I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young rapper’s world unravels after the events of a deadly shooting in author Darius Cache’s “Bernard’s Song.”

The Synopsis

Scorned, revenge is no longer a dish best served cold for Bernard Woods leaving blood on the streets of Northside Atlanta.

Darius Cache is a voice for people of color who are teenagers, people of color who are young adults, and parents of these groups. This novel is a true to life tale centering conversations around mental health and repairing family structure related to conflict resolution, conquering substance abuse, and anger management. Bernard’s Song is an account of his actual life that can be described as biographical urban fiction. Bernard wants to be rich but doesn’t have any real goals. Bernard’s love interest is equally addicted to the fast life and takes a job working as a strip club bottle girl. Bernard and his cousin talk with thick Atlanta accents. The reader might understand what goes through the mind of Bernard—he raps with a crew called DVS. Bernard is a fraudster and thief, a robber and crack dealer who kills Teddie. Doraville becomes the site of a major shootout and Bernard is critically wounded. In his final thoughts, he walks back memories. Parallel themes of love, loyalty, and resilience mimic the life of everyday people.

Nardo is the protagonist in Bernard’s Song. Nardo is a wannabe rapper/trapper who is the main character. Nardo is a 23-year-old, black male with close-cropped black hair, athletic build and medium height. Nardo is shady. Teddie is the antagonist in Bernard’s Song. Teddie is a drug trafficker who supplies the main character. Teddie is a white male, 25 years old with blonde hair. Teddie runs a wholesale marijuana distribution operation. Alicia is the love interest in Bernard’s Song. Alicia is an aspiring chef who smokes weed and likes to drink. Alicia is a 24-year-old black female, long dark hair, athletic build with large breasts and wide hips. Alicia is scandalous. Marco, the main character’s cousin, is the confidant/ally in Bernard’s Song. Marco is the father of one child, a son. Marco is a 23-year-old black male with close-cropped black hair and similar body attributes as the main character although slightly more muscular. Marco is cunning.

The main character faces copious amounts of adversity. He endures all things until the end; most of his problems are his own doing. The main character could be a victim or a hero depending on the reader’s perspective. Inevitably, every person must face their own battles individually. Bernard’s Song does a good job of unmasking the main character and relating similarities between our common existence.

The Review

This was a powerful, honest, and visceral read. The author did a marvelous job of infusing the setting, culture, and tone of life in Atlanta in a refreshingly compelling way. The strong language and relatability many readers will have with this cast of characters help reinforce Atlanta itself as a character of sorts, capturing the gritty heart of what life in the city is like for many people while also utilizing powerful imagery in the author’s writing style to make these iconic landmarks and streets come to life on the page. 

The driving force of this narrative was the complex character development and the strong themes the story featured. The author’s exploration of the protagonist’s struggles and morality in the face of adversity and hardship was insightful, as it highlighted the clash of culture, mental health, and identity all at once. The tension and violence often endured in this Atlanta community were visceral in nature, keeping the reader in suspense as the narrative raced towards its explosive conclusion. 

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and compelling, author Darius Cache’s “Bernard’s Song” is a must-read urban fiction and genre fiction novel. The twists and turns in the story, along with the realism the author infused into this tense and heartbreaking narrative, tell a compelling and essential tale as one man struggles to make the right choices in his life when the world around him is crumbling, keeping the reader invested in the story until the very end. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Darius Cache (pronounced kash) published his first book, Bernard’s Song, which mirrored his life and tumultuous circumstances. His company, Darius Cache Company LLC and Noah’s Fund for Mental Health Research & Education, Inc., a nonprofit organization, represent his entrepreneur mindset. He has committed 100% of Amazon book sale earnings to Noah’s Fund.

Darius Cache is the father of one son, Nahledge. He often participates in school programs and donated his children’s book, The Adventures of Veggies with Jam. His focus is brand identity and financial literacy encouraging teenagers and young adults who are people of color and their parents to pay close attention to credit scores, saving habits, and wise investments.

https://www.dariuscache.com/