Takedown Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
A teen infiltrates a drug ring to settle a vendetta in this fast-paced novel from the author of Street Pharm and Snitch.Darren took the fall for Diamond Tony, the notorious head of the city’s drug cartel. Two years later, Darren’s finally out of juvie—and determined to get even. Working as an informant for the police, Darren infiltrates Diamond Tony’s operation. But falling for sweet, innocent Jessica was not part of that plan. She’s a distraction—and a liability. She’s also everything Darren dreamed about while he was locked up, and with her, he has the promise of a fresh start. When a deadly turf war breaks out between Diamond Tony and the Bloods, Darren gets caught in the crossfire. The cops think he’s playing both sides, and any mistake could be his last. Darren has to stay on his game if he’s going to protect Jessica—and if he’s going to stay alive.
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse (September 3, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442463120
ISBN-13: 978-1442463127
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #158,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #77 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Drugs & Alcohol Abuse #118 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Social & Family Issues > Violence #165 in Books > Teens > Mysteries & Thrillers > Law & Crime
Miss Van Diepen has a knack for making compelling and believable characters, and once again transports us into the complicated life of gangs and drug lords.The story is pretty straight forward, boy wants revenge, insert himself in a horrible situation, meet a girl, fall in love, twists/trust/snitching/code, wants to end thing soon and get out before it is too late and finally a HEA or as close as it could be.The pace flows exquisitely fast. The only thing missing here was a corrupt cop.If you enjoyed Snitch and Street Pharm, you can't go wrong with this book.
Thanks to Allison Van Diepen's no-nonsense writing style and the main character, Darren's, spot-on voice, I slipped easily into his fast-paced story about doing two years in juvie, becoming an informant for the police (to get revenge on the kingpin who put him there, Diamond Tony), and climbing his way up Diamond Tony's ranks--all while going to high school, supporting his family and striving to be a good influence for his two year-old half brother, Kiki.In some stories, the truth will set you free, but in Darren's, it will get you killed. He has to keep his true reason for being back in the game secret, and this isn't easy for Darren, especially when he becomes involved with his beautiful classmate, Jessica. The safest thing would be to push her away from him and his dangerous lifestyle, but he's beginning to really fall for her. Just thinking about being with Jessica the next time is what keeps him going.When friends wind up targets or in the cross-fire, secrets about his dead father come to light, and loyalties are tested and abused, it's all Darren can do to protect those he loves and stay alive.Within its first few pages, Takedown had me hooked. The characters are multi-dimensional and believable, the plot is infused with nail-biting turns, and Allison's writing style--including brief chapters peppered with Darren's rhymes--make this a quick yet poignant read.
The central subjects of this book are gangs and drug trade, but the shocking pet as you read, is that this book could be taking place anywhere.The battles that include deaths, poverty, webs of lies make for an exciting page turner that had me transfixed and I read it in one sitting, yet they're also so realistic, that they make you pause and consider the world around you.Going in my classroom library!
This book! I like it! ANOTHER!I've had this one on my TBR for sooo long, I forgot why I wanted it. But am I glad I didn't send it back to the library! I adored it! It felt like a more polished version of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. (And, gosh, do I adore anything by S.E. Hinton!!)Characters? The narrator is Darren. Who is awesome. Oh, gosh! He's complex and intense and adorable. (Ahem.) Okay, so he is dealing drugs, but he's a snitch (an informant for the police) and he wants to stop the psycho gang-leader, Diamond Tony. He has depth. He has reasons. He's such a well written character! I particularly liked how he related to other people. He was adorably sweet with his 2-year-old brother, Kiki. He was respectful to his girlfriend (an odd phenomenon in the gang world). He respected his mother, even though she was useless (sorry, but she was). And he was (almost) always polite to his snarky sister. But he's tough! And he's a criminal! I know this screams "bad boy", and Darren is in a way. He's bad. It doesn't get much more dangerous then running drugs WHILE being a snitch. But, while he has the bad boy aura, he's good boy 97%.Jessica, his girlfriend, is too sweet to be true. Actually, she is. I liked her, and I thought she was a very well-written character...buuut, she did seem too-good-to-be true the whole time. (view spoiler)Writing? I adore this style! It's very crisp and clean. No flowery language. No nonsense. And it's very boyish. I had no trouble being inside Darren's head. He's very mature for his age, but heck, he was in prison. That does that to a guy, I guess. He's very smart, too, and it comes out in the writing. I really like how the author went for the simplistic style. My FAVOURITE.Plot? Okay, this is where I come a little unstuck. I loved this book. It was a 5-star all the way...except for the plot. It was awesome right up until the end. Then I felt it just folded into the bag. It was gritty and bloody, yes. But it worked out so FAST. A few chapters peaked the book, cleaned up the action, and BOOM, we're done. I was kind of confused. It felt easy. And the book was all hard work! Darren spent the whole time nearly killing himself and then it ends so neatly? Mm.It's definitely gritty. It's gang stuff! It's not a pretty walk in the park. By the way, I love that. I feel like I've experienced different lives, different cultures. It's awesome when a book sucks you in so well you feel like you're THERE. Gosh, this is why it has 5-stars. I loved the bits of verses and songs Darren wrote too. It added an extra dimension to the story as well as his character.It's another favourite! I will now go read EVERYTHING ELSE by Allison van Diepan. This author rocks.
The second best book I've ever read that was about street life. The second is Snitch written by her. This makes me want to become a writer. The fact that you can read this book and never put it down is amazing. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Great job!
The author writes convincingly from the POV of a street kid -- pragmatic and a world-weary, yet thoughtful and sensitive. The plot moves, and the writing shines. Recommend!
My students love this book.
Very good quick read.
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