review 1: Story of Sara whose son is serving in the US military - SEALS. Narrative is flashbacks of his life set against the current life of Sara as she discovers he is first missing in action, then found. Brings us uncompromisingly face to face with the realities of high calibre military existence which Sara learns about because of the love she has for her son and his choices. Aside from the overwhelming military acronyms I didn't want to put this down - extraordinary people and ordinary people in difficult times. review 2: The lack of complex characters who need things from each other (other than the mother and son), the ill-explained and over-done allegiance that the protagonist has for the father of her child (a man who seemed to impress everyone, though whom the rea... moreders never really get to see in action and therefore have to decide for themselves; a man who, quite honestly, fits the counterpoint stereotype of the protagonist he impregnated), the seemingly blatant disregard for narrating the present moment, and the blind faith support of Jason's TEAM and his choices made this book a let down for me. It came highly recommended and I am especially interested in female civilian authors writing about contemporary war. But time and time again, the narrative of this book failed to glue together and the characters seemed like unfulfilling and unexplained cliches. I'd be willing to read it again, as a study in perhaps what I missed and what needed to be revised for more craft and finesse...but I wouldn't recommend it to others. less
