Review of "The Underdogs" by Isaac Kan

Score: 94+/100 (9.4+ out of 10)

The Underdogs by Isaac Kan is a story about dreamers, visionaries, pioneers, mavericks, and trailblazers who overcame insurmountable odds in an attempt to reach their goals.

The Underdogs intricately weaves the stories of multiple characters navigating life in San Francisco during the tech boom/Dot-com Bubble that occurred during the late 1990s to early 2000s (1995–2000). This period was marked by a rapid rise in the valuation of internet-based companies due to speculation and increased adoption of the internet.

The narrative follows Pablo, a taxi driver balancing family obligations and self-respect; Jasper, an ambitious yet ruthless entrepreneur; and Ousama, a Syrian immigrant and tech prodigy betrayed by his co-founder.

The plot progresses through interconnected vignettes, highlighting issues of socioeconomic disparity, the impact of technology on traditional industries, and personal ambition. Kan effectively uses a nonlinear structure, employing multiple perspectives to build tension and deliver a multifaceted storyline.

Their stories converge through the rise of "NexTra," a tech company modeled after real-world ride-sharing giants. Jasper’s hunger for power and control becomes the catalyst for tension, as he manipulates those around him for his own gain. Ousama’s struggle is deeply personal—balancing loyalty to his family trapped in war-torn Aleppo with the harsh realities of startup culture. Pablo’s storyline highlights the working-class perspective, as he grapples with gentrification, family loyalty, and dignity in a city that no longer feels like home.

Ousama’s arc is one of tragic resilience. A brilliant programmer fromwar-torn Syria, Ousama seeks to build a life in the U.S. while supporting his mother back home. His trust in Jasper becomes his downfall, as he is pushed out of NexTra without recognition. Ousama’s struggle reflects broader themes of immigrant exploitation and the American Dream’s elusiveness.

Pablo seems to represent the marginalized communities affected by gentrification. His work as a taxi driver puts him in direct conflict with the likes of Jasper’s NexTra. Pablo’s family dynamics, especially his role as caretaker for his grandmother and mother, add emotional depth. His protective instincts are highlighted when he confronts an abusive passenger in his taxi, asserting control over his limited domain.

Jae Lee is a key member of the NexTra startup team, portrayed as intelligent, resourceful, and driven. A self-taught coder, she handles much of the business side of the company, complementing Ousama’s technical skills and often mediating between him and the ambitious, manipulative Jasper. Practical and level-headed, she offers balanced perspectives and plays a stabilizing role in NexTra’s chaotic growth. Despite her critical contributions, Jae often finds her voice overshadowed by Jasper’s dominant personality, reflecting the novel’s broader themes of power dynamics and gender roles in the tech industry.

Rouser is a complex character—a technical genius with antisocial tendencies. His loyalty to Jasper stems from shared hardships in their previous startup. Rouser’s detachment from societal norms contrasts with his intense commitment to his work, raising questions about the human cost of innovation.

Jasper serves as the novel’s central villain/antagonist. Jasper embodies the Silicon Valley archetype: charismatic, driven, but morally compromised. His manipulation of Ousama, offering a mere 5% equity in NexTra despite Ousama’s foundational contributions, highlights Jasper’s cutthroat mentality. Jasper’s backstory of previous failures and insecurities fuels his relentless pursuit of success, even at the expense of others.

This book does A LOT right and quite a bit wrong. It's probably a few tweaks away from being a top-notch, top-tier book.

Let's first talk about what this book does right. This book does a great job at establishing stakes and maintaining the tension. We are constantly reminded that the characters are on a ticking time clock and (usually) at a disadvantage.

For example, Ousama’s storyline perfectly captures the urgency of survival in a foreign land. He’s on a visa countdown, knowing that if he doesn’t secure a new job soon, he faces deportation. This looming threat adds constant pressure, making every setback feel critical. Adding to this, his mother’s dire situation back home in Syria raises the stakes even further. She’s not only struggling with severe depression, having attempted suicide, but also living in a war zone where ISIS and other dangerous forces threaten daily life. Ousama’s desperation to bring her to safety before it’s too late keeps readers emotionally invested.

Meanwhile, Pablo's family faces an impending eviction, a harsh reminder of the economic hardships gentrification brings. For Pablo, losing the apartment means losing the last connection to his family’s history and identity. These interconnected ticking clocks—the visa, the eviction notice, and the mother’s deteriorating condition—keep the narrative taut with tension. Every character is racing against forces beyond their control, which is a major strength of the book.

We're reminded time and time again—day by day—that Ousama's H1-B visa is expiring and that Pablo's 30 days to vacate his home are expiring.

This constant reminder that time is running out keeps the reader hooked. The combination of personal struggles, political turmoil, and systemic injustice makes the tension feel real and gripping throughout most of the book.

So, what holds this book back from being elite?

Well, first of all, it seems to take a long time to get going. The first hundred or so pages are—to be frank—rather boring. The author painstakingly introduces us to each of these core characters. You really need to be patient and wait for things to pick up. Thank goodness, it picks up and becomes rather interesting.

Another thing that seemed really strange and unnecessary about this book is how is fixated on describing women and their attractiveness/sexiness.


Seriously! So much of this book concerns just describing what different women are wearing. It feels excessive and, honestly, distracting. Every time a female character is introduced, there’s an over-the-top focus on her appearance—her outfit, her body, her hair. Every woman seems to be turned into a walking fashion statement or object of desire.

What makes it worse is that these descriptions rarely add anything meaningful to the plot or character development. Instead of deepening the reader's understanding of these women, the narrative often reduces them to their physical features. For example, Jillian's entire introduction feels like it’s more about her sorority-girl looks and wardrobe choices than her ambitions or qualifications. The way some male characters—especially Jasper and Rouser—talk about and react to women comes off as cringeworthy and outdated.

It also doesn't endear us to them.

Even Jae, the book's main female character, isn't immune to this. For example, consider this passage:

"Before she stepped out of the elevator, Jae took a cursory look at herself in the elevator mirror. Spanx underneath her black pencil skirt, a white blouse, and a black cardigan. But wait a minute, one glance, then another. These Spanx ripped! Her backside looked massive."

Anyway, the writing in this book is solid and there are some good passages. For example, here are a few that embody the core themes of the book:

"Building something in Silicon Valley was the path to the pot of gold. Not Wall Street,
not London, not Hong Kong."

"Disruption, convertible notes, paper millionaires, Rwandan coffee poured with surgical precision. This was where the world’s problems were being solved. Where fortunes were made, seemingly overnight, and the best and brightest flocked to. This was Silicon Valley."

"Never pass up your second chance again" (a sign held by an elderly female panhandler)

These passages exemplify how determined and desperate the core characters are to make it big in Silicon Valley; also, pointing out how the characters view it as a second chance at life.

Check it out on Amazon!