Don't forget to breathe! "Mindwar" by Andrew Klavan

 

 

After an accident caused him to lose his athletic prowess, his status as highschool quarterback, and his general meaning in life, Rick Dial has drowned out the pain with a new obsession with playing video games. But his world is again rocked off of its axis when Rick is suddenly taken to a secret location where he learns that a very deadly war is going on, one that threatens the very existence of society as he knows it. When he agrees to join the battle using his skills, he finds himself tested in ways he never imagined possible.

 

Andrew Klavan has again spun a clever young adult fiction tale that explodes with non-stop action and fast moving scenes. The pacing is unreal, as readers are thrust into a fantastic what-if scenario that had me thinking about how quickly life as I know it could change if this plot were possible! Klavan is an excellent author, and one who doesn’t waste any words, but quickly draws readers into the story and doesn’t let them leave. I found myself experiencing each scene alongside of Rick, with a wonderful feeling of realism that even had me feeling his claustrophobia in one of the scenes! Not only is the writing crisp, but the characters are also solidly developed, and readers will quickly grow fond of Rick as they experience his emotional turmoil and witness him dig deep to find a new purpose and a new courage for living. The book is clearly the first in the series, but resolves one of the plot lines in a very touching manner indeed. I am left craving more, and wishing that it were already 2015 so I could read the next installment!

 

I greatly enjoyed this book from start to finish and highly recommend “Mindwar” not only for young adults, but for anyone looking for an adrenaline filled summer read. 5 out of 5 stars.

 

Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher via the Booklook Bloggers review program, for the purposes of this unbiased review.

 

 

about the author...

 

 

Award winning author, screenwriter and media commentator Andrew Klavan is the author of such internationally bestselling novels as True Crime, filmed by Clint Eastwood, and Don’t Say A Word, filmed starring Michael Douglas. Andrew has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award five times and has won twice. His books have been translated around the world. His latest novel for adults, The Identity Man, has been praised by Nelson Demille as “fast paced, intelligent and thought-provoking; a great read!” Television and radio host Glenn Beck says “Andrew Klavan never disappoints…one of the best illustrations of the power of redemption that I’ve ever read.” His last novel Empire of Lies was about media bias in the age of terror, and topped Amazon.com’s thriller list. Andrew has also published a series of thrillers for young adults, The Homelanders, which follows a patriotic teenager’s battle against jihadists. The books have been optioned to be made into movies by Summit Entertainment, the team behind the mega-successful Twilight film series. Learn more at his website:  http://www.andrewklavan.com/