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The Planner #1
The Planner
Forty-one year old Kris Mitchell has seen her entire life ripped away from her by the economic downturn. Once a top-producing real estate agent with a great business and a beautiful home, Kris is now barely staying alive selling a few houses a year. Her home has been foreclosed on and her long-time boyfriend has married someone else. When Kris gets an opportunity to become a Level 1 Planner for a new federal agency that has been created to implement the Retire America Act of 2013, she is grateful that for the first time in years, she will actually have a steady paycheck and a future.
As Kris works to implement the Retire America Act, she learns that the government’s new plan to confiscate all of the wealth and property of America’s retirees in exchange for lifelong care in the Smart Seniors Housing Program has some serious downsides. As she relinquishes more and more personal freedom to hold on to her job, she discovers what it really means to trade liberty for security.
As Kris works to implement the Retire America Act, she learns that the government’s new plan to confiscate all of the wealth and property of America’s retirees in exchange for lifelong care in the Smart Seniors Housing Program has some serious downsides. As she relinquishes more and more personal freedom to hold on to her job, she discovers what it really means to trade liberty for security.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2012
44 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Swann
22 books85 followersIn 1986, Alexandra Swann graduated at fifteen years of age with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Brigham Young University and a GPA of 3.85. The following year, when she was sixteen, she received a Master’s Degree in History from California State University. After graduation, she taught history and English as a second language for four years at El Paso Community College. In 1989, her book, "No Regrets: How Homeschooling Earned me a Master’s Degree at Age Sixteen", was published, in which she details her experiences with homeschooling.
For fifteen years, from 1998-2013, Alexandra was self-employed in the financial services industry in El Paso, Texas. As a small business owner who was active in the community and on various civic boards, she learned first-hand the challenges that excessive regulations create for small businesses. In 2012 she received the SBA’s Regional Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award. In 2014 she moved to Dallas where she works in financial services and is active in the community through various industry organizations and committees.
In 2010, Alexandra and her mother incorporated Frontier 2000 Media Group to produce clean, wholesome, inspirational entertainment for families. She re-released "No Regrets" with a new foreword to the twentieth anniversary edition of the book updating readers on what her family is doing today. She is also co-author of five Christian fiction novels including "The Fourth Kingdom" which was selected as one of four finalists in the Christianity Today 2011 Christian Fiction Book Awards. Her newest book, "The Invitation", [co-authored with Joyce}, is book one of their series Kinsman. "The Invitation" was published on Christmas Eve of 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 6, 2013
This is one of the most truly frightening books I've ever read. It's frightening because it is so logically plausible and possible within the world we actually inhabit.
If you have read Agenda 21 (even if you didn't like it for whatever reason) this book is better by a factor of 10. Where that book takes place in the future and attempts to look at a country suffering under what Agenda 21 will lead to this book simply looks at the world today/in the near future and lays out a, "what could happen" scenario. Many of you will at first look at this book and say.."that could never happen" or "that could never happen here" (you know like the Russians did before Lenin and the Germans did before Hitler).
Look folks I'm going to ask that you shelve your preconceived ideas about who and what "conservatives" are and where the federal government and those leading the left are really going. I'm just asking you to think as I know your first reaction to this book will be negative if you are self identified as but not limited to: liberal, progressive, left wing etc.
Please read this book, look up Agenda 21, look up the NDAA. they are real and depending which web sight you find you may have to sift through some legalese but the facts are there.
As I said, this book is genuinely frightening if you really think about it.
I already have the sequel.
If you have read Agenda 21 (even if you didn't like it for whatever reason) this book is better by a factor of 10. Where that book takes place in the future and attempts to look at a country suffering under what Agenda 21 will lead to this book simply looks at the world today/in the near future and lays out a, "what could happen" scenario. Many of you will at first look at this book and say.."that could never happen" or "that could never happen here" (you know like the Russians did before Lenin and the Germans did before Hitler).
Look folks I'm going to ask that you shelve your preconceived ideas about who and what "conservatives" are and where the federal government and those leading the left are really going. I'm just asking you to think as I know your first reaction to this book will be negative if you are self identified as but not limited to: liberal, progressive, left wing etc.
Please read this book, look up Agenda 21, look up the NDAA. they are real and depending which web sight you find you may have to sift through some legalese but the facts are there.
As I said, this book is genuinely frightening if you really think about it.
I already have the sequel.
July 8, 2014
A look into the future of America if the plans of our ever-increasing government are not thwarted. America, it is time to wake up!! We have got to stop giving away our freedoms in exchange for small offers of security. Offers that will never be fulfilled. Offers of security obtained by the price of freedoms that will not be restored when we finally figure out (too late!) that we are getting nothing that was promised.
December 31, 2013
Ripped from today's headlines, this book is a warning about what is happening behind the scenes in America. as a senior it was especially frightening to me. A UN planned project called Agenda 21 is now in the works and this book is a look at what could happen if our country accepts this insidious program into our country. What could happen to elderly and those who are not productive is a warning we must not deny. We are already on the slippery slope and must wake up or what is in this book could become reality. A must read.
September 27, 2013
This book scared the hell out of me because I'm a political geek and I see it coming. Every time I stopped reading it I looked around the room to make sure I wasn't in Alexandra's fictional (or is it?) world.
I can't give any of this away, but if you are looking for a timely read that paints a picture of the end game that could be our country if it is left to progressive control, this is your book.
Great read, nice job, thanks in advance for the bad dreams.
I can't give any of this away, but if you are looking for a timely read that paints a picture of the end game that could be our country if it is left to progressive control, this is your book.
Great read, nice job, thanks in advance for the bad dreams.
December 12, 2013
Fictional account of how American government confiscates the wealth and property of its citizens and how the citizens gladly give these things up for for the promise of convenience: free medical care, prepared meals, laundry, cleaning of home/maintenance,etc. The reality of the broken promises paints a picture of how some of the Communist Countries must gave gotten where they are now. An interesting, thought-provoking, yet sobering quick read.
October 25, 2013
This is a book about frogs in a pot of water – a story about Americans. Swann had to turn the heat up and bring it to a boil much faster than real life. A couple of years ago the government required my electric company to replace my meter with a “Smart Meter.” My new Smart Meter, in conjunction with new Smart Appliances, will allow a government lackey to remotely turn off any of my appliances anytime the government decides I need to curtail usage. Smart, in government newspeak, stands for Socialist. They haven’t turned my stuff off yet, but the water in the pot is a wee bit warmer.
In "The Planner," the government has total control over the lives of people who “voluntarily” agree to live in Smart (Socialist) Communities (government housing designed and governed according to UN Agenda 21 rules). In the Smart Communities, the controllers could even turn people’s water off during the hot part of the day in the Arizona desert all summer – for the greater good. In a normal novel, I would roll my eyes at the way people are seduced into voluntarily signing up for Smart Communities. Janine and Jim have a well-furnished mansion, but they are caught in a desperate financial crisis. The government has promised them Social Security checks for as long as they live – a government promise. Then, the President announces that the government is going to cancel Social Security because it is bankrupt and there is no money. So a choice is presented – lose their house and everything in it and be destitute; or give their house and all their possessions to the government so they can live in a Smart Community where the government promises to give them everything they need for the rest of their lives – a government promise. They can choose to rely on a failing economy or rely on the government that just broke its Social Security promise. For some reason, the government seems to Janine and Jim to be the better choice. This is where my eyes would normally roll.
The problem is that Jim and Janine have not recognized the third choice – to rely on themselves. They are giving everything they have to the government. They might as well put their stuff on eBay, and look for jobs. Then they would have time to sell their house, buy a modest home and perhaps have some money to invest – and their freedom – and maybe save their family heirlooms as well.
But, I am not rolling my eyes because I realize this work of fiction is based upon the real world, where people are being led to not even think about relying upon themselves. The progressive school system, Hollywood, and the Obama Congregational, Suck Up, Mainstream Media preach the government-is-required-to-provide-everything-you-need-cradle-to-grave doctrine 24/7/365. Obama’s reelection, after failing at everything, is the real eye roller here. A majority of the voting public would rather have government take care of them than trust themselves. This is the Utopia promise, and they have bought it in spite of historical evidence that it has never worked.
I give this book five stars because it is a well-written warning wrapped in an interesting plot with interesting characters – hopefully some who expect the government to solve their personal problems will look around and see the rising temps – and I’m not talking about global warming.
In "The Planner," the government has total control over the lives of people who “voluntarily” agree to live in Smart (Socialist) Communities (government housing designed and governed according to UN Agenda 21 rules). In the Smart Communities, the controllers could even turn people’s water off during the hot part of the day in the Arizona desert all summer – for the greater good. In a normal novel, I would roll my eyes at the way people are seduced into voluntarily signing up for Smart Communities. Janine and Jim have a well-furnished mansion, but they are caught in a desperate financial crisis. The government has promised them Social Security checks for as long as they live – a government promise. Then, the President announces that the government is going to cancel Social Security because it is bankrupt and there is no money. So a choice is presented – lose their house and everything in it and be destitute; or give their house and all their possessions to the government so they can live in a Smart Community where the government promises to give them everything they need for the rest of their lives – a government promise. They can choose to rely on a failing economy or rely on the government that just broke its Social Security promise. For some reason, the government seems to Janine and Jim to be the better choice. This is where my eyes would normally roll.
The problem is that Jim and Janine have not recognized the third choice – to rely on themselves. They are giving everything they have to the government. They might as well put their stuff on eBay, and look for jobs. Then they would have time to sell their house, buy a modest home and perhaps have some money to invest – and their freedom – and maybe save their family heirlooms as well.
But, I am not rolling my eyes because I realize this work of fiction is based upon the real world, where people are being led to not even think about relying upon themselves. The progressive school system, Hollywood, and the Obama Congregational, Suck Up, Mainstream Media preach the government-is-required-to-provide-everything-you-need-cradle-to-grave doctrine 24/7/365. Obama’s reelection, after failing at everything, is the real eye roller here. A majority of the voting public would rather have government take care of them than trust themselves. This is the Utopia promise, and they have bought it in spite of historical evidence that it has never worked.
I give this book five stars because it is a well-written warning wrapped in an interesting plot with interesting characters – hopefully some who expect the government to solve their personal problems will look around and see the rising temps – and I’m not talking about global warming.
February 9, 2013
The Planner
By Alexandra Swann
Kris Mitchell had everything, until the bottom fell out. She had a great job, a big house, a great boyfriend, but then the real estate market went south, and all she has left of her old life is her Cadillac. Now Kris has a new job as a Level I Planner to sell Smart Seniors Communities to the retired community. Could you turn over all your assets to the government in exchange for room and board for life? Social security will be ended in 90 days. If you don’t move here, you will not have money to live on. But it’s only by invitation that you can live in one of these communities. Why is that?
Each community is filled with like-minded people, the officials make certain that the seniors in each community are in similar age groups and come from similar religious and social backgrounds. They have prescreened friends, a fully staffed clinic, a dining hall that provides three meals a day, a gym, and laundry service. All they have to do is transfer ownership of their home and their assets to the Federal Municipal Planning Division in exchange for a guaranteed life –lease. Sound too good to be true?
Kris’ father is a fun character. While she is explaining to him and her mother about her new job as a Level 1 Planner for FMPD, he keeps interjecting his opinion. Kris’ mother is hoping Kris will find her way back to God. The long, stressful nightmare that Kris had called her life for the past four years has finally ended with her new job. The future is going to be great. But Kris soon realizes things are not as they appear. The truth is more sinister than Kris can even imagine. Why are only certain people invited into the communities, can the government really control every aspect of your life, and what happens if you don’t want to do as you’re told?
The Planner is another exciting novel by Alexandra Swann. Once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down. This book is a definite must read for anyone who loves suspense. How much control should we give to our government? This book reveals what could happen if we give them too much control. Is security worth our freedom? Are we better off giving everything we own to the government in exchange for life-long security and care? I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.
By Alexandra Swann
Kris Mitchell had everything, until the bottom fell out. She had a great job, a big house, a great boyfriend, but then the real estate market went south, and all she has left of her old life is her Cadillac. Now Kris has a new job as a Level I Planner to sell Smart Seniors Communities to the retired community. Could you turn over all your assets to the government in exchange for room and board for life? Social security will be ended in 90 days. If you don’t move here, you will not have money to live on. But it’s only by invitation that you can live in one of these communities. Why is that?
Each community is filled with like-minded people, the officials make certain that the seniors in each community are in similar age groups and come from similar religious and social backgrounds. They have prescreened friends, a fully staffed clinic, a dining hall that provides three meals a day, a gym, and laundry service. All they have to do is transfer ownership of their home and their assets to the Federal Municipal Planning Division in exchange for a guaranteed life –lease. Sound too good to be true?
Kris’ father is a fun character. While she is explaining to him and her mother about her new job as a Level 1 Planner for FMPD, he keeps interjecting his opinion. Kris’ mother is hoping Kris will find her way back to God. The long, stressful nightmare that Kris had called her life for the past four years has finally ended with her new job. The future is going to be great. But Kris soon realizes things are not as they appear. The truth is more sinister than Kris can even imagine. Why are only certain people invited into the communities, can the government really control every aspect of your life, and what happens if you don’t want to do as you’re told?
The Planner is another exciting novel by Alexandra Swann. Once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down. This book is a definite must read for anyone who loves suspense. How much control should we give to our government? This book reveals what could happen if we give them too much control. Is security worth our freedom? Are we better off giving everything we own to the government in exchange for life-long security and care? I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.
August 20, 2013
Agenda 21 is set in motion by eliminating social security for the elderly. Imagine this: your grandparents (or parents) are told to turn over all of their assets to the government. In return they will get a nice new place in a new smart-community for the elderly where everything will be taken care of for them - no more worrying about bills, they don't have to cook, food is provided, medical treatment is available on site, they don't even have to clean. Perfect retirement. Nothing to do but relax and enjoy the golden years.
Looks pretty on the brochures, but in reality Section W is:
or this:
And finally ends up like this:
Redistribution of wealth takes one giant leap forward as it is used to facilitate the beginning phases of Agenda 21 - to take all land away from Americans. Now, this book is used to illustrate the fears of right-wing conservatives. But these fears are very real, and the author turned them into a nightmare. It's actually pretty frightening.
Don't let "right-wing conservative" turn you off. I don't fall into that category (at all), and this book would scare the crap out of a hard-core Marxist.
Looks pretty on the brochures, but in reality Section W is:
or this:
And finally ends up like this:
Redistribution of wealth takes one giant leap forward as it is used to facilitate the beginning phases of Agenda 21 - to take all land away from Americans. Now, this book is used to illustrate the fears of right-wing conservatives. But these fears are very real, and the author turned them into a nightmare. It's actually pretty frightening.
Don't let "right-wing conservative" turn you off. I don't fall into that category (at all), and this book would scare the crap out of a hard-core Marxist.
March 8, 2013
This scared the stuffing out of me! It's about the death panels of Obama care, mishandling of seniors, confiscation of all personal property as well a SS. It's a wake up call to all who are being led down the path by promises of taking care of folks from a government run amok. Citizen beware!
July 13, 2014
Pure crap.
unadulterated right wing propaganda. Poorly crafted, if you are a fan of Fox news you will probably love this extended political brochure.
unadulterated right wing propaganda. Poorly crafted, if you are a fan of Fox news you will probably love this extended political brochure.
August 26, 2014
Written review to come :)
August 31, 2018
I stand guilty of having this on my Kindle for way too long. Now I have read it and, frankly I was blown away.
The Planner is told with such an effortless beauty. As I am a movie buff, I found myself wishing this was made into a drama for all to see.
The Planner takes the reader through a scenario that is not at all far flung. As it was written in 2012, much of the set-up has seen fulfillment already. This is a futuristic book, but not in the "too distant" future. The story walks you through one person's (Kris) experience as she takes a higher level government job to "help" seniors into their new "sustainable" communities.
As Kris helps her own parents with the transition, things start to get a bit too real.
Have these seniors made the right choice? What concerns are popping up? Will Kris stick her nose too far into the issues which arise?
There are real issues of faith and Christian walk that are addressed as well.
This is one of those books that I wish to emphasize every American to read. I now truly see the power of the novel as a viable mode to communicate truth.
Whatever your political and philosophical leanings are, you should read The Planner.
I truly applaud Alexandra Swann for this finely crafted tale of love, loyalties, and liberty.
The Planner happens to be the first book that inspired me to immediately read the second book of the series. I'm already in chapter 4 of The Chosen.
The Planner is told with such an effortless beauty. As I am a movie buff, I found myself wishing this was made into a drama for all to see.
The Planner takes the reader through a scenario that is not at all far flung. As it was written in 2012, much of the set-up has seen fulfillment already. This is a futuristic book, but not in the "too distant" future. The story walks you through one person's (Kris) experience as she takes a higher level government job to "help" seniors into their new "sustainable" communities.
As Kris helps her own parents with the transition, things start to get a bit too real.
Have these seniors made the right choice? What concerns are popping up? Will Kris stick her nose too far into the issues which arise?
There are real issues of faith and Christian walk that are addressed as well.
This is one of those books that I wish to emphasize every American to read. I now truly see the power of the novel as a viable mode to communicate truth.
Whatever your political and philosophical leanings are, you should read The Planner.
I truly applaud Alexandra Swann for this finely crafted tale of love, loyalties, and liberty.
The Planner happens to be the first book that inspired me to immediately read the second book of the series. I'm already in chapter 4 of The Chosen.
September 8, 2020
Warning for America
I saw this book as a warning. It really has made me understand that I need to pray more fervently for the freedom that our country was founded on. Jesus, help us! Very well done!
I saw this book as a warning. It really has made me understand that I need to pray more fervently for the freedom that our country was founded on. Jesus, help us! Very well done!
May 23, 2023
The Planner
Totally worth reading, almost a horror story. The story is about the government plans to relocate seniors and then... I can hardly believe that this could happen, but it has happened before.
Totally worth reading, almost a horror story. The story is about the government plans to relocate seniors and then... I can hardly believe that this could happen, but it has happened before.
December 12, 2013
Review copied from Amazon:
There are some religious elements in the book that might startle someone not used to Libertarian fiction including religion in its characters or premise. However, these are unobtrusive in this novel (not so in sequel unfortunately) as part of character development and setting. This is a fact-based novel that reads like a thriller, I raced through the book in a little over 2 days, edge of the seat, nail biting suspense. The political reality is terrifying, mostly because the research and details provided are true already, this is no far future imagining, but a true tale happening now & enough to freak out anyone who reads it and is familiar with the NDAA, UN Agenda 21 & Dodd decision, to name a few.
This author is brand new to me, found through GoodReads app, suggested in a Small Government Fiction Book club there, and included enough dystopian features to grab my attention. I thought the price was high for a softcover book, but none of the libraries carried these, so I took a chance and bought both books. Swann is a Christian writer, both fiction and non-fiction, which I did not know until after purchasing the books. Most people will enjoy that underlying detail, but others won't, however it does not at all get in the way of the story in this book one of a two book series.
Readers will easily identify with and grow to love/hate the characters, become invested in the storyline & what happens to the people involved. Since we all have aging parents or friends entering or in retirement, and are aware of the issues with Medicare and Social Security, as well as far-reaching government control and constitutional backwardsness going on in gov't these days, the reader will fall into this nightmarish Smart Senior Community reality readily, all the horrors easy to imagine or see coming if we don't take action to prevent this end result. There is definitely a Libertarian, conservative, small government message, though it does not speechify or over-power the novel.
The only caveat I have is to do with its sequel, which does have a heavily Christian/Jewish/Catholic religious theme, opening and outcome that many may object to, so I'm including this info for those who would not want to start the 2-book series knowing the second book is quite different from the first. I still believe they are worth reading, every citizen needs to be aware of what is happening behind closed doors, hidden in the laws being passed, and overtly being ignored by many as not applying to them; sad to say, the events revealed in this book apply to everyone.
There are some religious elements in the book that might startle someone not used to Libertarian fiction including religion in its characters or premise. However, these are unobtrusive in this novel (not so in sequel unfortunately) as part of character development and setting. This is a fact-based novel that reads like a thriller, I raced through the book in a little over 2 days, edge of the seat, nail biting suspense. The political reality is terrifying, mostly because the research and details provided are true already, this is no far future imagining, but a true tale happening now & enough to freak out anyone who reads it and is familiar with the NDAA, UN Agenda 21 & Dodd decision, to name a few.
This author is brand new to me, found through GoodReads app, suggested in a Small Government Fiction Book club there, and included enough dystopian features to grab my attention. I thought the price was high for a softcover book, but none of the libraries carried these, so I took a chance and bought both books. Swann is a Christian writer, both fiction and non-fiction, which I did not know until after purchasing the books. Most people will enjoy that underlying detail, but others won't, however it does not at all get in the way of the story in this book one of a two book series.
Readers will easily identify with and grow to love/hate the characters, become invested in the storyline & what happens to the people involved. Since we all have aging parents or friends entering or in retirement, and are aware of the issues with Medicare and Social Security, as well as far-reaching government control and constitutional backwardsness going on in gov't these days, the reader will fall into this nightmarish Smart Senior Community reality readily, all the horrors easy to imagine or see coming if we don't take action to prevent this end result. There is definitely a Libertarian, conservative, small government message, though it does not speechify or over-power the novel.
The only caveat I have is to do with its sequel, which does have a heavily Christian/Jewish/Catholic religious theme, opening and outcome that many may object to, so I'm including this info for those who would not want to start the 2-book series knowing the second book is quite different from the first. I still believe they are worth reading, every citizen needs to be aware of what is happening behind closed doors, hidden in the laws being passed, and overtly being ignored by many as not applying to them; sad to say, the events revealed in this book apply to everyone.
October 12, 2013
First, you should know that I was sent The Planner for review. Secondly, you should know that I was so riveted by the story that I purchased the sequel, The Chosen, for my Kindle immediately upon finishing it.
In the first book, The Planner, we find a progressive U. S. government running completely out of control. Or maybe that should be running completely in control. In control of it's citizens. Senior citizens living out their retirement years on Social Security and Medicare find themselves faced with a tough decision -- give up all of their assets to the government and a sign a life lease to be taken care of in government housing, where all of their food and medical needs will be "met," or face the discontinuance of their benefits. The main character of the book, Kris -- out of work and homeless -- is in need of a job and soon becomes the planner for the government agency running this program. It's her job to convince the senior community that this is the best choice, and the first people she needs to convince are her own parents. When her parents make the difficult and desperate choice to live in Section W, and then disappear a few months later, Kris realizes what's really going on -- the extermination of American citizens.
In the second book, The Chosen, Kris becomes the desperate one. She is desperate to fight the U. S. Government after her husband and brother-in-law have been detained for "terrorism." In this not so futuristic look at America, thousands of citizens are being detained and put to death without trial when the government, with which they disagree, label them as terrorists, based on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
I was glued to these books for an entire weekend. I literally could not put them down, reading them both in a span of about 3 days. They are at once suspenseful and frightening. I felt every emotion you could imagine -- fear, anger, relief, sadness, and joy. I was reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right, both for the benefit of my own family, and for the country at large.
The NDAA is not a fictional piece of legislation. It was signed into law by President Obama on December 31, 2011. While these books are works of fiction, they are also a cautionary look at what could very well happen to America, in the very near future, if things do not change quickly-- as in tomorrow.
In the first book, The Planner, we find a progressive U. S. government running completely out of control. Or maybe that should be running completely in control. In control of it's citizens. Senior citizens living out their retirement years on Social Security and Medicare find themselves faced with a tough decision -- give up all of their assets to the government and a sign a life lease to be taken care of in government housing, where all of their food and medical needs will be "met," or face the discontinuance of their benefits. The main character of the book, Kris -- out of work and homeless -- is in need of a job and soon becomes the planner for the government agency running this program. It's her job to convince the senior community that this is the best choice, and the first people she needs to convince are her own parents. When her parents make the difficult and desperate choice to live in Section W, and then disappear a few months later, Kris realizes what's really going on -- the extermination of American citizens.
In the second book, The Chosen, Kris becomes the desperate one. She is desperate to fight the U. S. Government after her husband and brother-in-law have been detained for "terrorism." In this not so futuristic look at America, thousands of citizens are being detained and put to death without trial when the government, with which they disagree, label them as terrorists, based on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
I was glued to these books for an entire weekend. I literally could not put them down, reading them both in a span of about 3 days. They are at once suspenseful and frightening. I felt every emotion you could imagine -- fear, anger, relief, sadness, and joy. I was reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right, both for the benefit of my own family, and for the country at large.
The NDAA is not a fictional piece of legislation. It was signed into law by President Obama on December 31, 2011. While these books are works of fiction, they are also a cautionary look at what could very well happen to America, in the very near future, if things do not change quickly-- as in tomorrow.
October 13, 2014
Three and a half stars. I am not sure how I would shelve this book; somewhere between dystopian-alternate-history and civil-horror. I had an intense felling of 'Schadenfreude' while reading this book, I just couldn't turn away from the disaster as in unfolded. The storytelling here is interesting, it just guides us down a path of logical choices until we are facing the 'Wolf' at the end of the tale. Where I had difficulties in this book was in character development.
Swann uses a series of flashbacks to introduce many characters in the book. Unfortunately, these have more of a felling of 'filler' then they do of a plot device. Several characters just disappear immediately after their 'history' is finished. This gives an inconsistent and jumbled feel to the flashbacks and gives an otherwise good story a disjointed pace. One of the worst examples is a mysterious 'friend' who appears in Chapter 11 to explain Agenda 21 and then disappears from the book like she never existed. Another of the more interesting characters besides Kris, is Dr. Linton who again disappears immediately after we discover just how interesting he is.... Finally, I had problems with Kris's religion in the tale. While it starts off with a scene in a mega-church it doesn't really reappear until much later chapters with a "re-discovery" that has almost nothing in-between. While Kris may have been a "Convenient Christian" in her early beliefs; the way her religion is related in the story felt more like a convenience of plot.
Swann uses a series of flashbacks to introduce many characters in the book. Unfortunately, these have more of a felling of 'filler' then they do of a plot device. Several characters just disappear immediately after their 'history' is finished. This gives an inconsistent and jumbled feel to the flashbacks and gives an otherwise good story a disjointed pace. One of the worst examples is a mysterious 'friend' who appears in Chapter 11 to explain Agenda 21 and then disappears from the book like she never existed. Another of the more interesting characters besides Kris, is Dr. Linton who again disappears immediately after we discover just how interesting he is.... Finally, I had problems with Kris's religion in the tale. While it starts off with a scene in a mega-church it doesn't really reappear until much later chapters with a "re-discovery" that has almost nothing in-between. While Kris may have been a "Convenient Christian" in her early beliefs; the way her religion is related in the story felt more like a convenience of plot.
April 2, 2015
This was a unique type of dystopia for me. I don’t think I’ve ever read one that dealt this currently in history. It has lots of Christian overtones, and not subtly or hidden away behind symbolism but quite boldly and unabashedly—in a good way, I thought. And, although there are some things in that regard that I would disagree with, I found the religious conversations interesting and full of solid ideals. The plot was well constructed with the main character’s development and knowledge of the situation gradual and continuous, if somewhat predictable.
As with most dystopian novels I have read, this one is not entertaining in the sense of providing amusement or enjoyment. That is never the reason for reading such a book anyway. But, like the proverbial train wreck, one has a hard time pulling one’s eyes away from the carnage. Instead, the merit in such narratives lies in the social commentary and stimulation of thought. This book does that very well.
Also of note, this book ends very much on a cliff hanger. It does have a sequel though.
As with most dystopian novels I have read, this one is not entertaining in the sense of providing amusement or enjoyment. That is never the reason for reading such a book anyway. But, like the proverbial train wreck, one has a hard time pulling one’s eyes away from the carnage. Instead, the merit in such narratives lies in the social commentary and stimulation of thought. This book does that very well.
Also of note, this book ends very much on a cliff hanger. It does have a sequel though.
September 15, 2015
This is a seriously bleak dystopian future of the United states, one where seniors basically sign over all liberty and freedom to live out the rest of their days and others are not doing much better. The premise Swann works with may seem far-fetched to some but to others who point out that the country is moving towards socialism it may not seem to radical of a stretch at all. Only someone in the US government could come up with Smart Senior Communities, courtesy of the Retire America Act of 2103. Little do retirees and those close to them know that what they think will be a utopia is far from that. People into conspiracies may certainly embrace this novel, though it really is just an alternate future based on various types of "what ifs" that virtually anyone could ask. I give it a 3.5 star review, rounded up to 4 as it is definitely above average.
March 25, 2015
I would hardly call this a thriller. It's really just a very depressing look into the future, when America is "fundamentally transformed" by Agenda 21. I'm not saying I didn't like it. It's a real page-turner. But, it's just a very sad novel. I guess I'd call it a conservative Christian dystopian that takes you on a step by step journey through the lives of American senior citizens while the powers that be redistribute their wealth and relocate them to a community called "W". Is it possible that what once happened in Nazi Germany could actually happen here? I hope not. Fortunately, regardless of what the near-future holds, as Christians we know how the story ends. :) Now, since I'm a sucker for dystopias, on to the sequel.
March 3, 2014
This is the first in a series of very realistic events that could take place, unless we learn to stand up for our rights. It is very well written, and kept me reading when I should have been doing other things! I read the second in the series before this one, so I knew how it would end, but I still couldn't put the book down. Definitely one of my favorite authors at this time.
March 29, 2014
I enjoyed this book very much. It was interesting with very good characters. Although set into the near future, it was very realistic - and scary! The total control by government is starting to hit very close to home.
September 4, 2014
Although the story started slowly and the character development could have been better, the story line eventually got my attention and I didn't want to put it down. In the end, I finished it over three evenings and wanted more.
October 3, 2014
Scary, the survivalist and conspiracy people will like it, maybe I'm naive but I would like to think this is someone with a vivid imagination and/or a point of view they truly believe in. Either way I didn't even read it through, just skipped with chapters.
August 18, 2015
As it was written to take place just a couple years in the future, this book is now a little dated, but still an enjoyable read. A little wordy on dialogue that could have been more realistically concise, but otherwise smooth reading with an interesting plot.
So... what does "W" stand for?
So... what does "W" stand for?
May 31, 2013
Scary book. I can actually see this coming in the not too far future.
Disappointed that this isn't a stand alone book and you need to read the second in order to get resolution.
Disappointed that this isn't a stand alone book and you need to read the second in order to get resolution.
October 10, 2014
Wow. What a story. Lots to think about from this one, most of it scary. Glad she left the door open for a possible sequel.
March 15, 2015
Compelling and thought provoking...hard to put down.
May 24, 2015
I wasn't sure I would like this book at first, but I found it so fascinating that I immediately bought the second book so I could see what happens next.
November 21, 2023
A depressing but plausible examination of what could happen to the USA if we continue, as a nation, to head down the leftist path we are heading on.
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