OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Redemption Bound" by SK Alfstad.]

Redemption Bound, written by SK Alfstad, is a wholehearted and original tale of hope and redemption in which readers meet a teenager named Benito Garcia, aka Beni. Beni hates school and loves his job at a music and pool bar. He dreams of making a living as a musician (guitarist and singer). Unfortunately, the protagonist spirals down a destructive path due to bad influences and drugs. Readers follow his ups and downs as he struggles with lust, liquor, and drugs.

I enjoyed reading this story. The author filled the book with imaginative and stimulating musical discussions, references, and lyrics that lent it a wonderfully unique atmosphere, especially for music lovers. The author inserts lyrics of songs such as Comfortably Numb, by Pink Floyd, Folsom Prison Blues, by Johnny Cash, and Sober, by Pink, among many others, in all the right places. It felt like reading a book with a soundtrack. This aspect was what I appreciated the most about this title.

Additionally, I liked the contrast between two women that are integral parts of Beni’s life. I felt that the author did a great job of portraying them. Dawn was a sweet girl who was Beni’s on-again-off-again romance since he was a freshman, while Patricia, a girl who was a couple of years older than Beni and used him to sell drugs, was a markedly bad influence. Patricia manipulates Beni and gets him arrested more than once, and she has an almost supernatural presence in his life.

Another positive was the book’s philosophical undercurrent and its symbolism. For instance, Beni gets a set of tattoos (his mother’s name, his son’s name, the Grim Reaper, and Jesus) that relate to his ambivalence and inner conflicts.

Speaking of negatives now, I felt that the author could have better developed the book’s ending. There’s a fundamental twist near the end in which another character (Marquise Green) joins the narrative. Since I’m not allowed to give away any spoilers, I cannot explore why I felt the story lost a little traction here. What I can say is that I thought the transition and the book’s ending felt a bit abrupt, and I was a bit frustrated. I would have liked to see a smoother transition.

Wrapping things up, I decided to rate Redemption Bound 3 out of 4 stars. I’m deducting a star due to the abrupt ending previously explained. The book seemed professionally edited, although it had a few minor mishaps. If you enjoy stories of redemption and are a music fan, it will surely please you. Due to its difficult themes, it is a book for adults.

******
Redemption Bound
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

It was very thoughtful of the author to include lyrics of songs into this book. This is a very honest review. I enjoyed reading it. And I am looking forward to reading this book.

A story of hope, redemption and a negative influence. Great review.

the music and a story of redemption, concepts that i'm a fan of. I think I'll read this book. it seems very interesting to me. Thank you

I am a good fan of music, especially instruments. Thanks for the review

This is an example of the many struggles that teenagers go through. It's unfortunate the book had such an abrupt ending.

Good dreams and aspirations gone wrong, the relatable world of musicians spiraling downward especially due to negative influences is very common in this day an age.....very nice review

Great plot. This should be interesting to read. Thank you for the review.

The book seems to have a good storyline. Would check it. Thanks for a well brought out review.

The topics in this historical fiction novel are not to appealing to me and the abrupt transition and ending is a bit of a put-off, so I will pass on this one. Thanks for a good review.

I love this kind of book it a story within a story from being an addict, to music venture to redemption the author brought out a nice movie out of it I will always recommend

This seems interesting. The important thing is he redeemed himself as the title implies. Too bad about the abrupt ending. Thanks for your review.

I like coming-of-age stories where the character experiences ups and downs on his path. I am not a die-hard music fan, but i would like to read this book nevertheless.

To be finally free from Lust and drugs is a thing to shout about. This is my major interest in this book. Thanks for the review.

I disagree that the book appeared to be professionally edited. Misspelling Led Zeppelin each time the band was mentioned, calling the band, Little Big Town, Little Big "Horn", and leaving the word "We" out of the title to Sometimes When We Touch are not minor mishaps and would have been caught if professionally edited. Also, the missing quotation marks in dialogue made it difficult to know who was saying what.