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Hood Rat #1
Hood Rat
Hood Rat (n.): A woman of questionable repute, one who has been known to "get around" in the 'hood.
Yoshi is young, fine, and larcenous. She lives her life playing on men's hearts as well as their pockets. She learns the hard way that all that glitters isn't gold. Billy, a former high school basketball star, is at the end of her rope with the opposite sex. To her, all men are dogs, so she secretly seeks comfort in the arms of women, until she meets a man who makes her reevaluate her feelings. Reese is an around-the-way chick, trying to keep up with the Joneses. There's a revolving door on her bedroom as she tries to find the love she always felt was missing. Her promiscuity leaves her pregnant from a one-night stand and Reese is faced with the task of breaking an age-old cycle, passed down from mother to daughter in her family, and standing on her own. Rhonda is twenty-something with three kids, by three men, and riding the system all the way to the bank. To her, work is a dirty word; between the multiple checks she gets from the government, and the games she plays with men, she's living the life of a ghetto superstar. The game soon turns ugly when one of her "sponsors" snaps and decides to get some payback.
Harlem has never seen four friends as scandalous as these. The neighborhood will never be the same again.
Yoshi is young, fine, and larcenous. She lives her life playing on men's hearts as well as their pockets. She learns the hard way that all that glitters isn't gold. Billy, a former high school basketball star, is at the end of her rope with the opposite sex. To her, all men are dogs, so she secretly seeks comfort in the arms of women, until she meets a man who makes her reevaluate her feelings. Reese is an around-the-way chick, trying to keep up with the Joneses. There's a revolving door on her bedroom as she tries to find the love she always felt was missing. Her promiscuity leaves her pregnant from a one-night stand and Reese is faced with the task of breaking an age-old cycle, passed down from mother to daughter in her family, and standing on her own. Rhonda is twenty-something with three kids, by three men, and riding the system all the way to the bank. To her, work is a dirty word; between the multiple checks she gets from the government, and the games she plays with men, she's living the life of a ghetto superstar. The game soon turns ugly when one of her "sponsors" snaps and decides to get some payback.
Harlem has never seen four friends as scandalous as these. The neighborhood will never be the same again.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
149 people are currently reading
3527 people want to read
About the author
K'wan
84 books1,525 followersIn 2002 K'wan hit the scene with his debut novel Gangsta, under Triple Crown Publications. It was the first novel released by the budding house and would eventually become the building block for what is now a multimillion dollar company. What started as a therapeutic release went on to become a part of urban-lit history and an Essence bestseller, as well as drawing rave reviews overseas.
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 4, 2013
I HATED this book in the beginning. I just hate when men write about women and constantly describe their physical. i don't care if she had an onion ass or breasts the size of cantaloupes! LOL
Anywho somewhere in the middle I got into it and it tugged at my heart. I felt for all the characters and cheered each of them on. I loved the ending so much even if it was semi-tragic.
At the end of the day I know someone like each of the characters and this goes on every day. I think this was the message he was tryna get across (ofcourse coupled with a sprinkle of "we gotta do better"). I'm laying off street lit for a while but when I get back I will be sure to check out K'wan!
Anywho somewhere in the middle I got into it and it tugged at my heart. I felt for all the characters and cheered each of them on. I loved the ending so much even if it was semi-tragic.
At the end of the day I know someone like each of the characters and this goes on every day. I think this was the message he was tryna get across (ofcourse coupled with a sprinkle of "we gotta do better"). I'm laying off street lit for a while but when I get back I will be sure to check out K'wan!
August 12, 2012
Ok its hard to rate this book because I have so many emotions about this book. I gave it three stars because I was soooooo intrigued by the lifestyle that is partially familiar to me. I've never been "hood" but I grew up in those same kind of neighborhoods. I loved that it was fast-paced. Funny it many areas.
However, I took two stars away because first of all I didnt like trying to get to know 1000 characters. That made it too complicated for me to keep up. By the time I'd pass 40 pages I would have to stop and say "wait a minute who is he again?" I didnt like that at all. Also, I dont mind the stereotypes because life is stereotypical (in my opinion) history repeats itself so its hard to fall out of that patern of stereotypes, but I felt it was predictable for the most part. Also, this book was not challenging and I like a good challenge and the hood tale is so overrated to me.
However, I took two stars away because first of all I didnt like trying to get to know 1000 characters. That made it too complicated for me to keep up. By the time I'd pass 40 pages I would have to stop and say "wait a minute who is he again?" I didnt like that at all. Also, I dont mind the stereotypes because life is stereotypical (in my opinion) history repeats itself so its hard to fall out of that patern of stereotypes, but I felt it was predictable for the most part. Also, this book was not challenging and I like a good challenge and the hood tale is so overrated to me.
May 15, 2010
Introspection
So, HOOD RAT has been sitting on my shelf for years now, taunting me as I walk past. I ain’t no punk and on a mission to put a hurting on my ‘To Be Read Pile,’ I cracked it open. I struggled through chapter one before kindly putting it back down. Beyond tired of these hood ratabulous books about women who aren’t about anything, I just couldn’t. There is so much more to women, African American women in particular. I am so ready to do a Laurence Fishburne in School Daze and yell, “WAKE UP!” Determined to start what I finished, about a month later I picked it back up and so began the journey.
I won’t bore you with the details other than to say HOOD RAT follows the lives of four friends, Yoshi, a stripper on the come-up; Reese, insecure and trying to get in where she fit in; Rhonda, a single mother of three that will never be mother of the year; and Billy, a piece of her died along with the love of her life.
After throwing my feelings aside and delving into its content, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Kwan very vividly paints these women and the supporting cast with a realistic brush. HOOD RAT is character driven. Characters are this novel’s greatest asset and also its flaw. There were many characters, sometimes too many, making them hard to keep track of. But at the same time, Kwan’s character development was strong, their voices distinct, his observation keen. I haven’t read a book in a minute with a character as loathsome as Rhonda.
Despite the obvious subject matter, there is an underlying message that I do hope won’t go past readers. Sisters, WAKE UP. If you don’t love, value and respect you, how can you expect someone else to? And, brothers, before you disrespect or dog a woman, remember that she is someone’s daughter, mother or sister. Think about the women in your family before you are so quick to degrade. Think about the cycle you are perpetuating and what impact it’ll have on those that follow, like your own children.
*jumping down off my soapbox* HOOD RAT is a lively and engrossing read by a strong, talented voice. Now having read three books by Kwan (I have selective memory so his books with Triple CLOWN don’t count!), I could easily see myself checking for his other books.
4.5
So, HOOD RAT has been sitting on my shelf for years now, taunting me as I walk past. I ain’t no punk and on a mission to put a hurting on my ‘To Be Read Pile,’ I cracked it open. I struggled through chapter one before kindly putting it back down. Beyond tired of these hood ratabulous books about women who aren’t about anything, I just couldn’t. There is so much more to women, African American women in particular. I am so ready to do a Laurence Fishburne in School Daze and yell, “WAKE UP!” Determined to start what I finished, about a month later I picked it back up and so began the journey.
I won’t bore you with the details other than to say HOOD RAT follows the lives of four friends, Yoshi, a stripper on the come-up; Reese, insecure and trying to get in where she fit in; Rhonda, a single mother of three that will never be mother of the year; and Billy, a piece of her died along with the love of her life.
After throwing my feelings aside and delving into its content, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Kwan very vividly paints these women and the supporting cast with a realistic brush. HOOD RAT is character driven. Characters are this novel’s greatest asset and also its flaw. There were many characters, sometimes too many, making them hard to keep track of. But at the same time, Kwan’s character development was strong, their voices distinct, his observation keen. I haven’t read a book in a minute with a character as loathsome as Rhonda.
Despite the obvious subject matter, there is an underlying message that I do hope won’t go past readers. Sisters, WAKE UP. If you don’t love, value and respect you, how can you expect someone else to? And, brothers, before you disrespect or dog a woman, remember that she is someone’s daughter, mother or sister. Think about the women in your family before you are so quick to degrade. Think about the cycle you are perpetuating and what impact it’ll have on those that follow, like your own children.
*jumping down off my soapbox* HOOD RAT is a lively and engrossing read by a strong, talented voice. Now having read three books by Kwan (I have selective memory so his books with Triple CLOWN don’t count!), I could easily see myself checking for his other books.
4.5
April 23, 2024
Hood Rat follows the lives of four attractive women as they navigate through a summer in Harlem.
First, there's Yoshi - a go-getter stripper who knows how to hustle for her money. Then we have Billy, who is trying to heal her broken heart after losing her love in a tragic incident. Reese is another woman who's quite the catch, but sometimes her adventurous spirit lands her in trouble. Finally, there's Rhonda, who's always looking for the next big score!
The story takes place in the summer of '06 in Harlem, a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Trust me, once you read "Hood Rat," you'll never see the hood in the same light again. And the ending? It's mind-blowing! 🤯
Solid 4⭐️
I recommend reading the Hood Rat series before you read the Animal series. Things will make a lot more sense.
First, there's Yoshi - a go-getter stripper who knows how to hustle for her money. Then we have Billy, who is trying to heal her broken heart after losing her love in a tragic incident. Reese is another woman who's quite the catch, but sometimes her adventurous spirit lands her in trouble. Finally, there's Rhonda, who's always looking for the next big score!
The story takes place in the summer of '06 in Harlem, a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Trust me, once you read "Hood Rat," you'll never see the hood in the same light again. And the ending? It's mind-blowing! 🤯
Solid 4⭐️
I recommend reading the Hood Rat series before you read the Animal series. Things will make a lot more sense.
June 22, 2020
K'wan has done it again. Made me love and hate him all at the same time lol.
One thing that I love about K'wan is that he never fails to keep me entertained and on the edge of my seat with his writing and creativity. I normally don't like when a book has so many different characters and events going on, because it's difficult for me to keep up most times (probably because of my garbage ass attention span lol); but that is never an issue when I read his books. He always keeps things clear, and makes it easy for me to keep up.
I gave this book five stars for many reasons:
1) Even though there are so many characters and events that happened in this book, each of the characters were do different and unique. Be it with the way that they talk, their mannerisms, their history, etc. Things like that make it easy for me to keep up with who is who and who did what. Love that.
2) The drama was fire. Now I am a person who isn't into drama at all, but in this series I loved the shit, okay. It was so relatable because coming from the hood myself, this was the type of shit that I saw often, it's not something new, and it made it super entertaining. Let's be honest, we all know a Rhonda, Yoshi, Billy and Reese. This made it real for me, and sent me back down memory lane.
3) It was funny as hell, okay. I love a book that can make me laugh and I found myself doing a whole lot of that (and a bit of crying too, but we ain't gonna talk about that).
4) I listen to this book on audible and Cary Hite was the narrator and when I tell you that added to this experience, it did that and so much more. He did a phenomenal job at making these characters come to life. I loved it, and will most definitely be finishing the series on Audible.
Love, love, love it.
5) Jah and Yoshi. That's it. That's number five lmao.
What I didn't like about this book:
How he did Paul. It broke my heart, but I get it.
To wrap this up, I love this book. I love K'wan's work, and I can't wait to dive deeper into this series.
One thing that I love about K'wan is that he never fails to keep me entertained and on the edge of my seat with his writing and creativity. I normally don't like when a book has so many different characters and events going on, because it's difficult for me to keep up most times (probably because of my garbage ass attention span lol); but that is never an issue when I read his books. He always keeps things clear, and makes it easy for me to keep up.
I gave this book five stars for many reasons:
1) Even though there are so many characters and events that happened in this book, each of the characters were do different and unique. Be it with the way that they talk, their mannerisms, their history, etc. Things like that make it easy for me to keep up with who is who and who did what. Love that.
2) The drama was fire. Now I am a person who isn't into drama at all, but in this series I loved the shit, okay. It was so relatable because coming from the hood myself, this was the type of shit that I saw often, it's not something new, and it made it super entertaining. Let's be honest, we all know a Rhonda, Yoshi, Billy and Reese. This made it real for me, and sent me back down memory lane.
3) It was funny as hell, okay. I love a book that can make me laugh and I found myself doing a whole lot of that (and a bit of crying too, but we ain't gonna talk about that).
4) I listen to this book on audible and Cary Hite was the narrator and when I tell you that added to this experience, it did that and so much more. He did a phenomenal job at making these characters come to life. I loved it, and will most definitely be finishing the series on Audible.
Love, love, love it.
5) Jah and Yoshi. That's it. That's number five lmao.
What I didn't like about this book:
How he did Paul. It broke my heart, but I get it.
To wrap this up, I love this book. I love K'wan's work, and I can't wait to dive deeper into this series.
February 6, 2021
Another good read by K'wan. Not as good as Hoodlum in my opinion, but a good one nonetheless.
This book presented more so like a hood movie than an urban fiction book. There were a lot of characters that were all interconnected. I usually don't like that many characters in a book when there's no distinct plot, which this book did not have. But it was a character driven story, not a plot driven story, and the characters were all well developed and distinctive.
The shit started out so funny to me. Ronda got on my nerves the whole entire time, but her hood shenanigans were entertaining as hell. And the way Cary Hite did her voice just added to it.
The ending was crazy. The whole book kept my attention, but the ending was what had my jaw dropping and a bunch of oh shit's coming out my mouth.
This book presented more so like a hood movie than an urban fiction book. There were a lot of characters that were all interconnected. I usually don't like that many characters in a book when there's no distinct plot, which this book did not have. But it was a character driven story, not a plot driven story, and the characters were all well developed and distinctive.
The shit started out so funny to me. Ronda got on my nerves the whole entire time, but her hood shenanigans were entertaining as hell. And the way Cary Hite did her voice just added to it.
The ending was crazy. The whole book kept my attention, but the ending was what had my jaw dropping and a bunch of oh shit's coming out my mouth.
April 25, 2020
I had the pleasure of listening to this book on audible and it is an experience like never before! If I had read it myself, I still would have given a high rating but hearing it just intensified the read much more. This book has a nice ensemble of characters with hella personality. I feel like I know them personally. The drama is turned up. And the death toll...it’s high. Great read and even greater lessons.
September 5, 2012
This was an excellent read. If you haven't read this then you need to get on it!
April 6, 2015
I'm re-reading this book 2 refresh my memory b4 I start the rest of the series.
December 31, 2018
This read is cool.....But With Friends Like These😳
September 22, 2025
I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this! Once I got in sync with the characters, everything clicked. It reminded me of a fun, hood version of "Girlfriends." I was totally entertained from start to finish! I can’t wait to dive into another one of K’wan’s stories!
November 29, 2015
Good read, lots of characters & moving parts.
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The correct order to read the Hood Rat Novel series is: Hood Rat, Still Hood, Section 8, Welfare Wifeys, Eviction Notice, & Animal. FYI readers: "The Leak" is a prequel of "Welfare Wifeys"; "The First & Fifteenth" is intro to "No Shade"; "No Shade" is a prequel to "Eviction Notice"; "Ghetto Bastard is the beginning of the Animal series. This is why the books are listed in such order.
In the 3rd installment of the Hood Rat Novel Series: Section 8, Animal is mentioned on page 48, but he's fully introduced on page 80; however, his first-time wrecking havoc is on page 91 as a frail, little, wild-haired boy who introduced himself as Animal on page 92.
In my opinion, The Leak should be a prequel to Section 8.
September 21, 2012
I bought this book years ago and actually let a few friends borrow it before I ever read it, instead I started to read Section 8 and loved it. I began Welfare Wifeys and decided to stop half way through. I love K'wan's writing style and knew if I was gonna really enjoy this series, that I needed to start from the beginning. Once I picked up Hood Rat, I couldn't put it down, any chance I got I was reading.
I love all the characters but I loved Yoshi and Billy so much more. Although Yoshi was on her shit, her character sat much better with me than the rest. She was doing dirty to get her money, but when a situation messed her up, she knew that it wasn't right no more and had the last person you would expect right by her side protecting her. Jah is a straight up hot head, but what woman wouldn't love her man protecting her and loving her the way he does Yoshi. Then you got my girl Billy, who finally opened up her heart and let a real man in! Reese was just a girl in the hood tryna be cute and got a lil too excitied and paid the price, but she seemed to thankfully learn her lesson. The craziest chick had to be Rhonda, and there's no other word to describe her story but crazy!
K'wan writing skills are amazing once again. He captures his readers from beginning to end, and then leaves you anticipating what comes next. He's definitely one of my top 2 Urban Fiction/Street Lit writers and I'll continue to support his work!!!!
I love all the characters but I loved Yoshi and Billy so much more. Although Yoshi was on her shit, her character sat much better with me than the rest. She was doing dirty to get her money, but when a situation messed her up, she knew that it wasn't right no more and had the last person you would expect right by her side protecting her. Jah is a straight up hot head, but what woman wouldn't love her man protecting her and loving her the way he does Yoshi. Then you got my girl Billy, who finally opened up her heart and let a real man in! Reese was just a girl in the hood tryna be cute and got a lil too excitied and paid the price, but she seemed to thankfully learn her lesson. The craziest chick had to be Rhonda, and there's no other word to describe her story but crazy!
K'wan writing skills are amazing once again. He captures his readers from beginning to end, and then leaves you anticipating what comes next. He's definitely one of my top 2 Urban Fiction/Street Lit writers and I'll continue to support his work!!!!
February 5, 2023
Although I read this book completely out of order, I still loved it. Just want to get this out of the way, I hate Rhonda; she absolutely got what she deserved. Paul, poor Paul, he was done dirty in so many ways. He tried his best to be true to himself, his art, and his son, just to find out his son wasn’t his and his girl left him for his best friend. Paul deserved so much better. I’m so sad he had to go out the way he did. Billy…Billy and Marcus are the cutest! I love him for her, she needs someone solid. Yoshi, she also didn’t deserve what came to her. I’m so glad Jah is cleaning up his act and the two of them are building together. I have mixed feelings about Reese. She seems to want to live a rough life. I’m excited to see where the next installment takes me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2020
This book was good from the beginning to the end. It was full of drama, action and unexpected twists and turns of events. I was glad to see the fatal end of most of the characters who died by was devastating by the two I least expected to die. However, it was a good book. The moral of the story is everybody has a little hood rat in them, it only needs to be activated. I gotta know more about what happened to Reese, Yoshi, Jah, Billy and Marcus so I’m off to read the next book to this series. You will not be disappointed reading this book. Check it out!!
February 23, 2022
AND ANOTHER ONE!! This story was a ‘page turner’ and the fact that I was listening to it on audible meant many long nights of being unable to turn it off!! Many a morning I awoke to finding I’d succumbed to sleep and had to rewind to where I left off… BEFORE even getting out the bed! Kwan I LOVED this story! The hood love, the revenge, the tragedy… it’s all in there and SO WELL WRITTEN!!! Can’t wait to see what happens in Hood Rat 2!
Want to read
March 29, 2008This book is in my possesion, I plan to reding it, and sticking through it, I have only read the first couple of pages, it lost my interest but I plan on picking it back up. It is about "hood-rats" confused in the hood-life and trying to find a way out.
January 5, 2014
We just got to do better!! Kwan really makes you see that.
July 21, 2023
3.5 Stars
Solid start to a series, definitely a roller coaster ride.
K'wan did dirty tho
Solid start to a series, definitely a roller coaster ride.
K'wan did dirty tho
September 27, 2019
Yoshi, Billie, Reese & Rhonda run up & down the Harlem streets doing them. Some get into more trouble than others but everybody has their own issues. Then you have the grimy Don B & Big Dawg crew. Plus the other neighborhood misfits & clowns. There's never a lack of adventure, a moment of boredom, or even anything that makes you wanna stop listening to this story.
I don't know how many times I've read this but this might've been my first time listening. I didn't want it to end. But I know it's more to come in the next book.
I don't know how many times I've read this but this might've been my first time listening. I didn't want it to end. But I know it's more to come in the next book.
January 14, 2023
Not a fan whatsoever. The story was all over the place and hard to follow. Characters were so-so. Probably would never read again nor recommend. Usually not a fan of K'wan in the first place, but decided to give this one a chance. Not a good book to start if this is your first reading anything by him. Some of his best books are the Black Lotus series, in my opinion. Just can't get into this writing style.
April 27, 2025
Mannnn whatttt 😳 baby that ending had me shook! These characters were something else!
Paul didn’t deserve what he was put through fr 😭
🖕🏾Larry Love, Marlene, & even Rhonda fr
Billy deserves a happy ending
Jah was a damn menace 😂 stayed on demon time! I hope him & Yoshi work out butttt ion know if that’s gonna happen
Reese 🤦🏾♀️ I hope she does stick with her plan & get it together cause that one event trickled into a whole lot of mess
Paul didn’t deserve what he was put through fr 😭
🖕🏾Larry Love, Marlene, & even Rhonda fr
Billy deserves a happy ending
Jah was a damn menace 😂 stayed on demon time! I hope him & Yoshi work out butttt ion know if that’s gonna happen
Reese 🤦🏾♀️ I hope she does stick with her plan & get it together cause that one event trickled into a whole lot of mess
April 2, 2014
I liked the story. I grew up in the hood but not as intense as this one so I couldn't relate but I liked the story. I loved Yoshi and I loved how jah transformed throughout the book. the ending was crazy, it's not what I expected.
August 20, 2018
This book was most definitely a page turner.
It was sad, funny, upsetting, and quite gratifying all at the same time. Without ever being gratuitous.
I have am not a fast reader. Yet, I seem to fly through every book by K'wan that I pick up.
It was sad, funny, upsetting, and quite gratifying all at the same time. Without ever being gratuitous.
I have am not a fast reader. Yet, I seem to fly through every book by K'wan that I pick up.
June 11, 2022
I'm never disappointed with K'WAN's work. The ending, was a complete surprise for me, I wasn't expecting for Paul to kill himself. I kinda figured that he was gonna kill Rhonda's lying ass and go to jail...but damn, I wasn't ready.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel...it wasn't anything "special," I'd have to say. I prefer K'wan's writing to the writing of other urban novelists, though.
June 1, 2014
Well i be damned! Really the book is what the title says it is. Was i not entertained?! Uuuum yes!!!!
September 6, 2017
I read this series backwards, I read ANIMAL first but I like the whole series going to read more of K'wans books!
September 19, 2024
A lot of Drama
You have to go into it knowing that all the loose ends will be addressed. The first 30 chapters are bad. Only reason I didn’t DNF was cause it was a book group read. I’m kinda glad that I find give up tho.
There are way too many characters. Way too many situations and in the beginning they are all separate. Towards the middle they start coming together and by the end they have their good or bad ending. There needs to be trigger warnings for this book. The biggest (but not only) being the on and off page SA. Then there is graphic murder, abortion, loss/grief, mental abuse, mentions of child abuse, and more. This is all I can think of right now. The author gotta warn ppl of that type of content. I’m typically not bothered by triggers but some things caught me off guard.
A big plus is that the story is stereotypical but not obvious. I was shocked and surprised by the ending. There are a million characters and there is an ending for all of them.
The last 10 or so chapters made up for the awful first 30 chapters but I think I’m good on K’wan books. I don’t like to struggle through books no matter how good the ending.
You have to go into it knowing that all the loose ends will be addressed. The first 30 chapters are bad. Only reason I didn’t DNF was cause it was a book group read. I’m kinda glad that I find give up tho.
There are way too many characters. Way too many situations and in the beginning they are all separate. Towards the middle they start coming together and by the end they have their good or bad ending. There needs to be trigger warnings for this book. The biggest (but not only) being the on and off page SA. Then there is graphic murder, abortion, loss/grief, mental abuse, mentions of child abuse, and more. This is all I can think of right now. The author gotta warn ppl of that type of content. I’m typically not bothered by triggers but some things caught me off guard.
A big plus is that the story is stereotypical but not obvious. I was shocked and surprised by the ending. There are a million characters and there is an ending for all of them.
The last 10 or so chapters made up for the awful first 30 chapters but I think I’m good on K’wan books. I don’t like to struggle through books no matter how good the ending.
December 22, 2017
Hood Rat is a sprawling novel with a lot of characters and subplot. My hat goes off to K'wan in that he was able to keep them (mostly) straight without breaking the continuity or dropping very many threads. There was a thread where an angry wife throws a bottle of acid at Reece that never goes anywhere, but for the most part, everything that is setup pays off.
Rhonda was a loathsome character, and a shorter book could have just been about her. The time spent on her was the best.
Rhonda's baby daddy, Paul, was the most complex and interesting of the male characters. The others, not so much. Marcus was presented as a perfect male specimen, which made him boring and unrealistic. Jah was probably the antithesis to Marcus, and his maturation throughout the book was unearned and unbelievable.
K'wan's prose is clunky at times, but innovative at a lot of other times.
Overall, I found the book eyeopening, amusing, and pretty good. I'd recommend it to someone looking for something out-of-the-ordinary or a fresh, authentic perspective.
Rhonda was a loathsome character, and a shorter book could have just been about her. The time spent on her was the best.
Rhonda's baby daddy, Paul, was the most complex and interesting of the male characters. The others, not so much. Marcus was presented as a perfect male specimen, which made him boring and unrealistic. Jah was probably the antithesis to Marcus, and his maturation throughout the book was unearned and unbelievable.
K'wan's prose is clunky at times, but innovative at a lot of other times.
Overall, I found the book eyeopening, amusing, and pretty good. I'd recommend it to someone looking for something out-of-the-ordinary or a fresh, authentic perspective.
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