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A review by jdk_andes
Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass
3.0
This is a dark, violent, and disturbing book inspired by (and often sensationalizing) real life horrors. It is a book with a clear, and important message, but also a book which builds entertainment from tragedy. I sense that for many people, this story will inspire them into action, or to reconsider their stances. And I genuinely hope that this book finds its way to its intended audience. At the same time I am very much aware that I was not the intended audience.
The actual quality of the writing here is very good. The characters are especially compelling, and there is a central mystery which has plenty of twists and turns. Unfortunately, the second half of the book feels somewhat less "realistic" than the first, as so many over-the-top and disturbing things happen so quickly. This has the perhaps unintended consequence of making the villains (who are based on an actual kind of person) feel cartoonish and unrealistic. Yet I was still engaged in seeing the story through to the end, and I felt the message stayed consistent and clear.
The actual quality of the writing here is very good. The characters are especially compelling, and there is a central mystery which has plenty of twists and turns. Unfortunately, the second half of the book feels somewhat less "realistic" than the first, as so many over-the-top and disturbing things happen so quickly. This has the perhaps unintended consequence of making the villains (who are based on an actual kind of person) feel cartoonish and unrealistic. Yet I was still engaged in seeing the story through to the end, and I felt the message stayed consistent and clear.