Upstate

Rating:
Summary: TOUCHING VOICES OF YOUNG LOVE
Review:
The use of exchanged letters is a literary tool that has been used most effectively in a number of novels. What most quickly comes to mind is the recent A Venetian Affair, the compelling story of two star crossed lovers. Once again we are torn by the emotional story of young love, although this time in a very different setting and brought to vivid live by the voices of Chadwick Boseman and Heather Simms.

Listeners are captured by Antonio's opening lines to Natasha, "Baby, the first thing I need to know from you is do you believe I killed my father?"

Born and bred in Harlem the teenagers are madly in love. Their idyll comes to an abrupt end when Antonio is jailed for the killing of his father. And so begins a ten year long correspondence. He is on the inside, desperately trying to stay alive. She is on the outside without him and facing a number of choices - all options that aren't available to him.

Of course, both of them will change during this experience and due to the passage of time. The question is whether or not they can ever recapture the innocence and joy of the love they once shared.

Upstate is a brave, touching, sometimes gritty debut novel with broad appeal.

- Gail Cooke




Rating:
Summary: Engrossing and Entertaining
Review: A story of lost love and "instant" maturity due to tragedy, which allowed both parties to recognize that love doesn't necessarily conquer all. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book and was glued to it from beginning to end. I hope Kalisha Buckhanon will continue to pen more heart wrenching love stories.


Rating:
Summary: Until The End Of Time
Review: As I was reading UPSTATE by Kalisha Buckhanon song lyrics by Prince came to mind. "Until the end of time, I'll be there for you, you own my heart and mind, I truly adore you. If God one day struck me blind, your beauty I'd still see. Love is too weak to define just what you mean to me." Have you ever felt that way about someone? Love is a powerful thing and when you are young and in love you feel invincible. Your life revolves around the other person and vice versa. But what happens when tragedy strikes and you and your mate are torn apart? Although you feel your life is over, it must go on, and without your loved one.

Natasha and Antonio are teens in love and all of their free time is spent together. They have big plans for the future, and can't wait to make their dreams come true, as soon as they graduate from high school. But just before their senior year, Antonio is sent away for an indefinite period of time. Nastasha vows to stand by her man no matter how long it takes for him to return. Their love is put to the test during their separation and we see if love can conquer all.

Written over the course of a 10 year span, in the form of a series of letters, UPSTATE grasps Antonio and Natasha's resentment, anger and faith as they vow to be true to one another during their ordeal. Brilliantly written, UPSTATE truly touched my heart. The intense love Antonio and Natasha shared some will never find in their lifetime. It was so eloquently displayed it took me back to the time when my husband and I first met. Buckhanon's debut novel is well worth adding to your personal library. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers


Rating:
Summary: Good!
Review: I like the style of this book being told in letters. It was a good read for me and I highly recommend it to others. I think you'll appreciate the love these two young people had for each other considering what they had to contend with.

Rating:
Summary: Great Pick
Review: I loved this book, not only because I'm facing a lot of what Natasha was but because it is real. I've read so many books lately that were supposed to be "real" but had instances that could only be found in books. Everybody has a closed opinion about our black men in prison. Every man is not defined by his inmate number. We have smart, intelligent, strong black men behind the gates that may not even deserve the sentences imposed on them. This book opens the minds of young love and growth between two individuals on different sides of life. It shows what life is mostly like for men locked up and not the grimy version TV always portrays. As a woman you have a choice to stay down or to stay around. This story shows a young girl turning into a woman's challenge to make her decision with love standing in the middle. Good pick!

Rating:
Summary: Captures the Essence of Young Love and Heartbreak.
Review: The story of Natasha and Antonio is true to life and heartbreakingly beautiful. This is real literature at its finest! With a lot of garbage books flooding the market, I sincerely hope this one doesn't get lost in the shuffle. This is a true gem - the real deal. Simply put - just a phenomenal story.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: this book is helping me deal with my boyfriend being away in a detention center. i am totally connecting with natasha. its a wonderful story and even though i am not done it yet, i know it will be good.

Rating:
Summary: Upstate was well stated!
Review: This book was a literary work of art. Beautifully written--even gripping at times. A "coming of age" novel that lovers both young and old can relate to. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder....Kalisha reminded us that "life sometimes gets in the way". 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: This is a beautiful novel. It is so real and down to earth. Kalisha definitely showed how life really does get in the way sometimes...even when it comes to love.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Love Story
Review: WOW! After finishing this book I walked out of Barnes & Noble (smile) so elated and filled with this thing that can all be described as JOY. Kudos to Ms. Buckhanon on her writing of these two beautiful people. She wrote with an authenticity that is lacking at times in literature. She has made me a fan and I look forward to her next book...