mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
When Martin met Damon after his first big case, he never thought the changes that would be happening to his life. Damon will offer him a friendship with the most powerful black men of the world and an entrance to a secret society.
Will he be ready for all the surprising things they will show him?
I was surprised about this book plot, it's not usual to show and explain slavery, but a very interesting way to imagine how the black people can still feel rage about all the inconceivable things all their ancestors had lived.
It's a controversial book; the things they made are terrible, but don't they suffer the same? Do they have the right to still be furious after all these years? I, as a white female, would I ever be able to understand what they have suffered? I am not trying to defend them, the things they make in the book are horrible. But in the past they suffered that from white hands, that was truly real.
After reading this book, I have more questions than answers, the first of them is: How a human being can make so much pain to another?
Will he be ready for all the surprising things they will show him?
I was surprised about this book plot, it's not usual to show and explain slavery, but a very interesting way to imagine how the black people can still feel rage about all the inconceivable things all their ancestors had lived.
It's a controversial book; the things they made are terrible, but don't they suffer the same? Do they have the right to still be furious after all these years? I, as a white female, would I ever be able to understand what they have suffered? I am not trying to defend them, the things they make in the book are horrible. But in the past they suffered that from white hands, that was truly real.
After reading this book, I have more questions than answers, the first of them is: How a human being can make so much pain to another?
menniemenace's review
3.0
My biggest issue about this book unrelated to the plot was how it talked about women. Every sentence felt like it was written by a fratboy looking for shock value. Even before the book went into Forty Acres it talked about women in a vulgar way. It grated on my nerves.
The story was interesting. When is revenge no longer revenge but outright harm? I think not mentioning much about the logistics of how Forty Acres came to be made the story sound so unbelievable, yet it was still a thrilling scary read.
The ending was a little rushed as well, but I think the book as a whole was more good than bad.
The story was interesting. When is revenge no longer revenge but outright harm? I think not mentioning much about the logistics of how Forty Acres came to be made the story sound so unbelievable, yet it was still a thrilling scary read.
The ending was a little rushed as well, but I think the book as a whole was more good than bad.
kaya217's review
3.0
I don't know how many stars to give this book. On one hand it has a good story. On the other hand I found myself speed reading and skimming through paragraphs that did not add anything to the story. Btw...the first third of the book is boring and drives very slow.
Update: I gave this book a 3 because it was a good story. That still doesn't change the fact that there was a lot of unnecessary "fluff" here and there.
Update: I gave this book a 3 because it was a good story. That still doesn't change the fact that there was a lot of unnecessary "fluff" here and there.
tatty28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
gatonolivro's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
laurashavers's review
4.0
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This book disturbed me... A LOT. Up and coming AA lawyer, Martin Grey, who is in a partnership with a white attorney, defeats the local F Lee Bailey of layers- Damon Darrell in a trial. Damon and his wife begin to friend Martin and his wife, inviting them to dinners, etc. When they get there, they see that everyone looks like them. Everyone at all of the get togethers is also black.
Damon is close with a quartet of successful business men in the region. They go on weekend getaways, while their wives stay at home. These are suppose to be rafting adventures. Martin is invited to participate.
He goes to the first one and sees that this is anything but an outdoor adventure. They have been invited to Dr Kasim's lair- 40 Acres. Martin quickly notices that all of the workers there are white, they won't take tips, and are treated horribly.
As the story goes on, he figures out this is a slavery plantation, but with white people- white people who are direct descendants of colonial slave owners, as the slaves. There is a mine the slaves are forced to worked in as busy work as there really isn't much gold to mine. But it is back breaking, menial labor.
Martin's conscience can't deal with this and he plots on how he is going to alert the outside world, as there is no contact with the outside world while they are. No computers, phone, etc.
This book disturbed me... A LOT. Up and coming AA lawyer, Martin Grey, who is in a partnership with a white attorney, defeats the local F Lee Bailey of layers- Damon Darrell in a trial. Damon and his wife begin to friend Martin and his wife, inviting them to dinners, etc. When they get there, they see that everyone looks like them. Everyone at all of the get togethers is also black.
Damon is close with a quartet of successful business men in the region. They go on weekend getaways, while their wives stay at home. These are suppose to be rafting adventures. Martin is invited to participate.
He goes to the first one and sees that this is anything but an outdoor adventure. They have been invited to Dr Kasim's lair- 40 Acres. Martin quickly notices that all of the workers there are white, they won't take tips, and are treated horribly.
As the story goes on, he figures out this is a slavery plantation, but with white people- white people who are direct descendants of colonial slave owners, as the slaves. There is a mine the slaves are forced to worked in as busy work as there really isn't much gold to mine. But it is back breaking, menial labor.
Martin's conscience can't deal with this and he plots on how he is going to alert the outside world, as there is no contact with the outside world while they are. No computers, phone, etc.
nicolesbundleofbooks's review
5.0
•Forty Acres was the most intense political thriller I've ever read. It was thought-provoking and gripping. And is now officially one of my new favorite thrillers.
•It is a quick, page-turning thriller with short chapters and easy writing that flows!
•This one has it all, from controversial issues of race and power, hatred, wealth, love, trust, betrayal, and secrets!
•Two wrongs don't make a right but it damn sure makes a statement and one that makes you think
•It had me cursing out loud, second guessing the moves of the characters and almost afraid to turn the next page.
•Amazing writing, brilliantly developed characters, well researched, and an astounding storyline.
•It moves like a movie and kept me interested to the very end! Just enough action and pace to keep you reading.
•There is so much depth to this thriller. It makes you want to discuss, debate, and challenge the “what if’s”
•The book was so detail and so vivid that you as the reader will feel as though you are there at forty acres watching the whole story prevail.
•I have never read anything like this in my lifetime but I am so glad that I read it, understood it, and received knowledge behind it.
•The one negative I had was the ending left me wanting more of the story but I guess every book has to end at some point.
•However, this is one of those one in a million books and I don't wanna say a word to spoil or hint on anything.
Kudos to Dwayne and all the research that he must have done to put this story together. It really makes you wonder how many underground societies that just may be going on!
This was my first book by Dwayne and I absolutely intend to read more from him!
•It is a quick, page-turning thriller with short chapters and easy writing that flows!
•This one has it all, from controversial issues of race and power, hatred, wealth, love, trust, betrayal, and secrets!
•Two wrongs don't make a right but it damn sure makes a statement and one that makes you think
•It had me cursing out loud, second guessing the moves of the characters and almost afraid to turn the next page.
•Amazing writing, brilliantly developed characters, well researched, and an astounding storyline.
•It moves like a movie and kept me interested to the very end! Just enough action and pace to keep you reading.
•There is so much depth to this thriller. It makes you want to discuss, debate, and challenge the “what if’s”
•The book was so detail and so vivid that you as the reader will feel as though you are there at forty acres watching the whole story prevail.
•I have never read anything like this in my lifetime but I am so glad that I read it, understood it, and received knowledge behind it.
•The one negative I had was the ending left me wanting more of the story but I guess every book has to end at some point.
•However, this is one of those one in a million books and I don't wanna say a word to spoil or hint on anything.
Kudos to Dwayne and all the research that he must have done to put this story together. It really makes you wonder how many underground societies that just may be going on!
This was my first book by Dwayne and I absolutely intend to read more from him!
missnformed's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
While I appreciate the concept, the development was a bit underwhelming. The characters were flat. I wanted to like it, but I don’t think I did.