The Unbeaten

Source of graphic: Robbie Veldwijk

Sucker Punch by David Hernandez

New York: Harper Teen, c2008.
217 p. ; 19 cm.

I first knew of David Hernandez as a poet (check out this poem of his or his web page), so I was intrigued when he came out with Sucker Punch, a work of fiction for young adults.

I enjoyed this book about two brothers who bear the scars of an abusive father who has recently abandoned his family when the novel opens. The older brother, Marcus was not beaten by the father, but Enrique, the younger - more attractive, more physical - brother was often attacked by the father. These dynamics play out in the action of the novel, which revolves around the complicated emotional ties and tension between the two young men as they pursue revenge plot on their father who is planning on returning home after a year away.

Though the writing is gritty, mature and harsh at times, there is a lot of subtlety to Hernandez' style - and his characters are fleshed out in full. Thankfully, the novel ends without being tied up neat and tidy - instead the reader is left to wonder how the plot will continue and if the characters will be able to overcome the weight of their past and the demons that haunt them.