Skin of Tattoos

By: Christina Hoag

Narrated by: Andre G. Chapoy

LA homeboy Magdaleno Argueta is desperate for a fresh start out of gang life, but after doing time on a frameup, he finds the only door open to him is continuing with his clica, the Cyco Lokos. He figures he’ll stay in for a while to save money to get away from Los Angeles with his girl, but his archrival homie Rico sees him as a threat and schemes to get Mags out of the way forever. Mags plays right into Rico’s hands, only realizing what his homie is up to after it’s too late. Then Mags must make a difficult sacrifice to save his family and himself.

Drawn from the author’s extensive interviews with street gang members in Los Angeles and San Salvador, this noir crime novel explores a poor immigrant family’s struggle to survive in a gritty world where gangs appear to offer youth a way out but instead ensnare them in a dead-end life. Note, the cover shown is the old edition. There's a new, much better cover.

©2016, 2021 Christina Hoag (P)2022 Christina Hoag

Deadly Gangster Life

Having served a prison sentence for a fellow Cyco Lokos, Magdaleno finds himself once again being drawn back into the gang lifestyle upon release. His hopes to leave the lifestyle with his girlfriend are thwarted. Forced to make life-threatening decisions, Magdaleno discovers there is no escape.

The author, Christina Hoag brings to life the deadly and complicated ways of those intimate with the gang lifestyle. Woven carefully within the suspense of the story are characters that are realistic in both their actions and dialogue. Hoag, with her experience with gangs and their members, pulls back the curtain and gives her listeners an inside point of view. A point of view that is both frightening and gripping.

The narrator, Andre G. Chapoy brings the story to life with unique voices clearly defining the characters. He speaks clearly and with the correct tone and cadence for the characters and situation. I have not heard anything from Andre Chapoy until this performance, but I look forward to hearing more books performed by him.

This is a rare look into the gang lifestyle from an author with insight and experience. Combined with the authentic storyline, characters, and dialogue it is also the narrator that brings this story to life.

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

5 star read

Skin of Tattoos.
This book caught me by surprise, I sort of expected a gory murder.
But instead I found a poignant tale of a young gang member and his attempts to escape from gang life.
Beautifully written and a gripping storyline it is a book I'll remember for a long time.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and happily leave my honest review.

candyman

I started listening and planned on a few chapters. A few chapters turned into the entire book. I couldn't stop listening . I was hooked until the last word. A bittersweet ending. Very good. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters and story to life.

Skin of Tattoos

What happens after your out? Do you go back to the life? Or do you make your own way?
These are all things our hero has to think about.

Family and Gang pressure and wanting to do the right thing, what is the right thing?
Mags wants to do what is right but its not as easy as his parole officer makes it out to be.

The father, son relationship stuck out to me the most how hard it was for Mags to want to please his father and it felt at times like the father didn't care.
The whole family is interesting the story is intriguing and made me want to keep listening the narration was perfection.

Great story of a man trying to escape LA gang life

I was not expecting to enjoy this story as much as I did as its not a genre I typically listen to. The story of a Los Angeles gang member fresh out of prison and adjusting to life on the outside, wanting a fresh start but finding things do not go according to plan. The characters are engaging and Andre G. Chapoy brings the character of Mags to life along with his desires, fears, and problems. I liked how the story developed and avoided familiar tropes; making it feel more real. This is the second book of Christina Hoag’s books I’ve listened to and looking forward to hearing more in the future.

I was given a free copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review which has not been influenced by the party that provided it.

Great story

This book was more than I thought it would be. Over the span of several years you live the life with a gang an ex con trying to go straight and get away from the gang fall in love looses girl. All his trials and tribulations. I really enjoyed it. The narrator did an awesome job with the multi voices and keeping up with them.
I received this free from the author or narrator for an honest review.