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The Apostles
The Apostles run Chicago’s streets. Their leader, “Solemn Shawn” Terson, is the most revered–and feared–man in town. Because of his past exploits, the Apostles have a loyalty among its members that has reached mythic proportions.
When Insane Wayne, a former member of the rival gang, the Governors, comes groveling for admission to the coveted Apostles, he’s quickly turned down. His reaction is He shoots a Governor and plants evidence that lays the murder rap on the Apostles, setting off a bloody series of retaliations.
Solemn Shawn is ready to give up the gang world. His pregnant girlfriend wants another way of life and the cops are hot on his tail; he knows the time has come to step aside. But he must fight one more street war before handing over the reins of his empire. The head of the Governors has a score to settle with Shawn that dates back to their prison days–and Shawn and the Apostles must fight or flee as the streets around them erupt in violence. . . .
When Insane Wayne, a former member of the rival gang, the Governors, comes groveling for admission to the coveted Apostles, he’s quickly turned down. His reaction is He shoots a Governor and plants evidence that lays the murder rap on the Apostles, setting off a bloody series of retaliations.
Solemn Shawn is ready to give up the gang world. His pregnant girlfriend wants another way of life and the cops are hot on his tail; he knows the time has come to step aside. But he must fight one more street war before handing over the reins of his empire. The head of the Governors has a score to settle with Shawn that dates back to their prison days–and Shawn and the Apostles must fight or flee as the streets around them erupt in violence. . . .
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2004
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About the author
Y. Blak Moore
7 books7 followersY. Blak Moore is a poet, social worker, and former gang member who grew up in the Chicago housing projects.
He has three children and lives in Chicago.
He has three children and lives in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 8, 2009
Fate Works In Strange Ways
"We are our brothers' keepers. If we live like we have been destined to live as brothers, not strangers, but brothers, even places like this will be like home for a weary Apostle."
As you read The Apostles it takes you through past and present in the life of Shawn Terson. A child with the misfortune of an abusive step-father, with an alcoholic mother who stood to the side adjusting the volume on the radio in order to avoid hearing her son being beaten.
ULTIMATELY Shawn takes a stance against the abuse after the loss of his only friend. At age 14 Shawn is convicted unjustly to four years to The St. Charles Boys Reformatory. We witness the exit of Shawn Terson, and the remarkable birth of Solemn Shawn. The most revered, and Leader of the well organized Apostles.
Solemn Shawn decides that after twenty years it's time for The Apostles to do things legitimately.
"Apostles, now is not the time for any disloyalty."
As a war finds it's way to The Apostles feet, they deal with it vowing that this is it! Shawn has loss so much and his only thing now is to get away and try something new; maybe take a walk in the rain, A?
But, Vee leader of the not so equal Governors' once loyal Apostle and now Solemn Shawn's number one nemesis, stumbles on the revenge that he's always wanted. Finally to repay Shawn for his treachery. Unlike Solemn Shawn Vee subjects his insubordinates with corporal punishment, and has chosen to lead them into destruction.
This is an extreme read, A. It's set in the streets of CHI so ya'll know I was page turning like yeah, A this here spot is nice.
The Apostles' is guaranteed to explain to you what happens in the lives of some of our equivalents. Take a walk with Y. Blak Moore, I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
All of you so called AVID readers tired of trying to cipher through the hoopla looking for the truth ... this is the book for you, A! Good looking out on the recommendation Tee-Tee!
"Our enemies shall fall before us because we fear nothing but God and the loss of his tender mercy."
"We are our brothers' keepers. If we live like we have been destined to live as brothers, not strangers, but brothers, even places like this will be like home for a weary Apostle."
As you read The Apostles it takes you through past and present in the life of Shawn Terson. A child with the misfortune of an abusive step-father, with an alcoholic mother who stood to the side adjusting the volume on the radio in order to avoid hearing her son being beaten.
ULTIMATELY Shawn takes a stance against the abuse after the loss of his only friend. At age 14 Shawn is convicted unjustly to four years to The St. Charles Boys Reformatory. We witness the exit of Shawn Terson, and the remarkable birth of Solemn Shawn. The most revered, and Leader of the well organized Apostles.
Solemn Shawn decides that after twenty years it's time for The Apostles to do things legitimately.
"Apostles, now is not the time for any disloyalty."
As a war finds it's way to The Apostles feet, they deal with it vowing that this is it! Shawn has loss so much and his only thing now is to get away and try something new; maybe take a walk in the rain, A?
But, Vee leader of the not so equal Governors' once loyal Apostle and now Solemn Shawn's number one nemesis, stumbles on the revenge that he's always wanted. Finally to repay Shawn for his treachery. Unlike Solemn Shawn Vee subjects his insubordinates with corporal punishment, and has chosen to lead them into destruction.
This is an extreme read, A. It's set in the streets of CHI so ya'll know I was page turning like yeah, A this here spot is nice.
The Apostles' is guaranteed to explain to you what happens in the lives of some of our equivalents. Take a walk with Y. Blak Moore, I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
All of you so called AVID readers tired of trying to cipher through the hoopla looking for the truth ... this is the book for you, A! Good looking out on the recommendation Tee-Tee!
"Our enemies shall fall before us because we fear nothing but God and the loss of his tender mercy."
August 27, 2010
While I didn't like this as much as Triple Take it's still worthwhile reading for anyone in the urban fiction genre. Y. Blak Moore is an author that I put in a very small category out of the entire genre - it's not always the same old thing book after book and when reading between the lines you can pick up on the intelligence inside. Not so much with this book as with Triple Take but I'm looking forward to reading Slipping. Hopefully it'll resemble TT more than this one but either way I can't help but think it'll be worth the time.
Why is it that the authors whose intelligence and talent shines through only write a handful of books while the ones who keep giving us the same old crap with different names and breast sizes write 17 books a year?
Why is it that the authors whose intelligence and talent shines through only write a handful of books while the ones who keep giving us the same old crap with different names and breast sizes write 17 books a year?
January 1, 2009
What A Man
Solemn Shawn has such a powerful presence you forget he is a character in a book. Everything about him epitomizes what a man should be.
This story is about Shawn and the Apostles. The Apostles are more than a gang. They are a family; that takes care of one another putting no one man above the rest.
Solemn Shawn, conveys to the family that it's time to get out of the street business forever, will it work? Or will they remain the most notorious gang in Chicago feared by all?
I absolutely loved this book, and highly recommend it!
Solemn Shawn has such a powerful presence you forget he is a character in a book. Everything about him epitomizes what a man should be.
This story is about Shawn and the Apostles. The Apostles are more than a gang. They are a family; that takes care of one another putting no one man above the rest.
Solemn Shawn, conveys to the family that it's time to get out of the street business forever, will it work? Or will they remain the most notorious gang in Chicago feared by all?
I absolutely loved this book, and highly recommend it!
Read
December 4, 2008This man is from Chicago need I say more. I am south of Chicago and I can vividly see in detail what he was talkinh about. gangs have been around for a long time. Great book in my opinion.
October 1, 2011
I Love this book!!! But I dont like the way it ended!!! Ah I hope there is a part two. This book put me in the mind of True to the game by Terri Woods. Ill give this one 5 stars!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews