What’s the difference between urban fiction and street lit? Is there a difference? I think Contel Bradford defines them both in his hardcore novel, Thug Nation. I love me some hood books but admit to being a little freaked out by the crazy dude on the cover. As offensive as the image may be it’s a helluva symbol for what’s written on the pages.

Gerald Thomas, bka G - Dogg, has thug embedded into his soul. You clutch your purse tighter to your side when this dude walks by. Gerald is a decorated soldier repping one of Chicago’s most infamous gangs. After nearly losing his life in street battle he’s shipped off to Detroit, hoping to make a better way.

Gerald finds the scenery in Detroit to be just as cold, equally swamped with gangs and violence. Desperate for that there come up he becomes involved in a money making scheme. A mission of simple heists evolve into a spree of grisly murders, giving legendary status to some while Gerald takes a fall in prison.

Act two speaks of Gerald’s resurrection; his release from jail, his struggle to do better, his desire to be a good father to his daughter Kayel, mend the battered relationship with baby mama. He tries his best to do right but a straight path isn’t in the cards. Who wants to hire a criminal? A convicted fuck up?

Gerald’s humble efforts look bleak until he gets the offer he can’t refuse. A west coast click knows of his rep, ready to pay swell for his services. The fight with himself is strenuous but he can’t deny the truth, accepting the fact that he’s a natural born killer.

Anyway you can feel compassion for a killer? You just might this time. Man ... this one of those books. Those ones that get you. I could feel G-Dogg’s struggle with life, the dedicated love to his daughter, how he wanted to make things right wit baby mama. I could even see all the shells dropping. This book was real hell; very intense at times.

Thug Nation gets five outta five dollars from Da ReVew, maybe the most out cold shit you’ll ever read.

When love, loyalty, murder, betrayal and lies are all combined into one story, then you have a heartfelt street novel. Thug Nation is not the typical run N’ gun hood novel, it holds substance, character and the heart wrenching reality for some of today’s black youth. Mr. Bradford holds in his hands a story that brings a breath of fresh air to the industry. Thug Nation is not watered down by spinning rims, kingpins and designer labels that only grace A-list entertainers. The unrestricted battling of one’s soul and heart is scattered all throughout this novel, that’s what makes it a diamond in the rough compared to others in its genre.

This novel proved that Mr. Bradford is here to stay. "Thug Nation" is remarkably written from start to finish, which would allow for the easy and enjoyable read. Even though the cover is not as professional as one should be the contexts enclosed can rival with some of the top urban authors in the industry right now. The book is very descriptive and strategically written to play out as a movie. I have read plenty of novels and manuscripts but I would have to say this is by far in my top five. My staff and I are really looking forward to what the future holds for Mr. Contel Bradford.