Son of the Mob

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman was honestly one of those reads that pulled me in faster than I expected. I read it over a weekend, and it was hard to stop once I got into Vince’s life. Vince Luca is just a normal high school guy on the surface, but his dad being a powerful mob boss changes everything. What I liked most is how the story shows that even when Vince tries to stay out of “the life,” it still follows him everywhere, whether it’s at school or even on a simple date that turns chaotic really fast.

The story mixes a lot of different things without feeling confusing. There’s romance, especially with Kendra, but it’s not overly dramatic. Their relationship actually feels kind of awkward and real at times, like how they meet in weird situations and slowly get closer. At the same time, there are funny moments, like the lice situation or how people at school treat Vince differently because they’re scared of his family. But then there are also more serious parts, especially when Vince realizes how dangerous his situation really is, especially with Kendra’s dad being in the FBI. That conflict adds a lot of tension and makes you wonder how everything is going to work out.

What really stood out to me is Vince as a character. He doesn’t want to be part of the mob, and he tries to live a normal life, but he keeps getting pulled back into it in ways he can’t control. It makes you kind of feel bad for him, because he didn’t choose that life, but he still has to deal with the consequences. The first person writing makes it even better because you hear his thoughts directly, and it feels natural, like how a real teenager would think and react.

I think this book is perfect for readers who like realistic stories with a twist, especially if you enjoy books that mix humor, romance, and a bit of danger. It’s also good for people who like character-driven stories where you really get inside the main character’s head. Overall, it’s a really entertaining and memorable read that feels different from typical high school stories because of the whole mob element.

Reader reviewed by Jakle



The Life thats what they call it when youre a mobster. But even for those who try hardest not to be involved are always and permanently effected. At least thats the case if youre the son of the most powerful mob-boss in New York. Son of the Mob is a great realistic fiction with romance, action, and a little comedy mixed in. The book is narrated in 1st person; Vince Luca is the only male Luca that isnt involved in organized crime. At one point in the book Vince finds a knocked-out man, who owes his Dad money, in his trunk while hes on his first date in a long time. Though Vinces Dad understands his choice not to enter the family business and promises not to include him in anything that has to do with the mob, he always seems to get mixed up in it. The only time hes away from his mob family is when hes at school, but he finds trouble there too, or more like trouble finds him. Vince is playing in a school football game and the other team wont even attempt to tackle him because they think if they hurt him his Dad will hurt them. Its after the game that he meets Kendra Bightly, the school reporter. She keeps bugging him with questions that just annoy him. Later they meet at a frat party and kiss but are separated by a bunch of dancing college students. Yet their paths cross again when they are both at the nurses office, it turns out that when they kissed lice traveled from her hair to his hair. They have to leave school so they go to the supermarket together to get head lice shampoo and other lice exterminating products. They go to her house and rub the shampoo in each others hair. They end up kissing and become girlfriend and boyfriend. Things are going smoothly until Vince finds out a secret that could not only destroy their relationship but also put his Dad and his family away forever.
This book is a great story that always leaves you wanting more, it makes you feel like your in Vince Lucas mind, like you see through his eyes, like you have to dodge every mind twisting obstacle that he faces. Though the plot is a bit out there, it takes you in and the story fades away, it becomes reality and you feel included in every sentence. The style of writing is very simple but I find that you feel like you would be saying and thinking those words if you were in these circumstances. I really enjoyed the book and Im sure youll find yourself being pulled in by it too. If you finish this book and want more read Son of the Mob Hollywood Hustle. Thank you for reading my review and I hope the book works out for you.

Reader reviewed by timikay

son of the mob, a boy who is givine everything, a prince, someone who got what every kid wants money. one problem, the boy don't want it, his father a "mobster' gets his money by illegal operations. the boy don't want anything to do with it, his fathers bussinse, he wants to be legal, but not matter how much he tries to get away, it would allways be his family. even if his girlfriend is the daughter of the fbi agent who wants to put his father in jail.

i think this story is kinda like romeo and julet, both parents hate each other but thier kids are in love. it is an awsome book and is for people who like, love stories but not in a 'goeey' kinnda way.

Reader reviewed by linda

This was a hilarious book with an original and pretty great plot. Vince is trying to deal with the fact that his father is the head of the mob. His family is so powerful that teachers give him good grades, he gets great cars, and he wins football games because everyone is afraid of his father. Now, that all sounds great but when you find out that your father ordered a hit on someone or you pop open the trunk and find an unconscious body in it during your big date, things can get pretty messed up. Things get even more complicated when Vince starts going out with the daughter of the FBI agent who is trying to get his father put into jail.

Reader reviewed by Keshia

In Gordon Korman's "Son of the Mob" 17 year old Vince Luca has to deal with school/girls and not dealing where his family is getting all their money. If that wasn't enough the girl, Kendra, who he is falling for father is the FBI agent that's cased with bringing his father's 'business' down.

I liked the point of view of Vince, the cring worthy bad date that he explains in the first chap and the other characters in his life. Especially Uncle Pampers. It was very well written and light-ish even with the whole mob feel to it.

A great read.

Reader reviewed by two sided freek

Despite this book's narration, which is from a boy, which in alot of cases as I find can be somewhat perverted, this book is enlighteninly close to the truth. With the hilarious situations that Vince gets stuck in to the laugh out loud pages filled with mob talk, anyone will find this read not only to be funny but also quite deep. All I can say is that you gotta read to find out.

Reader reviewed by LJK

Vince Luca has a pretty good life. His best friends are loyal, his family is involved and caring, and he does fine in school. The only drawback would appear to be in non-existent love life. Oh, and then there is the Family. Vince's father, Anthony Luca, is the vending machine business; actually, he the head of it, and even though he swears to keep his Life from interfering with Vince's, it just never quite works out that way. Vince's brother borrows Vince's car, and leaves an unconscious Jimmy Rat in the trunk. Vince is forced to quit the football team when opposing players are too scared to tackle him. And when Vince finally finds a girl that he likes. . . well, it turns out that her father works for the FBI and is, in fact, the very agent who is listening in at Vincent's house.

Son of the Mob is a breezy look at how life would be for AJ Soprano if he had a conscience and trouble with girls. Vince's troubles, however, run a little shallow, and his sudden interest in protecting Jimmy Rat's fingers doesn't quite ring true. Vince's great romance with Kendra, FBI Princess, also appears to be more a case of teenagers in lust than any true connection. Vince spends so much time lying to her that you wonder how well they really know each other.

Although I felt that this book overreached when Vince got sucked into his father's business, the idea of a teenager conflicted about his parent's line of work is an interesting one, and Vince displays an honesty about his love for his family that is refreshing in a time when adolescents usually pretend not to know there parents. Korman is a talented writer, and the story of Vince Luca has potential if he can just stay away from vending machines.