Shomeret's Declared December Reads 1/2

[Shomeret]

I am declaring December done. There is no chance that I will finish any more books in 2016. So here are my reads.

1)India Was One by An Indian (romantic thriller) Source: Amazon purchase Started: 12/1 Finished: 12/4

Why Read: I purchased this some time ago because the premise of a divided India sounded intriguing. More recently, the author asked me to review it.

Comments: This is a sort of hybrid that could work if the author found the right audience for it.
3/4 of the book is about a romantic relationship, but it contains a great deal of cricket content which probably wouldn't interest many romance readers unless they're from India where cricket is popular. The last quarter of the book deals with the separation of the MCs in a divided India. It has a strong thriller vibe. I liked that final section, so I gave it a B+. See my review at http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...

2)The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco (author's memoir) Source: Library Started: 12/5 Finished: 12/5

Why Read: I was interested in reading about the relationship between a talented child and her art teacher.

Comments: Patricia Polacco is a children's author, but this memoir is thematically sophisticated. It deals with difference, learning disabilities and the importance of art classes. The illustrations are wonderful. I gave it an A.

3) Code Blue by Zvika Amit (near future dystopia) Source: Amazon purchase
Started: 12/6 Finished: 12/12

Why Read: Israel's government is toppled by a military coup. It seemed like a nightmarish but possible future. For me, it's like a train wreck happening right before my eyes. I couldn't look away.

Comments: Not so likely with the current government, but if the current coalition falls apart... The male and female MCs were very believable and represented opposing perspectives. The ending might seem like a cliffhanger to some readers. I thought it was a form of resolution but it requires an ability to project what is most likely to happen next. I actually liked the ending. Unfortunately, there was an editing problem. I gave it a B-. See my review at http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...

4)Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters (alternate history dystopia) 326 pages. Source: Library Started: 12/12 Finished: 12/17

Why Read: It sounded like an original alternate history. Four states remain slave states in the 21st century in a continuity where the American Civil War never happened.

Comments: The alternate world and the MC are both gradually developed. It takes a while to understand the situation of the MC and his motivations. There are lots of plot twists. Really excellent. Rating A.

To Be Continued...

[Ann]

Shomeret: Nice group of books and two A ranks. A couple catch my eye of the alternative history/ dystopian novels. I usually enjoy the world building details when well done so will look out for Underground Airlines. A book that ends with a situation that allows us to imagine what happens next is also something I usually enjoy.