Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives, #1) in Q&A with Marita A. Hansen

Sep 21, 2013 Marita Hansen added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

This is my book, so I won't rate it, since that would be silly. Anyway, I've finished the re-read (that last line!), and will start re-reading Behind the Tears (book 2) - another of my works that I haven't looked at since it was published. Anyway, after I've published Hungover (Blurred Lines #2), I'm seriously considering adding another book to this series (book 5). I'll see how things go, though 2023 is for finishing off what I've started. I have so many unfinished products, so I'm going to for ...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Chippy Marco rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: social-realism, cry-your-eyes-out, to-read-again, new-zealand, hot-guys, saucy-sex-scenes, violence, gritty

Okay, so I've read this twice, which says one thing, I LOVED IT! I tend to prefer dark stories, gritty ones that don't hold back, and this one DEFINITELY didn't hold back. It was heartstopping right from the very first chapter when Maia decided to take off to a party and in the process walks past a gang of boys, the leader (Tama, who's on the cover) having already had MAJOR issues with her brother, and not to mention Maia had previously kicked him in the nuts for grabbing her breasts, soooo... y Okay, so I've read this twice, which says one thing, I LOVED IT! I tend to prefer dark stories, gritty ones that don't hold back, and this one DEFINITELY didn't hold back. It was heartstopping right from the very first chapter when Maia decided to take off to a party and in the process walks past a gang of boys, the leader (Tama, who's on the cover) having already had MAJOR issues with her brother, and not to mention Maia had previously kicked him in the nuts for grabbing her breasts, soooo... you can guess that Maia is not in a good situation. So, the boys start following her and lewd suggestions leaves Tama's mouth, and with Maia being Maia, someone who can't keep her mouth shut, she insults him, and then the sprint is on, a fantastic chase scene that will leave you riveted to the pages, your heart banging away, praying that Maia gets away. And from this one chapter, the outcome of this chase, a chain of events are unleashed and people are bought to their knees. The gang leader goes on the run, but with plans that will cause more havoc, Maia's brother (Nike) goes on the rampage looking to get revenge, and then you have everyone else caught up in their feud: Jess (Nike's wife), Leila (Both Nike and Tama's ex who still holds a MAJOR flame for Nike), Jayden (Tama's best friend), Mikey (Tama's cousin and Maia's crush and the one who broke my heart), Maia herself, and so forth. You get to see and experience these different people's lives and how this one event affects them.

Now a warning, this is definitely an R18 book, because it is violent and has a number of sex scenes (some smoking hot (Yeah, Nike! You'll want a piece of him, I know I did), some loving, some just down and dirty (Tama), and one flying solo, lol, you'll get what I mean, the dirty, dirty guy...). So, this book isn't for wimps. It delves into the rougher side of life in South Auckland, a part of New Zealand, which has a lot of issues. For you Americans, it's probably the equivalent of Harlem.

Yes, I'll be re-reading this one again, especially certain scenes ;) Hmmm... Nike, yum.

P.S.
I think Luke Pasqualino would be perfect to play Nike.

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Update of Jess and Nike:

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Aug 12, 2011 Denna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-series

INTENSE! I could probably leave my review at this one word and that would say it all. What a nerve wracking read. At first I thought there were going to be too many point of view characters for me to get involved emotionally, but they all tied back to each other perfectly. I had no problem keeping track of who was who and how they related back to each of the other characters. By the last three-quarters of the book I had the phones turned off and the Do Not Disturb sign hung on the door. I had to INTENSE! I could probably leave my review at this one word and that would say it all. What a nerve wracking read. At first I thought there were going to be too many point of view characters for me to get involved emotionally, but they all tied back to each other perfectly. I had no problem keeping track of who was who and how they related back to each of the other characters. By the last three-quarters of the book I had the phones turned off and the Do Not Disturb sign hung on the door. I had to know what was going to happen and I didn’t want any interruptions. Marita Hansen did not disappoint. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

Tama is a tough guy gang leader who causes problems wherever he goes. He starts things off by stabbing Maia, a 14-year-old girl, while trying to rape her and then has the nerve to try to push the blame for it off on her. Tama has a habit of pushing the blame for all his problems onto anyone but himself. Maia’s older brother Nike and Tama are long time enemies and Nike is determined to make Tama pay for what he did to his little sister. But Tama has eyes for Nike’s wife next and no one is safe who tries to get in his path.

This novel is brutal in its honesty, giving a true-to-life picture of gang life and the destruction that goes along with it. If you’re at all squeamish, this is probably not the book for you. Lives are destroyed, whole families destroyed, in a matter of seconds because of selfish desires. I’ll read just about anything I can get my hands on and it had me cringing in a few places-—praying in others. I got attached to these characters in the short time it took me to read it and it hurt me when they got hurt. At the same time I’m being repulsed by what’s taking place, I’m also getting pulled in. It takes real talent to pull off a story like this. I can’t wait to read the next one by Marita Hansen. This story may take place in New Zealand, but the same story could be told in any gang territory in the States. Definitely earned the five stars I’m going to give Behind the Hood.

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Aug 28, 2012 Lorrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle, young-adult, abuse, favorite-reads-2012, memorable-character-s, intense-emotional-angsty, gangs

06/04/13 - Re-reading the series so I'm ready when Behind The Lens (Behind the Lives, #3) comes out at the end of this month. So excited!!

Wow! Another crazy intense read from Marita Hansen - that's two for two. I liked Graffiti Heaven a little more than Behind The Hood - I just overall liked some of the characters better, and it had Ash in it.
Definitely a nail biter. First I was worried about Maia, and then I was worried about Jesse, and then I was worried about Mikey, and then Nike! While it wa ...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Wow!! This debut work by Marita Hansen just resonates with authenticity. It is violent and no-holds-barred, but not OTT.....I see flashes of these mentalities and lifestyles in the families of some of the children I teach. Not yet available in mainstream NZ bookstores (set as it is in South Auckland), but certainly should be! Will have to buy a copy for my son via Amazon in the meantime......and I look forward to more from this author.

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Feb 09, 2012 tinyneuron rated it liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I enjoy reading NZ based books especially the gritty ones. One thing I noticed was that all the characters had flaws. I had high hopes for some of them like Maia, Mikey, the health professionals etc. Yes the staff members at the hospital (It seemed like the main characters all end up getting dragged to the hospital for one reason or another.)... and not to forget the Police.

1. Damn the police took ages to find Tama. NZ's police department cannot be that useless. NZ is small and when it comes to I enjoy reading NZ based books especially the gritty ones. One thing I noticed was that all the characters had flaws. I had high hopes for some of them like Maia, Mikey, the health professionals etc. Yes the staff members at the hospital (It seemed like the main characters all end up getting dragged to the hospital for one reason or another.)... and not to forget the Police.

1. Damn the police took ages to find Tama. NZ's police department cannot be that useless. NZ is small and when it comes to seeking out criminals the first people you should ask are their whanau and friends. They're their first line of defense and would surely hide them. I was happy that Mikey's mum called the police on Tama but everything else about her is just unlikeable to say the least.

2. Another issue of mine was Mikey's flat-lining scenario. So Maia's mum called for help and "a nurse ran into the room, quickly followed by a doctor". Okay, as I can remember Mikey is in ICU. No way would there only be one nurse and one doctor running. On Emergency situations, teams of people will run to the room. When I say teams I meant nurses, surgeons, anesthetists, code red team etc and they can all come from different areas of the hospital.

It then said on the book "the doctor placed paddles on and below Mikey's chest". Paddles are obsolete and hospitals rarely use them here in NZ. Say this happened late at night (I doubt it because Maia and her mum got to see Mikey) and there was only the doctor and nurse, then getting the "paddles" ready wouldn't have been the first thing they have done. CPR would've come first - Chest compressions while providing oxygen to the patient, getting the resuscitation trolley...

3. Please don't assume that all staff members in the hospital are stupid because they look old, funny, pudgy, hot etc. I was surprised that they let Maia and her mum into ICU since they're not really immediate family (her mum claimed he was her nephew)and it's a restricted area. But of course everyone is bound to do something stupid since no one is perfect and unfortunately it is true that stupid health professionals do exist. What made me sad is when Tama assumed that the doctor who was asking about Leila's condition was looking down on him. I hope that people who live under terrible conditions like some of the kids in the book don't think that all hospital staff/healthcare providers look down on them. We don't. We'll some of us don't anyway. It doesn't matter if you're dress like a hoodlum, your wound has maggots in it, you abuse us... They are our patients and we are there to treat them regardless. I'm just pointing this out because it's a common misconception and people have trouble trusting healthcare providers because of what they hear from their friends (who sometimes don't know any better) and false media adaptation of health professionals. So rather than getting the appropriate treatment, these people let things get worse.

4. I'm in a bit of a gray area when it comes to revenge. Sometimes violence is the best way to communicate to some people because no matter how much sense your words make, at some point those who are so far off in their heads cannot comprehend the logic in it. Killing someone on the other hand... Doesn't matter how right Nike thought it was but because the law here in NZ sucks (the criminal has more protection than the victim), he was better off just letting the police handle Tama. He's not exactly a professional killer...

5. Maia and Mikey... I wish they had more self esteem. But then there wouldn't be much of an issue to overcome if they did.

6. Despite hating Tama, the cover art was nicely done. The rendering, the pose, tattoo etc.

7. I'm pleased that the book wasn't just another gang influenced story. There really wasn't much of a real gang like in Alan Duff's works. It's just groups of friends and families covering each others backs.

8. The writing is raw but what made me keep reading was its straight-forwardness. No sugar-coating and unnecessary descriptions. It fitted the story.

9. I couldn't seem to find a moral message in this book. Like how some authors convey these do good messages. I don't think I'd recommend the book to a school truant because he might use the book as a weapon to beat someone to a pulp. There's not much lightheartedness in this book that would change their attitude.

10. Nice cliffhanger at the end! ...more

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Oct 09, 2013 Heather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

5 SLAP TAMA IN THE FACE STARS

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JKHSKJLDHFLJHLKSJIOEHOUIHUHSD:LKNFLKSJDILJ!!!!

Ok....now that I have gotten that outta the way....let's get to this.

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In Behind the Hood, we meet Tama.....effing TAMA. He has an uncanny ability to screw everything up and hurt people. He lacks compassion for most people with the exception of his Momma, his sister, and his cousin. He doesn't take responsibilty for his actions and is only out to get ahead ...more

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Feb 09, 2012 Katherine Holmes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Strong in character, persistently at pace, Behind the Hood follows the delinquent Tama after he “cuts” a girl who is hospitalized. His flight from one mate to the girls from his street gang, and finally to the married girl he has wanted, links characters who become invested in the street crime and too often are hospitalized. Tama’s sultry but offending sexuality, driving him, builds a plot that entangles too many into a domino of violence.

The book is compellingly written, woven in both descript ...more

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Oct 03, 2013 Bethany rated it really liked it · review of another edition

While it took me a bit to get into this book I ended up really enjoying it. I found it interesting how one thing led to another and to such extremes. I found some of the actions shocking and couldn't believe some of what happened. All in all it was a pretty good book. ...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Fee (Ebook Addicts) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

a rollercoster of a book, gritty and violent from the word go. Tama really irritated the hell out of me so much I wished he was dead from the beginning.

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Aug 26, 2011 Ian Ellis rated it really liked it

As the description says, not for the fainthearted.

This is a real page-turner, that keeps you gripped to the end. There are multiple points of view, and these are cleverly woven together to give a clear understanding of the mindset of each of the characters and their struggle with gang life.

I'll be keen to read the next installment. ...more

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