This international YA crime thriller, one that could have been ripped from the latest headlines, is set in beautiful Rio de Janeiro. Juxtaposed against the glamorous hi-life of the iconic city, the author—Craig S. Wilson brings into focus the city’s gritty and deadly underground crime scene with its drug lords and cartels.
The destitute lives of 16-year-old Lucas and his siblings are already placed in turmoil when their mother passes away. But their troubles are exasperated when Lucas’ older brother is suddenly murdered in cold blood outside their squalid tiny hovel in the shanty town (called a favela) where they live a meagerly existence along with millions of other impoverished Brazilians.
Instead of panhandling, Lucas tries his luck at shining shoes. But in an impromptu moment, he steals his customer’s wallet. Daniel Burke, a visiting American, is his rube. Daniel traveled to Rio to reconnect with old family roots, but is now left with no money and is taken pity on by Gabriela, an enchanting airport employee whom he asks for help. Thus, Wilson begins weaving his tale of the "Rio Street Kid Stargazer."
Lucas, needing a permanent means of support for his younger sisters, turns to a widely-feared drug lord, Antonio Cruz Mendez—known as “Dez”--for work. When a drug deal turns violent and Lucas must flee, he is shocked when he bumps into Daniel again. When Daniel and Gabriela, simply trying to retrieve his wallet, they inadvertently become dangerously entangled in young Lucas’ life that now includes dealing with corrupt police and the underground crime syndicates turf wars.
Wilson did hit a couple of road bumps with this first novel, including pieces of the plot and character motivation that some may find on the side of unrealistic. Some readers may decide that the author is telling the reader too much while and not “showing enough.” But many will find that these shortcomings do not diminish the likeability of the protagonists or the investment in Lucas’ mental chess game with “Dez.” Like his younger protégé, Dez is a product of his environment—the poverty stricken “favelas” in which it seems that the only way to escape is by succumbing to a life of crime or face a destitute future.
Many will appreciate the novel’s honest snapshots of Rio de Janeiro, which includes its luxurious hotels and beautiful landscapes while thoroughly delving into the ugly underground and severe issues of such abject poverty. Wilson crafting of Daniel’s character allows us to see Rio as a newcomer to Rio. We soon learn, as Daniel did, that this unique city’s charm has a lot to offer, but is quite risky for tourists and locals alike. Daniel’s character is developed as he becomes more connected with his roots to Rio and is forced to reconsider his life and his “success” as an employee of Lehman Brothers investment bank.
Overall, Wilson’s cultural interpretation of Rio de Janeiro, along with his grasp of its extreme poverty level and the seedy underground that takes advantage of it, is reason to pick up this book for an informative cultural read—especially with the aftermath of the 2016 Summer Olympics. The romantic elements and the chaotic and complex action will have many readers looking forward to book two in this series that states “Sometimes good people do bad things for a greater good.”
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2016
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2016
