This was an Amazon Kindle First monthly pick for me, and only the third book review I have done. I felt compelled to leave one after seeing (and passing) many a novel about romances involving women pining away for their ideal man, I was excited to see something else. Initially I was going to pass on this (book) particular months read because none of the books actually stood out to me, not even the "Empty Quarter." But then I read the reviews, and one review in particular stood out because it totally panned the author just because they felt like it. I left some comments asking questions to probe why they had left the only one star review with no explanation whatsoever, out of the five reviews that were left at the time, however, that particular comment chain is deleted. Anyway, I decided then that I would choose this and read it for myself.
Overall, I agree with many of the comments already left- the books is a bit difficult to get started, the pace zigs and zags to such a great extant that it left me wanting to walk away for a good two-thirds of it. Its also true that much of the chapters just seem disjointed with no intersection in sight. But its also unexpected, and even better the book actually delves into nuances and subtle cultural norms that many authors writing about terrorism, the US special forces and/or military, and Islam, seem to always get bungle up.
This is not to say that the book is not without fault. There are glaring problems with it in terms of the authenticity of cultures, religions and customs that the author is trying to write about. If I may indulge the author in a small bit of feedback on that- first its understandable to use the word "hadji" within the context of a conversation between military personnel, however, to use it within the narrative voice is not simply problematic, but also racist. For all the nuances and insight weaved into the plot about Saudi, Yemeni and Turkish cultures, you totally missed the point when incorporating the term "hadji" within your narrative voice. It not only made me cringe, but it made me want to stop reading because it was offensive, and its offense made me wonder what other sort of indignities awaited me as I read through the book. It was offensive also because it didn't fit the rest of the enlightened depictions given later on in the book. There was something greatly disturbing and wrong about its casual use, especially since you weren't using it to depict a outwardly unrepentant bigoted racist character (or voice).
Like I said, there was a good degree of understanding of Islam (as a religion) and the diversity of cultures (and nationalities) that Muslims make up. But things as simple as knowing that Muslims do not prostrate in front of their dead, or even on top of their dead during the Janazah (funeral prayers) would be expected knowledge from someone who wrote so intimately about other aspects of Muslim life. As is the fact that the term "MashaAllah" is used, but not in the way you used it, and that there are many other (even regional) variations of similar religious (and secularized) blessings. For me, again coming from my place of privilege, made the dialogue boring (and one dimensional at times) because they couldn't utilize or use these other sayings. You could have easily used them, and added the footnote, along with the dozens of other footnotes left for the reader to decipher the multitude of military acronyms you used, and it would have just been fine because at least it stuck to the norms of "Muslim" speech.
There are more small things I could add, but overall the book was enjoyable and I don't want to take away from that sentiment by driveling over those other aspects. I honestly thought there would be the time tested twist of exotic foreign girl falling for white caucasian prince charming who came to rescue her from her murdering fanatical Arab husband, however, that was not the case, and I greatly appreciate that aspect. In fact, there was a twist to that tired and useless trope, which I very much appreciated, because being free from it, you took the plot to the next level. You also explored relationships in the larger context of world events and far off distant policy decisions, ditching the stereotypes and reveling in the ambiguity of these decisions, focusing on the reality closer on the ground. This is another reason why you broke the mold of this genre of books.
In the end though, the more salient takeaway from reading this book was your exploration of relationships, intimate at times. It was relationships between husband and wife, between community, individuals and tribes, societies, as well as relationships built within groups of warriors. This focus propelled me as a reader, creating my own relationships with the characters, to see them through to the resolution of the plot. That was what made the book engaging. It also helped that the dialogue was believable and the representation of people and cultures I am familiar with to be believable and also relatable. There aren't too many books like this one in this genre, so I recommend it to a casual reader.
OR
$5.49 with 63 percent savings
Print List Price: $14.95 
The Print List Price is the lowest suggested retail price provided by a publisher for a print book format of this title, available on Amazon (e.g. hardcover, paperback, mass market paperback).
Learn more
Learn more
These promotions will be applied to this item:
Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.
Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Audiobook Price: $21.88
Save: $19.89 (91%)
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Shop this series
See full series
Shop this series
There are 3 books in this series.
Bundle price:
Kindle price
$15.97
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
This option includes 3 books.
Bundle price:
Kindle price
$15.97
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2014
- Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2014
- Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2014
Top reviews from other countries
- lovetoreadReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2015
Second PJ book and even better than the first one
