Scan barcode
theemeraldgirl23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The last third of the novel made it all worth it to me. The heart of the story is so raw and emotional and Sarat's story was just so multi-faceted. At first I thought I was in for another "not like other girls" story, but it turned out to be much more than that. This story is about family, love, heartbreak, life existing in gray. This a story where the protagonist isn't good in the traditional sense. War has no real winners and this showcases that perfectly.
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
kelly_e's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Title: American War
Author: Omar El Akkad
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 30, 2018
T H R E E • W O R D S
Plausible • Unsettling • Inventive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Narrated by Benjamin Chestnut, an older man living in neutral Anchorage in the aftermath of the war, American War begins in 2074 in a post-apocalyptic world where climate change was wrecked havoc on the coastal United States. In an attempt to halt emissions, the government has banned the use of fossil fuels, greatly upsetting the Southern states. Sarat Chestnut is only six as the second American civil war breaks out, and soon finds her and her family forced into the sprawling tent city known as Camp Patience.
💠T H O U G H T S
What a fierce and powerful cautionary tale from debut novelist Omar El Akkad!
I didn't expect this to be a book for me, but I was pleasantly surprised. While reading, the storyline felt eerily plausible with a future America torn by it's own political tribulations, climate change, plague, and power struggles and conflict. It forced me to imagine the uncomfortable realities of our current world and the complex ruins and implications of war at many different levels. The writing and the story are equally powerful.
My one qualm would be that it was overly detailed at times, but other times there were gaps in the world building. Overall, a solid read worth picking up.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• dystopian fans
• readers who enjoyed The Underground Railroad
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You fight the war with guns, you fight the peace with stories."
Author: Omar El Akkad
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 30, 2018
T H R E E • W O R D S
Plausible • Unsettling • Inventive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Narrated by Benjamin Chestnut, an older man living in neutral Anchorage in the aftermath of the war, American War begins in 2074 in a post-apocalyptic world where climate change was wrecked havoc on the coastal United States. In an attempt to halt emissions, the government has banned the use of fossil fuels, greatly upsetting the Southern states. Sarat Chestnut is only six as the second American civil war breaks out, and soon finds her and her family forced into the sprawling tent city known as Camp Patience.
💠T H O U G H T S
What a fierce and powerful cautionary tale from debut novelist Omar El Akkad!
I didn't expect this to be a book for me, but I was pleasantly surprised. While reading, the storyline felt eerily plausible with a future America torn by it's own political tribulations, climate change, plague, and power struggles and conflict. It forced me to imagine the uncomfortable realities of our current world and the complex ruins and implications of war at many different levels. The writing and the story are equally powerful.
My one qualm would be that it was overly detailed at times, but other times there were gaps in the world building. Overall, a solid read worth picking up.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• dystopian fans
• readers who enjoyed The Underground Railroad
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You fight the war with guns, you fight the peace with stories."
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
lucyob's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
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? Yes
3.75
Super fun and light read that was perfect in our Current Political Environment and definitely didn’t stress me out at all!
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, and War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
More...