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mellhay's review against another edition
4.0
*I read this book for my own enjoyment.
When Jack receives a text from his fiancee asking for help, Jack is determined to transverse the divided country and dangerous lands to come to her aid. From California to the far East coast he goes, crossing battle lines in America's civil war.
We get two stories in this book. Where Jack is currently as he tells his story of why and how he got here. Each chapter is one of the two places, keeping the feel as though he's in the moment. It's easy to follow as he does have a lead in at the end of current chapters to let us know he's returning to the story.
This world is crazy divided! So many issues in America. The country is divided by these issues and at war with itself. Everyone's beliefs have come to strong points and they will stand by them. We see these strong differences as Jack travels across the country and lives through each place. This story was written and published over a year ago, but it's something that strongly relates to the many different beliefs in our country, something that makes us strong but could easily divide us as well - like it does here.
The different divisions of America have their own slang to go with their beliefs. At times the slang slowed me a tad as I was reading, making me think on what the words meant again. Thankfully Stephen has a glossary for the words at the beginning. I suggest taking a glance over these so you are aware going in. I did and it helped place the words. But eventually I came to read the words and keep going, aware they were slang and what they meant.
When the book started, I was curious to see how Jack would get away from the firing squad. Then I grew curious of what Jack tells he's come across on his way to help his fiancee, and what trouble she was in. As his travels start, I became interested in the world that was new yet old. There were small curiosities that I wanted to know more about, like the woman that decided to travel with him. In the sections where Jack is currently I was lead to wonder if Jack's really telling a tall tale or if it was all true. I wasn't sure, and wanted to find that out too. And I learn all these things.
Jack's story shows how he's grown to become friends with people in two of the three fighting fractions in America. These three shouldn't be friends, they are of the different divisions of the world, but they are. They've risen above the lines of Red, Blue, or White and beliefs that are strong to become more. We see it through what they live through and their actions to help each other.
Thinking on the three friends, I really like the moral that is portrayed here. There is a reason behind the story and something to think on. A feel that all can be friends no matter beliefs, as long as you are willing. Something wonderful about this book, through all these characters live through and the moral you pick up on in the end, there is a lightness to the story that makes the traveling Jack's done seem as though it's a story to keep him safe from the firing squad. There is a ease at which the characters converse that keeps the story light.
This journey all fits together in the last few chapters. How all the people Jack meet on his journey are connected in the world. We learn why Jack is here. And does Jack finally find Lara?
For me this was a light, fun read that had more depth to it than I realized until the end. It was enjoyable.
When Jack receives a text from his fiancee asking for help, Jack is determined to transverse the divided country and dangerous lands to come to her aid. From California to the far East coast he goes, crossing battle lines in America's civil war.
We get two stories in this book. Where Jack is currently as he tells his story of why and how he got here. Each chapter is one of the two places, keeping the feel as though he's in the moment. It's easy to follow as he does have a lead in at the end of current chapters to let us know he's returning to the story.
This world is crazy divided! So many issues in America. The country is divided by these issues and at war with itself. Everyone's beliefs have come to strong points and they will stand by them. We see these strong differences as Jack travels across the country and lives through each place. This story was written and published over a year ago, but it's something that strongly relates to the many different beliefs in our country, something that makes us strong but could easily divide us as well - like it does here.
The different divisions of America have their own slang to go with their beliefs. At times the slang slowed me a tad as I was reading, making me think on what the words meant again. Thankfully Stephen has a glossary for the words at the beginning. I suggest taking a glance over these so you are aware going in. I did and it helped place the words. But eventually I came to read the words and keep going, aware they were slang and what they meant.
When the book started, I was curious to see how Jack would get away from the firing squad. Then I grew curious of what Jack tells he's come across on his way to help his fiancee, and what trouble she was in. As his travels start, I became interested in the world that was new yet old. There were small curiosities that I wanted to know more about, like the woman that decided to travel with him. In the sections where Jack is currently I was lead to wonder if Jack's really telling a tall tale or if it was all true. I wasn't sure, and wanted to find that out too. And I learn all these things.
Jack's story shows how he's grown to become friends with people in two of the three fighting fractions in America. These three shouldn't be friends, they are of the different divisions of the world, but they are. They've risen above the lines of Red, Blue, or White and beliefs that are strong to become more. We see it through what they live through and their actions to help each other.
Thinking on the three friends, I really like the moral that is portrayed here. There is a reason behind the story and something to think on. A feel that all can be friends no matter beliefs, as long as you are willing. Something wonderful about this book, through all these characters live through and the moral you pick up on in the end, there is a lightness to the story that makes the traveling Jack's done seem as though it's a story to keep him safe from the firing squad. There is a ease at which the characters converse that keeps the story light.
This journey all fits together in the last few chapters. How all the people Jack meet on his journey are connected in the world. We learn why Jack is here. And does Jack finally find Lara?
For me this was a light, fun read that had more depth to it than I realized until the end. It was enjoyable.
ladilira's review against another edition
4.0
As many people know by now, I am a fan of Kozeniewski, maybe even a bit of a fangirl.
::blushes sheepishly::
So, when asked to read and review his newest novel, I of course said yes. It doesn't matter to me what he is writing, I will read it. Even if the topic doesn't sound like something I would normally pick up. He is an excellent storyteller. There are a few elements that are classic Kozeniewski — a light tone that pervades many of his novels (no matter how dark and grimy), a sarcastic and quib speaking narrator delighting my funny-bone, and always an interesting ending that I didn't see coming. This story was true to the Kozeniewski I have come to know as an author. And as a result, I enjoyed it.
I wasn't sure where the story was going all the time, or exactly why we were going at all, but I didn't care. I was drawn into the flashback-telling narrator as he told his tale of adventure to the man with a gun to his head. It was just a crazy story, that you might hear over a glass of Old Crow. It was fitting.
If you are a fan of the movie Inglorious Basterds, Kozeniewski might be an author for you. There is a large vein of that kind of humor that seeps onto the pages of Kozeniewski's stories.
What I didn't enjoy has nothing to do with him as an author, but has to do more with the publishing team. His editor/proofer failed him a bit, at least for the version I received. I know this book would have benefited from another editing review. I was surprised because I am used to his books being very clean. I'll blame it on the publisher being green? I hope in time they will enhance their editing focus. It let's the reader and author down.
Regardless, this is still a Kozeniewski novel and deserves to be read. It's labeled as a sci-fi story, but really it's the subgenre dystopian fiction.
If you like death defying, smart talking protagonists, who never have anything dull to say, then you will likely enjoy this story as much as I did.
It's a new take, on a popular genre. As always, Kozeniewski brings his full imagination and gift of language to the story and I am happy to have had the chance to read it.
https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com/2016/04/10/every-kingdom-divided-stephen-kozeniewski/
::blushes sheepishly::
So, when asked to read and review his newest novel, I of course said yes. It doesn't matter to me what he is writing, I will read it. Even if the topic doesn't sound like something I would normally pick up. He is an excellent storyteller. There are a few elements that are classic Kozeniewski — a light tone that pervades many of his novels (no matter how dark and grimy), a sarcastic and quib speaking narrator delighting my funny-bone, and always an interesting ending that I didn't see coming. This story was true to the Kozeniewski I have come to know as an author. And as a result, I enjoyed it.
I wasn't sure where the story was going all the time, or exactly why we were going at all, but I didn't care. I was drawn into the flashback-telling narrator as he told his tale of adventure to the man with a gun to his head. It was just a crazy story, that you might hear over a glass of Old Crow. It was fitting.
If you are a fan of the movie Inglorious Basterds, Kozeniewski might be an author for you. There is a large vein of that kind of humor that seeps onto the pages of Kozeniewski's stories.
What I didn't enjoy has nothing to do with him as an author, but has to do more with the publishing team. His editor/proofer failed him a bit, at least for the version I received. I know this book would have benefited from another editing review. I was surprised because I am used to his books being very clean. I'll blame it on the publisher being green? I hope in time they will enhance their editing focus. It let's the reader and author down.
Regardless, this is still a Kozeniewski novel and deserves to be read. It's labeled as a sci-fi story, but really it's the subgenre dystopian fiction.
If you like death defying, smart talking protagonists, who never have anything dull to say, then you will likely enjoy this story as much as I did.
It's a new take, on a popular genre. As always, Kozeniewski brings his full imagination and gift of language to the story and I am happy to have had the chance to read it.
https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com/2016/04/10/every-kingdom-divided-stephen-kozeniewski/
never_too_many_books's review
4.0
Actually rating: 4.5 stars
This is one of those books that I found immensely fascinating the entire time but couldn't decide whether I loved it or not until the end. This book is extremely well written and the story-telling method is unique (in all the best ways!).
The protagonist, Jack, has a dry sense of humor that very much appealed to me. Although I didn't find him personally relatable, he was a well-developed character and I truly enjoyed his story.
The most interesting thing about this book is the way it is told. At the beginning of the story, Jack is in front of a firing squad. He gets off the hook by being granted his last request, which was to "plead his case." The entire story, up until the final 50 pages, is composed of chapters that alternate between his tale and his current situation. This story-telling method makes it very difficult to lay the book aside! You cannot simply stop at the end of the chapter. The author is adept at perfectly placed cliff-hangers; so once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down! Like Graves, you'll want to "find out how it ends."
Another thing that amused me about this book is that the author, for the most part, created his own slang/profanities. I thought this was great because 1. It added to the setting of the story, and 2. It meant there was very little real cussing in the book, which I appreciated.
This book was surprisingly deep. The plot of this dystopian story revolves around primarily two sorts of people: the over-zealous Christians and the extreme atheists. Everything is black and white to each side. By the end of the story, it has become clear that things aren't always black and white. Situations aren't, religion isn't, and people most certainly aren't. Everyone has their good and their bad sides. But at the end of the day, we are all still human beings and each of us matters.
Overall, this book was engaging, well thought out, and well-written. I will definitely be recommending it!
This is one of those books that I found immensely fascinating the entire time but couldn't decide whether I loved it or not until the end. This book is extremely well written and the story-telling method is unique (in all the best ways!).
The protagonist, Jack, has a dry sense of humor that very much appealed to me. Although I didn't find him personally relatable, he was a well-developed character and I truly enjoyed his story.
The most interesting thing about this book is the way it is told. At the beginning of the story, Jack is in front of a firing squad. He gets off the hook by being granted his last request, which was to "plead his case." The entire story, up until the final 50 pages, is composed of chapters that alternate between his tale and his current situation. This story-telling method makes it very difficult to lay the book aside! You cannot simply stop at the end of the chapter. The author is adept at perfectly placed cliff-hangers; so once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down! Like Graves, you'll want to "find out how it ends."
Another thing that amused me about this book is that the author, for the most part, created his own slang/profanities. I thought this was great because 1. It added to the setting of the story, and 2. It meant there was very little real cussing in the book, which I appreciated.
This book was surprisingly deep. The plot of this dystopian story revolves around primarily two sorts of people: the over-zealous Christians and the extreme atheists. Everything is black and white to each side. By the end of the story, it has become clear that things aren't always black and white. Situations aren't, religion isn't, and people most certainly aren't. Everyone has their good and their bad sides. But at the end of the day, we are all still human beings and each of us matters.
Overall, this book was engaging, well thought out, and well-written. I will definitely be recommending it!
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