Reviews

American War by Omar El Akkad

k8degr8's review against another edition

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5.0

Read this without expectations, just as literature and be prepared for total immersion, gripping characters, and an excellent adventure. At the end, if you're like me, you will have the gift of a new perspective. What would I feel, how would the world appear, if I walked a mile in your shoes? This author helps me imagine that more fully.

Highly recommend!!

In an interview, the author describes what he loves to read and has succeeded, I'd say, in his own novel: "I tend to gravitate almost exclusively toward two kinds of writing: gorgeous sentences and well-marinated worlds."

madsthemads's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

meags816's review against another edition

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4.0

I tore through this in just a few days. It had its tough spots where I didn't feel like the story moved but Akkad does an excellent job of bringing it all together in the end. A little too close to home these days but it was a good read!

tammyaz's review against another edition

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3.0

I wanted to like this more than I did.

jjoslin322's review against another edition

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3.0

More like a 3.5...it was an interesting plot but I felt some parts dragged on.

premat's review against another edition

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4.0

i admit, i profiled this book. the cover & the title... made me think it was a post-9/11 lesson & i balked... i was so wrong!!

nsmargaretanne's review against another edition

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4.0

INitially thought that this book was brilliant... and it is interesting. But I was tired of it by the end. War is hell no matter where. IN a real American war propaganda would be used a lot more... I am not sure for the eason tht there was no communications infratructure. Anyway... it is a good read... but int he end I was a little disappointed.

tholden's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lisanreads's review against another edition

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5.0

An excellent, haunting debut novel by a war correspondent paints a believable picture of a second American Civil War motived by the South's refusal to eliminate the use of fossil fuel. El Akkad paints a believable picture of how the turbulence effects a family.