Street Brotherhood: Rise of the Underground (Paperback or Softback)

It's 1975. Three years since Johnny Álvarez fled the brutality of his home to vanish on the streets of New York City. As he assembles the Dogs of War, his disparate gang of urban youth, they become the target of a larger, more menacing crew. To avoid Dos Cruces’ attacks, the Dogs must use wit and strategy.

Johnny becomes involved with Marco, a tempestuous drug supplier who inspires admiration, but also rueful reminiscence of Johnny’s father. His demands challenge Johnny’s morals, but the payout is hard to ignore. As is Johnny’s aptitude for carrying out his lethal tasks.

Amid his nefarious entanglements, Johnny falls for Jessica. She is witty and self-assured, opening him to normalcy and tenderness for the first time. But as his worlds spin ever closer, will he escape the brutality of his past or be forced to embrace it?

"The writing is raw, sharp, and unapologetic. The dialogue snapped with energy, and the banter between the boys felt real in a way that made me smile even when the situation was grim...Street Brotherhood is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves gritty coming-of-age tales, stories about loyalty, or New York narratives that don’t romanticize but reveal. It’s tough, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at once."
—Literary Titan

“Metcalfe's tone is a rare combination of stark and poetic…”
—BookLife

“The stakes increase quickly in Metcalfe’s novel (the second in a series), and the prose keeps pace, escalating from calm to panic with bracing speed… the author renders the New York City setting with grit and authority, making for a swift, satisfying read. A strong series entry with all of the elements of a classic street-crime novel.”
—Kirkus Reviews