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Half Outlaw
Looking for the missing half of herself, a woman goes on one last ride with the motorcycle club that raised her, and gets more than she bargained for.
After the tragic death of her parents when she was just four years old, Raqi is sent to live with her uncle Dodge in Escondido, California. Taking after her Mexican father, Raqi immediately faces hostility from the members of Dodge's all-white, 1 percenter motorcycle club, the Lawless, and from her uncle himself. Being raised by a drug addict is no picnic, and Raqi must quickly learn how to survive. She manages to form a few friendships. Still, as soon as she can, she leaves the violence and bigotry behind and doesn't look back.
Years later, Raqi is a successful partner at a law firm in Los Angeles. She gets a call from Billy, the leader of the Lawless. Dodge is dead, and Billy wants her to go on the Grieving Ride, a special ride taken for all deceased members, and one that strictly follows the deceased's wishes. There is no way Raqi would ever attend, except for one thing: Billy promises to give her the address of her grandfather if she goes on the ride. It's the address of her father's father, her Mexican grandfather. Learning for the first time that she has other family and desperate to connect, she agrees. But this will be no ordinary Grieving Ride. Raqi is reacquainted with her old bike and with the various club members. During the cross-country trek, she will learn more about her uncle, and about herself, than she ever imagined possible.
Alternating between Raqi's childhood and a present 90s setting, and accented by moments of magical realism, Half Outlaw is the story of one woman's quest to find a better future while still wrestling with a tumultuous past. In her first adult novel, Alex Temblador gives readers an immersive look into a dangerous subculture at the end of an era, and a powerful and heartfelt story that explores self-knowledge, acceptance, and the meaning of family.
After the tragic death of her parents when she was just four years old, Raqi is sent to live with her uncle Dodge in Escondido, California. Taking after her Mexican father, Raqi immediately faces hostility from the members of Dodge's all-white, 1 percenter motorcycle club, the Lawless, and from her uncle himself. Being raised by a drug addict is no picnic, and Raqi must quickly learn how to survive. She manages to form a few friendships. Still, as soon as she can, she leaves the violence and bigotry behind and doesn't look back.
Years later, Raqi is a successful partner at a law firm in Los Angeles. She gets a call from Billy, the leader of the Lawless. Dodge is dead, and Billy wants her to go on the Grieving Ride, a special ride taken for all deceased members, and one that strictly follows the deceased's wishes. There is no way Raqi would ever attend, except for one thing: Billy promises to give her the address of her grandfather if she goes on the ride. It's the address of her father's father, her Mexican grandfather. Learning for the first time that she has other family and desperate to connect, she agrees. But this will be no ordinary Grieving Ride. Raqi is reacquainted with her old bike and with the various club members. During the cross-country trek, she will learn more about her uncle, and about herself, than she ever imagined possible.
Alternating between Raqi's childhood and a present 90s setting, and accented by moments of magical realism, Half Outlaw is the story of one woman's quest to find a better future while still wrestling with a tumultuous past. In her first adult novel, Alex Temblador gives readers an immersive look into a dangerous subculture at the end of an era, and a powerful and heartfelt story that explores self-knowledge, acceptance, and the meaning of family.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2022
7 people are currently reading
2224 people want to read
About the author
Alex Temblador
5 books80 followersAlex Temblador is the Mixed Latine author of the award-winning novels, Secrets of the Casa Rosada and Half Outlaw. Her third book, Writing an Identity Not Your Own, is a nonfiction writing craft book.
Alex's debut YA novel, Secrets of the Casa Rosada, has won such awards like the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Discovery Prize Winner of the 2018 Writers' League of Texas Book Awards, Kirkus' Best of YA Books of 2018, the NACCS Tejas Foco Young Adult Award 2019, the Texas Library Association's TAYSHA's Nomination, and received a Starred Kirkus Review. Half Outlaw, an adult fiction novel, received a Bronze Medal for the Rudolfo Anaya Best Latino Focused Fiction Book in the 2023 International Latino Book Awards.
Her creative writing has appeared in anthologies like Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology, as well as literary journals like Colorado Review, PALABRITAS, D Magazine, Cigale Literary Magazine, and Scissortale Review. Alex received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Alex is the founder and moderator of LitTalk at Whose Books, a quarterly panel series for DFW authors. In her career as an author, Alex has conducted a wide array of presentations for the likes of Macmillan Publishers, Abydos Learning Conference, TLA Annual Conference, Texas Teen Book Festival, and universities like Southern Methodist University, University of Houston, University of Louisiana at Monroe, LaGaurdia CC, etc.
When she's not working on her next novel, Alex is a full-time freelance travel, arts, culture, and design writer and teaches the occasional seminar on creative writing.
Alex is Texas-based woman who loves literary fiction with a multicultural or diversity aspect and prefers to write about family dynamics, race, ethnicity, and identity, especially in the style of magical realism.
You can find more information about her work at AlexTemblador.com.
Alex's debut YA novel, Secrets of the Casa Rosada, has won such awards like the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Discovery Prize Winner of the 2018 Writers' League of Texas Book Awards, Kirkus' Best of YA Books of 2018, the NACCS Tejas Foco Young Adult Award 2019, the Texas Library Association's TAYSHA's Nomination, and received a Starred Kirkus Review. Half Outlaw, an adult fiction novel, received a Bronze Medal for the Rudolfo Anaya Best Latino Focused Fiction Book in the 2023 International Latino Book Awards.
Her creative writing has appeared in anthologies like Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology, as well as literary journals like Colorado Review, PALABRITAS, D Magazine, Cigale Literary Magazine, and Scissortale Review. Alex received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Alex is the founder and moderator of LitTalk at Whose Books, a quarterly panel series for DFW authors. In her career as an author, Alex has conducted a wide array of presentations for the likes of Macmillan Publishers, Abydos Learning Conference, TLA Annual Conference, Texas Teen Book Festival, and universities like Southern Methodist University, University of Houston, University of Louisiana at Monroe, LaGaurdia CC, etc.
When she's not working on her next novel, Alex is a full-time freelance travel, arts, culture, and design writer and teaches the occasional seminar on creative writing.
Alex is Texas-based woman who loves literary fiction with a multicultural or diversity aspect and prefers to write about family dynamics, race, ethnicity, and identity, especially in the style of magical realism.
You can find more information about her work at AlexTemblador.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 10, 2022
Loss and rebirth!
Bikers, codes and belonging. Half Mexican Raqi grew up as the niece of a biker, having been given into the care of her uncle Dodge when she was four. Her mother had been Dodge’s sister. Not the most ideal of childhoods being around an addict but Raqi not only survived she went on to become a partner in a law firm.
Dodge has died and Raqi is called on to take a Grieving ride, not something she wants to do. The club’s leader Billy bribes her by promising the address of her Mexican grandfather at the end of the ride. Raqi has always felt sundered. Taken from a life she barely remembers into quite a different culture for anyone let alone a very young child.
The story is told with glimpses of Raqi’s past seamlessly segueing into the now.
A fascinating tale that introduces magic realism and animism as Ravi’s heritage collides with desert spirituality as she struggles to know who she is and where she comes from, as she yearns to become whole.
Not my usual literary genre, but the change was interesting.
A Blackstone ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Bikers, codes and belonging. Half Mexican Raqi grew up as the niece of a biker, having been given into the care of her uncle Dodge when she was four. Her mother had been Dodge’s sister. Not the most ideal of childhoods being around an addict but Raqi not only survived she went on to become a partner in a law firm.
Dodge has died and Raqi is called on to take a Grieving ride, not something she wants to do. The club’s leader Billy bribes her by promising the address of her Mexican grandfather at the end of the ride. Raqi has always felt sundered. Taken from a life she barely remembers into quite a different culture for anyone let alone a very young child.
The story is told with glimpses of Raqi’s past seamlessly segueing into the now.
A fascinating tale that introduces magic realism and animism as Ravi’s heritage collides with desert spirituality as she struggles to know who she is and where she comes from, as she yearns to become whole.
Not my usual literary genre, but the change was interesting.
A Blackstone ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
June 26, 2022
Half Outlaw by Alex Temblador. Thanks to @blackstonepublishing for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Raqi left the motorcycle club that raided her to straighten up and become a lawyer. Now that her uncle has died, she goes back for one last road trip with them.
Sons of Anarchy fans, finally here’s a book for you! I loved this read into the life of a motorcycle gang. Especially how it weaved a bit of magical realism into it. There was a lot of symbolism and it was done in a way that kept the story real and not a fantasy novel. It just had some magical moments that made sense within the story. I really enjoyed the backstory and flashbacks. It all ties together neatly in the end.
“They say it takes a village to raise a kid…. I’d had a motorcycle club, and each member had contributed to my upbringing, probably in way I would never know or fully understand.
Half Outlaw comes out 7/12.
Raqi left the motorcycle club that raided her to straighten up and become a lawyer. Now that her uncle has died, she goes back for one last road trip with them.
Sons of Anarchy fans, finally here’s a book for you! I loved this read into the life of a motorcycle gang. Especially how it weaved a bit of magical realism into it. There was a lot of symbolism and it was done in a way that kept the story real and not a fantasy novel. It just had some magical moments that made sense within the story. I really enjoyed the backstory and flashbacks. It all ties together neatly in the end.
“They say it takes a village to raise a kid…. I’d had a motorcycle club, and each member had contributed to my upbringing, probably in way I would never know or fully understand.
Half Outlaw comes out 7/12.
February 28, 2022
Was perpetually choked up and on the verge of tears during the reading of this entire novel, which is so beautifully written and complicated.
Read
October 2, 2023This didn't really work for me, which is at least partly some genre misfit. This is much more contemporary fiction than magical realism, and as a reader I generally prefer more fantastical stories.
August 6, 2022
Writing in a time-shift style, Alex Temblador explores Raquel Warren’s progression of life values from the time her parents are killed in a car accident, and she is introduced to her uncle Dodge, to the final discovery of her paternal grandfather following Dodge’s death.
With strong character development, Temblador puts you in the middle of the lives of The Lawless, a biker gang in southern California and just like a lot of groups of people, there are good bikers and bad bikers. The Lawless were no exception. Uncle Dodge, who had a drug and alcohol problem, was not at all ready to raise a four-year-old, but fortunately a fellow biker, Billy, stepped up and helped him out with a lot of the practical and emotional things it takes to raise a kid to maturity.
Raquel, in present day time had become a lawyer and tried her best to put The Lawless in her rear-view mirror, but with the death of Dodge and the enticement of information leading to her grandfather, her last living relative, Raquel reluctantly joined the Grieving Ride with the other Lawless to honor her uncle’s last wishes.
Filled with enough angst to last a lifetime, this book puts you on the back of Roq’s Iron Head as The Lawless travel along the highways to their destination where Dodge’s ashes were to be scattered. Along the way Billy made certain that Roq met people who had come to know Dodge as a man changed from his life journey with her.
This is a great read and gives the reader an inside look of the lives of riders: people who work hard, live hard, and love deep. Touching a bit on the existential parts of life, and the realities of living, this book deserves a read and a spot on the shelf of anyone who doesn’t believe people are innately good and capable of turning their lives around.
With strong character development, Temblador puts you in the middle of the lives of The Lawless, a biker gang in southern California and just like a lot of groups of people, there are good bikers and bad bikers. The Lawless were no exception. Uncle Dodge, who had a drug and alcohol problem, was not at all ready to raise a four-year-old, but fortunately a fellow biker, Billy, stepped up and helped him out with a lot of the practical and emotional things it takes to raise a kid to maturity.
Raquel, in present day time had become a lawyer and tried her best to put The Lawless in her rear-view mirror, but with the death of Dodge and the enticement of information leading to her grandfather, her last living relative, Raquel reluctantly joined the Grieving Ride with the other Lawless to honor her uncle’s last wishes.
Filled with enough angst to last a lifetime, this book puts you on the back of Roq’s Iron Head as The Lawless travel along the highways to their destination where Dodge’s ashes were to be scattered. Along the way Billy made certain that Roq met people who had come to know Dodge as a man changed from his life journey with her.
This is a great read and gives the reader an inside look of the lives of riders: people who work hard, live hard, and love deep. Touching a bit on the existential parts of life, and the realities of living, this book deserves a read and a spot on the shelf of anyone who doesn’t believe people are innately good and capable of turning their lives around.
July 24, 2022
Half Outlaw is a top read of 2022. It is without a doubt, a must read do not miss adventure that will hold your heart in its hands and only let go when you have become one with Raqi and found a shift within yourself.
It's stories like this when I feel wholly inadequate in the ability to express any coherent thoughts I had while reading. I felt every emotion, every punch, every breath. I was blown away by the sorrow, the torment, the anguish as well as the pure heart and hope that bled on to every page.
I finished this story, held it close, stared at the wall and took a deep, deep breath.
More than a journey, Half Outlaw is a pure unadulterated exploration of love, life, and family that everyone should be a party to. Half Outlaw is raw, real, uplifting and enchanting.
My rating? All the stars in the sky.
It's stories like this when I feel wholly inadequate in the ability to express any coherent thoughts I had while reading. I felt every emotion, every punch, every breath. I was blown away by the sorrow, the torment, the anguish as well as the pure heart and hope that bled on to every page.
I finished this story, held it close, stared at the wall and took a deep, deep breath.
More than a journey, Half Outlaw is a pure unadulterated exploration of love, life, and family that everyone should be a party to. Half Outlaw is raw, real, uplifting and enchanting.
My rating? All the stars in the sky.
November 1, 2022
Biker book for Baddies
This was a rough ride into the past for our leading lady, Raqi. What starts as an unfortunate loose end that she needs to tie up, in order to finally leave her past behind her, and journey into the future with her undiscovered family, quickly morphs into something else. Raqi falls right back into her old lifestyle and her old ways. The only difference is, this time she has more backbone to deal with it and has discovered her sense of self-worth.
She goes on a grieving ride with her old biker gang family "The Lawless" to mourn her uncle and spread his ashes, but what she really wants is the contact info of her long lost Mexican grandfather that's been promised to her once the ride is complete.
What she doesn't expect is to take a journey through the past and a deeper look inside herself. Old painful memories are relived, along with ones that Raqi now sees with new eyes. Memories she that blocked as a bitter youth, she now sees them for what they were, rare moments of warmth, when her usually cold and insensitive biker family showed her actual love and even went as far to protect her in some situations. Raqi learns a new appreciation for her mostly callous biker family. She also learns what she deserves, and what she doesn't.
I really liked the biker aspects of this book, and for anyone who is a biker or has bikers in their family or friend group, will like it, too. My step-dad was/is a biker, so some parts of the biker lifestyle really hit home for me, in a comforting kind of way.
I'm also Mexican, but I don't look it, so I could relate to the struggles of Raqi, being a mixed child and not quite knowing where she fits in. I could also relate to being bullied or called degrading names, like Raqi was, because of my heritage.
My favorite characters were the bone lady, of course, that whole part was so trippy and interesting. And Eddie, the lovable biker who cares for Raqi more like a father than anyone has before, apart from her own biological father.
I absolutely enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author. If you enjoy road trips, adventures, motorcycles, or family drama, you will too.
This was a rough ride into the past for our leading lady, Raqi. What starts as an unfortunate loose end that she needs to tie up, in order to finally leave her past behind her, and journey into the future with her undiscovered family, quickly morphs into something else. Raqi falls right back into her old lifestyle and her old ways. The only difference is, this time she has more backbone to deal with it and has discovered her sense of self-worth.
She goes on a grieving ride with her old biker gang family "The Lawless" to mourn her uncle and spread his ashes, but what she really wants is the contact info of her long lost Mexican grandfather that's been promised to her once the ride is complete.
What she doesn't expect is to take a journey through the past and a deeper look inside herself. Old painful memories are relived, along with ones that Raqi now sees with new eyes. Memories she that blocked as a bitter youth, she now sees them for what they were, rare moments of warmth, when her usually cold and insensitive biker family showed her actual love and even went as far to protect her in some situations. Raqi learns a new appreciation for her mostly callous biker family. She also learns what she deserves, and what she doesn't.
I really liked the biker aspects of this book, and for anyone who is a biker or has bikers in their family or friend group, will like it, too. My step-dad was/is a biker, so some parts of the biker lifestyle really hit home for me, in a comforting kind of way.
I'm also Mexican, but I don't look it, so I could relate to the struggles of Raqi, being a mixed child and not quite knowing where she fits in. I could also relate to being bullied or called degrading names, like Raqi was, because of my heritage.
My favorite characters were the bone lady, of course, that whole part was so trippy and interesting. And Eddie, the lovable biker who cares for Raqi more like a father than anyone has before, apart from her own biological father.
I absolutely enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author. If you enjoy road trips, adventures, motorcycles, or family drama, you will too.
July 21, 2022
This was a very different read for me but I was hooked from the first chapter.
The story is told in alternating past and present chapters and it’s incredibly raw and heartbreaking. I enjoyed the subtle style of the storytelling and felt that we really got to know the characters and their true selves.
If you’re looking for an MC story that’s different to the norm then this is for you.
I received an arc of this book.
The story is told in alternating past and present chapters and it’s incredibly raw and heartbreaking. I enjoyed the subtle style of the storytelling and felt that we really got to know the characters and their true selves.
If you’re looking for an MC story that’s different to the norm then this is for you.
I received an arc of this book.
July 12, 2022
This is such a beautiful and heart-aching story that, even though is set between the years of 1960 and 1990, effortlessly stays current and meaningful. Temblador used magical language as a stylistic device to paint such a clear and vibrant picture for the reader, and tenderly guides them on a journey of identity, self-worth, and the bonds a family can hold on one’s soul whether they realize it or not. Temblador has a way with words that transcends the pages before you, and will have you wishing for this stand-alone novel to get a shot as a limited series on Showtime, HBO, or any streaming service lucky enough to tell this story.
June 27, 2022
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing.
Motorcycle clubs like the Lawless were chapters left out of books, so they wrote their own with rubber and asphalt.
This book was an extremely interesting collision between two very different worlds and cultures, mixed in with a bit of southwestern legend/myth. I really enjoyed the writing style, and how the author didn't shy away from addressing the more difficult topics of racism and sense of belonging. I think many people can relate to the internal and external struggles that Raqi experiences throughout this story.
Sometimes they loved me too much. They never gave up on trying to win me back even when they weren't quite sure they wanted me in the first place.
My favorite thing about this book is probably the found family aspect of it all, and coming to terms with the fact that the people you love are fighting their own demons. Raqi is essentially stuck between two different worlds and two different versions of herself: polished lawyer, and the tough girl raised among a rough biker gang. I also really enjoyed her journey of coming to terms with her past and her present, and her future towards the end of the book. I finished it in a few hours, so it was a quick read, but nonetheless a great story. Overall a 4-star read for me.
Motorcycle clubs like the Lawless were chapters left out of books, so they wrote their own with rubber and asphalt.
This book was an extremely interesting collision between two very different worlds and cultures, mixed in with a bit of southwestern legend/myth. I really enjoyed the writing style, and how the author didn't shy away from addressing the more difficult topics of racism and sense of belonging. I think many people can relate to the internal and external struggles that Raqi experiences throughout this story.
Sometimes they loved me too much. They never gave up on trying to win me back even when they weren't quite sure they wanted me in the first place.
My favorite thing about this book is probably the found family aspect of it all, and coming to terms with the fact that the people you love are fighting their own demons. Raqi is essentially stuck between two different worlds and two different versions of herself: polished lawyer, and the tough girl raised among a rough biker gang. I also really enjoyed her journey of coming to terms with her past and her present, and her future towards the end of the book. I finished it in a few hours, so it was a quick read, but nonetheless a great story. Overall a 4-star read for me.
July 19, 2022
The way Raqi builds her own self-awareness and comes to a deeper understanding of the manipulations that dictated much of her life is the real heart of the novel. Temblador gives Raqi her autonomy through a series of intense situations at the end that surprised me.
Temblador dedicated this book to others who are finding themselves, particularly mixed folks on the discovery of their own identity. For those navigating shame they’ve internalized and now have to unpack—another difficult to read but important part of Raqi’s journey.
Temblador says “I wrote this book in pain. I sought to better understand the dynamics of love, hate, privilege and power in family structure.” Overall, this all comes through in this novel.
Temblador dedicated this book to others who are finding themselves, particularly mixed folks on the discovery of their own identity. For those navigating shame they’ve internalized and now have to unpack—another difficult to read but important part of Raqi’s journey.
Temblador says “I wrote this book in pain. I sought to better understand the dynamics of love, hate, privilege and power in family structure.” Overall, this all comes through in this novel.
September 3, 2022
This is a story that's very interesting to me because it's about a whole culture that I'm not at all familiar with and the fact that Raqi was always somewhat of an outsider despite growing up with them makes her a great person to experience through.
The small magical elements that pop up over the course of the story are my favorite part. It's little bits of magic that enhance real-life tensions and emotions.
The small magical elements that pop up over the course of the story are my favorite part. It's little bits of magic that enhance real-life tensions and emotions.
December 16, 2022
A nice mix of rhe two time lines with a touch of magical realism.
December 30, 2022
This was one of the rawest books I’ve ever read. What do I mean? The emotional intensity, the deeply flawed characters, the harsh circumstances, all contributed to this being a heavy story to consume. Still, read and finish it I did and oh, so glad.
The story opens with Raquel, a newly-minted, four-year-old orphan dropped on the doorstep of her uncle’s house. Uncle Dodge is a drug-dealing, drug-addict, motorcycle gang member, who has no idea of how to raise a child. He is distant emotionally and rattlesnake-mean. Needless to say, Raquel grows up quick, learning how to survive in a household with no love, no emotional attachment, and few creature comforts. It is a household with a whole lot of anger and deep down emotional and psychological pain. As soon as Raquel graduates high school, she leaves vowing never to return. But years into the future, Uncle Dodge dies and Raquel is summoned to participate in his Grieving Ride—a tribute, cross country ride led by his motorcycle gang, the Outlaws. Raquel refuses the invitation, but relents when she is promised contact information for her father’s side of the family, a family she never knew existed.
I’ll stop the story summation here because at this point, the good stuff rattles out – loud and disruptive - like a loose tailpipe. At this point is the heart of the story and it should be fully experienced by the reader.
As mentioned, it’s a tough story to read, but so worthy of reading. The writing is outstanding. Catchy twists of phrases, vivid descriptions, and imaginative word choices fill the pages. The plot follows a well-developed path that is targeted, full of parallels, and one which comes full circle. The characters are gritty and “real”— pluck them off the pages and they could activate in real life, posing as a neighbor, a family member, a co-worker, and definitely as an enemy. Having no knowledge of motorcycle gang life, I found the way of life—as depicted in a fiction book—a learning opportunity. I finished the book in three nights, an indication I was totally absorbed in the story.
If I had to offer a criticism of the story I would not. But here’s a warning instead: it’s a dark story. If that’s not your reading preference, still read it, but consume it in spurts or alternate reading it with a light book for balance. One final comment, there is an element of magical realism, supernatural and witch powers, in the story. Though not frightening, it is relevant to the atmosphere and telling of the story.
I highly recommend this book, and the author’s first book, too. Both are a good investment in your reading time. Both are excellent stories told well.
The story opens with Raquel, a newly-minted, four-year-old orphan dropped on the doorstep of her uncle’s house. Uncle Dodge is a drug-dealing, drug-addict, motorcycle gang member, who has no idea of how to raise a child. He is distant emotionally and rattlesnake-mean. Needless to say, Raquel grows up quick, learning how to survive in a household with no love, no emotional attachment, and few creature comforts. It is a household with a whole lot of anger and deep down emotional and psychological pain. As soon as Raquel graduates high school, she leaves vowing never to return. But years into the future, Uncle Dodge dies and Raquel is summoned to participate in his Grieving Ride—a tribute, cross country ride led by his motorcycle gang, the Outlaws. Raquel refuses the invitation, but relents when she is promised contact information for her father’s side of the family, a family she never knew existed.
I’ll stop the story summation here because at this point, the good stuff rattles out – loud and disruptive - like a loose tailpipe. At this point is the heart of the story and it should be fully experienced by the reader.
As mentioned, it’s a tough story to read, but so worthy of reading. The writing is outstanding. Catchy twists of phrases, vivid descriptions, and imaginative word choices fill the pages. The plot follows a well-developed path that is targeted, full of parallels, and one which comes full circle. The characters are gritty and “real”— pluck them off the pages and they could activate in real life, posing as a neighbor, a family member, a co-worker, and definitely as an enemy. Having no knowledge of motorcycle gang life, I found the way of life—as depicted in a fiction book—a learning opportunity. I finished the book in three nights, an indication I was totally absorbed in the story.
If I had to offer a criticism of the story I would not. But here’s a warning instead: it’s a dark story. If that’s not your reading preference, still read it, but consume it in spurts or alternate reading it with a light book for balance. One final comment, there is an element of magical realism, supernatural and witch powers, in the story. Though not frightening, it is relevant to the atmosphere and telling of the story.
I highly recommend this book, and the author’s first book, too. Both are a good investment in your reading time. Both are excellent stories told well.
July 23, 2022
I love this book. It has the characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict and the resolution - all the elements of a good read. The author, Alex Temblador, totally immerses you in her story of self-discovery with magical realism and artistic and descriptive writing that has you wanting more. The story alternates between the main character's childhood and a present 90's setting. I don't always like the alternating writing method but this author shuffles between settings seamlessly and effortlessly offering more insight to the main character and her feelings.
Raqi (pronounced Rocky) is a young woman of mixed race, half white, half Mexican, who lost her parents at a very young age. At only four years old she is thrown into a foreign life with an unknown uncle who is a member of a motorcycle club, the Outlaws. Years of being in an environment of drugs, violence, bigotry and raised by an immoral, mean-spirited uncle has stunted her emotionally and caused her to often contemplate the "what ifs".
Even after years of separation Raqi who is now a successful lawyer struggles with her identity blaming her current issues on her broken past until the leader of the Outlaws, Billy, calls with the news of her uncle's death. He asks her to ride with the Outlaws as her uncle's next of kin on his Grieving Ride, a special ride to pay homage to a deceased motorcycle member. Though Raqi fiercely resists honoring her uncle in any way, Billy promises her withheld information about the other half of her lost family if she takes one last ride. Thus starts her road trip that could set her free from the Outlaw life and offer her peace from the
"What ifs".
Take a ride on the wild side with Half Outlaw. I promise you will love it!
Raqi (pronounced Rocky) is a young woman of mixed race, half white, half Mexican, who lost her parents at a very young age. At only four years old she is thrown into a foreign life with an unknown uncle who is a member of a motorcycle club, the Outlaws. Years of being in an environment of drugs, violence, bigotry and raised by an immoral, mean-spirited uncle has stunted her emotionally and caused her to often contemplate the "what ifs".
Even after years of separation Raqi who is now a successful lawyer struggles with her identity blaming her current issues on her broken past until the leader of the Outlaws, Billy, calls with the news of her uncle's death. He asks her to ride with the Outlaws as her uncle's next of kin on his Grieving Ride, a special ride to pay homage to a deceased motorcycle member. Though Raqi fiercely resists honoring her uncle in any way, Billy promises her withheld information about the other half of her lost family if she takes one last ride. Thus starts her road trip that could set her free from the Outlaw life and offer her peace from the
"What ifs".
Take a ride on the wild side with Half Outlaw. I promise you will love it!
July 20, 2022
***Goodreads Giveaway Win***
Genre-wise this is an interesting book. I've always associated motorcycle clubs with either the romance genre or the gritty crime drama. So I was impressed to see Alex Temblador write a more literary side of the story. She's also a good writer on the sentence level - straight-forward, doesn't call attention to itself. My favorite kind of writing.
This is where my praise ends. Where I found the book not so good was in the overall story. The themes were too heavy-handed for me. There was a bit too much of a moral lesson-learned at the end that edged toward eye-rolly.
I also felt like something was missing when it came to a point the narrator dwelled upon but a point the author failed to show. It was often said how dangerous this motor cycle was; they did bad things that the narrator, as a child, should not have been subject to. However, the author described an example of this danger only once. Most examples actually made the club look almost wholesome. As a matter of fact, I found myself more on the side of the club than the narrator, who never won me over.
Anyway, Alex Temblador is a good author but I like to see her write some stuff that's a bit more subtle.
Genre-wise this is an interesting book. I've always associated motorcycle clubs with either the romance genre or the gritty crime drama. So I was impressed to see Alex Temblador write a more literary side of the story. She's also a good writer on the sentence level - straight-forward, doesn't call attention to itself. My favorite kind of writing.
This is where my praise ends. Where I found the book not so good was in the overall story. The themes were too heavy-handed for me. There was a bit too much of a moral lesson-learned at the end that edged toward eye-rolly.
I also felt like something was missing when it came to a point the narrator dwelled upon but a point the author failed to show. It was often said how dangerous this motor cycle was; they did bad things that the narrator, as a child, should not have been subject to. However, the author described an example of this danger only once. Most examples actually made the club look almost wholesome. As a matter of fact, I found myself more on the side of the club than the narrator, who never won me over.
Anyway, Alex Temblador is a good author but I like to see her write some stuff that's a bit more subtle.
July 13, 2022
I finished reading the book two days ago and WOW! It is incredible. I found the elements of magical realism to fly off of the page and punch me in the face basically! The emotion behind the descriptions of every scene were palpable. I laughed at parts, cried at others, felt the guilt and the discord within Raqi. I found Raqi to be extremely relatable to me and my own life. I liked how the book seemed to be such an easy but dynamic read. The pacing was perfect. At times, I wanted more from the storylines of different characters and how they interacted with Raqi. I thought the world that was created could be even expanded more, but that was the beauty of a good story is that you want more. And I want more, I want to consume everything this author writes! My favorite parts were the parts that took place in Raqi's childhood. I think that this is a great read, and I am already rereading it again AND listening to the audiobook! If you have a chance, please give it a read and write a stellar review! Great job Alex, so proud of you sister.
August 6, 2022
Half Outlaw is not only a captivating story about the complexities of family and identity, but one that extends to the story of America, race, and the human experience. Keenly structured and beautifully narrated, it is a page-turner filled with powerful insights, surprising plot twists, and a spectacularly touching and memorable ending. From beginning to end, we root for the protagonist Raqi who learns how to reconcile with her past in a winding adventure, ultimately learning that compassion and understanding are the first steps to truly becoming whole with herself and others. I highly recommend this book for its richness of plot, memorable characters, and immediacy of content.
May 23, 2023
Half Outlaw is so so so good!!!! Omgosh I wanted more. The author’s writing is so descriptive, it's as if you are in the story. I just couldn't stop reading it. The story details the journey Raqi had to experience from childhood into adulthood, and face the past to learn about what she missed. A great ending, but wanted a little more about life post Grieving Ride. I also love the way she speaks about all the aspects of living as a multiracial child. Another amazing read by Alex Temblador.
August 3, 2022
Half Outlaw was a fast moving and heart-wrenching novel. I loved how the author used language to animate inanimate objects such as cigarette smoke and motorcycles. I really felt sorry for the main character having to go live with her mean uncle at four years old. I appreciated the ending because it stayed true to the story and allowed me, as the reader, to believe that everything will okay.
September 29, 2024
This was a little different for me. I thought it would be a contemporary motorcycle club romance, but it is not. There is no romance at all, it's a contemporary fiction but there are also magical elements to it also that are out of place, but kind of not.
The story was interesting and heartbreaking. I enjoyed it.
Listened as a freebie on the audiobooks app free trial.
The story was interesting and heartbreaking. I enjoyed it.
Listened as a freebie on the audiobooks app free trial.
July 24, 2022
A great story about a women finding herself on a biker run.
December 3, 2024
I've known this author since she was a young girl and love the writer she had become!
March 22, 2023
what on earth!? Where have you been Alex Temblador!? I didn’t read the blurb and didn’t know what to expect from the cover-a modern western perhaps?
I can’t begin to express how much I enjoyed traveling by motorcycle with Raqi as she searches for answers about her family and gains some major life perspective and insight along the way.
Temblador takes a relatable plot line and fills it with colorful and tragic and beautiful characters. I don’t think I’ve ever read a fiction novel about a motorcycle club let alone such a personal and emotional novel revolving around said club. Raqi is such a strong woman who has it altogether but seems to have no footing, no foundation and I think that will resonate with so many. Absolutely encourage you to read her story!
I can’t begin to express how much I enjoyed traveling by motorcycle with Raqi as she searches for answers about her family and gains some major life perspective and insight along the way.
Temblador takes a relatable plot line and fills it with colorful and tragic and beautiful characters. I don’t think I’ve ever read a fiction novel about a motorcycle club let alone such a personal and emotional novel revolving around said club. Raqi is such a strong woman who has it altogether but seems to have no footing, no foundation and I think that will resonate with so many. Absolutely encourage you to read her story!
June 20, 2024
A deeply touching story of a woman reconnecting with her past through acceptance and sensitivity. Growing up as a woman of colour in a conservative motorcycle club, she left it all behind to make way for a brighter future. She has to face her troubled upbringing and slowly get rid of her resentment and anger. The first 80% was quite slow, but the last bit got me crying so much!
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