ABOUT THE BOOK
An astonishing debut crime thriller about an unforgettable woman who combines the genius and ferocity of Lisbeth Salander with the ruthless ambition of Walter White.
The Crenshaw Six are a small but up-and-coming gang in South Central LA who have recently been drawn into an escalating war between rival drug cartels. To outsiders, the Crenshaw Six appear to be led by a man named Garcia...but what no one has figured out is that the gang's real leader (and secret weapon) is Garcia's girlfriend, a brilliant young woman named Lola. Lola has mastered playing the role of submissive girlfriend, and in the man's world she inhabits she is consistently underestimated. But in truth she is much, much smarter—and in many ways tougher and more ruthless—than any of the men around her, and as the gang is increasingly sucked into a world of high-stakes betrayal and brutal violence, her skills and leadership become their only hope of survival.
Lola marks the debut of a hugely exciting new thriller writer, and of a singular, magnificent character unlike anyone else in fiction.
The Crenshaw Six are a small but up-and-coming gang in South Central LA who have recently been drawn into an escalating war between rival drug cartels. To outsiders, the Crenshaw Six appear to be led by a man named Garcia...but what no one has figured out is that the gang's real leader (and secret weapon) is Garcia's girlfriend, a brilliant young woman named Lola. Lola has mastered playing the role of submissive girlfriend, and in the man's world she inhabits she is consistently underestimated. But in truth she is much, much smarter—and in many ways tougher and more ruthless—than any of the men around her, and as the gang is increasingly sucked into a world of high-stakes betrayal and brutal violence, her skills and leadership become their only hope of survival.
Lola marks the debut of a hugely exciting new thriller writer, and of a singular, magnificent character unlike anyone else in fiction.
MY REVIEW
This novel’s title character is fierce—as the leader of a small LA gang, she has to be. When she finds herself caught between several powerful players in the local drug business, she will do whatever it takes to survive. She is smart, resourceful, and capable, pulling strength from the tragic hardships of her past, while remaining tenderhearted and vulnerable toward family and innocence. At every twist and turn, she maneuvers skillfully through her circumstances fraught with deadly possibilities and proves anyone foolish for underestimating her. Her story is absolutely gripping.
Now, it is important to note that, since the novel involves a drug cartel and several gangs, realistically the amount of violence, language, and references to drugs and sex should be expected, and I completely understand its inclusion in the novel. Still, moments (especially toward the ending) felt jarring to me—probably because I kept hoping Lola would find alternative methods of resolving certain issues—and not every reader will appreciate the content. So, read with caution.
Overall, Lola is an excellently written crime thriller, and I enjoyed the suspense of it. Dealing with both gender and race dynamics amidst its danger-filled plot, it’s eye-opening and entertaining. For the interested reader, it will prove a satisfying and fascinating read.
★★★★
Thanks to Blogging for Books, I received a complimentary copy of Lola and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
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