1.97k reviews for:

American War

Omar El Akkad

3.81 AVERAGE

challenging dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Depressing, but not wrong.

None of the characters were likeable. The ending isn't happy or encouraging. But it was worth reading.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Intimidatingly possible on all counts.

DNF at page 146.

This book was so boring, and why would I ever root for these people?
challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

More like a 3.5. I wanted to like and rate the book more but the story is lacking a little for me. I am curious about the future the author has created but also perfectly fine just shelving this book again and not re-exploring this world.

Well written with lots of great ideas and well developed characters but it didn't quite hang together for me.

This book is packed densely with a rich, detailed world that feels scary, depressing and somehow very real. It addresses the questions "What is the purpose of revenge?" and "Is revenge always worth the effort?" I liked the story overall but at times it droned on and I lost focus. The timeline took massive jumps that jarred my attention but I remained intrigued by the amount of detail that the author imagined and brought to life.

The telling of the fictional second civil war. Most likely a take told to relate the opposing side in the current US conflicts to an American reader - how people are recruited into opposing groups, how they want to live, and how terrorists are formed. An interesting read, but ultimately somewhat tedious. The pacing was slow and the characters fairly boring.

See my status update.