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The Reckoning
by
Tanya Parker Mills (Goodreads Author)
The Reckoning, winner of the 2009 Indie Book Award for Multicultural Fiction and the 2010 Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Award for Mainstream/Literary Fiction, tells the story of a journey home gone terribly wrong. When journalist Theresa Fuller is captured inside Iraq in August 2002, and imprisoned by Iraq's secret police, visions of her childhood in Ba...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
September 17th 2008
by Booksurge Publishing
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Mills, Tanya Parker. The Reckoning (2008) *****
Unusual romantic thriller set in Saddam Hussein's Iraq
Part of the power of this first novel comes from Mills' skill in creating interesting characters, and part comes from the veracious atmosphere she creates, and part from a masterful command of narrative. Like all successful novelists, Mills allows the reader to know exactly what the reader needs to know, but no more. Or perhaps I should say there are enough plot twists en route to an edge-of-your...more
Unusual romantic thriller set in Saddam Hussein's Iraq
Part of the power of this first novel comes from Mills' skill in creating interesting characters, and part comes from the veracious atmosphere she creates, and part from a masterful command of narrative. Like all successful novelists, Mills allows the reader to know exactly what the reader needs to know, but no more. Or perhaps I should say there are enough plot twists en route to an edge-of-your...more
When I sat down to read "The Reckoning" I wasn't prepared for what was in store for me. I was immediately drawn in to an emotional, intense story that I had difficulty putting down. Tanya Mills has taken her characters, as well as her readers, on an exotic, dangerous, intriguing journey.
Teresa Fuller, her cameraman, Peter Cranston, had planned to slip across the Boarder of Iraq long enough to get the details of a story she had been following. As soon as she had what she needed, they would quietl...more
Teresa Fuller, her cameraman, Peter Cranston, had planned to slip across the Boarder of Iraq long enough to get the details of a story she had been following. As soon as she had what she needed, they would quietl...more
For my complete review, please visit Perpetual Chaos of a Wandering Mind.
The Reckoning Plot: beginning in the summer of 2002, our heroine, Theresa, a freelance journalist after a story, illegally crosses out of Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq and is spotted by the Islamist fundamentalist group, the Ansari, which leads to her apprehension by the Iraqi army. With her are arrested her cameraman, Peter (who is in love with her), and her three Kurdish guides (a father and two sons).
Just a few months...more
The Reckoning Plot: beginning in the summer of 2002, our heroine, Theresa, a freelance journalist after a story, illegally crosses out of Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq and is spotted by the Islamist fundamentalist group, the Ansari, which leads to her apprehension by the Iraqi army. With her are arrested her cameraman, Peter (who is in love with her), and her three Kurdish guides (a father and two sons).
Just a few months...more
This isn't my usual type of book, but I read it because Tanya is in my writing group. I usually go for YA books. I like upbeat books, romantic comedies, or adventures. This book is none of those things. Tanya warned me that it's a dark story, and she wasn't kidding. Most of the book takes place in a prison in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's reign. The main characters are tortured and you begin to wonder if they'll all die before the book is out. I couldn't read it in one sitting. It was too intense...more
Set in the early days of Saddam Huesin, Th Reckoning is a masterful mingling of cultures and a hard look at what makes people tick. Ms. Mills has described some of the most terrifying and sickening circumstances in the human experience with sensitivity and honesty. The believable characters and situations pull the reader into a time and place where mistakes are deadly and people are forced to examine their integrity and beliefs. A great, breathtaking read that also makes you think.
A harrowing account of a journalist captured, held, and tortured in Iraq in the days leading up to the Iraq war. Great story line, believable characters, and certainly realistic. The author spent time, herself, in Iraq, and it lends authenticity to the story. My one critique would be that the reader never gets a break from the increasing tension as the torture scenes escalate. This book proves that Indie authors can be extremely talented in the stories they offer.
First of all, this book is not for the faint-hearted, in fact I'd caution anyone under 17 from reading it. It's not as graphic as some books (say: Follow the River), but the continual and nearly non-stop scenes of torture really wear on the reader after awhile.
I was hoping for a little more from the main character. I wanted a stronger character (flaws are always welcome). But she didn't fight back, she didn't try to escape, she didn't even pray. At least Corrie Ten Boom had her faith.
Beyond tha...more
I was hoping for a little more from the main character. I wanted a stronger character (flaws are always welcome). But she didn't fight back, she didn't try to escape, she didn't even pray. At least Corrie Ten Boom had her faith.
Beyond tha...more
Theresa Fuller is a journalist who ventures into Iraq for a story. Her group is captured and tortured. She slowly recovers her lost memories of her childhood in Iraq during her time in prison. Her only hope is to escape and save her friends. Does she have the physical, emotional, and mental strength to go on?
This novel is challenging emotionally, but definitely worth reading.
This novel is challenging emotionally, but definitely worth reading.
This was a great book. I would feel a little odd saying that I really enjoyed it, since there is a lot of torture. Much of the story takes place in Iraqi prisons during the rein of Saddam Hussein. The author is the niece of a member of our book club, so we had the privilege of having her come speak to us. Part of her childhood was spent in Baghdad, so she was able to share her experiences with us and how some of them were incorporated into her novel. I enjoy reading historical fiction books and...more
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. The author was kind enough to include a postcard and sign the book (unfortunately my name is not Cynthia, it seems my copy may have been mixed up with someone else's. But it's all good!). I really enjoyed it, I'll formulate a proper review once I have the chance to catch my breath.
Brand new book by a brand new author, my friend from Riverside. This is set in Irag and Tanya lived there as a child. She has written a story of insights into Irag lifestyle and the effects of war but mostly a story of romance and twists and excitement. Slam bang finish.
Loved this book. It has a lot of historical info about Iraq and Saddam Hussein's rise to power. It is also a great love story and there are a lot of twists and turns with the plot.
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11498370
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11498370
Once I picked this one up, it was hard to put down!
The first 160pgs were slow and seemed a bit contrived, but the last 200+ pages, I couldn't put the book down. What a page turner it turned out to be! Plus I've never read anything of this subject matter before. I liked the characters, but I wish there was more depth to the falling-in-love. I liked the the author wasn't wishy washy about how Iraqi/Hussien followers ruthlessness.
3.5 almost 4. This is a first novel written by the daughter of a friend of mine. It is a well written story of love and intrigue which takes place in Iraq before the current war. There are twists of plot to keep you turning pages, but, in the same vein as Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, there is cruelty to women and torture and murder that may be upsetting to readers.
I loved this book and was really impressed until I got to the ending which was too pat and convenient.
May 19, 2013
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Tanya Parker Mills was born on an American Air Force base in Tripoli, Libya that was later bombed into oblivion. It was, perhaps, a fitting precursor to other childhood sites filled with war and contention. During her five years as an American expatriate child in Baghdad, Iraq, her family witnessed two revolutions involving Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party. She was also present in Beirut in 1975 when...more
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Feb 09, 2009 04:53pm