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 Love, charms and adventures in best February books...
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"There's not a more poignant or tender urban love story"
Reviewed by Patricia Woodside Multicultural African-American I don't know whether I've ever read a more poignant coming of age or more tender urban love story. At the tender age of seven, Midnight, an Islamic African, is sent to American with his mother and younger sister, leaving behind a privileged life in Sudan for the streets of Brooklyn. He assumes responsibility for his family, as the man his father and his culture raised him to be. By the time, he reaches fourteen, Midnight has a handle on American culture and what it takes to survive on the mean streets. When he meets Akemi, a young but already renowned Japanese artist, he has found his soul mate. As they fall in love, Midnight must fight to preserve the love they share, completing his transition from boyhood to manhood. MIDNIGHT was all hard edges—the BedStuy neighborhood, navigating the urban land mines of gangs, drugs, and turf, difficult for any boy, much less one without the presence and guidance of his father. At the same time, MIDNIGHT was soft and downy as cotton— the tentative and tender developing love between the two cultures, the love and respect of a son for his mother, the caring and protecting of a brother for his sister, the honor and respect for cultural traditions that put Midnight at odds with his friends and neighbors but matured him. I loved everything about MIDNIGHT except for two things. First, the story was too sexually explicit for my thirteen year old to read, even as I knew it was a story that he could relate to and would enjoy, and I'm not sure it had to be in order to be as satisfying a read as it was. Yet, the scenes with high sexual content fit perfectly into the story and were expertly crafted. Nothing salacious or gratuitous here. Last, the ending comes completely out of left field—at least for me—and therefore left me with the cold, metallic taste of disappointment. Up to that point, the story was so enjoyable that it wasn't ruined for me but the unexpected finish tarnished an otherwise gem. Learn more about MidnightSUMMARYSister Souljah, the hip-hop generation's number one author and most compelling storyteller, delivers a powerful story about love and loyalty, strength and family. In her bestselling novel, The Coldest Winter Ever, Sister Souljah introduced the world to Midnight, a brave but humble lieutenant to a prominent underworld businessman. Now, in a highly anticipated follow-up to her million-selling masterpiece, she brings readers into the life and dangerously close to the heart of this silent, fearless young man. Raised in a wealthy, influential, Islamic African family, Midnight enjoys a life of comfort, confidence, and protection. Midnight's father provides him with a veil of privilege and deep, devoted love, but he never hides the truth about the fierce challenges of the world outside of his estate. So when Midnight's father's empire is attacked, he sends Midnight with his mother to the United States. In the streets of Brooklyn, a young Midnight uses his Islamic mind-set and African intelligence to protect the ones he loves, build a business, reclaim his wealth and status, and remain true to his beliefs. Midnight, a handsome and passionate young man, attracts many women. How he interacts and deals with them is a unique adventure. This is a highly sensual and tremendous love story about what a man is willing to risk and give to the women he loves most. Midnight will remain in your mind and beat in your heart for a lifetime. Her "raw and true voice" (Publishers Weekly) will both soothe and arouse you. In a beautifully written and masterfully woven story, Sister Souljah has given us Midnight, and solidified her presence as the mother of all contemporary urban literature. What do you think about this review?Midnight by Sister Souljah
Reviewed by Patricia Woodside 
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