by Hugh Howey
An anti-war novel that fails in its very argument. Instead of a big reveal outlining an enlightened path to peace, the story ends with the hopelessly humanistic status quo and only a wish and a dream for something better as our way forward.
Sadly, the motif reflects the atheism of the author and while providing some excellent food for thought on the traumas of war nevertheless leaves one dissatisfied as to what we do with it.
The writing at times is quite inspired, however. Howey is an excellent observer and communicator of human pathos. Still, our collective angst can only take us so far. If only the author had true hope to communicate and not mere imagination to draw upon. 3 stars.
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