A highly personal account of Allen Langham’s darkest days through to him turning his life around after discovering spirituality and becoming a born again Christian. The writing is honest and real and Langham writes about a troubled childhood, and getting into a life of drugs, crime and violent as a teenager despite showing promise at school and rising in the world of professional rugby league. He ended up trapped in a spiral of addiction, crime and prison before finding salvation in his newly found faith.

It’s an engaging read, if at times a little uncomfortable to read about the violence and misery suffered by Langham and that he inflicted on others. It’s also a reflection on society, especially the damage that prisons can do to people. The religious aspect may not resonate with everyone, but ultimately this is a story about hope and survival and how someone overcame the lowest points of their life and turned things around.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my personal review. #TamingOfAvillain #NetGalley

This is a really honest story. Allen tells what his life was like and how he behaved before he found God. He also talks about his life as a Christian. This is not an easy read in places. Allen was violent and confrontational in the past. This book tells how his life has been transformed.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The author wrote a memoir that perfectly captured the triumphs and setbacks of their life. It was easy to empathize with the author due to the raw writing.

The problem for me with this book is that Allen is a pretty despicable character throughout. To the point that I disliked him and unfortunately by the time he gets to his redemption, the damage was done. It is well written but unflinching and for that I admire him BUT not a book I enjoyed sadly.