Feast of Peonies

Rating:
Summary: sex, philosophy and the devil
Review: I read the book, yes the whole book, the same night. I didn't think the sex was that weird or freaky or overwhelming to the book. I really didn't think that sex was the point. I more got the philosophy deal. I loved the parts of the book where Obi wrote about what i'm sure were parts of his own childhood on the south side of Chicago.
I have to say, though, that my favorite part of the book was the philisophical discussion of the main character while in bed with the guy and about to have sex, yet discussing God and Satan. I have found that these types of discussions always seem to work for me in the most bizarre of circumstances. There are other books (i.e Ann Rice Memnoch the Devil.) that discuss God and the devil, but not as well and concisley. I loved the non-ending. Had there been a story line conclusion, I feel it would have completely screwed up the point.
I thought it was a fast paced, provocative, yet very deep read. Thanks!

Rating:
Summary: A Feast of Peonies
Review: In A FEAST OF PEONIES, author Obi created a memorable tale of sex, deceit, violence, and intrigue. As the reader, you were taken on a roller-coaster ride that was the life, loves and sexual escapades of one Ashanti Ra. Ashanti, an intelligent, successful man, found himself torn between two lovers, a female lawyer and a drag queen by the name of Phyllis, whom he woke next to one morning after a drunken one night stand. As Ashanti struggled with forbidden desires and a jealous lover, the unthinkable occurred, making his life even more complicated.

Following a volatile tenants meeting in the condominium complex in which Ashanti resided, Earl, the much-hated president of the tenant's association, was found slumped over a desk in his office. Ashanti was discovered by a fellow tenant standing over the body. At the wrong place and at the wrong time, Ashanti became the prime suspect in a murder investigation. On the lam and searching for the truth regarding what occurred that fateful night, Ashanti realized that few people could be trusted. Desperate to clear his name and uncover what really happened to Earl, Ashanti had to rely on instincts, wits and Phyllis to keep from ending up in a prison cell.

A FEAST OF PEONIES was at times shocking and explicit. The plot took many different twists and turns that left me exhausted. There were characters that I believed could have been developed a bit more and the resolution to the "mystery" was somewhat unsatisfying. However, Obi's unique style of writing drew me into the heart of the action. Unlike other contemporary writers, Obi incorporated spiritual and philosophical ideology about life, relationships and good versus evil into his novel, giving insight into what possibly motivated some of the characters. The author also presented a harsh look into how sexual child abuse affects a person years after the fact. All in all, the colorful characters and steamy scenes kept me turning the page. Obi has written an interesting and unforgettable novel.

Reviewed by L. Raven James
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: An Erotic Thriller
Review: Obi's Feast of Peonies opens with its main character, Ashanti Ra caught in a very compromising position. He wakes up in bed with Phyllis, a Latino drag queen that he met at a club. Phyllis easily entices Ashanti to have intercourse with him. This begins a very fast pace ride in the lives of these characters.

Ashanti is a computer programmer by trade and is on the board of directors for the tenants association where he resides. He is dating Jean Dobson and she is patiently awaiting a marriage proposal. A heated tenant association meeting introduces additional characters, one of whom Ashanti is accused of having murdered.

Ashanti is on the lam from the law. The people he trusts most seem to be untrustworthy, even Jean seems to betray him. Phyllis is the only person he can turn to for help. The story moves pretty quickly from that point. It is laden with sex, violence and suspense.

The book left me feeling empty. There were so many subplots that could have been developed into story lines. It seems the author centered the story on some very explicit sex scenes instead of telling the story. I also had a problem with the main character's ability to interact intimately with both male and females

I did enjoy Obi's ability to draw the reader into the story by using the second person viewpoint. This is very seldom done in a novel and he pulled it off successfully. With more character and plot development, this would have been a really good book.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson of Loose Leaves Book Review