The Apostles

by Y. Blak Moore

Book Overview

The Apostles run Chicago's streets. Their leader, "Solemn Shawn" Terson, is the most revered-and feared-man in town. Because of his past exploits, the Apostles have a loyalty among its members that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345475704
• ISBN13: 9780345475701
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: One World/Strivers Row
• Length: 273 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

All Good

This is one the best books I've read in a while, I enjoyed the writers style, the plot and characters were well developed. The Apostles kept me interseted from start to finish.

What A Man

Solemn Shawn has such a powerful presence you forget he is a character in a book. Everything about him epitomizes what a man should be. This story is about Shawn and the Apostles. The Apostles are more than a gang. They are a family; that takes care of one another putting no one man above the rest. Solemn Shawn, conveys to the family that it's time to get out of the street business forever, will it work? Or will they remain the most notorious gang in Chicago feared by all? I absolutely loved this book, and highly recommend it! Reviewed by: Angie

Hood Novel written from a real perspective

Well, Y. Blak Moore, you did it! Someone finally wrote a "hood" novel that wasn't either over the top with way-out situations or condemmed from all the bad grammar and spelling errors. Job well done! Soft spoken Solemn Shawn is not to be played with. After being locked up behind his abusive stepfather, he takes his rebellious ways to the streets of Chicago. He's successful with his mission to gain power, control, and respect for his gang, The Apostles, but vows to give it all up when he discovers the true love he has for his pregnant girlfriend. Solemn is looking forward to fatherhood and realizes what really matters in life-his girlfriend and unborn child, until a former Apostle memeber-turned adversary plants a deadly seed that grows into an all out bloody war fare. I'm not an advid reader of street fiction, but The Apostles just might change that for me. I can't stress enough over the fact that this was so well written and entertaining. It's highly recommended for everyone! A must read!

The Apostles - The Raw deal

The Apostles gave the raw details of everyday life of gangsters, haters, politicians, and police surviving on the streets. All of them did what they wanted to do or rather what they had to do to make money. Moore's eloquent street style and experience is exhibited by his explicit detail of Solemn Shaw and his gangs lifestyle. I reccommend this book to those who want to know the real deal on hustling. Not just some second hand information that the author heard from one of his partners. As it is said if you "respect the game," then you'll respect the author's message of the game.

Wonderful example of street fiction!

Chicago's meanest streets are infested with gang activity, drug trafficking, and dishonest cops who think they're above the law. The two primary gangs are The Apostles, led by Solemn Shawn, and The Governors, led by a former Apostle, Vaton "Vee" Dawon. Infusing present day action with flashbacks from Solemn Shawn's life growing up, we are able to see how he became to be called Solemn Shawn, the hardships of his life, and how someone so young could be so serious about life. Quiet-spoken, yet fearless, Solemn Shawn was not only respected during his young years locked up after a run-in with his step-father, but also when he started his gang and later when he was released. On a quest for power, each gang has their own rules of the street, but pretty much stay off each other's turf. The problems arise when a Governor is given the "cold war" -- a process by which he's beat up for some infraction against the group and then all his personal effects are confiscated...all by members of the same gang. He's a bit beyond bitter and in essence loses his mind. He goes to The Apostles trying to join their camp, but is turned away. Hell-bent on getting back at all of them, he kills a Governor and leaves items behind to incriminate The Apostles. An all-out war ensues and as you can imagine, lives are lost, loyalties are questioned, and everyone is left wondering who will come out on the top. Not that it's not bad enough what's happening, but it's really bad timing for Solemn Shawn as he's decided to move out of the area with his pregnant girlfriend and settle down into the right way of living. He's in love with her, looking forward to being a father, and wants to protect her from the world in which he's become enmeshed. This is my first time reading this author's work, but I was highly impressed with THE APOSTLES and Blak's ability to take street fiction and my perception of the genre, and show me a better quality than what I've read before. Though dealing with the street life, I didn't feel as if he glorified it, nor were any of the scenes over-the-top or just thrown in for shock factor. They were real. Well-written, fast-paced, and non-stop action. He did an excellent job with characterizing each individual, especially Solemn Shawn. I wanted to step inside the pages and get to know the characters better, to help them in their various dilemmas. And, while I didn't want the ending to happen the way it did, I applaud Y. Blak Moore for keeping it real. Reviewed by Tee C. Royal of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers