..Victims of the Game… Kudos for Mr. Jewel for bringing out the emotional side of the characters Born and Black, and I love the fact that I couldn't figure out the mysterious murderer until the very end ... great job! Locksie ARC Book Club Inc. Star Rating 4.0**** ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------There is a NEW King in NYC.. King Jewel makes his debut with a story about friendship, loyalty and family. The love for family leaps off the page and squeezes your heart. The thug action, womanizing and running from the law will keep you glued to this irresistible storyline. The fact that young black men can put their children first will renew your faith in the idea of community… King Jewel is definitely one of the next big urban-lit writers. Deltareviewer Reviewing for Real Page Turners----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------Rough Introduction To The Game… Thirteen And A Half is a fast-paced ride through the twisted world of street life, offering disturbing views of its dark underbelly along the way. King Jewel writes on such topics as loyalty, betrayal, and hustle politics with the same commanding authority as Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines before him. Not to be lost in the telling of his tale, though, is the true heart that shines through the surrounding darkness and grime. In mourning Tip, Black and Born experience agonizing grief over the loss of their close friend, and the difficult decision each one makes to turn away from lives to which they've both become accustomed comes only after much soul-searching and introspection. Likewise, as each experiences fresh pain and disappointment during their transition into new lives, you find yourself rooting for them as the underdogs that they've become, rather than despising them as the heartless killers that they used to be. The ability to so sway the reader is not an easy task to pull off; as such, Jewel is to be commended for the deftness of his storytelling. For diehard fans of the urban fiction genre, as well as new converts just discovering it, Thirteen And A Half will surely not disappoint - and with gritty, yet soulful tales like this one, the phenomenon is sure to win even more fans in the years to come. Apex Reviews----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------Promisi ng Debut… From the non-stop hustle and bustle of the streets of New York to the slower, laid back atmosphere of North Carolina , newcomer King Jewel takes readers on a literary excursion. Thirteen and a Half was a good read… One of this book's greatest strengths is weakness. King Jewel was not afraid to show his male character's vulnerabilities. So many times today in urban lit characters are running about like Teflon dons. No one is afraid to die. No one sheds a tear. Well these characters mourned the loss of their friend. These characters feared death. Kudos to King Jewel for showing his strength. Filled with drama and suspense, Thirteen and a Half is a solid debut effort. Move over New York , there's a new author on the horizon. Reviewed by: Toni of OOSA BOOK CLUB