Point of View

The novel is written in first-person from the limited perspective of Maverick Carter. At age 17, his experiences play an important role in his perspective. His father was heavily involved in a gang, the King Lords, and Maverick claims membership in that gang because of the camaraderie and the protection the gang provides. His best friend, King, was named after the gang. Both of King's parents are dead. His cousin, Dre, holds an important place in the gang, and Maverick looks up to Dre. When Dre is murdered, the gang members step up, paying for the funeral, providing Maverick with a new suit, and checking to ensure the family's daily needs are met. These factors have affected Maverick so that he believes being part of the gang is acceptable and normal. He sells drugs without feeling any remorse and makes plans to kill Dre's murderer. Gradually...