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djwudi's review against another edition
3.0
It is not easy to read near-future dystopian SF set in an America waiting for the outcome of a contested election after the fascist incumbent loses but the Texas Gov. invalidates the electoral votes and it goes to SCOTUS. Complicating matters is ecological, economic, and sociological collapse brought on by losing a war with China, but if you swapped that backstory out and replaced it with a global pandemic....
While that’s background world building, and only tangentially ties to the main plot of a lawyer working to release his client, a young woman branded a terrorist for journalism work among protesters (also hitting pretty damn close to home), much of the book is remarkably uncomfortably prescient.
We came far too close to the state of the country as presented here, and could still tip over into it if the next wannabe fascist dictator is more savvy and less volatile than the last. Definitely an uncomfortable read, and if the sequel wasn’t one of this year’s P.K. Dick Award nominees, I may not have made it past the first few chapters.
That said - it was well written, and there’s an element of fighting for something better against all odds that gives it a faint hope punk feel. It was enough to get me through, and hope that the sequel continues along those lines.
While that’s background world building, and only tangentially ties to the main plot of a lawyer working to release his client, a young woman branded a terrorist for journalism work among protesters (also hitting pretty damn close to home), much of the book is remarkably uncomfortably prescient.
We came far too close to the state of the country as presented here, and could still tip over into it if the next wannabe fascist dictator is more savvy and less volatile than the last. Definitely an uncomfortable read, and if the sequel wasn’t one of this year’s P.K. Dick Award nominees, I may not have made it past the first few chapters.
That said - it was well written, and there’s an element of fighting for something better against all odds that gives it a faint hope punk feel. It was enough to get me through, and hope that the sequel continues along those lines.
vlynnk89's review against another edition
4.0
This was terrifying because we don't seem too far from this situation.
lini002's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
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
treyshman's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
peter__b's review
1.0
All I wanted was a fun, light read that brought something different to the table. A legal thriller sounded like it would fit that bill quite nicely. And it probably would have if it didn't take itself so damn seriously. However, if that was the only issue with this book, it wouldn't be getting the rating it's getting.
I think it's best to start off with what I enjoyed. The main storyline had its moments and whenever we got back to it, I was curious to see what would happen next.
As for the rest of the book, it was unfortunately plagued with poor writing that drained the few embers of enjoyment I started to develop. Aspects like the dialogue, for example, felt so unnatural that it made the already improbable world just feel that much more silly. And speaking of the world, I have to note that this was some of the worst world-building I've read in a very long time. Every scene got littered with completely useless information that not only killed the pacing of the entire book but also distracted from what was happening.
Not that I cared that much about any of it anyway. The protagonist was one-dimensional with his sole flaw being a drug addiction that everyone commented on, but which had no apparent negative effects and was seemingly forgotten by the end of the book anyway. The list of secondary characters was bloated, made even worse by the fact that they were as forgettable as the protagonist's drug problem. The few antagonistic characters were complete caricatures and seemed to be made up on the spot to give our hero something to overcome.
With all the above-mentioned issues, it's hardly a surprise that the story suffered as well. Multiple side-plots that ended up leading nowhere were probably the biggest culprit. The single aspect I was looking forward to - the court battles, were underwhelming and anti-climactic. The 2nd act was painfully bloated and glacial while the ending was disappointing, to say the least.
This ended up being a 1.5-star that would normally get rounded up since I didn't actually hate it, but even with the somewhat decent main plotline, this had nothing going for it. The world, while possible, felt improbable. The characters had no life to them and it even failed at being a competent thriller. Give this a skip as I should have.
I think it's best to start off with what I enjoyed. The main storyline had its moments and whenever we got back to it, I was curious to see what would happen next.
As for the rest of the book, it was unfortunately plagued with poor writing that drained the few embers of enjoyment I started to develop. Aspects like the dialogue, for example, felt so unnatural that it made the already improbable world just feel that much more silly. And speaking of the world, I have to note that this was some of the worst world-building I've read in a very long time. Every scene got littered with completely useless information that not only killed the pacing of the entire book but also distracted from what was happening.
Not that I cared that much about any of it anyway. The protagonist was one-dimensional with his sole flaw being a drug addiction that everyone commented on, but which had no apparent negative effects and was seemingly forgotten by the end of the book anyway. The list of secondary characters was bloated, made even worse by the fact that they were as forgettable as the protagonist's drug problem. The few antagonistic characters were complete caricatures and seemed to be made up on the spot to give our hero something to overcome.
With all the above-mentioned issues, it's hardly a surprise that the story suffered as well. Multiple side-plots that ended up leading nowhere were probably the biggest culprit. The single aspect I was looking forward to - the court battles, were underwhelming and anti-climactic. The 2nd act was painfully bloated and glacial while the ending was disappointing, to say the least.
This ended up being a 1.5-star that would normally get rounded up since I didn't actually hate it, but even with the somewhat decent main plotline, this had nothing going for it. The world, while possible, felt improbable. The characters had no life to them and it even failed at being a competent thriller. Give this a skip as I should have.
jessicamap's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for the free copy in exchange for my honest review
Old habits die hard – another book I’m picking up in the middle of a series. RULE OF CAPTURE is book two in a series (book one being TROPIC OF KANSAS). However, considering this is set in that same world, I didn’t exactly feel lost. Still a dystopian/thriller/courtroom drama and I found myself immediately drawn in.
The characters were really interesting and I enjoyed this unique look into a future that our world seems to be heading towards. That’s when I tend to enjoy the dystopian genre – give me something that feels even a little bit plausible. That element gives it the edge it needs in my mind. I also liked the combining of these genres – you get the overall dystopian vibe but then the story is a courtroom drama/thriller as the main attraction.
There were some parts towards the end that felt a little rushed/muddled, but that could also just be a me thing. I would definitely go back and pick up book one in this series to get to know this world better! Considering the end, the author is setting things up for another installment in the series, and I’m sure some of the questions I ended up happening will be answered then.
Old habits die hard – another book I’m picking up in the middle of a series. RULE OF CAPTURE is book two in a series (book one being TROPIC OF KANSAS). However, considering this is set in that same world, I didn’t exactly feel lost. Still a dystopian/thriller/courtroom drama and I found myself immediately drawn in.
The characters were really interesting and I enjoyed this unique look into a future that our world seems to be heading towards. That’s when I tend to enjoy the dystopian genre – give me something that feels even a little bit plausible. That element gives it the edge it needs in my mind. I also liked the combining of these genres – you get the overall dystopian vibe but then the story is a courtroom drama/thriller as the main attraction.
There were some parts towards the end that felt a little rushed/muddled, but that could also just be a me thing. I would definitely go back and pick up book one in this series to get to know this world better! Considering the end, the author is setting things up for another installment in the series, and I’m sure some of the questions I ended up happening will be answered then.
sbisson's review against another edition
5.0
Recent Reads: Rule Of Capture. Christopher Brown's dystopic legal thriller explores a Houston in the throes of climate collapse and with an authoritarian government about to clamp down. Lawyer Donny Kimoe must tread carefully to save a client. But he can't, he wants justice.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Notes:
Interesting ideas but it failed to pass suspension of belief. A drug addict lawyer that wants to protect framed victims in a crooked system. Cool. Except the only cause and effect seem to happen within the desires of the corrupt and there's not much of C&E for various choices made by Donny. You can't even say that Donny is all that noble when he makes choices to feed his drug addiction over anything else.
The story was not written for the average person to read and understand. There's no draw to fall into the story. There aren't enough explanations to make the characters, world and "differences" stand out.
Interesting ideas but it failed to pass suspension of belief. A drug addict lawyer that wants to protect framed victims in a crooked system. Cool. Except the only cause and effect seem to happen within the desires of the corrupt and there's not much of C&E for various choices made by Donny. You can't even say that Donny is all that noble when he makes choices to feed his drug addiction over anything else.
The story was not written for the average person to read and understand. There's no draw to fall into the story. There aren't enough explanations to make the characters, world and "differences" stand out.
sagepe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jeffnichols's review against another edition
4.0
Frightening
It not only could happen here, some of it is happening here. This was a tough read but it got better in the second half.
It not only could happen here, some of it is happening here. This was a tough read but it got better in the second half.
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