Review: Tap Out
Mar •
24 •
2013
Title: Tap Out
Series: Stand-Alone
Genre: Young Adult-Contemporary
Author: Eric Devine
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Release Date: Setpember 11, 2012
Book: ARC sent by publisher
*Strong reader content. Reader discretion is advised*
“Seventeen-year-old Tony Antioch lives in Pleasant Meadows, a trailer park where questions aren’t asked since everyone already knows the answers from their own experience. He dreams of rescuing his mother from her constant stream of abusive boyfriends but in reality can barely duck the punches that are aimed at himself.
When Tony is coerced into joining his friend Rob’s Mixed Martial Arts class, he is surprised to find that he has a talent that he actually wants to develop. But with a meth-dealing biker gang that is hungry for recruits and a vicious cycle of poverty and violence that precedes him, Tony is going to need a lot more than blood and guts to find a way out.
Gritty, powerful, and unapologetic, Tap Out explores what it takes to stay true to oneself and the consequences of the choices made along the way in order to do so.”
Reading this book brought back a lot of bad memories. When I was little, we were poor. I grew up in a trailer park in the housing projects. Which was a place for low income people. You can imagine what the things I saw and heard. It was a bad part of the town to grow up in, but my mom is a good mother and made sure we never got into that kind of trouble. Still, reading this book I have to admit that this is true. I do have friends and even family members who have fallen prey to this. And no matter how I hard I try to help them, they always remain stuck.
So this book is straight up real and raw. It’s not pretty nor is it pleasant to read. This kids grow up with half-ass parents using them. The kids have to grow up on their own, dodge the CPS, lie, and steal cause their so hungry. I enjoyed this book cause I could easily relate to it. Tony, the main character has had enough and wants out. But how can you get out when you keep getting pulled in? I felt for Tony. He didn’t want to get involved but nobody left him a choice. His voice is strong and hard to resist. I really enjoyed being in Tony’s shoes, feeling his every emotion. The other characters in the book are good. Not one person in Tony’s life was good to him. Every person who try to help him, wanted something in return and that filled me with fury!
The plot of the book is very moving. This is the type of story that happens everyday people! It does. Some might not believe it, but when you grow up like this you know. The plot never failed to keep me entertain. There are certain parts in the book where I seriously just want to be a superhero and save them all. It’s so hard to read.
If you want a real story of what really happens to america’s poor people (not all, but most) read this book. This is why the cycle never ends. It takes someone strong (like my parents) to last and make sure we get out. Because of my parents determination to get an education and be successful, I too did the same thing. And for us, the cycle had ended. For others, its not. Tap Out is an awesome story of real life. An emotional story with extreme tension, Tap Out is right on target. Portraying an untarnished real life, Tap Out is great.
I give it 4 BITES!
Happy Reading!
I’m really glad you had such amazing parents Savy (and that you yourself were so determined), and they were able to pull you out of a potentially dangerous life so you didn’t get sucked into the cyclical nature of it. Sounds like this is a very powerful read, made all the more so by your ability to personally relate to it:)
Wow, 4 stars. I’ve had this book forever but wasn’t sure it was the book for me–but now I definitely have to check it out. But I’ll wait until I’m in the mood for it, sounds like an intense read.
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
I think the difference between those that don’t make it and those that do are that when they keep getting knocked down, they keep getting up. I like that this feels real. Makes me want to dive into it!
Yay for your awesomesauce parents! 🙂