The Disciples by D. Fuller Smith follows the lives of two young men, Sam and Carmine, who team up to pursue big goals of wealth and success. Despite their difficult upbringing and the challenges that lie ahead, Carmine’s desire for more in life makes an impression on Sam. Together, they grow determined to break the poverty cycle and recruit more people to achieve their plans, as disciples or followers, with the promise of a better, more lucrative life.

The author captures the big dreams and fantasies of young, influential students living on the edge of society through informal dialogue and brief, time-specific chapters that portray a minute-by-minute recollection and a sense of urgency with visual imagery and descriptions. I enjoyed the complex nature of the characters and their discussion of topics ranging from religion and politics to debt, work, and hope for the future. It’s a blend of naive excitement, uphill struggles, and potential exploitation due to their precarious situation.

I enjoyed the blunt, jarring style of the characters’ dialogue and personalities, which is well-developed and intriguing. They must battle their surroundings and the outcome of their shady decisions, articulating the world around them and finding their place in society. It’s an entertaining read sprinkled with humor, wit, and action. While the conversational-heavy story takes some getting used to, Fuller Smith does an exceptional job of bringing each character to life with their unique dialects and individual style.

The Disciples by D. Fuller Smith is about taking risks and surviving, written with realistic, raw narration. The story unfolds through the eyes and dialogue of the characters, who provide the gritty nature of their lives against the backdrop of a world they want to conquer and achieve success. It’s an entertaining read that is creative and original, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Pages: 393 | ASIN : B0BTQM3NW8