Review of F*ktory by Jorge Ponce

F*ktory
Volume 1
By
Jorge Enrique Ponce


Evelyn, or “E” as she is known on the street is an all but homeless fourteen year old drug dealer
in New York City.  Street-wise for fourteen, she is an expert in all type of controlled substances
from pills to pot.  Her abusive, drunken father has ensured that she is the best drug dealer on the
street, dealing even to her addict school principal.  She has two bright spots in her life; her friend
Riky and her one-year old brother, Phil whom she has cared for as a parent since his birth to a
meth addicted mother.  When her father, Frank, in a drunken rage attempts to kill Phil prompting
E to defend him in a manner that severely injures Frank (E believes she killed Frank), she and
Phil flee from the abandoned hotel where they live and become homeless.
What follows is an intricate web of events that begins with the theft of a new designer drug that
endows users temporarily with superpowers.  The theft begins a long chain of deception, guilt
and recrimination for E in which she learns that her associates all have their own agendas and are
deceiving her in one way or another.  At stake are the lives of E, Phil, and Riky and the potential
market for the most popular designer drug to hit the market; one that could flip the world as we
know it upside down.
The author writes with a spare direct style and displays a great gift for colorful descriptions that
could very believably come from the mouth of a fourteen year-old girl.  The story is narrated by
E in the first person.  Each character has their own set of problems and circumstances to
overcome.  For example, E must overcome Frank, Frank’s legacy of abuse, her sense of
responsibility for Phil and her insecurity.  Ricky must overcome the complete neglect of his
parents, his inability to capitalize on his dancing ability, and his need to be a part of something
that is successful.  Each of the other major characters’ backgrounds are equally problematic in
one way or another.
I’m not a real fan of urban fantasy, but I found F*ktory to be entertaining and captivating.  Mr.
Ponce is a gifted story-teller who weaves an intriguing tale that should appeal to readers of urban
fantasy as well as those who love any good tale of intrigue, deception and adventure.

 5-Stars 
Clabe Polk