Reviews
- For Christmas this year, I was given a fictional novel called “Purged by Darkness” by Michael
Estepa from a friend, and I read it in 2 days! It was a fantastic novel! I loved it! This novel
demonstrated the amazing friendship and loyalty between six friends in a gang world where
they’re all fighting for their lives. I read on his website that he’s writing a sequel, I can’t wait!
Reviewed by Kayla A.
Avid book reader
Sydney, Australia
- The action packed, roller – coaster ride that is Purged by Darkness made it difficult for me to put
this book down as I wanted to know what happens to these young gangsters swept up in the
criminal underworld.
The story is set in the Melbourne underworld of Australia, which revolves around a group of 6 friends who in reality are more like brothers than just friends, whom are part of a powerful Triad family, or Society as they are called in the book. As the book progresses you watch as these young gangsters discover what it’s like to live by the gun.
Michael Estepa’s raw and direct approach to his characters is both unrelenting and unforgiving. The main characters are violent criminals, yet you can’t help but feel compassion towards them. I credit this to the author’s creative ability to allow the reader to empathise and genuinely feel the moment lived and displayed by his characters. However, the author in no way glorifies the criminal life. If anything he is able to depict a sad but realistic portrayal of the gangster underworld often glamorized by the media, especially in movies to our young generations.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Michael for several years, long before he published his first and only novel to date. From a personal level, I can tell you that you’ll never find someone as down to earth, friendly and as determined as he is. Ever since I’ve known him, he’s wanted to do nothing but make a positive difference in people’s lives no matter how small, and I believe his book, Purged by Darkness will do just that.
Regardless of whether you’re a fan of the gangster/crime genre, this is a must read for anyone wanting to read a book that will inspire you to keep going no matter what life throws your way!
Reviewed by Thi Santos
Manager and host of Loud Tribe Radio Station
Sydney, Australia
- There’s no escaping the bind of friendship. This gritty first novel from Michael Estepa captures the reality of pressures which can imprison youth if caught on the ‘wrong-side’ of life. A group of friends have to decide what’s important in a relationship which can have tragic consequences for the players embroiled in violence, drugs and warfare in Melbourne’s backstreets. Michael Estepa captures this reality, and gives a passionate resolution to the commitment that binds such a group and the loyalty which can entrap. This is an earthy novel, where prose can often leap from the page.
Daniel Ferguson
Collections & Assets Coordinator
Fairfield City Library, Sydney, Australia
- I found this book to be extremely exciting. I've always loved books that are able to convey the relationship between people who are put to the test. In desperate times is when a person’s character is most obvious and it always amazes me how much strength a person/character can possess. This very talented writer has a way of capturing your heart and you can't help but feel for the members of this gang.
Reviewed by Bridget Hopper
Book reviewer, bridget3420.blogspot.com
To read the full review click here.
- Michael Estepa tells a realistic story of young men who feel they have no other choice but to join a "society" and participate in the accompanying violent and tragic gang lifestyle. He speaks from personal experiences and observations but has centered the fictional novel around Kai, who is surprisingly thoughtful and intuitive.
Estepa writes in the introduction about his concerns for young men who are making these choices and says he wants to portray the lifestyle without glorifying it. He has done a great job striking this balance.
Reviewed by Tiffany Norris
Book reviewer, tiffanynorris.blogspot.com
To read the full review click here.
- Purged by Darkness by Michael Estepa takes a look at the criminal underworld of Melbourne, Australia through the eyes of Kai, an up and coming member of the Triads. Kai is the boss of his group of friends. As the group of friends becomes higher in the society, they gain the resentment of other members as well as other Societies. The group becomes targeted and friends start to fall.
The problem is, once you are in, you are in for life. Kai comes to terms with his morality and what he wants for his future. I won’t tell you any more than that – you should read it to find out what happens to this gangster. ..
Reviewed by Confessions of a Real Librarian Blog
To read the full review click here.
- "Purged by Darkness" by Michael Estepa contains a story that was able to build my curiosity with each page I read. The twists and turns of the story were incredible. My adrenalin kept on pumping at every chapter I finished. This must be the reason why it took me so quick to reach the end of the book, like thunder that came and went, pretty fast!
I fancy stories of these kinds. Law and the underworld attract my attention more than anything else. This book kept me to my seat, always wondering what would happen next. The story depicts street kids growing up without the guidance of parents who end up falling victim to the vices and lures of the narcotics industry. More and more we are seeing young adolescents becoming liabilities to society, rather than assets. This unfortunately seems to be the trend in the generation our children are living in.
The story of Kai and his friends, Ricky, Leo, Phillip, Daniel and Joseph's rise to fame, fortune and power in the Melbourne underworld were surprisingly quick. It was quite an achievement! Determination was what I saw in Kai. But would Kai’s sudden rise to criminal notoriety be a burden or a blessing?
This book will definitely help many of our young people who fell into the wrong crowd to deal with their own demons and hopefully, find a way to get out of the mess they themselves created. Many of today’s teenagers are trapped in a dangerous lifestyle with no means to escape. This book will aid in bringing down the belief of “I am invincible because I am young”. There is always a consequence to ones actions.
Reviewed by Teresita Tenorio
Contributor: Philippine Community Herald Newspaper
- Purged by Darkness is a fictional account of gang life and the toll it takes on members, their families, and friends. Those who are interested in organized crime will find in this new novel a revealing look at life on the inside, with its perils and far reaching consequences.
Reviewed by Harvee Lau
Book reviewer, bookbirddog.blogspot.com
To read the full review click here.
- Purged by Darkness is a gritty novel that follows Kai and his five friends throughout a tumultuous time in the Triad Wongshiu Society. Power struggles, violence, and crime are woven in with the personal side of a vicious gang.
Michael Estepa shows a raw side to his characters and gives the gangsters a human appeal. He shows their heartache and struggle to deal with death, the lack of love, and gritty loyalty required of them. You can feel the internal fight as Kai and his friends grow up in this life and as he reflects on his life of crime.
As the story progresses, Estepa sucks you in. I look forward to any novels he may write in the future. I recommend this book if you like organized crime in any country. There is plenty of action, crime, and emotions.
Reviewed by: Jenera Healy
Book reviewer, jenerahealy.com
To read the full review click here.
- Estepa paints a sad portrait of young men pulled into a life by tradition and greed. The love and loyalty they have for each other and the disillusion with the life style provide a counterpoint to the casual acceptance of lethal violence as a business tool. Kai’s introspection shows the stark reality of how youthful indiscretion can lead to adult despair.
I recommend the book, it isn’t an easy read but it may provide better insight to the motivation of the young men who fill the ranks of gangs worldwide regardless of their society.
Reviewed by William Bentrim
Book reviewer, bookrevues.blogspot.com
To read the full review click here. - Purged by Darkness by Michael Estepa takes a look at the criminal underworld of Melbourne, Australia through the eyes of Kai, an up and coming member of the Triads. Kai and his five friends have been involved in this organization since Kai was 15 and his friends were 17. Kai is the boss of his group of friends, and eventually becomes a Branch Leaders after he plans and leads a hit on another member who has broken the rules of the society. But, the life is not all about power and money. As the group of friends becomes higher in the society, they gain the resentment of other members as well as other Societies. The group becomes targeted and friends start to fall.
The problem is, once you are in, you are in for life. Kai comes to terms with his morality and what he wants for his future. After losing more friends than anyone should have to deal with, Kai decides to run.
I won’t tell you any more than that – you should read it to find out what happens to this gangster.
I have to admit, I really felt for this character. I can’t imagine losing your friends because of the life of crime you have chosen – a choice made as a stupid kid at age 15. It was hard to see him react to the deaths of his friends. And when he has to make the ultimate choice, I understood why he felt that he had to do what he did.
I had a little trouble with some of the dialog, however. I wondered if gangsters would really talk like that to each other at a couple points. But, I was able to get around that and appreciate the story for what it was – an action filled, coming of age story about six friends and the life they chose.
Reviewed by: Confessions of a Real Librarian Blog
- Purged by Darkness is a fascinating story written by Michael Estepa about six friends who are drawn together to form a glue-like bond stronger than any conventional family they have ever known. However, this same family will display acts of relentless violence and brutality on a moment’s notice when members show signs of weakness or disloyalty.
Under the reigns of a strict, ruthless leader this gang pursues a life of crime based on selling drugs as well as various other criminal activities. An empire is built in the process. To assert their dominance in the streets of Melbourne members will have to dodge bullets from rival gangs and stay under the radar from the police almost on a daily basis. Estepa is able to immerse the reader in the tremendous financial rewards of this close knit group and the spin-offs that go with it whilst exposing us to the risks these individuals face thereby providing us with a roller coaster rush of adrenalin right till the very end.
Estepa’s varied characters are easy to follow and relate to. These characters often remind the reader of the best friends or shady characters we grew up with. The characters provide a simple and direct way for the reader to become attached closer to the story-line and the major concerns of this young, yet mature writer.
This is especially true of Kai, the central character and leader of the group. After many loyal years of unwavering service, sacrifice and climbing his way to the top of the crime pyramid, Kai starts to secretly question the workings of the gang and the world that he has become a key part of. He is profoundly shaken by the lives that have been lost around him and the soft promptings of his new found love interest. The promise of a fresh beginning filled with hope and a sense of unpredictability prove to be too strong to resist and thus leave Kai with no choice but to take the unprecedented steps of leaving his family. This journey is one that is fraught with extreme danger but fear is not something that Kai will allow to control his life and it is no different this time.
This is a gripping book with a deep insight into the operations of a gang revealing aspects that the reader will find intriguing and enthralling. This is a great read for those who like non-stop action as they are given a licence to pan through the activities of the underworld crime figures and are not to be left disappointed, finding rich nuggets of gold in a simple, flowing style of writing that is extremely reader friendly.
This is a book not to be missed! Michael Estepa has written a great book with a thought provocative message for all to hear.
Reviewed by Anthony Chidiac
Teacher, Patrician Brothers College Fairfield
Sydney, Australia