Review: A 2 star book with a 4 star ending.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 6, 2013
This was a 2 star book with a 4 star ending. I've gone through lots of growing pains with this series but Book 6 showed that Alfonzo is indeed a force to be reckoned with, and this trend continued in Book 7. I love the camaraderie among Nico, Geo and Alfonzo, especially because of the new found link between Geo and Alfonzo. Alfonzo is at the forefront making decisions and has truly matured. I especially liked his conversation with his cousin, Sergio, because it shows how far he's come.Where this book suffers is that it regresses to the problems of Books 1-3. It is wayyy too Selange/Alfonzo relationship centric. It is overkill. They love each other. She is his moon, stars, sun, koolaid, grilled cheese, pasteles, platanos; we get it!!! They're dating again, now? So now I have to endure him dressed like he's going to the prom, and all kinds of nonsense?? Drop some bodies!!! The fixing of Nico and Ari's relationship is relegated to the end, which I guess worked for the dramatic ending but wasn't cool throughout.It is still preachy in parts eg. the comments re the Catholic church during the funeral. Very 'public service announcement.'The 'Nico as Ari's co-counsel' scene was corny. Also, I was soooo glad to see the back of Shanda in Book 6. This thing with her dad and the disappearing act in this book was corny times 2. She couldn't just tell Selange what was going on?? Now I'll have to endure Guiseppe trying to find her in Book 8. UghFull pages of song lyrics do not belong in serious novels. I don't even entertain lyrics in fanfiction. Skim. Skim.The editing continues to baffle me. The plural of friend is not friend's, nor is the plural of boy, boy's. This is an ongoing problem. Three dollar words gets tossed around, but from paragraph to paragraph we can't seem to get consistent usage of the present or past tense. It is distracting and should be fixed. We still have issues with missing words and in my favorite lay/lie mixup, Solange tells Sofie that she refuses to 'lay by omission.' Actually, that made me smile lol. But seriously, we are 7 books in already! This should not still be happening.Some good things - I REALLY liked the introduction of Alfonzo's mother as a mature, sexual being. Being a grandmother doesn't mean she's dead and she deserves some happiness. It was cute to see Alfonzo get all protective; Bruno sounds hot! I hope he's genuine.Love the newfound relationship between Nico and his sisters and love that Nico is talking openly to his sons about what he does.But what I REALLLLY love is the ending. I was a little skeptical about whether it really would have needed to come to that. I think it could have been fixed but let's roll with it as it's written. I have a rocky relationship with Selange, but I always give her credit where it's due - and that ending?? Selange passed that test with flying colors. People talk about standing by their man, but Selange walks the walk. Being a mafia wife isn't all expensive clothes and nice jewelry. When the shit hits the fan are you willing to hold it down with your man? Do you stand by him even when you disagree? Even when you think something he is about to do is heinous? She did and I applaud her. It's easy to be self righteous like some of these women in other series, but when your man is looking at death row; when YOU are looking at being husbandless and your children fatherless, it's time to put up or shut up. Are you a Donna or are you a sidepiece? Ride or freaking die. Death to the enemies of my family.It doesn't matter whether the final order came down. It matters that she trusted Alfonzo and stood by him till the end. Kudos to you, chica.On to Book 8.