First Review!

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AimeeKay's Reviews & Other Awesome Randomness!

http://reviewsfrommyfirstreadsshelf.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-of-sectors-by-harule-stokes.html

I liked Sectors for multiple reasons.  There were a few things I didn’t like, but overall the book is solid and was a great read.

Let’s start with the world Stokes has created.  I loved the rich detailing he gives.   I could almost smell the flowers as he was describing them.  I could see the beautiful way their homes are integrated with the nature that surrounds them.  I think there could have been a bit more description put into the northern areas.  But over all I could picture the land and the people easily. 

As for the characters I really enjoyed them.  Following Joseph on his path to figure out who he is was very interesting.  Not that he doesn’t know WHO he is, but to finding out what type of person he is. Since it is told directly from his point of view, the reader really gets a feel for his emotions, fears, etc., that cause him to make the decisions that he does.   Also I loved the female characters.  Satpal, her grandmother, and Joseph’s mom, to name a view are strong and independent.  Even Jennifer, who grated on my nerves, was strong in her own way.   I really got attached to some of the other supporting characters as well.  Not to spoil too much, but when Reynold has his rejoining I almost cried!

The story itself is well written as well.  There is a huge racism factor between the north and the south that Stokes doesn’t shy away from.  He brings it out and shows it exactly for what it is.  He also shows how it came about.  Along with this there are a lot of really deep soul searching moments as Joseph realizes he isn’t quite the person he thought he was.  While there are some great obvious lessons that could be applied outside the novel, it doesn’t feel overbearing or preachy. 

I only have two main issues with the book.  One is minor.  It’s that since the book is told through first person present tense pov there are obvious parts that are Josephs direct thoughts.  But they are differentiated in the text in anyway.  So it would just throw me once in a while when I was reading.  Maybe if they had been put in italics?

The other issue is my main issue.  It’s the ending.  It’s not really a cliffie.  I mean you know what Satpal and Joseph are going to do.  But instead of following them to the end of their mission, the book just ends.    I can assume that their plan succeeds, but I don’t know that for a fact. 

Overall I enjoyed the book.  Stokes descriptive writing style really pulled me in.  I became enthralled with the land as well as the characters.  I could easily recommend this one to both my male and female readers.  There’s no graphic sex, but the violence tends to the extreme so I don’t know if I’d recommend it to any younger teens.  I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.  It was a good read, but again I was disappointed with not having a more concrete ending. 

*I received an e-copy of this book for review from the author in exchange for a review with my honest opinion. All above opinions are my own*