After trying to read this book for a week in order to offer a fair review, I have decided to not finish it, which I don't make as a light decision. I was having issues with it right from the start, but ultimately I can’t get behind some of the messages in the book and will not be finishing it because of that. I was not meshing well with the writing style right off the bat, but that is a personal taste issue. It’s very straight forward and blunt, as well as detailed, and it was just not to my preference. I can get past writing styles that are not my preference, but the ultimate issue I had was this was the violence being glorified in the book. I don't like the message that you need to beat people up to feel good about yourself, as the main character didn't start thinking positively until he beat up two black boys, who were the only black characters in the book up until the part that I stopped reading, by the way. I don't agree with the idea that you need to be able to throw the first punch and finish the fight to feel good about yourself. Just the whole journey to manhood meaning growing violent and rude to other characters as a way for the MC to feel good about himself is not something I can get behind. This is a very male-centric book, which is perfectly fine, however I am a girl and was very aware that I was not the target audience. I've read books with males as the main characters before of course, but I've never felt so unconnected to them and aware of societal differences between girls and boys like I did in this book. I am sorry that this didn't work out for me. It's worth a shot if you're a boy that doesn't mind violence, but I was uncomfortable with it to the point I couldn't pick it up. I rate DNFs 1 star, but gave another star because the idea did sound interesting at first. I am thankful I had the opportunity to read this book, but it is not at all what I agree with or enjoy.

It was a nice read, figured out that it wasnt really my style but I still loved it.
3 star, the cars kept me hooked