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Content snapshot
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Violence
A lot
Violence in East Long Beach and the hip-hop world; some intense confrontations
Language
A lot
Authentic East Long Beach and hip-hop dialogue; strong language throughout
Sexual Content
Barely any
No significant sexual content
Substance Use
Some
Drug trafficking as background context
Emotional Intensity
Some
IQ's backstory — a devastating loss that made him who he is — is the emotional anchor of the novel
What this book is about
Isaiah Quintabe — known as IQ — is a brilliant, self-educated young Black man from East Long Beach who solves his community's problems when the police won't help. When he's hired to protect a rap star from a series of bizarre murder attempts, he must reunite with his estranged ex-partner Dodson to navigate a world of hip-hop celebrity, dangerous streets, and long-buried secrets. A fresh, electrifying voice in American crime fiction.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Strong language throughout — authentic to the setting
Violence in a gang and hip-hop context
IQ's backstory involves a traumatic loss — emotionally intense
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