Title: What if...?
Author: Steve N. Lee
Pages: 352
Publisher Blue Zoo
b's yearly count : 59
Oh, it is so hard for me to figure out how much to divulge of the plot and events of this book, since I am the type that will not (if possible) read any reviews on a book before I have had my chance to form an opinion, by way of reading the book myself. I know there are more out there like me as well. But as a reviewer I need to give a basic idea I will try to do it and at the same time not give you too many hints. Since this is a different genre than I typically read, it is a thriller, I know that the surprise factor is of even more importance. Here it goes:
What if..? is the story of John, a vagrant who has hidden away for 19 years, afraid to fail- but maybe even more afraid to succeed. Mary, a regular woman going through the motions of a life she is disappointed with comes into contact, through a string of events, with John. He saves her. How did he? Why did he? She should be dead, no question. Mary in her search for answers bites off more- maybe too much, but could John's gift be what this world needs? Starvation, death, pain, disease, thirst, could John help them all?
This thriller is an intense read of our current world, filled with tons of up-to-date facts and questions we are all asking ourselves. What if...? Will hint at some answers, but will create many more questions in the process. I never read thrillers, I am not sure why...I think because the covers aren't as pretty maybe, or they seem too end-of-the-world-ish for me. As far as thrillers go, if you are into them, and don't care how ugly their covers are this one is for you!!
What didn't I like? The "good guy" characters are always preaching. What do they preach?: political correctness, all faiths lead to the right place, and that really evil isn't as evil as you would think, and evildoers are only trying to do good in their own way. I am incredibly founded in my beliefs, and felt the wavering in What if...? from good, to bad, to grey quite unsettling. Political correctness, or the horror that it causes spoke to me like I got popped in the head! There is no wrong, only right, any wrong (even killing) done with good intentions, was righted, and praised. I am not sure the author was trying to push his beliefs, but sometimes it seemed that way. Others it seemed the "good guys" were really not all that good, and that that is what the author was trying to communicate. However, whenever a book is about politics and faith there are going to be toes that are stepped on, and not matter how stepped on mine were What if...? was a thrill of a thriller!
What did I like? The honesty of feelings, the rawness. Mary, the narrator was constantly wavering, questioning, and then finally reasoning and understanding. The characters seemed fully human, even more so since they were filled with doubt, fear, jealousy, pride, and envy. I also enjoyed reading What if...? It was interesting, different, and I found the intensity rewarding. I was stirred by the concepts of donating, using less, not buying as much, spreading the wealth we have, and constantly thinking about how we can help those that are not as fortunate to be born in the US with all the genetically predisposed benefits that we completely take for granted. What can each of us do to help? What can we do to bring aid?
Does that give you enough of a glimpse? I really hope so. This thriller, What if...? will take you so many places you have never been before, and if you are like me you will have a love/hate relationship in going along. Love because you see the good, and hate because you see that there is so much that needs to be changed in our world today. What do you think? Ready for this thriller???
Oh, and what do you think of the cover? I don't really like white covers, and it is a little text-booky. What do you think, do you have an opinion?? Should a book be selected by its cover? Huh, I already know the answer to that one :)
Some important links:
Steve N. Lee's site
Lions Led by Sheep (author's blog)
What if...? Chapter samples
Have you read and reviewed What if...? by Steve N. Lee. Leave your link in a comment and I will be sure to link to you.
Other blogger reviews:
Downwarden
She Reads Books
Book Chase
