Rotten Gods (Marika Hartmann, #1) in SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group

Aug 19, 2013 Samuel rated it it was amazing

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Rotten Gods is one of the most sophisticated geopolitical thrillers published in 2013. It's written by an Australian, Greg Barron who travelled across the Middle East, parts of Africa and even took a course in the study of terrorism in order to make the research airtight. Most books in the genre sometimes become "ordinance catalogues". Rotten Gods distinguishes itself from the pack by hiding a cautionary tale and social critique behind the gunfire and by making an effort to explore certain uncom Rotten Gods is one of the most sophisticated geopolitical thrillers published in 2013. It's written by an Australian, Greg Barron who travelled across the Middle East, parts of Africa and even took a course in the study of terrorism in order to make the research airtight. Most books in the genre sometimes become "ordinance catalogues". Rotten Gods distinguishes itself from the pack by hiding a cautionary tale and social critique behind the gunfire and by making an effort to explore certain uncomfortable issues thoroughly.

It begins a year or two into the future. Climate change has finally gotten serious,multiple economies are down the toilet and so the UN decides to host a conference in Dubai where every single world leader of significance attends. The conference is not expected to achieve anything concrete and is dismissed as a "talkfest". As the conference begins, the keynote speaker makes a compelling attack on the people in the room, calling them out on how their greed and complacency has caused environmental damage to the third world in Africa and Asia. Before security can get him off the stage, he makes them back down with an exploding briefcase and after forcing them to let 9 bloodthirsty islamisist extremists into the room, locks it down. With its top of the line security and the terrorists wiring the room with explosives, the group has a captive audience of leaders such as the President of the United States at their mercy. After making their demands, which, if met, would create a islamist state spanning much of Africa, they sign off by threatening to kill everyone in the room in seven days time. As the days progress, they also put on trial select world leaders for "war crimes" which they believe deserve to be punished with death. This hostage taking and the efforts to end it led by the Dubai law enforcement, UK SBS and a Australian intelligence officer are the basis of this compelling book.

Plot-wise, Rotten Gods is jaw dropping. From the first "day" of the crisis, to the final shot being fired, you'll never know who is going to come out alive or how much the terrorist will accomplish. The settings are also fantastic. From gun battles in Somalia to an assault on a terrorist base in Yemen, the author utilises under-used yet geopolitically relevant setting to great effect. The research is excellent. Clancy fans will marvel at a sophisticated Royal Navy vessel,accurate weapons and tactics use by the factions involved in the book and the psychological factors which make an islamist extremist violent. As for characters, the author has created a fantastic cast. Here are three stand-outs. First, there's Marika, the protagonist. She's one of the rare female protagonists in the genre and even though she starts off as the naive ignorant westerner who believes Somali warlords would follow the Geneva convention, she wises up to her situation and gets a lot stronger and ruthless as the week goes by. She's also got a strong moral compass and wants to do the right thing even if she gets hurt in the process. Many people who've read thrillers in this genre would cringe at how she angsts occasionally but in a world as screwed up as the one the author created, you'll be hoping there would be more people like her. Next, there's Simon, a Airline pilot who's diplomat wife is blackmailed into helping the terrorists. Despite being an ordinary man with no resources or military experience, he goes to EXTREME lengths to rescue his kidnapped children, triumphing over adverse situations and hostile environments. Thirdly, there's Dr Ali Khalid Abukar who steals the show. He's a tragic figure, a man who's been forced to side with evil men in order to make the world wake up to growing problems it has ducked and not confronted. His moral dilemmas and a final act of redemption make his character the most compelling and a terrorist who's not a 2-D caricature but a realistic person.

But its not the characters, plot or even the technology which make Rotten Gods fantastic, its the topics the book explores. There are many so here's three. The author puts his studies on terrorism to good use, attempting to show the war on terror from the Jihadists perspective. From charismatic men warping the Koran to perceived injustices and collateral damage committed by the west, the author successfully demonstrates a complex side of terrorism that is more sophisticated than other books in the genre written by established authors. Make no mistake however, Greg Barron does not romanticise the terrorists. On the contrary, he creates some of the most extremely despicable Jihadists ever to grace the genre and by day 7, you'll be screaming for them to get what they deserve-a bullet to the face. Next, the author explores the costs of consumerism, trying to show that its a serious issue that needs to be solved. He doesn't try beat you over the head with an environmental group's manifesto though, instead the author simply portrays a possible scenario where no action has been taken, blends several concerning statistics along with a major natural disaster in the background of the action and forces you to stop, think and consider if he has a point. Finally, the author examines the peril's of political posturing. Barron uses the sorry state of the UN as a case in point, attempting to demonstrate how the selfish attitude of its members led to infighting instead of creating solutions to make the world a better, peaceful place like it was originally intended to do.

Overall, Rotten Gods stakes Australia's claim to the genre which has been dominated by America for decades. It's epic but not confusing, sophisticated but action packed, has a highly imaginative plot and explores complex and relevant issues with brutal honesty. In short,it will actually make you think about the world we live in and it's the best geopolitical thriller I've read in 2013.
DAMN NEAR PERFECT AND COMPLETELY RECOMMENDED. ...more

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