Whoa!!

What a Great Book! Kept me on edge. A must read!!!!Emanuele went through a lot

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Great Book. Great Narrator

I actually likes this book alot. the narration brought the story to life. Very good read in my opinion. A little scary too

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Testimony of The Testimony - Testiception

This book was a wild ride from start to finish. Manuel lives the life of drugs and crime after he witnesses the brutal murder of his family. The whole story is around how he is hell bent on revenge, and when the opportunities to catch up with his family’s killers are in front of him you know he is going to take them. Revenge also ties in with gang violence and the struggles of growing up in low income housing that is flooded with drugs, crime, and gang activity.

Be warned; this book is graphic in every sense of the word. Sexual situations, violence, language, you name it. And it takes that approach from the start; the harrowing details in the murder of Manuel’s family is not for those with a weak stomach. But if you’re not one who is squeamish you will appreciate the detail as it paints a very clear picture of how this story will progress.

I found it eye-opening; we’re all aware by now of the dangers and perils of this world associated with projects dominated by gang wars and racial divides that push those most vulnerable further into poverty and violence. But never have I been able to get such a clear picture and from so many different angles.

If you think you can handle the graphic nature of this book then I highly suggest you give it a read or a listen. In my case it was the latter; and the smooth voice Marvin Slay is sure to take you more into Manuel’s hardened life of crime and violence. Though on that note, I felt changing between male and female voices wasn’t that distinguishable, as it was hard to tell characters such as Aunt May and the various women the boys would have relations with apart from the males in the book. It made for some really awkward sex scenes. Other than that Slay does a tremendous job.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Enjoyed

I enjoyed it for the most part. The story made me wonder if that's what it's really like for kids getting into the game and trying to make a name for themselves. The only parts that were hard for me to listen to, were the teens making out. The narrator was a little over the top on those parts. Overall I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Awesome

This book was excellent from the beginning to the end. I had a hard time putting the book down. The characters were awesome. The ending was good but I wish Manuel outcome would have been a little different. This book is worth every penny. I do recommend this book and I would purchase another book by the author and narrator. Keep the books coming.😊😀😁

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

This book had me on the edge of my seat u usecally

I really loved and enjoyed this book the person who read this book did a real good job

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Raw, Real, Revealing! Couldn't stop listening

Would you consider the audio edition of The Testimony of a Villain to be better than the print version?

Yes

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Testimony of a Villain?

The ending, I was very suprised.

Which scene was your favorite?

The end

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Life has all kinds of twist and turns

Any additional comments?

Couldn't stop listening.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent Story

If you could sum up The Testimony of a Villain in three words, what would they be?

Chilling, Dark, Real

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Manuel because we got to see him at his best, his worse and everything in between. I think his character really changed throughout the book and it was interesting to witness.

What about Marvin Slay’s performance did you like?

He spoke clearly and I also appreciated how he used different tones of voice, depending on the which character was speaking instead of just reading in one voice.

If you could take any character from The Testimony of a Villain out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would probably take Tracy to dinner to try and be a good friend and support system for her.

Any additional comments?

Be aware that this book does contain descriptive murder and rape scenes and swearing throughout. This audio book was narrated by Marvin Slay.
The Testimony of a Villain is about Manuel, who at a young age witnessed his family’s murder. As the audience, we listen in on how such a horrifying experience turned Manuel’s life upside down, and how he goes from having it all, to having nothing. The story mostly follows Manuel, and how he spirals into a life full of hate, gangs, drugs and murder. Aaron G. Harrell , the author does an excellent job in being descriptive and detailed. The story also follows other characters, which gives it many dimensions and perspectives. I understand that some readers may feel uncomfortable with the violence and rape scenes, but I appreciate that Harrell was real about how hard life was for the characters and that he didn’t sugarcoat it. Also, I personally enjoyed the narration. I think Marvin Slay did a good job overall and he helped bring the story alive.
Overall, I would recommend this audio book as it sucks you right in and makes you think. But again, the author covers serious issues in detail, so be warned.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Thriller no filler!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Testimony of a Villain to be better than the print version?

The Testimony of a Villain by Aaron Harrell is a dark, slick ride into the gritty alleys of the inner city. The book is not your typical crime thriller but one with a social lens that can only be given substance by one who has lived it. The reader follows Manuel Doggett, a boy who lost everything to be formed by the streets and remade in its’ dark image. He is out for retribution not redemption when an opportunity arises to have his vengeance on one of the murderers of his family.

Harrell provides a fresh and new take to the “true crime” thriller. His style is so firmly set in the bitingly grime reality of the inner city that the reader could even give this novel a new sub-genre of socio-economic thriller. The new threads do not stop there either, because the plot of the book itself is almost like a hero’s journey in reverse. Manuel is the classic anti-hero and one that does not once look to the audience for sympathy. Instead, there is only apathy towards almost everything, except towards the memories of his past.

The weaving of the inner city struggle and the complex inner life of Manuel makes this novel a stand out for readers of not only crime thrillers, but also those who wish to delve into the dark, broken mind of a man walking the line between light and shadow. The writing is fraught with graphic images of both violence and sex and is not for the weak-hearted.

I found myself enjoying the book from the start, because of the quick and realistic dialogue and the meta conversation about corruption, justice and social strata. There are a lot of binaries at play here, between the poor and wealthy, justice and injustice, and morality and immorality. Harrell does a fantastic job with surveying these issues, touching on them just enough without becoming too explicit. I can only guess at what Harrell’s personal experience has been with the inner city, but I very much appreciated the taste of authenticity that he lends to the narrative.

I find Manuel to be a compelling character. Most readers may find something akin to the backstory of Batman here, but there is a real human struggle that Harrell puts on display often.

Overall, I do believe that The Testimony of a Villain stands up to the best the crime thriller genre has to offer. It makes for a pleasurable read for any fans of such novels!

What did you like best about this story?

realistic dialogue

What about Marvin Slay’s performance did you like?

His voice

If you could rename The Testimony of a Villain, what would you call it?

Villian

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

perfectly written and narrated with Percision!

From the introduction to the last page of the book, I stayed on pins and needles. This narrative gave the feel of the Non-fictitious Life of maintaining and surviving as a person of color. Exposing the struggles and the oppress ion that fuels most to make choices that lead to successfully overcoming the obstacles of an oppressive life. I have every intention of listening to this narrative again and again…. I actually wanted the villain to win!!!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful