such an ending.

Who is ghost? Have had a very difficult moment trying to analyze this character could he be Oyunga's Dad

[Patience Wanjiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Book, I really loved this book and it was difficult for me to put it down because there was that Urgency of wanting to know what Happens next.

Also I fell in Love with each and every character that was there though was sudden when Marion Died Yes I did shed a tear because it was so unfortunate.

This is one Beautiful Written Book

[Milkah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was an absolute pleasant surprise!
With a strong rooted story line, the author sucks you in to this world and you can't help but want to explore more of it and the more you do, the more enchanting it becomes.

Finished this page turner 2 months ago but my mind still wanders back to it, the characters, the emotions et all!! That's how great it is!!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read. Been a while since I read a book in one sitting

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the twists and turns of the storyline. I did not want the book to end. Worth the reading.
Cannot wait for the next one.

[Matthew Muasya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drug is one the best books have read this year... waiting the next part...