The Brothers Torres

Reader reviewed by Dominique

Frankies brother Steve, is everything hes notpopular, the star soccer player at their high school in New Mexico, and the guy that can get any girl he wants. Frankie waits tables at his familys restaurant, Les Torres, passes time by setting off explosives with his best friend Zach, and tries to gather the courage to ask his long-time friend and crush, Rebecca out.

Frankie may look up to his brother, but he still resents the fact that Steve has never had to wait a table in his life, has all the girls throwing themselves at him, and is not too happy with the fact that Steve is trying to earn the respect, and possibly join the local cholos, a group of dangerous teens in town. Yet Frankie lies and covers for Steve when he mysteriously doesnt come home some nights and comes home looking a little banged up.

The prospects for Frankie dont look that promising as he continues to spend his time lower on the food chain than his brother and watches as his crush gets asked to homecoming but rich boy John Dalton. John Dalton is the son of the local businessman responsible for the Tortilla Emporium; the huge enterprise that bought Rebeccas family secret recipe for their tortillas, mass produced it and became rich. Dalton is also on the soccer team with Steve, but the two arent friends since Daltons arrogant despite being quite an awful player.

But when Frankie gets into several confrontations with Dalton, eventually ending in a fight where Frankie gets beat up, Steve steps in. Helping his brother out and actually acknowledging Frankie in school, Steve promises to help Frankie get revenge on Dalton. But just how far will Steve go for revenge? Is it all just for show for the cholos? Frankie isnt nearly as tough or brutal as Steve; but can he stop his brother if he goes too far? Can Frankie stand up for whats right, or will he be unable to stop his brother and the rising conflict?

The Brothers Torres had a very honest and sincere tone throughout the whole book, and the characters, especially Frankies was very well developed. The honesty of this book really kept my attention and made The Brothers Torres an extremely realistic and captivating read. The Brother Torres reminded me that books dont need to have some fantastically stunning supernatural element or shock you and grab your attentiona well written story with a honest and believable tone can hold your attention just as well as any fantasy book!
Unfortunately, I do not take Spanish and so the some of the little phrases in this book were lost on me, but other than that, I recommend The Brother Torres to all readers, Spanish student or not, looking for a meaningful and honest book.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Frankie Towers is an awkward and self-conscious guy whos low on the social ladder, unlike his older brother Steve. Thats why Frankie looks up to Steve so much; Steve seems to have it all: popularity, girls, a soccer scholarship, even respect from the dangerous cholos. Unfortunately, Steve doesnt have time for his brother Frankie anymore with his current image to uphold. But when Frankie makes an enemy of rich white boy John Dalton, Steve steps in to help his brother. Although Frankies social status is raised with the help of his brother Steve, landing him a date with his dream girl, sometimes Frankie feels that his brother is a complete stranger to him. He finds himself wondering why he has to lie all the time for Steve and just how far Steve plans on taking the conflict with Dalton. In this beautifully written coming-of-age story, Voorhees explores the bonds of brotherhood and friendship and the importance of thinking for yourself.

Im not kidding when I say that The Brothers Torres is an incredibly written and amazing story. Frankies character is so well-developed that I was sucked into his story even when I felt like criticizing him for being a jerk. Even though Ive never been to anyplace from Frankies New Mexican hometown Borges, everything from the limited date spots to the potential threat of the cholos felt completely natural. Theres something so honest and profound about Voorhees writing that leaves room for other laughs and life lessons. I was a little irritated that I couldnt understand all of the Spanish phrases with my limited Spanish skills, but thats where my negative comments about his novel end. The Brothers Torres has culture, an exciting plot, believable characters, and a meaningful moral.

I came away from reading this novel thinking, wow in a slightly stunned way. I dont think I expected this novel to be this good. The Brothers Torres is a definite must-read. I look forward to more wonderfully-written novels from Voorhees in the hopefully near future.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com