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colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book! Plenty of action and intrigue here - about boy soldiers in Colombia and the corrupt political and business interests who sway them into needing to take up arms. I was impressed with the author's writing and story style. It definitely kept my interest and made my way through this almost 700-page book. Action-packed, it never felt boring. I can see this being a movie some day and drawing attention to world problems.
Thanks for the free copy for an honest review!
There's no answer to that (what to be when I grow up). But that's okay. Not knowing is an important part of life.
Goodbye is for people you'll see again.
When you've lost someone close, the most painful dreams are memories.
If you're truly seeking justice, don't get it confused with revenge.
What is the difference between a politician who is ignorant and a politician who is indifferent? Don't know and don't care.
As they say in Colombia, 'Words are beautiful.'
Thanks for the free copy for an honest review!
There's no answer to that (what to be when I grow up). But that's okay. Not knowing is an important part of life.
Goodbye is for people you'll see again.
When you've lost someone close, the most painful dreams are memories.
If you're truly seeking justice, don't get it confused with revenge.
What is the difference between a politician who is ignorant and a politician who is indifferent? Don't know and don't care.
As they say in Colombia, 'Words are beautiful.'
saracox's review against another edition
5.0
If you're a fan of Shantaram you are going to love this book. Set in Colombia, a young man watches his father get killed. He then makes it his purpose to seek revenge on who did this. To do this he joins the autodefences. You get carried on a journey of his justice and revenge and are captured as he finds himself in the middle of an elaborate drug trafficking scheme involving his allies and enemies. You lose his losses and gain his gains. This book I written so you feel fully immersed in the story. The language Rusty Young uses makes this book easy to read and at the same time give the perfect amount of detail so you can really picture each scene and feel each emotion. Loved reading this and was so that it had to end.
lisamshardlow's review against another edition
5.0
This was absolutely gripping from the beginning. I've never read anything like it before, and I had absolutely no idea about the drug war and child soldiers in Colombia. I know this is a fictionalised account but the author had interviewed several Autodefensas and Guerrillas for the story. It was a tale of war, tragedy, loss, obsession, revenge, coming-of-age and redemption. I went through several different emotions while reading this, in parts it was quite tough going and even made me feel nauseous but, despite that, I'm really glad that I read this. Thank you to Lily at Havelock & Baker Publishing for messaging me and asking if I'd like to read it!
nathanaracena's review against another edition
4.0
Thrilling read. Maybe not quite the heights of Marching Powder and have to admit, I found some of it too hard to believe but I’m sure there was some added dramatisation at points. This book is BIG and it does feel unnecessarily so at points. While mostly captivating, it just feels like this could be a bit more of a shorter travel read. Still keeps you hooked though and a good insight into Colombia post-Pablo and it’s troubles.
mj_trearty's review against another edition
4.25
This is a very epic book that looks at something that I was only vaguely aware of and definitely not to the scale that the book depicts.
After the author's first book I did pick this up expecting a non fiction, and whilst written in the first person and sounding like non fiction this is a work of fiction. But that was my fault for picking it up without knowing and it did not detract from the book.
Pedro, the protagonist, is infuriating at times and endearing too. His naive nature was too easily exploited by others, and I am sure this was the case for many a young boy in Colombia, but it was irksome how blind he was at times.
Overall I very much enjoyed this novel and would recommend
After the author's first book I did pick this up expecting a non fiction, and whilst written in the first person and sounding like non fiction this is a work of fiction. But that was my fault for picking it up without knowing and it did not detract from the book.
Pedro, the protagonist, is infuriating at times and endearing too. His naive nature was too easily exploited by others, and I am sure this was the case for many a young boy in Colombia, but it was irksome how blind he was at times.
Overall I very much enjoyed this novel and would recommend
exploradora's review against another edition
5.0
***most deserving 5 star rating I have ever given***
"Nevertheless, right then and there, I resolved that one day I'd tell my life story to someone who would be willing to publish it. I know I've done terrible things - killed people and even worse. I know I've lied to those I love. But people need to know that this is not a lie. The things I've witnessed with these eyes - these stories I'm telling you - they're too horrible for anyone to invent. This is the truth about Colombia and I want people to know it."
I don’t know if there is anything I can say about this book that would do it justice. It's been well over a day since I finished reading it and I still can barely put into words how amazing it is! Probably the best book I've read in I don't know how long and a story that will stay with me to the end of times.
Colombiano is the powerful tale of a fifteen year old boy named Pedro, who joins an illegal paramilitary group after he was forced to watch his father being brutally murdered right in front of him by the FARC guerrilla. As if this wasn't the worst thing that could happen to him, he and his mother are also banished from their family's farm. Furious and overcome with grief, he vows to find and punish the men responsible.
As the story goes on, Pedro spirals deep into a world of unspeakable violence. Having already murdered two of the men responsible for his father's death, he finds himself at a crossroads - can he stop himself before he becomes just like the ones he is hunting or will he let his obsession with revenge take everything all he has left?
I started reading this book in November last year and only finished it the other day, but not for a lack of trying or because it isn't good.
It is haunting.
It is gripping and poignant.
It is destined to provoke, enlighten and it's just so utterly captivating.
But it's 689 pages long and I couldn't always find the right times to read it. As a matter of fact, I am actually glad I took my time to enjoy it, because this way I could let each chapter sink in, rather than just taking too much in at once.
Colombiano is not only a gripping coming of age novel, it offers a glimpse into a dark side of Colombia's history, while also showing the redeeming power of love. I want to say more about the plot because there is SO much going on, but I also don't want to spoil anything for any future readers. That is why I'll stop here.
But one more thing: if you get the chance READ. THIS. BOOK.!!!
***Thanks to Lily Green at Havelock & Baker Publishing and to NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
COLOMBIANO is one of those huge (689 pages huge) sweeping saga styled novels that has enough story to fill those pages, although this is raw, gut-wrenching, frequently shocking stuff. Especially if you know there are aspects of somebody's true story built into a fictional telling.
Not for the light-hearted, or weak of arm if you're going to be reading a paperback / hardback copy COLOMBIANO starts out with an author prologue which is well worth reading as it tells the background to the story, then moves into Part One - Little Pedro commencing with the line:
They did indeed execute Pedro's father, after a few chapters that describe the lead up to the execution, the reasons, and then into the aftermath. Switching rapidly backwards and forwards between events and timelines, Pedro's father's death is sadly just another pointless execution in a long line of guerrilla warfare - rebels versus government / right versus wrong (hard to decide which is which) and violence. Loss, violence, deprivation, cruelty, sadness, inter-generational hatred, revenge, bitterness, dark humour... it's all here in spades.
Whilst the book itself is a thumping big undertaking COLOMBIANO is told in a series of short, sharp chapters, switching the focus and timelines around all the time, keeping the reader from having to concentrate too hard on just the worst aspects, sprinkling in a little bit of coming-of-age story, trying to balance the descent into madness with love as an uplifting counter-point.
Hard going, with an authentic voice that makes it emotionally challenging and confronting, COLOMBIANO is well worth pursuing - even if the size is off-putting. This reads, feels and is telegraphed in the prologue as something this author was passionately driven to produce.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/colombiano-rusty-young
Not for the light-hearted, or weak of arm if you're going to be reading a paperback / hardback copy COLOMBIANO starts out with an author prologue which is well worth reading as it tells the background to the story, then moves into Part One - Little Pedro commencing with the line:
They did indeed execute Pedro's father, after a few chapters that describe the lead up to the execution, the reasons, and then into the aftermath. Switching rapidly backwards and forwards between events and timelines, Pedro's father's death is sadly just another pointless execution in a long line of guerrilla warfare - rebels versus government / right versus wrong (hard to decide which is which) and violence. Loss, violence, deprivation, cruelty, sadness, inter-generational hatred, revenge, bitterness, dark humour... it's all here in spades.
Whilst the book itself is a thumping big undertaking COLOMBIANO is told in a series of short, sharp chapters, switching the focus and timelines around all the time, keeping the reader from having to concentrate too hard on just the worst aspects, sprinkling in a little bit of coming-of-age story, trying to balance the descent into madness with love as an uplifting counter-point.
Hard going, with an authentic voice that makes it emotionally challenging and confronting, COLOMBIANO is well worth pursuing - even if the size is off-putting. This reads, feels and is telegraphed in the prologue as something this author was passionately driven to produce.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/colombiano-rusty-young
marilynw's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so far out of my comfort zone that I wasn't sure I should read it, but I'm so very glad I did. The author, Rusty Young, did an excellent job of making the character, Pedro, someone I cared about. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Pedro, his friends, family, and the other people in his life.
Until I read this book, then watched some videos and read other material, I had very little understanding about the massive use of children to fight civil wars in Columbia. This story deals with two terrorist groups that use thousands of children to fight their wars, children that are forced to watch and participate in torture and murders. Once in these organizations, these children have no real hope of escaping, except by death. Everyday brings a new chance to watch those around them endure brutality or death by those who rule their lives.
Men's lust for power and money drive these wars and cocaine fuels the war machine. Townsfolk live in poverty and fear as both sides reign terror on the people, sometimes pretending to protect or help them while really using humans as fodder for their greed and brutality. Once I started reading, I did not want to put this book down. Not only did I learn what might cause children to think their only hope might be to join a terrorist group, I also was able to see that possibly even the worst of the barbarian soldiers, once had to face such decisions, as children, to save their own lives or the lives of their families.
Pedro and his mother and father live on their small farm and have managed to stay out of the fray as much as they can until finally Pedro and his dad anger one of the factions. Pedro's dad is murdered in front of Pedro and his mother and Pedro vows to kill the men who were involved in his father's death, the same men who forbid Pedro and his mother to bury his father or ever set foot on their farm again. Pedro joins the other terrorist group, which claims it's helping the people by fighting the guerrilla group. It's only later, once there is no turning back, that Pedro knows that he's trapped in a organization that is as brutal as the one that killed his father. Yet the desire for revenge keeps Pedro finding excuses to "soldier" on, often becoming what he hates most.
This is such a heartrending story and it's based in fact. It's hard enough imagining grownups seeing and enduring such horrible cruelty but knowing that children are thrown into this world and expected to live and perpetuate more horror on others, is horrifying. How do they come back from this, if they ever have a chance to do so?
I want to thank NetGalley and Lily with Havelock & Baker Publishing for providing this ARC to me.
Until I read this book, then watched some videos and read other material, I had very little understanding about the massive use of children to fight civil wars in Columbia. This story deals with two terrorist groups that use thousands of children to fight their wars, children that are forced to watch and participate in torture and murders. Once in these organizations, these children have no real hope of escaping, except by death. Everyday brings a new chance to watch those around them endure brutality or death by those who rule their lives.
Men's lust for power and money drive these wars and cocaine fuels the war machine. Townsfolk live in poverty and fear as both sides reign terror on the people, sometimes pretending to protect or help them while really using humans as fodder for their greed and brutality. Once I started reading, I did not want to put this book down. Not only did I learn what might cause children to think their only hope might be to join a terrorist group, I also was able to see that possibly even the worst of the barbarian soldiers, once had to face such decisions, as children, to save their own lives or the lives of their families.
Pedro and his mother and father live on their small farm and have managed to stay out of the fray as much as they can until finally Pedro and his dad anger one of the factions. Pedro's dad is murdered in front of Pedro and his mother and Pedro vows to kill the men who were involved in his father's death, the same men who forbid Pedro and his mother to bury his father or ever set foot on their farm again. Pedro joins the other terrorist group, which claims it's helping the people by fighting the guerrilla group. It's only later, once there is no turning back, that Pedro knows that he's trapped in a organization that is as brutal as the one that killed his father. Yet the desire for revenge keeps Pedro finding excuses to "soldier" on, often becoming what he hates most.
This is such a heartrending story and it's based in fact. It's hard enough imagining grownups seeing and enduring such horrible cruelty but knowing that children are thrown into this world and expected to live and perpetuate more horror on others, is horrifying. How do they come back from this, if they ever have a chance to do so?
I want to thank NetGalley and Lily with Havelock & Baker Publishing for providing this ARC to me.
nickmasters's review against another edition
4.0
When posed with summarising this book into a review I feel a little overwhelmed.
First off, this is more of a journey that we have been privileged to experience, a journey of pain, love, revenge, hatred, enlightenment and atonement.
This is a really powerfully written book. Rusty Young opted to relay an eye opening account of child soldiers in Columbia in a fictional format rather than through a documentary styled account. Although the sad reality is that no further sensationalism was required. This is a portrayal of real-life, of what happens to society when a war funded by corruption and drugs uses lies and propaganda to lure children into believing they are fighting for a just cause. And even if they don’t choose a side themselves, one would be picked and the journey of desensitization and mind-washing begin.
Unfortunately there are no winners in this war, there are no just causes. People from both sides share the same stories and backgrounds, the same beliefs and morals. They have simply been indoctrinated by one group before the other.
Columbiano does have a light at the end of the tunnel though. We know that there are stories of children escaping this turmoil. That there are people out there, like Rusty himself, that are committed to fighting for humanity.
Thank you NetGalley and Havelock & Baker Publishing for a review copy.
First off, this is more of a journey that we have been privileged to experience, a journey of pain, love, revenge, hatred, enlightenment and atonement.
This is a really powerfully written book. Rusty Young opted to relay an eye opening account of child soldiers in Columbia in a fictional format rather than through a documentary styled account. Although the sad reality is that no further sensationalism was required. This is a portrayal of real-life, of what happens to society when a war funded by corruption and drugs uses lies and propaganda to lure children into believing they are fighting for a just cause. And even if they don’t choose a side themselves, one would be picked and the journey of desensitization and mind-washing begin.
Unfortunately there are no winners in this war, there are no just causes. People from both sides share the same stories and backgrounds, the same beliefs and morals. They have simply been indoctrinated by one group before the other.
Columbiano does have a light at the end of the tunnel though. We know that there are stories of children escaping this turmoil. That there are people out there, like Rusty himself, that are committed to fighting for humanity.
Thank you NetGalley and Havelock & Baker Publishing for a review copy.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
4 bright stars for a very long(819 pages) book. The author was an undercover agent for the U.S. Government. He was assisting the Colombian Government's anti terrorist operations. During this time he interviewed many former soldiers from FARC, the Communist guerrilla organization, and AUC, the right wing paramilitary organization.
FARC has waged war against the government for 50 years or more. Both they and AUC draft child soldiers as young as 8 years old. The civil war is vicious and cruel. Both sides use torture and profit from sale of narcotics.
The book is an autobiography of an ex AUC soldier whose name has been changed. It starts with Pedro joining the AUC after FARC murders his father in front of him. At the end of the book peace is declared by all sides. According to news stories, the peace has held up for several years, but FARC has recently complained of unfair treatment.
One quote by Pedro: "To someone who has not had a parent stolen from them, I can only attempt to explain how t feels. It's like having part of yourself hacked off without warning."
Thanks to Havelock & Baker Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
FARC has waged war against the government for 50 years or more. Both they and AUC draft child soldiers as young as 8 years old. The civil war is vicious and cruel. Both sides use torture and profit from sale of narcotics.
The book is an autobiography of an ex AUC soldier whose name has been changed. It starts with Pedro joining the AUC after FARC murders his father in front of him. At the end of the book peace is declared by all sides. According to news stories, the peace has held up for several years, but FARC has recently complained of unfair treatment.
One quote by Pedro: "To someone who has not had a parent stolen from them, I can only attempt to explain how t feels. It's like having part of yourself hacked off without warning."
Thanks to Havelock & Baker Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.