80's Baby

80's Baby by Ty Marshall


Synopsis- By the beginning of the 1980’s, the Bronx had become a godforsaken slum, making it the ideal location for an epidemic. That epidemic arrived in the form of crack cocaine, which hit the streets with a savage force setting off an explosion of violent crime unlike anything ever seen before. The birth of crack brought with it more money, more guns, and more gangs. The faces of which were younger, hungrier and more vicious than their predecessors.

In 1986, Hassan, a student of the streets put those lessons to work, ascending above all other ghetto dons and planting his flag at the top of the drug game. After successfully merging the north and south sides, Hassan ceases control of the largest projects in The Bronx, The Edenwald Houses. With maximum power and unlimited resources he and his crew reign supreme over the crack trade. But what crack giveth, crack taketh away as jealousy, rival crews and the federal government began chipping away at his once mighty empire. Enter Rhae, a beautiful, around the way girl, raised in the same unforgiven streets. After falling in love with Hassan, she tries to convince him to leave the game behind. But old habits die hard and the allure is stronger than either of them could imagine, proving getting out is easier said than done.

Book Review - This was my first read, or rather listen, by this author. I think the story moved well with a solid plot and developed characters. I enjoyed watching Rhae wrestle with her occupation and her budding love for Hassan. It was easy to become invested in both of the characters. With more than one plot at work, the author did a good job of bringing them together in the end. While I could tell how the ending would play out, the author did a good job of presenting it to the reader by adding in a surprising little "bundle". As far as the audio production, it was clean, professional and the narrator did a good job of bringing the characters to life. You can get your copy below by clicking the image.