Review: (RAW Rating: 3.5) The Game
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 12, 2008
A popular author and publisher recently stated that every story has already been told, it is how you tell it that counts.  That is definitely the case in BETRAYED, where a New Jack City mindset conquers Waterloo, Iowa.  Yes, Waterloo, Iowa. While the location is different, it's the same story, but David Givens makes the read an interesting one.Darrell Jenkins, aka the Sandman, has decided to take over Waterloo so his crew can run all vice in the area.  In the meantime, Sherrice Valdez loses her job and resorts to pole dancing to make a living.  The two meet at the strip club, where Darrell comes to Sherrice's rescue and they are both instantly smitten.  They fall deeply in love and marry, and Darrell's bid to the throne is successful.  However, there is an unknown player in this game who, for personal reasons, has plotted against Darrell from the beginning and is ultimately successful.David Givens does a good job giving his main characters depth and dimension.  It takes a while for the book to get off the ground, but when it hits a steady flow, it is a good read. The problem is that the final twist in the plot is difficult to swallow, given the humble beginnings, limited means and consistently flawed reasoning of the antagonist.For its genre, BETRAYED is an entertaining read with nice touches and creative engagements.  It is a good first novel and David Givens is one to keep an eye on.Reviewed by a. Kaifor The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers