Butta and the Tower of Bling is a fast-paced adventure in the world of urban fiction. Corey Burkes, in this his debut novel, has produced mainstream fiction that will make the reader feel and notice dialogue-rich characters who talk and act like people we know. The novel is a brilliant portrayal of a cross-section of American culture that we can all identify with. Shadowy characters, evil antagonists, brave protagonists, and a host of supporting characters come to life in the pages of Butta’ and the Tower of Bling.
Burkes’s unique writing style is both avant-garde and irreverent. Her characters talk and act like ordinary people you meet on the street. They remind you of the people who make up the heart and soul of any American city; Some you know, some you don’t, and some you wish you had never met. As Butta’ herself affirms, “I speak so that they understand me.” Fully fleshed out and conveying an attitude, these are the kind of fictional characters that are so believable you’ll want to read on.
The plot is based on a deep-seated grudge that Butta has. Hanged alongside her family when she was a little girl by a nasty white supremacist, Butta spends her entire life dedicated to defeating this neo-Nazi who has become the master of a diamond-making invention created by her father. her. Butta, a cat-snatching genius, hires an equally interesting supporting entourage to help her pull off her biggest heist yet, retrieving the invention her father created!
The plot is multi-layered, demonstrating a maturity in writing skills rarely seen so early in an author’s career. The constant build up to the climax keeps the reader eager to turn to the next page. The careful mix of dialogue and background is so balanced and blended that the reader becomes engrossed in the story. From the failed white supremacist lynching and robbery to the harrowing escape in the book’s final moments, the pacing is never dull, the gripping story, and the rush to the end will have the reader up all night racing to the end. The protagonist’s father says it best: “Now I know why we call you Butta… you’re so soft.”
Butta’ and the Tower of Bling
Corey A. Burkes
Publisher: Skyelightbooks.com
ISBN: 978-0-979-6352
Year of publication: 2007