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Behind the Lives #1
Behind the Hood
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a romance book, if you want romance start from book 2. See additional notes at the bottom of the blurb.
"The novel shines a light on a cultural sector rarely addressed in fiction writing, and the fast-paced narrative befits a contemporary thriller fiction novel." -HarperCollins.
Life on the rough side of New Zealand.
In this South Auckland neighbourhood where gang culture, drink, drugs, sex and violence is already a way of life, a vicious attack on a teenage girl sparks a ripple effect of revenge and fury. Live the carnage through multiple viewpoints as the tale unfolds to a bloody climax. NOT for the fainthearted.
WARNING: Language and sexual references are graphic. 18+
Additional notes: This book has no M/M. It has different main characters from book 2 and 3. The Rata brothers are minor characters in book 1 and major characters from book 2 onward. Unless you're a crime, social realism, or street lit reader, my suggestion is to start from book 2, then read book 3, and if you like those two then you could try book 1. Graffiti Heaven is a prequel series based around Ash Rata when he was younger.
"The novel shines a light on a cultural sector rarely addressed in fiction writing, and the fast-paced narrative befits a contemporary thriller fiction novel." -HarperCollins.
Life on the rough side of New Zealand.
In this South Auckland neighbourhood where gang culture, drink, drugs, sex and violence is already a way of life, a vicious attack on a teenage girl sparks a ripple effect of revenge and fury. Live the carnage through multiple viewpoints as the tale unfolds to a bloody climax. NOT for the fainthearted.
WARNING: Language and sexual references are graphic. 18+
Additional notes: This book has no M/M. It has different main characters from book 2 and 3. The Rata brothers are minor characters in book 1 and major characters from book 2 onward. Unless you're a crime, social realism, or street lit reader, my suggestion is to start from book 2, then read book 3, and if you like those two then you could try book 1. Graffiti Heaven is a prequel series based around Ash Rata when he was younger.
356 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2011
About the author
Marita A. Hansen
97 books858 followersSOME FACTS ABOUT ME:
I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.
BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.
SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.
STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.
Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...
I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.
CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.
BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.
SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.
STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.
Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...
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January 8, 2013DNF. I will refrain from rating this book because it’s my bad after all that I even considered reading Behind the Hood.
This pic depicts why I wanted to read the book. Don’t we all love a delectable tattooed hunk? Even though YA is not my genre the blurb says:
SPECIAL NOTE: Although some reviewers have classified this book as YA, this is not a YA read. The main characters may be teenagers, but they are living in a harsh adult environment.
I should have known better...stupid me (I downloaded both books at the same time). *Baba has a major headdesk moment*
Behind the Hood is a prime example why YA does not work out for me: There is drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…and more drama…I think you get the gist.
To top it off, Behind the Hood features plenty of very young and insanely screwed up characters who seriously need to grow up yet. Also, there are way too many POVs. In fact, they change from chapter to chapter. It felt like hopping back and forth, up and down all the time. Needless to say that I don’t like that at all. Well, and then there is Tama. He is a criminal as well as an uber a @ @hole who obviously believes that he is a sex god and is sporting a hard-on all the time. Enter Baba. She says to her GR friend: Lenore, please give me your gun--I really like your shelf.
I’d like to dedicate this gif to all those lovely characters of Behind the Hood. I think you need it.
Bottom line
Behind the Hood is an overwritten drama. I really want to avoid YA books in the future.
This pic depicts why I wanted to read the book. Don’t we all love a delectable tattooed hunk? Even though YA is not my genre the blurb says:
SPECIAL NOTE: Although some reviewers have classified this book as YA, this is not a YA read. The main characters may be teenagers, but they are living in a harsh adult environment.
I should have known better...stupid me (I downloaded both books at the same time). *Baba has a major headdesk moment*
Behind the Hood is a prime example why YA does not work out for me: There is drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…drama…and more drama…I think you get the gist.
To top it off, Behind the Hood features plenty of very young and insanely screwed up characters who seriously need to grow up yet. Also, there are way too many POVs. In fact, they change from chapter to chapter. It felt like hopping back and forth, up and down all the time. Needless to say that I don’t like that at all. Well, and then there is Tama. He is a criminal as well as an uber a @ @hole who obviously believes that he is a sex god and is sporting a hard-on all the time. Enter Baba. She says to her GR friend: Lenore, please give me your gun--I really like your shelf.
I’d like to dedicate this gif to all those lovely characters of Behind the Hood. I think you need it.
Bottom line
Behind the Hood is an overwritten drama. I really want to avoid YA books in the future.
August 4, 2014
** 5++ NAIL BITING STARS***
Hold up, I need a drink before I can even attempt this......
Alrighty then... "Behind the Hood" is a tragic, violent and emotional tale in which chronicles the trials and tribulations of youth Gang members in South Auckland neighborhood. It is NOT for the faint of heart, in fact I will probably be prescribed blood pressure medication at my next doctor's appointment.
The story revolves around Tama....... Tama, Tama, Tama........ Ugh! How do I begin to explain thisfucktard character??...... I know!...
Tama is the self professed gang leader. He is an arrogant, self righteous, egotistical bastard that takes what he wants and doesn't care who he hurts in the process. He had me shouting the following.....
Tama actually has a few endearing qualities, especially when it comes to his Mamma. There's a definite tell-tale sign for his behavior.
Jayden is Tama's cousin. This character took me on an emotional roller coaster. One minute I was screaming .....
while the next I was saying.....
Then there's Tama's mates, Corey, Naf and Sledge..
I already met these characters in previous stories. I can't say much as it will spoil all the fun, but I will say, boy did theyPISS ME OFF! surprise me.
Finally we have Nike and Jesse.
I loved this couple, unfortunately Tama DID NOT! ..... Hold on I need another drink before I continue...
Their a young married couple with a baby boy, a mountain of debt and abundance of stress . Jess and Nike don't allow their struggles to interfere with their love for each other. Both are willing to do anything and everything to make their marriage work. Sounds peachy right?.. Yeah, I thought so too.. Their problem isn't with each other, it's... you guessed it.. TAMA!.. He is OBSESSED and I mean O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with Jess. Tama wants Jess all to himself and will stop at nothing until he has her. Tama DESPISES Nike and has plans to have him permanently removed from Jess's life.
Beautiful GR peeps, there are more characters and TONS more storyline in this emotionally intense novel , but this reviewers brain is fried. This was a now or never type of review for me ..I hope I've given you enough information to have you consider giving Behind the Hood a try..... Don't be a wuss !... JUST KIDDING as this story is NOT for everyone.
Mrs. Hansen, I think you are one hell of a storyteller. Kudos to you my friend.... I LOVED IT!
** special thanks to my dear friend Chippy for recommending such an amazing series.... MWAH!!! **
Hold up, I need a drink before I can even attempt this......
Alrighty then... "Behind the Hood" is a tragic, violent and emotional tale in which chronicles the trials and tribulations of youth Gang members in South Auckland neighborhood. It is NOT for the faint of heart, in fact I will probably be prescribed blood pressure medication at my next doctor's appointment.
The story revolves around Tama....... Tama, Tama, Tama........ Ugh! How do I begin to explain this
Tama is the self professed gang leader. He is an arrogant, self righteous, egotistical bastard that takes what he wants and doesn't care who he hurts in the process. He had me shouting the following.....
Tama actually has a few endearing qualities, especially when it comes to his Mamma. There's a definite tell-tale sign for his behavior.
Jayden is Tama's cousin. This character took me on an emotional roller coaster. One minute I was screaming .....
while the next I was saying.....
Then there's Tama's mates, Corey, Naf and Sledge..
I already met these characters in previous stories. I can't say much as it will spoil all the fun, but I will say, boy did they
Finally we have Nike and Jesse.
I loved this couple, unfortunately Tama DID NOT! ..... Hold on I need another drink before I continue...
Their a young married couple with a baby boy, a mountain of debt and abundance of stress . Jess and Nike don't allow their struggles to interfere with their love for each other. Both are willing to do anything and everything to make their marriage work. Sounds peachy right?.. Yeah, I thought so too.. Their problem isn't with each other, it's... you guessed it.. TAMA!.. He is OBSESSED and I mean O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with Jess. Tama wants Jess all to himself and will stop at nothing until he has her. Tama DESPISES Nike and has plans to have him permanently removed from Jess's life.
Beautiful GR peeps, there are more characters and TONS more storyline in this emotionally intense novel , but this reviewers brain is fried. This was a now or never type of review for me ..I hope I've given you enough information to have you consider giving Behind the Hood a try..... Don't be a wuss !... JUST KIDDING as this story is NOT for everyone.
Mrs. Hansen, I think you are one hell of a storyteller. Kudos to you my friend.... I LOVED IT!
** special thanks to my dear friend Chippy for recommending such an amazing series.... MWAH!!! **
Read
January 9, 2023This is my book, so I won't rate it, since that would be silly. Anyway, I've finished the re-read (that last line!), and will start re-reading Behind the Tears (book 2) - another of my works that I haven't looked at since it was published. Anyway, after I've published Hungover (Blurred Lines #2), I'm seriously considering adding another book to this series (book 5). I'll see how things go, though 2023 is for finishing off what I've started. I have so many unfinished products, so I'm going to force my ADHD mind to complete things (artworks included).
BTW, Behind the Hood isn't a romance book, it's harsh realism with a fast-paced, intense vibe. If you want some romance, start on book 2 (moving onto book 3 and 4), then come back to book 1 if you're game.
Cheers!
__________________________________
The main characters from BEHIND THE HOOD - book 1
TAMA HARRIS - one of the biggest arseholes you will meet in any of my books. He's self-centered and extremely selfish. He does what he wants and stuff the consequences. He will piss you off so much that you will need to grip onto that e-reader tight so you don't throw it at the wall. Don't let him put you off book 2 :) He doesn't have a POV in that one. Instead, the gorgeous Rata brothers and Corey take center stage in book 2. Some people loved BEHIND THE HOOD, others didn't because of Tama. But most loved BEHIND THE TEARS. So, again, don't let Tama put you off book 2! The hot Ratas take over.
NIKE DANIELS - He has a temper, but he is ultimately the good guy. You should like him. He's a teen father who is dedicated to his wife and baby son as well as his sister and mother. He changes dramatically throughout this series. He is a changed man by the time he reaches book 3, life hardening him considerably.
MAIA DANIELS - the 14-year-old who starts this series off with her point of view. She's feisty and smart-mouthed, but also a nice person.
JESS DANIELS - Nike's wife and a complete sweetheart.
Others who get a POV in Behind the Hood - Mikey Thomas (Tama's cousin), Jayden (Tama's best friend), Leila (Jayden's wife), and Annie (Jayden's first love).
Warning: BEHIND THE HOOD has a different feel to BEHIND THE TEARS. Due to the hot tattooed brothers and the cute Corey Connor, BEHIND THE TEARS (book 2) is considerably more popular.
2) If Tama hasn't pissed you off enough and you made it to BEHIND THE TEARS, here's the cast:
ASH RATA - The tormented head of the Rata clan. He's 25 at the beginning, and is the one on the cover with the neck tattoo. He's had a very hard life and is tormented by what his stepfather did to him ten years prior. Not only is he living with the memory of that day, but he is struggling with his relationship to Beth Connor. He can't talk to her due to his inner turmoil and as a result is pushing her away without realising it. He's also still in love with his ex and secretly yearns for her. Ash is a drug dealer who wants to quit the game.
DANTE RATA - Ash's second brother and the hellraiser of the family. Dante is 23 and looks just like Ash, just with a tattoo around his left eye (he's on Behind the Len's cover). He's the town manwhore and has trouble controlling himself when it comes to women, booze, and drugs. He's bipolar and lately hasn't been taking his medication. He's a drug dealer like his oldest brother, but unlike Ash, he doesn't want to quit. He's also in love with Ash's girlfriend, which causes a lot of trouble in this book.
BETH CONNOR - The woman that people either love or hate. She secretly desires Dante, but knows he's no good for her, but finds it hard to resist him.
SLEDGE RATA - The youngest of the Rata brothers. He's not bright and is rather brutish. He's having trouble with his best friend, who has cancer.
COREY CONNOR - Beth's youngest brother and the sweetheart of this book. You will fall in love with him. He is the cutest thing and has the smartest, funniest mouth on him. He's Sledge's best friend and is secretly in love with him, but is too afraid to tell Sledge since he thinks his best mate's homophobic. If you don't get through Behind the Hood, pick Behind the Tears up at the very least to read about this cutie-pie.
JULIET RATA - Sledge's twin sister and the unlucky-in-love member of this family. She can't catch any breaks, her brutish looks often repelling the opposite sex - except for Corey, who only finds her attractive since she looks like Sledge :)
CHAZ GREENWOOD - The Rata brothers' stepfather. He is probably the most hated character in this series. The only point of view he gets in this book is that horrid letter at the beginning. He is obsessed with Ash and escapes prison to go after him.
3) BEHIND THE LENS - book 3 is a direct continuation on from book 2. Book 2 and 3 are a set, since book 1 has a different feel to it due to different main characters.
DANTE becomes the lead in this book.
COREY gets the second most chapters from his viewpoint.
BETH is also a major player along with SLEDGE.
KARA - a new character and Dante's ex, who wants him back. You will either love or hate this alpha female. She's a Croatian from Bosnia, and has a very tough outlook on life. Even with a Russian Roulette gun to her head she would tell you you're a coward for being scared, then pull the trigger. You won't get tougher than this bitch in stilettos.
ANT (Anthony) - A character from Graffiti Heaven. He's ten years older here and hasn't grown up to be a nice person. Although he doesn't get a point of view, he has a significant role in the story. He's a pornographer and someone who takes what he wants without regard to others. He's a despicable person and holds a huge grudge against Ash Rata.
4) BEHIND THE SECRETS - book 4.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Dante Rata
Beth Connor
Corey Connor
Sledge Rata
L (Llewellyn Davies from Graffiti Heaven)
All of the above characters currently have points of view in the book.
Other characters who feature in this story:
Kara
Jade (the poor guy still wants Dante)
Ash
Saul (still wants Beth)
Mrs. Connor (she has a significant part also. You will finally get to see a lot more of this lovely lady since she will play a major role in BEHIND THE BARS.)
Tama (yes, the prick shows his face again, but luckily he doesn't get a voice).
SO, give the BEHIND THE LIVES series a chance. It's extremely unique. You won't have read any other series like it before.
Setting: South Auckland, New Zealand.
P.S. If you're reading the BROKEN LIVES series (a spin off from BEHIND THE LIVES), don't read this series before JAGGED PILL (Broken Lives #3). Once you've read JAGGED PILL, then jump right in, you won't get any spoilers. LOVE Drunk (Broken Lives #4) is set after Behind the Lives. Dante Rata will be 24 in LOVE STONED. He's also 24 at the end of JAGGED PILL.
BTW, Behind the Hood isn't a romance book, it's harsh realism with a fast-paced, intense vibe. If you want some romance, start on book 2 (moving onto book 3 and 4), then come back to book 1 if you're game.
Cheers!
__________________________________
The main characters from BEHIND THE HOOD - book 1
TAMA HARRIS - one of the biggest arseholes you will meet in any of my books. He's self-centered and extremely selfish. He does what he wants and stuff the consequences. He will piss you off so much that you will need to grip onto that e-reader tight so you don't throw it at the wall. Don't let him put you off book 2 :) He doesn't have a POV in that one. Instead, the gorgeous Rata brothers and Corey take center stage in book 2. Some people loved BEHIND THE HOOD, others didn't because of Tama. But most loved BEHIND THE TEARS. So, again, don't let Tama put you off book 2! The hot Ratas take over.
NIKE DANIELS - He has a temper, but he is ultimately the good guy. You should like him. He's a teen father who is dedicated to his wife and baby son as well as his sister and mother. He changes dramatically throughout this series. He is a changed man by the time he reaches book 3, life hardening him considerably.
MAIA DANIELS - the 14-year-old who starts this series off with her point of view. She's feisty and smart-mouthed, but also a nice person.
JESS DANIELS - Nike's wife and a complete sweetheart.
Others who get a POV in Behind the Hood - Mikey Thomas (Tama's cousin), Jayden (Tama's best friend), Leila (Jayden's wife), and Annie (Jayden's first love).
Warning: BEHIND THE HOOD has a different feel to BEHIND THE TEARS. Due to the hot tattooed brothers and the cute Corey Connor, BEHIND THE TEARS (book 2) is considerably more popular.
2) If Tama hasn't pissed you off enough and you made it to BEHIND THE TEARS, here's the cast:
ASH RATA - The tormented head of the Rata clan. He's 25 at the beginning, and is the one on the cover with the neck tattoo. He's had a very hard life and is tormented by what his stepfather did to him ten years prior. Not only is he living with the memory of that day, but he is struggling with his relationship to Beth Connor. He can't talk to her due to his inner turmoil and as a result is pushing her away without realising it. He's also still in love with his ex and secretly yearns for her. Ash is a drug dealer who wants to quit the game.
DANTE RATA - Ash's second brother and the hellraiser of the family. Dante is 23 and looks just like Ash, just with a tattoo around his left eye (he's on Behind the Len's cover). He's the town manwhore and has trouble controlling himself when it comes to women, booze, and drugs. He's bipolar and lately hasn't been taking his medication. He's a drug dealer like his oldest brother, but unlike Ash, he doesn't want to quit. He's also in love with Ash's girlfriend, which causes a lot of trouble in this book.
BETH CONNOR - The woman that people either love or hate. She secretly desires Dante, but knows he's no good for her, but finds it hard to resist him.
SLEDGE RATA - The youngest of the Rata brothers. He's not bright and is rather brutish. He's having trouble with his best friend, who has cancer.
COREY CONNOR - Beth's youngest brother and the sweetheart of this book. You will fall in love with him. He is the cutest thing and has the smartest, funniest mouth on him. He's Sledge's best friend and is secretly in love with him, but is too afraid to tell Sledge since he thinks his best mate's homophobic. If you don't get through Behind the Hood, pick Behind the Tears up at the very least to read about this cutie-pie.
JULIET RATA - Sledge's twin sister and the unlucky-in-love member of this family. She can't catch any breaks, her brutish looks often repelling the opposite sex - except for Corey, who only finds her attractive since she looks like Sledge :)
CHAZ GREENWOOD - The Rata brothers' stepfather. He is probably the most hated character in this series. The only point of view he gets in this book is that horrid letter at the beginning. He is obsessed with Ash and escapes prison to go after him.
3) BEHIND THE LENS - book 3 is a direct continuation on from book 2. Book 2 and 3 are a set, since book 1 has a different feel to it due to different main characters.
DANTE becomes the lead in this book.
COREY gets the second most chapters from his viewpoint.
BETH is also a major player along with SLEDGE.
KARA - a new character and Dante's ex, who wants him back. You will either love or hate this alpha female. She's a Croatian from Bosnia, and has a very tough outlook on life. Even with a Russian Roulette gun to her head she would tell you you're a coward for being scared, then pull the trigger. You won't get tougher than this bitch in stilettos.
ANT (Anthony) - A character from Graffiti Heaven. He's ten years older here and hasn't grown up to be a nice person. Although he doesn't get a point of view, he has a significant role in the story. He's a pornographer and someone who takes what he wants without regard to others. He's a despicable person and holds a huge grudge against Ash Rata.
4) BEHIND THE SECRETS - book 4.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Dante Rata
Beth Connor
Corey Connor
Sledge Rata
L (Llewellyn Davies from Graffiti Heaven)
All of the above characters currently have points of view in the book.
Other characters who feature in this story:
Kara
Jade (the poor guy still wants Dante)
Ash
Saul (still wants Beth)
Mrs. Connor (she has a significant part also. You will finally get to see a lot more of this lovely lady since she will play a major role in BEHIND THE BARS.)
Tama (yes, the prick shows his face again, but luckily he doesn't get a voice).
SO, give the BEHIND THE LIVES series a chance. It's extremely unique. You won't have read any other series like it before.
Setting: South Auckland, New Zealand.
P.S. If you're reading the BROKEN LIVES series (a spin off from BEHIND THE LIVES), don't read this series before JAGGED PILL (Broken Lives #3). Once you've read JAGGED PILL, then jump right in, you won't get any spoilers. LOVE Drunk (Broken Lives #4) is set after Behind the Lives. Dante Rata will be 24 in LOVE STONED. He's also 24 at the end of JAGGED PILL.
October 15, 2013
*****5 MEGA ULIMATE GHETTO GANG STARS*****
J to the H to the C!! What a freakin' story....I couldn't put this book down once I started the first page all the way up to the end. If I could have read while driving - I would have!! And you know it's a good book when I hold in my pee for 8 hours while I'm at work cause I don't want stop reading at my desk.
This book was one of those types - it moved fast so freakin fast I could have used cliff notes (oppss...sorry giving away my age...I meant Spark Notes) to keep track.
I think what amazed me the most about this (sorry I took notes while I was at work but forgot to save them to my phone) so please bear with me. Ok...I hope you can understand the point I am trying to get across -------
Marita used a style of writing which reminded me of "The Butterfly Effect" or "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" (hahaha - I crack myself up).
See it all started with one act of Tama (we shall call him a-hole) - that in effect created a domino sequence which resulted in bringing people into their lives where at one point everyone in the story was either hurt or dead because of this one act. Is your head spinning yet?
Then we have the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" where everyone in the book all has a past incident which relates back to Tama. For example, when Maia is in the hospital her roommate is Stella, and Maia doesn't know her from squat.....but they share Tama in common - Maia is there because of a direct result of Tama - Stella is there as an indirect result of Tama and that ties (tangles) the two girls together.
***whew.....deep breath......Ok....I'm back
What a tangled web we weave......that's what pops into my mind when I think of this story - Marita definitely had some underlying meaning when she tangled all these lives together. I think we can teach a college English course on this style of writing. :D
I can't list the examples cause that more or less gives away the whole story but that would ruin such a spectacular book being wasted. You must - must read this book - it's not a romance, yes, it's YA but it's so mature that you forget these are teenagers.
Tama - shit...I mean A-HOLE - is the leader of a gang and totally psychotic. He is so impressed with his 10 inch dick that he just thinks all the ladies want to have sex with him even though they really don't. He is the catalyst of this story by stabbing Maia. Ugh...he should be dead.
Mikey - Tama's cousin and secretly has a crush on Maia and feels so guilty about being with Tama when she was stabbed. He has a lot of issues he has to deal with throughout the book. He was my silent hero in this book.
Nike and Jess - they are married and Tama has a beef with Nike from years back while he also OBSESSES over Jess. This just turns into a total fuckery between Nike, Tama and Jess.
Sledge, Trey, Naf and Corey - Tama's boys and with the future books we will learn more of what makes these guys tick.
Jayden - Ahhh Jayden - Tama's best mate - You know I was soo pissed off at what Jayden did...but I still had my "awww" moment and was happy for him.
Leila - married to Jayden - was having sex with Tama but was still in love with Nike. She is a bitch throughout the book but saves face at the end.
Ash and Dante - older brothers to Sledge and Ash is friends with Nike. Ash has a back story which is delicate and that is explained in "Graffiti Heaven".
There are other characters in this book that effect the story also but I'm sorry you are just gonna have to go pick up your own copy cause my brain is fried!!
Oh, and get this...the ending will really fuck up your mind!
Cheers, Marita Hansen for a MASTERPIECE!! <3
October 25, 2013
I battled with my rating on this one! The writing was good, nothing to complain about..in fact more than a few times I was impressed with how Marita A. Hansen was able to transport me to the world she had created. What I mean by that, is the fact that I was reading about these teens/young adults that lived in "the hood" and their dialogue was very authentic, and I felt part of the crew!This author, in my opinion; did a bang up job on realistically creating the lives of all these "hoodlums!" Was the story nothing but chaos and drama?? Most definitely it was! Having a teenager living at home, I can honestly say that this is what goes on in a lot of their lives..Now, of course, in the "Hood" it is intensified by 100%; and don't forget to add the drugs, teen pregnancy, violence, and infidelity. With all of those factors considered, you have basically been told what this book is all about! That is it in a nutshell folks! Did I enjoy it? Well, enjoy is probably the wrong word..I was entertained let's say! I use to be entertained by a Jerry Springer episode as well, and believe me..I did love watching it!! LOL This book actually reminded me a lot of a JS episode, and if there was ever a teen soap opera created; the lives of all of the characters in this book would be the top candidates!!
I wouldn't even know where to begin in sharing what the "plot" is?? All I can basically say is that the story revolves around the lives of several young adults-pretty much between the ages of 14-24 years old. There are a few characters that stick out more than the others, one of them being the evil pig Tama. He is the member of his little gang, and he is a jerk way beyond anything I have ever seen. It amazes me how he justifies his behaviour of rape, violence, and just mainly being an asshole. Yet, on the flip side to that, he is loyal to his core when it comes to his family and his bros. He has such a twisted sense of values; and deep down he is just an insecure boy who is acting tough. In the beginning of this story he ends up stabbing a girl named Maia who has a brother that will kill to protect his family. This starts a whole chain of events, that lead to Tama being on the run from the cops, as well as Maia's brother Nike. I could go on and on about all of the different characters that come into play; but truly I would just confuse you and myself!! Take my word for it, if you are interested in all sorts of drama then you definitely need to read this book!
There are characters who I loved; Mikey being one of them. And once I started reading I really had to finish the story to find out what happens to everyone. Of course at the end there was a big bomb that was dropped (not literally!!LOL) and now I just have to continue on to see what will happen in the lives of these unique individuals. ( I am actually being nice when I say unique!!)I think I need a breather though, from the chaos of it all; but I will return to the Hood, and to these people's interesting lives to catch up and see what everyone is up to. Marita A. Hansen is an author I have just discovered, and so far I have enjoyed what she has written. They are not flowery lovey dovey books; but ones that never fail to entertain and keep me on the edge of my seat.
As soon as I am in the mood for a good cluster f**k, I will be picking up the next book in this one of a kind series!! I will buckle in and hang on tight, because I just know that I will be in for one hell of a ride!!!
I wouldn't even know where to begin in sharing what the "plot" is?? All I can basically say is that the story revolves around the lives of several young adults-pretty much between the ages of 14-24 years old. There are a few characters that stick out more than the others, one of them being the evil pig Tama. He is the member of his little gang, and he is a jerk way beyond anything I have ever seen. It amazes me how he justifies his behaviour of rape, violence, and just mainly being an asshole. Yet, on the flip side to that, he is loyal to his core when it comes to his family and his bros. He has such a twisted sense of values; and deep down he is just an insecure boy who is acting tough. In the beginning of this story he ends up stabbing a girl named Maia who has a brother that will kill to protect his family. This starts a whole chain of events, that lead to Tama being on the run from the cops, as well as Maia's brother Nike. I could go on and on about all of the different characters that come into play; but truly I would just confuse you and myself!! Take my word for it, if you are interested in all sorts of drama then you definitely need to read this book!
There are characters who I loved; Mikey being one of them. And once I started reading I really had to finish the story to find out what happens to everyone. Of course at the end there was a big bomb that was dropped (not literally!!LOL) and now I just have to continue on to see what will happen in the lives of these unique individuals. ( I am actually being nice when I say unique!!)I think I need a breather though, from the chaos of it all; but I will return to the Hood, and to these people's interesting lives to catch up and see what everyone is up to. Marita A. Hansen is an author I have just discovered, and so far I have enjoyed what she has written. They are not flowery lovey dovey books; but ones that never fail to entertain and keep me on the edge of my seat.
As soon as I am in the mood for a good cluster f**k, I will be picking up the next book in this one of a kind series!! I will buckle in and hang on tight, because I just know that I will be in for one hell of a ride!!!
October 11, 2013
Five *can I get a hell yeah* Stars!!!
How in the world can I put this amazing story into words..Its almost impossible!!!The story revolves around a single incident that intertwines the lives of afew okay alot of people..but Mrs.Hansen manages to pull it off flawlessly!!This story pulled me in from the beginning..its raw..its gritty and not for the faint of heart!! So you've been warned!!
Behind the Hood starts off with 14yr Maia..who's walking home and ends up being chased by a gang of boys..lead by Tamati..or Tama as he's called by his friends..the results of that chase sets this rollercoaster ride into motion!!!
For me it was a ride filled with...
A few Ultimate WTF moments!!!
Followed by a large amount of..
I even got a chuckle or two in..
This book had it all..I really loved it..and Im glad I strapped in and took the ride!! Thank You Mrs.Hansen :)
How in the world can I put this amazing story into words..Its almost impossible!!!The story revolves around a single incident that intertwines the lives of a
Behind the Hood starts off with 14yr Maia..who's walking home and ends up being chased by a gang of boys..lead by Tamati..or Tama as he's called by his friends..the results of that chase sets this rollercoaster ride into motion!!!
For me it was a ride filled with...
A few Ultimate WTF moments!!!
Followed by a large amount of..
I even got a chuckle or two in..
This book had it all..I really loved it..and Im glad I strapped in and took the ride!! Thank You Mrs.Hansen :)
December 10, 2012
Okay, so I've read this twice, which says one thing, I LOVED IT! I tend to prefer dark stories, gritty ones that don't hold back, and this one DEFINITELY didn't hold back. It was heartstopping right from the very first chapter when Maia decided to take off to a party and in the process walks past a gang of boys, the leader (Tama, who's on the cover) having already had MAJOR issues with her brother, and not to mention Maia had previously kicked him in the nuts for grabbing her breasts, soooo... you can guess that Maia is not in a good situation. So, the boys start following her and lewd suggestions leaves Tama's mouth, and with Maia being Maia, someone who can't keep her mouth shut, she insults him, and then the sprint is on, a fantastic chase scene that will leave you riveted to the pages, your heart banging away, praying that Maia gets away. And from this one chapter, the outcome of this chase, a chain of events are unleashed and people are bought to their knees. The gang leader goes on the run, but with plans that will cause more havoc, Maia's brother (Nike) goes on the rampage looking to get revenge, and then you have everyone else caught up in their feud: Jess (Nike's wife), Leila (Both Nike and Tama's ex who still holds a MAJOR flame for Nike), Jayden (Tama's best friend), Mikey (Tama's cousin and Maia's crush and the one who broke my heart), Maia herself, and so forth. You get to see and experience these different people's lives and how this one event affects them.
Now a warning, this is definitely an R18 book, because it is violent and has a number of sex scenes (some smoking hot (Yeah, Nike! You'll want a piece of him, I know I did), some loving, some just down and dirty (Tama), and one flying solo, lol, you'll get what I mean, the dirty, dirty guy...). So, this book isn't for wimps. It delves into the rougher side of life in South Auckland, a part of New Zealand, which has a lot of issues. For you Americans, it's probably the equivalent of Harlem.
Yes, I'll be re-reading this one again, especially certain scenes ;) Hmmm... Nike, yum.
P.S.
I think Luke Pasqualino would be perfect to play Nike.
image:
Update of Jess and Nike:
Now a warning, this is definitely an R18 book, because it is violent and has a number of sex scenes (some smoking hot (Yeah, Nike! You'll want a piece of him, I know I did), some loving, some just down and dirty (Tama), and one flying solo, lol, you'll get what I mean, the dirty, dirty guy...). So, this book isn't for wimps. It delves into the rougher side of life in South Auckland, a part of New Zealand, which has a lot of issues. For you Americans, it's probably the equivalent of Harlem.
Yes, I'll be re-reading this one again, especially certain scenes ;) Hmmm... Nike, yum.
P.S.
I think Luke Pasqualino would be perfect to play Nike.
image:
Update of Jess and Nike:
September 6, 2012
Spoiler Free Review
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: YA-Mature
Setting: New Zealand
'I HATE TAMA. UGGGGHHHH.' My personal thoughts!
I really wish i had a slang dictonary for some of these New Zealand colloqualisms, because at times i was slightly lost but i still managed to keep up. First off this book is a hard read but i knew this goin into it. Yet still i cringed at certain places during my reading.
Behind the Hood is told in 1st person by various characters through out the book. The story evolves around each person and they are easily woven together to make a cohesive story/plot. It starts off with a 14 yr old girl named Maia being chased by a gang of mates then attacked at knife point by Tama an 18yr old male gang leader. When Nike Maia's 18yr old brother finds out SHIT hits the fan.
I found Tama to be completely deranged and delusional and as you read on you can see why he is the way he is. I never wanted a character to burn in hell so bad in my life. Kudos to Marita A.Hansen for pulling out those feelings in me!
Other character POV'S include Jess(Nike's wife), Leila(Nike's ex), Jayden(Tama's best mate), Mikey(Tama's cousin and Maia's crush and a few other characters. Lives are forever changed as you go on a journey with these young teens leading up to an explosive ending. The very last line in this book TOOK MY BREATH AWAY literally.
My Thoughts
I like the way the author told this story. Each chapter from a different characters POV, weaving the stories and connecting each character was brilliant. So you get one story starting off with Maia's attack and the ripple effect that occurs from it in the lives of each character.
My Ratings
Characters- Likable -except for Tama
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- Intense, Raw and at times hard to read
Overall- I loved it!!!
Book Summary from Goodreads
In this South Auckland neighbourhood where gang culture, drink, drugs, sex and violence is already a way of life, a vicious attack on a teenage girl sparks a ripple effect of revenge and fury. Live the carnage through multiple viewpoints as the tale unfolds to a bloody climax. NOT for the fainthearted.
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: YA-Mature
Setting: New Zealand
'I HATE TAMA. UGGGGHHHH.' My personal thoughts!
I really wish i had a slang dictonary for some of these New Zealand colloqualisms, because at times i was slightly lost but i still managed to keep up. First off this book is a hard read but i knew this goin into it. Yet still i cringed at certain places during my reading.
Behind the Hood is told in 1st person by various characters through out the book. The story evolves around each person and they are easily woven together to make a cohesive story/plot. It starts off with a 14 yr old girl named Maia being chased by a gang of mates then attacked at knife point by Tama an 18yr old male gang leader. When Nike Maia's 18yr old brother finds out SHIT hits the fan.
I found Tama to be completely deranged and delusional and as you read on you can see why he is the way he is. I never wanted a character to burn in hell so bad in my life. Kudos to Marita A.Hansen for pulling out those feelings in me!
Other character POV'S include Jess(Nike's wife), Leila(Nike's ex), Jayden(Tama's best mate), Mikey(Tama's cousin and Maia's crush and a few other characters. Lives are forever changed as you go on a journey with these young teens leading up to an explosive ending. The very last line in this book TOOK MY BREATH AWAY literally.
My Thoughts
I like the way the author told this story. Each chapter from a different characters POV, weaving the stories and connecting each character was brilliant. So you get one story starting off with Maia's attack and the ripple effect that occurs from it in the lives of each character.
My Ratings
Characters- Likable -except for Tama
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- Intense, Raw and at times hard to read
Overall- I loved it!!!
Book Summary from Goodreads
In this South Auckland neighbourhood where gang culture, drink, drugs, sex and violence is already a way of life, a vicious attack on a teenage girl sparks a ripple effect of revenge and fury. Live the carnage through multiple viewpoints as the tale unfolds to a bloody climax. NOT for the fainthearted.
November 13, 2017
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Marita A. Hansen's Behind the Hood is a realistically frightening chase.
First of all, if you enjoyed the author's Broken Lives series then you would surely like this too, not just because you would get glimpses of Dante Rata in it, but due to the familiar thrill of danger that you knew from Dante's story.
Tama Harris, our antihero, was a violent young man who did everything to claim anything he desired. The story started when he stabbed young Maya Daniels after she refused his advances towards her.
Tama was a very curious character. He was unpredictable. I was always waiting for his next move. One thing's certain: trouble trailed Tama wherever he went.
Heroic and selfless Nike Daniels was the person Tama hated the most. Tama had been lusting after his wife, Jess, since they were in high school and he strongly believed that Nike stole Jess from him. Nike was admirable. He did everything for his family and you would be able to see how sincere he was in every action he took.
Most characters were involved in gangs or drug-related work. The neighborhood itself was dangerous and almost lawless. Each of the main characters had a family issue weighing them down, and Tama became the cherry on top of all their problems.
The writing of this book was very similar to that of Broken Lives, particularly the slang spoken by the characters are the same for both series are set in the same lower socio-economic class and world. Most of them had angst and (attitude), even the tone of writing had a bit of cussing mixed in.
The ending wherein introduced new cruel people. They were actually monsters from the past and I am anticipating the possibility of them wrecking people's lives in the next books.
I didn't know what I was going to get from this book because I dived into it blindly, and once again I was impressed by Marita A. Hansen. I think everyone should give her works a try.
Marita A. Hansen's Behind the Hood is a realistically frightening chase.
First of all, if you enjoyed the author's Broken Lives series then you would surely like this too, not just because you would get glimpses of Dante Rata in it, but due to the familiar thrill of danger that you knew from Dante's story.
Tama Harris, our antihero, was a violent young man who did everything to claim anything he desired. The story started when he stabbed young Maya Daniels after she refused his advances towards her.
Tama was a very curious character. He was unpredictable. I was always waiting for his next move. One thing's certain: trouble trailed Tama wherever he went.
Heroic and selfless Nike Daniels was the person Tama hated the most. Tama had been lusting after his wife, Jess, since they were in high school and he strongly believed that Nike stole Jess from him. Nike was admirable. He did everything for his family and you would be able to see how sincere he was in every action he took.
Most characters were involved in gangs or drug-related work. The neighborhood itself was dangerous and almost lawless. Each of the main characters had a family issue weighing them down, and Tama became the cherry on top of all their problems.
The writing of this book was very similar to that of Broken Lives, particularly the slang spoken by the characters are the same for both series are set in the same lower socio-economic class and world. Most of them had angst and (attitude), even the tone of writing had a bit of cussing mixed in.
The ending wherein introduced new cruel people. They were actually monsters from the past and I am anticipating the possibility of them wrecking people's lives in the next books.
I didn't know what I was going to get from this book because I dived into it blindly, and once again I was impressed by Marita A. Hansen. I think everyone should give her works a try.
October 27, 2013
5 Plus Brilliant Intense Stars
This is the first book in Marita A. Hanson (Behind the Lives) series...
Once again its a raw and realistic story of gang life on the streets of New Zealand.
It is YA but in this case it means a story about young adults, there is no Disney here folks..
The story starts with a young 14 year old girl being chased by a gang as she is returning home from a night out.
This then kicks off a chain of rollercoaster events....
Tama is a complete psycho, he's the gang leader. His family life is chaotic. Spending most of his time on the streets with his disillusioned friends. He causes chaos where ever he goes.
To be honest he has no real redeeming qualities except his love for his mum and sister.
And with his obsession for the wife of a hated rival it will bring this story to a jaw dropping conclusion...
My Thoughts
I read this story last but I don't really think it matters first or last... Reading Behind the Tears and then Behind the Lens. Both blew me away with their story.
Because I read it last it was like a flashback of when they were younger, everything fitting into place and bringing all the stories together.
As with her other stories there is always an touch of humour along side all the craziness..
The author does use some slang within the gang throughout her series. I personally have no problem if that's how they talk then write it..
Everything about this book pulls you in with this intense addictive tale.. terrifying at times.
The characters each have their own POVs..... entwining their lives into each others story to bring it to a OMG finish..
Finally this may not be for everyone but its a brilliant written story that deserves to be read...
I give this outstanding series so far....6 Stars
and I can't wait to see where Marita takes these guys further..
This is the first book in Marita A. Hanson (Behind the Lives) series...
Once again its a raw and realistic story of gang life on the streets of New Zealand.
It is YA but in this case it means a story about young adults, there is no Disney here folks..
The story starts with a young 14 year old girl being chased by a gang as she is returning home from a night out.
This then kicks off a chain of rollercoaster events....
Tama is a complete psycho, he's the gang leader. His family life is chaotic. Spending most of his time on the streets with his disillusioned friends. He causes chaos where ever he goes.
To be honest he has no real redeeming qualities except his love for his mum and sister.
And with his obsession for the wife of a hated rival it will bring this story to a jaw dropping conclusion...
My Thoughts
I read this story last but I don't really think it matters first or last... Reading Behind the Tears and then Behind the Lens. Both blew me away with their story.
Because I read it last it was like a flashback of when they were younger, everything fitting into place and bringing all the stories together.
As with her other stories there is always an touch of humour along side all the craziness..
The author does use some slang within the gang throughout her series. I personally have no problem if that's how they talk then write it..
Everything about this book pulls you in with this intense addictive tale.. terrifying at times.
The characters each have their own POVs..... entwining their lives into each others story to bring it to a OMG finish..
Finally this may not be for everyone but its a brilliant written story that deserves to be read...
I give this outstanding series so far....6 Stars
and I can't wait to see where Marita takes these guys further..
January 9, 2013
See the character on the book cover? That's Tamati, generally known as Tama, a nearly sociopathic young man with a Maori tattoo who is sex-obsessed, violent, and delusional, but loyal to his friends and gang buddies and his family members. He is one of a vast number of viewpoint characters in Marita Hansen's amazing debut novel Behind the Hood. The Hood is a neighborhood in Auckland, New Zealand, where a mixture of Maori, Samoans, and whites try to make their way through lives scarred by poverty, ignorance, infidelity, drugs, and violence. These characters are driven by love, but also by lust. Tama's whole life is divided between sex and gang and family loyalties. The characters who surround him and share the point of the view of the story are equally interesting. Maia, a young girl, is assaulted by Tama, triggering her brother, Nike, who loves his wife, Jess, who is the sexual object of Tama. Tama's cousin Mikey is interested in Maia, and vice versa, but Mikey's mother is a pretty awful person and is bound to get in the way. Jayden married the wrong girl, leaving the mother of his child to get with Leila, who still loves Nike, who only has eyes for Jess, while Leila cheated with Tama. It goes on and on and on this way, with layer after layer of complicated familial and sexual relationships that must inevitably explode into violence.
This book is extremely vulgar and sexual, so it's for adults only, but it's just incredibly fascinating and compelling from the first word to the last. We're early in 2012, but when I look back in the December on the many books I will read this year, I know it will be very high on my list.
There is a new and current popular category called "Ghetto Fiction," among whom perhaps the best of the well-known writers is Coe Booth. Coe Booth can write, but Marita A. Hansen is better. Way better. The New Zealand setting is unusual for American readers, but the passions and problems are the same. Story is a universal quality, and if you swapped out the names and ethnicities here for those found in any other underprivileged neighborhood, it would feel just as moving and just as right.
Get this award-winner right away.
This book is extremely vulgar and sexual, so it's for adults only, but it's just incredibly fascinating and compelling from the first word to the last. We're early in 2012, but when I look back in the December on the many books I will read this year, I know it will be very high on my list.
There is a new and current popular category called "Ghetto Fiction," among whom perhaps the best of the well-known writers is Coe Booth. Coe Booth can write, but Marita A. Hansen is better. Way better. The New Zealand setting is unusual for American readers, but the passions and problems are the same. Story is a universal quality, and if you swapped out the names and ethnicities here for those found in any other underprivileged neighborhood, it would feel just as moving and just as right.
Get this award-winner right away.
October 15, 2013
5 SLAP TAMA IN THE FACE STARS
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JKHSKJLDHFLJHLKSJIOEHOUIHUHSD:LKNFLKSJDILJ!!!!
Ok....now that I have gotten that outta the way....let's get to this.
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In Behind the Hood, we meet Tama.....effing TAMA. He has an uncanny ability to screw everything up and hurt people. He lacks compassion for most people with the exception of his Momma, his sister, and his cousin. He doesn't take responsibilty for his actions and is only out to get ahead for himself.
What a rotten, hateful, egotistical, lying no good bastard!!
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I cannot say enough mean shit about him. I wanted to slap him....in the face.....with a hammer. I wanted to take his knife to him and see how he likes it.
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Wow. His personality and actions have made me violent…..
I'm going to break this down in a short simple review.... Ok, deep breath…..here it goes…
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The beginning sure starts off with a BANG!
We meet Maia, Nike's 14 year old sister. On her way home from sneaking out for a party, she runs into Tama's "gang" of goonies. She is chased.....and Tama is a complete prick to her....and literally pricks her.
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This incident it what sets off the emotional rollercoaster that is Hood.
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It sets off Nike,
which sets off Ash,
which sets off Danta,
which hurts Sledge,
which causes Tama to go to Jayden,
which hurts Leila,
which spurs on Tama again,
which hurts Mikey,
which hurts Jess,
which ends up hurting Nike,
which in the end....SUCKS FOR TAMA!!!
Moral of the story.....TAMA HURTS EVERYONE!!!!
AND.......EXHALE!!!!!
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Marita.....bravo love, bravo!! What a rollercoaster ride that was.....and an amazing one at that. I love how you tie everyone into the story, yet still focus on that one main person. I simply L.O.V.E.D. it!
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My suggestion to those reading this, start with this one. I started with behind the Tears, but I think I would have understood more and been prepared for Tears had I read Hood first. But either way, brilliant series!
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JKHSKJLDHFLJHLKSJIOEHOUIHUHSD:LKNFLKSJDILJ!!!!
Ok....now that I have gotten that outta the way....let's get to this.
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In Behind the Hood, we meet Tama.....effing TAMA. He has an uncanny ability to screw everything up and hurt people. He lacks compassion for most people with the exception of his Momma, his sister, and his cousin. He doesn't take responsibilty for his actions and is only out to get ahead for himself.
What a rotten, hateful, egotistical, lying no good bastard!!
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I cannot say enough mean shit about him. I wanted to slap him....in the face.....with a hammer. I wanted to take his knife to him and see how he likes it.
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Wow. His personality and actions have made me violent…..
I'm going to break this down in a short simple review.... Ok, deep breath…..here it goes…
Uploaded with ImageShack.com
The beginning sure starts off with a BANG!
We meet Maia, Nike's 14 year old sister. On her way home from sneaking out for a party, she runs into Tama's "gang" of goonies. She is chased.....and Tama is a complete prick to her....and literally pricks her.
Uploaded with ImageShack.com
This incident it what sets off the emotional rollercoaster that is Hood.
Uploaded with ImageShack.com
It sets off Nike,
which sets off Ash,
which sets off Danta,
which hurts Sledge,
which causes Tama to go to Jayden,
which hurts Leila,
which spurs on Tama again,
which hurts Mikey,
which hurts Jess,
which ends up hurting Nike,
which in the end....SUCKS FOR TAMA!!!
Moral of the story.....TAMA HURTS EVERYONE!!!!
AND.......EXHALE!!!!!
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Marita.....bravo love, bravo!! What a rollercoaster ride that was.....and an amazing one at that. I love how you tie everyone into the story, yet still focus on that one main person. I simply L.O.V.E.D. it!
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My suggestion to those reading this, start with this one. I started with behind the Tears, but I think I would have understood more and been prepared for Tears had I read Hood first. But either way, brilliant series!
December 27, 2012
One word is all it takes to describe this book "INTENSE" (sit on the edge of your seat intense)it's a side of our New Zealand culture that's very rarely shown to the public eye, always behind closed doors and dealt with by family or friends which I thought the author conveyed convincingly..
One thing though man I wanted to jump in that book and slap Tama side ways he was like a train wreck waiting to happen..lol
Gets my 5/5 stars and thank god I have book 2 to carry on with..
One thing though man I wanted to jump in that book and slap Tama side ways he was like a train wreck waiting to happen..lol
Gets my 5/5 stars and thank god I have book 2 to carry on with..
October 19, 2013
I felt a bit lost at times with the slang but overall it was an emotional read, very intense!! Gang life in New Zealand sounds just as zany as it is here. Tama is a prick I felt nothing but hate for him, I wanted to reach through the pages and beat the crap out of that little shit. He was just so fucked up!! I'm angry I think I need a break from reading to calm down lol
December 28, 2013
Wow! What a great read! I don't even know what to say about Tama but this character will stay with me for a long while. I went into this book knowing nothing about New Zealand and Maori culture and just found myself fascinated by it. Starting book 2 now!
April 9, 2012
You are living with a book you love, hurtling through the final chapters. You hit the dread, that foreboding of the post-story void you know awaits when the story is done but your lust for it is not. You start to hoard pages, to slow your reading, anything to prolong the pleasure, to deter the moment when you tumble over that dreaded final full stop.
That is how I felt as I read Marita Hansen's BEHIND THE HOOD.
Why? Because Marita Hansen is a brilliant story-teller.
Trust me, the story is a winner with the body of a lithe and powerful predatory animal driven by one instinct: to consume the reader. This it does, leaving a tidy heap of picked-clean bones.
Tama, a messed up teenage boy, hunts down and stabs the sister of his arch rival in the back as she struggles to escape him and his crew. Police feet pound along behind. But Tama's fast muscles twitch and he is over a fence and away.
It could happen anywhere in the world, but we are in sleepy New Zealand, except it is not so sleepy.
It could happen in Homer's Greece, or Shakespear's Verona, but we are in our very own here and now.
Power is at the root of it all and Tama, like many gone wrong teens, possesses and is possessed by an overwhelming instinctive life pulse. He will kill you or fuck you. There is no subtly, no compromise, and he is not inhibited by any intellectual stabilisers. He, and those like him, cannot stomach rivals. The jails are full of Tamas, those who survive that is. Perhaps if they reach say 27 they may calm down. But when they are 18 they know no fear and are dangerous in the extreme, especially to themselves.
Tama is a brilliant study. I loathed him, envied his potency, felt sorry for him, was fascinated by him. He is animalistic, chaos and crime personified, a living nightmare living a nightmare. He is cunning and quick, a potential leader, loyal to his mates, whom he rules with violence.
He lives by knife and dick and uses both in his war with life. Yet he can also carve fine pieces of Maori art and has a vague notion of living a better life in a better place. But that is not to be his fate.
Were BEHIND THE HOOD a stick of rock, fate would be the word running though its core, with the reader sometimes knowing more about what is happening than the players, seeing the inevitable yet being powerless to change it.
The twists in the story, especially towards the end are brilliant, Shakespearian in the way we are led into ever deeper and darker emotional places where we fear for the players whose lives we are following.
The violence and sex are inter-changeable, inevitable, visceral, all part of the way the players, male and female, all in their teens, pursue their ends with instinctive and immediate vigour.
Marita wastes no words. Verbs oust adjectives at every turn and she does not write pretty for the sake of it. Her words never impede the action. The story is a mass of mostly short, bite-size chapters, more like scenes than chapters, often ending with a clever, curiosity-holding dab.
All this results in a story in full spate, a white-water read. Yet the story is also complex with a score or so of teens wheeling around in a wild dance with danger, drugs, drink, sex and sex and more sex. All to the music of DJ Death. Grown-up society is only present in the pounding feet of police in hot pursuit, but never quite catching up. Several stories are in fact being played out within the whole, with shorter chapters acting as punctuation between the more intense and longer chapter.
Though its players act first and think later if they think at all, BEHIND THE HOOD is highly intelligent in the depth of its insights into the psychology of teen rivalry. The sequence of consequences is highly thought out and structured. So, too, the players are constructed with feeling, they are drawn as human beings, they are not sterotypes. That said, I could not help thinking of William Hogarth's prints in the way the story shows us, if you do this it will lead to this.
While most of the action is driven by Tama's rivalry with Nike and the doings of their various allies, one of BEHIND THE HOOD's greatest strengths is without any doubt the rich spectrum of female players.
I urge you to read the story. I will not spoil it for you by telling you describing their motivations, flaws and strengths.
There is a terrible desperation about most of the women. They betray each other. They cause problems because of their fickle ways. Nothing goes right for them. They receive some terrible treatment from their men and from life. There is a starkness about their lives. And some are just as hot for Tama as he is for most of them. Yet some are also far more responsible, rational and sane than their testosterone lover boys who fight for them.
One line seems to capture the whole, 'Stay down; I'm in charge not you.' Perhaps this is it. Power is all, even among teen gangs, especially among teen gangs who pursue it and wield it in a far more active way than the rest of us and are in some ways no different to the way nations are in their rivalries.
You will also find some deft contrasts in BEHIND THE HOOD. Tama's mother is as weak as Tama is potent. Tama's potency is his weakness. His ally Mikey is weak. Mikey's mother is powerful, cruel. Tama and Nike are like binary stars, seem to need each other to define their own. There are many more such linkages throught the story.
Marita Hansen is a writer to watch. She has already written a sequel called BEHIND THE TEARS and has prequel in the writing, GRAFFITI HEAVEN. I first discovered her work on a publisher's online slush pile where her story proved a winner and rose deservedly through the rankings. She works hard at her craft and is destined to win plaudits for her work. Don't just take my word for it. Judge for yourself. Have a look at her stuff on, but be warned, it is vigorous writing, and pulls no punches.
R J Askew, goodreads author
That is how I felt as I read Marita Hansen's BEHIND THE HOOD.
Why? Because Marita Hansen is a brilliant story-teller.
Trust me, the story is a winner with the body of a lithe and powerful predatory animal driven by one instinct: to consume the reader. This it does, leaving a tidy heap of picked-clean bones.
Tama, a messed up teenage boy, hunts down and stabs the sister of his arch rival in the back as she struggles to escape him and his crew. Police feet pound along behind. But Tama's fast muscles twitch and he is over a fence and away.
It could happen anywhere in the world, but we are in sleepy New Zealand, except it is not so sleepy.
It could happen in Homer's Greece, or Shakespear's Verona, but we are in our very own here and now.
Power is at the root of it all and Tama, like many gone wrong teens, possesses and is possessed by an overwhelming instinctive life pulse. He will kill you or fuck you. There is no subtly, no compromise, and he is not inhibited by any intellectual stabilisers. He, and those like him, cannot stomach rivals. The jails are full of Tamas, those who survive that is. Perhaps if they reach say 27 they may calm down. But when they are 18 they know no fear and are dangerous in the extreme, especially to themselves.
Tama is a brilliant study. I loathed him, envied his potency, felt sorry for him, was fascinated by him. He is animalistic, chaos and crime personified, a living nightmare living a nightmare. He is cunning and quick, a potential leader, loyal to his mates, whom he rules with violence.
He lives by knife and dick and uses both in his war with life. Yet he can also carve fine pieces of Maori art and has a vague notion of living a better life in a better place. But that is not to be his fate.
Were BEHIND THE HOOD a stick of rock, fate would be the word running though its core, with the reader sometimes knowing more about what is happening than the players, seeing the inevitable yet being powerless to change it.
The twists in the story, especially towards the end are brilliant, Shakespearian in the way we are led into ever deeper and darker emotional places where we fear for the players whose lives we are following.
The violence and sex are inter-changeable, inevitable, visceral, all part of the way the players, male and female, all in their teens, pursue their ends with instinctive and immediate vigour.
Marita wastes no words. Verbs oust adjectives at every turn and she does not write pretty for the sake of it. Her words never impede the action. The story is a mass of mostly short, bite-size chapters, more like scenes than chapters, often ending with a clever, curiosity-holding dab.
All this results in a story in full spate, a white-water read. Yet the story is also complex with a score or so of teens wheeling around in a wild dance with danger, drugs, drink, sex and sex and more sex. All to the music of DJ Death. Grown-up society is only present in the pounding feet of police in hot pursuit, but never quite catching up. Several stories are in fact being played out within the whole, with shorter chapters acting as punctuation between the more intense and longer chapter.
Though its players act first and think later if they think at all, BEHIND THE HOOD is highly intelligent in the depth of its insights into the psychology of teen rivalry. The sequence of consequences is highly thought out and structured. So, too, the players are constructed with feeling, they are drawn as human beings, they are not sterotypes. That said, I could not help thinking of William Hogarth's prints in the way the story shows us, if you do this it will lead to this.
While most of the action is driven by Tama's rivalry with Nike and the doings of their various allies, one of BEHIND THE HOOD's greatest strengths is without any doubt the rich spectrum of female players.
I urge you to read the story. I will not spoil it for you by telling you describing their motivations, flaws and strengths.
There is a terrible desperation about most of the women. They betray each other. They cause problems because of their fickle ways. Nothing goes right for them. They receive some terrible treatment from their men and from life. There is a starkness about their lives. And some are just as hot for Tama as he is for most of them. Yet some are also far more responsible, rational and sane than their testosterone lover boys who fight for them.
One line seems to capture the whole, 'Stay down; I'm in charge not you.' Perhaps this is it. Power is all, even among teen gangs, especially among teen gangs who pursue it and wield it in a far more active way than the rest of us and are in some ways no different to the way nations are in their rivalries.
You will also find some deft contrasts in BEHIND THE HOOD. Tama's mother is as weak as Tama is potent. Tama's potency is his weakness. His ally Mikey is weak. Mikey's mother is powerful, cruel. Tama and Nike are like binary stars, seem to need each other to define their own. There are many more such linkages throught the story.
Marita Hansen is a writer to watch. She has already written a sequel called BEHIND THE TEARS and has prequel in the writing, GRAFFITI HEAVEN. I first discovered her work on a publisher's online slush pile where her story proved a winner and rose deservedly through the rankings. She works hard at her craft and is destined to win plaudits for her work. Don't just take my word for it. Judge for yourself. Have a look at her stuff on, but be warned, it is vigorous writing, and pulls no punches.
R J Askew, goodreads author
September 7, 2011
In 2008, a thriller movie came out called Vantage Point, starring Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, William Hurt and Matthew Fox that detailed five different perspectives, of the same event. Not until the end when everything 'came together' would the truth of what really happened, finally be revealed. It was incredibly well done and memorable because of it.
"Behind the Hood" is the first novel by New Zealand author and artist, Marita Hansen. To say this lady is definitely going places, will surely prove to be an understatement, as her work here is nothing short of brilliant. So good in fact, that if Hollywood is smart enough to buy her story, it'd make "Once Were Warriors" and "Vantage Point" look tame in comparison...
Terrifyingly real in it's depiction, savage and raw in the telling and masterfully told from multiple unique points of view, it builds steadily in a riveting escalation of drama and tension. So much so, that it left my gut in knots, yet I was unable to put it down until the final page unfolded. Ms Hansen handled her fascinatingly vivid characters, one after another with the ease of a seasoned pro. Easily switching back and forth between them all and keeping my gaze all but myopic, focused only on the extreme emotions and intensity of them all.
Like watching a set of dominoes hurtling toward completion, connected as they are in unerring positioning to fall one upon the other, in a foregone sequence of events.
As the inevitable plays out, and the littered remains fall in agony where they may, the story behind the hood, is at last, revealed...
"Behind the Hood" is the first novel by New Zealand author and artist, Marita Hansen. To say this lady is definitely going places, will surely prove to be an understatement, as her work here is nothing short of brilliant. So good in fact, that if Hollywood is smart enough to buy her story, it'd make "Once Were Warriors" and "Vantage Point" look tame in comparison...
Terrifyingly real in it's depiction, savage and raw in the telling and masterfully told from multiple unique points of view, it builds steadily in a riveting escalation of drama and tension. So much so, that it left my gut in knots, yet I was unable to put it down until the final page unfolded. Ms Hansen handled her fascinatingly vivid characters, one after another with the ease of a seasoned pro. Easily switching back and forth between them all and keeping my gaze all but myopic, focused only on the extreme emotions and intensity of them all.
Like watching a set of dominoes hurtling toward completion, connected as they are in unerring positioning to fall one upon the other, in a foregone sequence of events.
As the inevitable plays out, and the littered remains fall in agony where they may, the story behind the hood, is at last, revealed...
February 18, 2013
Raw and honest.
Marita A. Hansen provided a very realistic portrait of life at its ugliest.
I won't say more, the book speaks for itself.
Just some caution:
This book is not for the fainthearted. It contains use of drugs and alcohol, graphic sexual situation (consensual & not), violence, rather colorful language and stares not the most likable protagonists (they're not all that bad either).
Marita A. Hansen provided a very realistic portrait of life at its ugliest.
I won't say more, the book speaks for itself.
Just some caution:
This book is not for the fainthearted. It contains use of drugs and alcohol, graphic sexual situation (consensual & not), violence, rather colorful language and stares not the most likable protagonists (they're not all that bad either).
August 16, 2011
INTENSE! I could probably leave my review at this one word and that would say it all. What a nerve wracking read. At first I thought there were going to be too many point of view characters for me to get involved emotionally, but they all tied back to each other perfectly. I had no problem keeping track of who was who and how they related back to each of the other characters. By the last three-quarters of the book I had the phones turned off and the Do Not Disturb sign hung on the door. I had to know what was going to happen and I didn’t want any interruptions. Marita Hansen did not disappoint. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
Tama is a tough guy gang leader who causes problems wherever he goes. He starts things off by stabbing Maia, a 14-year-old girl, while trying to rape her and then has the nerve to try to push the blame for it off on her. Tama has a habit of pushing the blame for all his problems onto anyone but himself. Maia’s older brother Nike and Tama are long time enemies and Nike is determined to make Tama pay for what he did to his little sister. But Tama has eyes for Nike’s wife next and no one is safe who tries to get in his path.
This novel is brutal in its honesty, giving a true-to-life picture of gang life and the destruction that goes along with it. If you’re at all squeamish, this is probably not the book for you. Lives are destroyed, whole families destroyed, in a matter of seconds because of selfish desires. I’ll read just about anything I can get my hands on and it had me cringing in a few places-—praying in others. I got attached to these characters in the short time it took me to read it and it hurt me when they got hurt. At the same time I’m being repulsed by what’s taking place, I’m also getting pulled in. It takes real talent to pull off a story like this. I can’t wait to read the next one by Marita Hansen. This story may take place in New Zealand, but the same story could be told in any gang territory in the States. Definitely earned the five stars I’m going to give Behind the Hood.
Tama is a tough guy gang leader who causes problems wherever he goes. He starts things off by stabbing Maia, a 14-year-old girl, while trying to rape her and then has the nerve to try to push the blame for it off on her. Tama has a habit of pushing the blame for all his problems onto anyone but himself. Maia’s older brother Nike and Tama are long time enemies and Nike is determined to make Tama pay for what he did to his little sister. But Tama has eyes for Nike’s wife next and no one is safe who tries to get in his path.
This novel is brutal in its honesty, giving a true-to-life picture of gang life and the destruction that goes along with it. If you’re at all squeamish, this is probably not the book for you. Lives are destroyed, whole families destroyed, in a matter of seconds because of selfish desires. I’ll read just about anything I can get my hands on and it had me cringing in a few places-—praying in others. I got attached to these characters in the short time it took me to read it and it hurt me when they got hurt. At the same time I’m being repulsed by what’s taking place, I’m also getting pulled in. It takes real talent to pull off a story like this. I can’t wait to read the next one by Marita Hansen. This story may take place in New Zealand, but the same story could be told in any gang territory in the States. Definitely earned the five stars I’m going to give Behind the Hood.
January 2, 2012
When a friend of mine asked me what I think about this book, all I said was that it kept me heavy-hearted for the entire time I was reading it. Not in a bad way though - but because it was written so vividly I can even say it felt so much like everything is happening right before me.
Each chapter is told by different characters, and surprisingly enough, each voice is owned, authentic - and sounded so much like being told by different persons. You get to peek into the minds of all characters - understanding their actions and decisions - and being able to sympathize with them. It made me attached to the characters - hurting when they get hurt, feeling scared when they are scared, and angry when they are. It allowed me to live their lives in such a short time that I engaged myself reading the book. Kudos to the author for this, as its not easy to be changing voices and give identity to each and everyone of them.
My heart goes out to all the characters - and hated Tama from the very first chapter to the last. His desire to avenge the wrong things done to him or to his mates, to own the girl he believed to really love, and to keep his gang together and loyal to him - he is a lost soul, but let me say a hopeless one too. His distorted view of the world around him explained why he is a very effective antagonist.
This novel is painfully honest - showing us a different side of teenage life, the one entangled with sex and violence. It may be too much for some, but I'd definitely recommend this as a very good read. This is a story with a roller coaster ride of emotions - and the best part is - you get to feel each and everyone of them. Marita did a great job, definitely cant wait for her next books!
Each chapter is told by different characters, and surprisingly enough, each voice is owned, authentic - and sounded so much like being told by different persons. You get to peek into the minds of all characters - understanding their actions and decisions - and being able to sympathize with them. It made me attached to the characters - hurting when they get hurt, feeling scared when they are scared, and angry when they are. It allowed me to live their lives in such a short time that I engaged myself reading the book. Kudos to the author for this, as its not easy to be changing voices and give identity to each and everyone of them.
My heart goes out to all the characters - and hated Tama from the very first chapter to the last. His desire to avenge the wrong things done to him or to his mates, to own the girl he believed to really love, and to keep his gang together and loyal to him - he is a lost soul, but let me say a hopeless one too. His distorted view of the world around him explained why he is a very effective antagonist.
This novel is painfully honest - showing us a different side of teenage life, the one entangled with sex and violence. It may be too much for some, but I'd definitely recommend this as a very good read. This is a story with a roller coaster ride of emotions - and the best part is - you get to feel each and everyone of them. Marita did a great job, definitely cant wait for her next books!
October 25, 2013
The story focuses on the issue of the harsh gang culture in a South Auckland neighbourhood where, drink, drugs, sex and violence is already a way of life, a vicious attack on a young girl sparks a ripple effect of revenge and fury.
The subject matter was thought provoking, the plot interesting and the characters real, even though some were despicable.
At the very mention of TAMA, I want to scream.
This book took me, tuned me upside down, then grabbed me and shook me, next it bitch slapped me and left me dazed, what a fcuked up story.
It left me thinking....
You gotta look for the good, in the bad.
The happy in your sad
The gain in your pain,
and whatever makes you grateful, not HATEFUL!!
I'm fast becoming a girlfan of Marita Hansen what a great read.
September 12, 2011
In Behind the Hood, Marita Hansen weaves a violent, but compelling, character-driven tale straight from a suburb of Auckland that shouldn't exist, but does. This is not the New Zealand most people have heard of and this revelation alone makes it worth a read. The characters are vivid and three-dimensional, each with their own goals and motives, each with their own problems, and it is the depth of the characters that is the key to the success of the storytelling.
It takes quite some skill to craft such a book, and I'm pleased to say that the author pulls it off. I am not even going to attempt to summarise Behind the Hood as a summary would not do it justice. You're just going to have to read it yourself!
Looking forward to the next one. I hear it will be even darker...
It takes quite some skill to craft such a book, and I'm pleased to say that the author pulls it off. I am not even going to attempt to summarise Behind the Hood as a summary would not do it justice. You're just going to have to read it yourself!
Looking forward to the next one. I hear it will be even darker...
January 28, 2012
I didnt know whether to give this book 5 starts, 3 stars or 0 stars. I liked it but then I hated it and want to throw my blackberry at the wall upon finishing it. I took up the authors offer and got it on kindle for free (off amazon). I instantly liked the book from the beginning. I loved Jess and Nikes relationship but felt that what happened to Jess was SO UNCALLED FOR. Thats when I wanting to throw my phone. I couldnt even read that section I skipped a few pages. Id also like to mention that the story dragged out a lot and would of been better if it was told from less point of views. But then again I liked them all for different reasons. Except Jayden. His point of view could of been left out lol. What bothered me about this book was that something bad had happened to everyone besides the one causing all the harm SPOILER Jess ended up getting raped while pregnant, Nike ended up beat up, Mikey ended up in the hospital , Janice ended up dead, Mikes mom ended up going to jail, Zane ended up a prison bitch, ect. But Tama ending up in prison where his step dad was "top dog" basically meaning his prison stay would be easy. It would be nice if Jess wasnt raped and Tama ended up getting jumped in prison and ending up someones bitch. Im sorry but I was furious that Tama got off so easy while everyone else has suffered one way or the other. Thats the only thing I dont like about this book. I think if the author made a book about Jess and Nike Id definately buy it. But I gave the author 5 stars because technically she succeeded in making the reader connect with the story. This book definalely has that wow factor and makes you really get into it emotionally. Thats why I loved it but then hated it too. This book is bittersweet and really leaves the reader thinking. But if there was a book about Tama and his prison stay Id buy that too.
June 4, 2013
06/04/13 - Re-reading the series so I'm ready when Behind The Lens (Behind the Lives, #3) comes out at the end of this month. So excited!!
Wow! Another crazy intense read from Marita Hansen - that's two for two. I liked Graffiti Heaven a little more than Behind The Hood - I just overall liked some of the characters better, and it had Ash in it.
Definitely a nail biter. First I was worried about Maia, and then I was worried about Jesse, and then I was worried about Mikey, and then Nike! While it was intriguing to read from Tama's perspective, I absolutely despised him - I didn't find one redeeming quality in him at all - even when he had a brief flash of conscience poke through, I knew he wouldn't change. He is absolutely delusional! I was really hoping at the end he'd get what was coming to him, but with his connections, it looks like he will be a-ok where he is. Ugh, I'm sure he will cause more mayhem and destruction in future books.
I am really looking forward to the second book in this series, as well as Graffiti Heaven #2. I want to know what happened to some couples, and find out what will happen to others. I was expecting certain couples to be together and was surprised that they were no longer together, and am dying to find out why. I'm also looking forward to reading more about some new, potential couples.
Wow! Another crazy intense read from Marita Hansen - that's two for two. I liked Graffiti Heaven a little more than Behind The Hood - I just overall liked some of the characters better, and it had Ash in it.
Definitely a nail biter. First I was worried about Maia, and then I was worried about Jesse, and then I was worried about Mikey, and then Nike! While it was intriguing to read from Tama's perspective, I absolutely despised him - I didn't find one redeeming quality in him at all - even when he had a brief flash of conscience poke through, I knew he wouldn't change. He is absolutely delusional! I was really hoping at the end he'd get what was coming to him, but with his connections, it looks like he will be a-ok where he is. Ugh, I'm sure he will cause more mayhem and destruction in future books.
I am really looking forward to the second book in this series, as well as Graffiti Heaven #2. I want to know what happened to some couples, and find out what will happen to others. I was expecting certain couples to be together and was surprised that they were no longer together, and am dying to find out why. I'm also looking forward to reading more about some new, potential couples.
July 11, 2013
Started this last night and finished it this morning. What a page turner! At first I thought I wasn't going to like it because alot of the characters are unlikable, the sort of people you would cross the street to avoid. Then we get introduced to Nike, Jess and little baby Jakey and although Nike wasn't what you would call someone who walks the straight line in life, I found myself rooting for him. And even though Jake didn't have a big part, I could totally picture when he hits Nike in the face with a rusk. Made me smile. :) I hated Tama. What an arsehole. The way he treated women! The way he treated everyone! When he raped Jess I was in tears. She just wants to wash him off but she can't until the doctor has seen her, I can't even begin to imagen how awful that must feel. I would like to find out more about Ash and Dante, I know there is books about them which is good because it sounds as though they have a troubled past. Did anyone else get reminded of Leah from Twilight whenever Leila was in the scene? I feel like if they met, they would have alot to talk about. I thought I might have trouble with the language but turns out NZ teenages use the same kinda slang as English teenagers. Americans might struggle though. Will be putting the other books on my wishlist. Thumbs up from me!
February 13, 2012
Strong in character, persistently at pace, Behind the Hood follows the delinquent Tama after he “cuts” a girl who is hospitalized. His flight from one mate to the girls from his street gang, and finally to the married girl he has wanted, links characters who become invested in the street crime and too often are hospitalized. Tama’s sultry but offending sexuality, driving him, builds a plot that entangles too many into a domino of violence.
The book is compellingly written, woven in both descriptive and street dialogue. A startlingly frank narrative, it doesn’t glamorize but unfolds into the real consequences of youth violence and self-gratification.
The book is compellingly written, woven in both descriptive and street dialogue. A startlingly frank narrative, it doesn’t glamorize but unfolds into the real consequences of youth violence and self-gratification.
March 1, 2012
I got this when the author had it free on amazon for kindle for only one day and damn it, I enjoyed it so much I have to get a real copy now.
The story is non stop, not one dull moment, with characters you love to hate, love or just laugh at. Tama was a complete ***hole with a twisted code of ethics but he did have some funny thoughts that made me laugh. I really thought his part was going to end different but I can't wait for the next book in the series. And wow, what a great ending, I literally had my mouth hanging open for 10 seconds. Excellent job Ms. Hansen, ya got a new fan.
The story is non stop, not one dull moment, with characters you love to hate, love or just laugh at. Tama was a complete ***hole with a twisted code of ethics but he did have some funny thoughts that made me laugh. I really thought his part was going to end different but I can't wait for the next book in the series. And wow, what a great ending, I literally had my mouth hanging open for 10 seconds. Excellent job Ms. Hansen, ya got a new fan.
September 19, 2016
Wow!! This debut work by Marita Hansen just resonates with authenticity. It is violent and no-holds-barred, but not OTT.....I see flashes of these mentalities and lifestyles in the families of some of the children I teach. Not yet available in mainstream NZ bookstores (set as it is in South Auckland), but certainly should be! Will have to buy a copy for my son via Amazon in the meantime......and I look forward to more from this author.
February 29, 2016
I don't really do street lit, but I'm glad I made the exception here! This book was awesome. Set in the ghettoes of New Zealand, there is sex, violence, rape, drugs. Definitely a page turner. There are lots of characters and each chapter is a different point of view, but they're all related/connected in some way so it's not too, too hard to follow.
On to Book 2. That cliffhanger was everything!
On to Book 2. That cliffhanger was everything!
November 9, 2012
Love, love, love a book that keeps me going: oh my god! Oh no! WTF! From beginning to end, masterful story telling that kept me interested, angry & wanting for more.
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