Checking my reading history with this author I have to say it is a 50/50 hit and miss – I’ve had everything from dislike to love – and that actually can speaks in favor of an author because it either means the writing is inconsistent (which is NOT the case) or it’s simply because of the different book types that have been released (that sounds more like it)

Anyway – reading a lot of novels featuring damaged soldiers – I think Everett is by far the youngest damaged soldier. Which is also what makes this book so different. Because just like the Blurb said “One year ago, the boy next door was captured as a prisoner of war.” – I cannot remember ever reading a book where a soldier this young returns and is faced with a life that is centered around others that still haven’t finished High school.

He really is a Boy in so many aspects of life – where in vital others he is far older, has seen and endured far more than many other people in their whole life.

This setting makes this book stand out. It also leaves me wondering … my mind going in all political directions – even if it is said you should never discuss religion and politics – reading this book it simply cannot be helped. At least not in my mind. In some countries Everett would not have been old enough to even drink alcohol legally but he was old enough to be send into danger….. Sorry I just had to say it once what was going on in my mind constantly while reading this.

We have a boy that is considered man on one hand – and still treated like a child in many other ways As I said I read many books on broken/damaged soldiers and this one mixes the reactions of these soldiers perfectly with what I would expect a teenager to react when exposed to this situation. And if you think that might be a mess of whole new proportions – you are absolutely right – because it is a mess.

A Mess that made this a very interesting ride and there wasn’t much missing for this to be a 5 star read.