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Patriots #1
Patriots
Whether they admit it or not, or even realize it, their whole lives have been altered by the events of September 11th, 2001, when they were just kids.
They came to this paradise of a college campus to find freedom, themselves, their future, sex, love, fun, God, intellectual discovery, their creative core … but instead find their world being torn apart again by political divisiveness, extremism, rage.
And now one of them will turn back to the terror of their youth in the hope of finding answers.
The rest will be victims.
Please also check out www.patriotsthenovel.com and @patriotsthenovel on Instagram.
[Meta: Patriots the novel patriots novel ]
They came to this paradise of a college campus to find freedom, themselves, their future, sex, love, fun, God, intellectual discovery, their creative core … but instead find their world being torn apart again by political divisiveness, extremism, rage.
And now one of them will turn back to the terror of their youth in the hope of finding answers.
The rest will be victims.
Please also check out www.patriotsthenovel.com and @patriotsthenovel on Instagram.
[Meta: Patriots the novel patriots novel ]
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2017
28 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 24, 2018
Patriots is an intriguing modern day collection of stories within a larger story that kicks off with the ending hurled at us at the very beginning-- and the lead up outlines the rest of the novel to the moment things go wrong.
What I liked: Characters. None of them flawless and all of them share a self-absorbed quality that's quite refreshing to see not only stated, but acknowledged and called out. From a good looking on the surface power couple whose lack of depth and honesty is crumbling the foundation of their relationship to the broken unrequited love and opposing sides of a life long friendship quickly destroyed, to the insidious anti-government and anti-all-but-white group, to a young man who finds a name for and anger for the wounds he tried to pretend racism doesn't inflict on him... to the alarming differences and difficulties that come from a couple on track to be wed-- but have very different ideas of what being a "Good Christian" means-- and to the daughter of a high profile politician who wants to give her father a good fuck you to keep him in line.
What I didn't like: The pacing and overall structure of the story. It jumps around and makes it difficult to tell whose story I'm currently in and whose perspective I'm supposed to follow. And with the alarming intro at the beginning not touched upon, left as a cliffhanger complete with the sensation of "dun dun duuuunnnn....!!!" at the end? It feels as though that impactful beginning was cheapened, used to grab the reader's attention in hopes of their completing the novel with a lot more questions than answers.
There are also some sections of Tristan's perspective, as well as Katie's, that just feel beyond preachy and straight up like I'm being courted by a mall kiosk salesman about God/Religion and conspiracy theories.
What I liked: Characters. None of them flawless and all of them share a self-absorbed quality that's quite refreshing to see not only stated, but acknowledged and called out. From a good looking on the surface power couple whose lack of depth and honesty is crumbling the foundation of their relationship to the broken unrequited love and opposing sides of a life long friendship quickly destroyed, to the insidious anti-government and anti-all-but-white group, to a young man who finds a name for and anger for the wounds he tried to pretend racism doesn't inflict on him... to the alarming differences and difficulties that come from a couple on track to be wed-- but have very different ideas of what being a "Good Christian" means-- and to the daughter of a high profile politician who wants to give her father a good fuck you to keep him in line.
What I didn't like: The pacing and overall structure of the story. It jumps around and makes it difficult to tell whose story I'm currently in and whose perspective I'm supposed to follow. And with the alarming intro at the beginning not touched upon, left as a cliffhanger complete with the sensation of "dun dun duuuunnnn....!!!" at the end? It feels as though that impactful beginning was cheapened, used to grab the reader's attention in hopes of their completing the novel with a lot more questions than answers.
There are also some sections of Tristan's perspective, as well as Katie's, that just feel beyond preachy and straight up like I'm being courted by a mall kiosk salesman about God/Religion and conspiracy theories.
October 21, 2017
This book is incredible. The characters and the world all feel so real, and if I didn't already live on the campus it takes place on, I'm sure I'd know it anyway. It's wonderful how alive everything feels, and how true the struggles of every character are. While showing such a wide array of representation, it doesn't feel like any character is just there for the sake of another perspective, or for the plot. These are real people, many of whom I feel like I've met, who go to college, who feel and think and do these things around the country. The problems and mental rabbit holes they find themselves running down are all too real, and the way they intertwine is fascinating, and a little bit addicting. This is a book for people in college, who want to see themselves, their friends, their enemies, and their issues in a new light that proves they aren't alone, while the plot works through their ups and downs and wildest fears. It's brilliant. It's honest.
November 3, 2017
As was tearing through Patriots I kept trying to imagine if I'd read anything like it before -- and I don't think I have. Patriots is a genre-busting book -- political thriller? YA? College? LGBT? I would have loved to read this while I was still in college.
This is one of those great books where The Big Thing happens right away and we're left trying to figure out who and why for the rest of the pages. I loved how the characters and their complexity were revealed in bits in pieces -- one of my favorite characters was someone we really only got to know toward that last 3rd of the book.
If you read Patriots please DM me so we can discuss The Big Thing and The Person.
This is one of those great books where The Big Thing happens right away and we're left trying to figure out who and why for the rest of the pages. I loved how the characters and their complexity were revealed in bits in pieces -- one of my favorite characters was someone we really only got to know toward that last 3rd of the book.
If you read Patriots please DM me so we can discuss The Big Thing and The Person.
January 27, 2018
Spectacular! I had no idea what to expect. This book chronicles 3 days in the lives of multiple college students who are about to have their world permanently altered by the end of the third day. Will Thompson finds the part of each of his characters that makes the reader relate to them, even if you're equally suspicious of every one of them the entire time. With deep insights into our post 9/11 culture and the way we consider what it means to be a citizen of this modern world, the author has crafted a book which is part hero conquest, part love story, part mystery. And more! I can't wait for book 2!
April 25, 2018
This was a fun book, and probably college students would love it because it explains clearly how confusing that period of our lives is: we want everything, but we don't know much. In any case, the characters feel quite real (very american!), with many flaws but also redeeming traits, so you end up liking (or at least understanding) them.
The first chapter is great, and you want to know more, but unfortunately you end the book without knowing what actually happened ... I didn't realized more books will follow.
The first chapter is great, and you want to know more, but unfortunately you end the book without knowing what actually happened ... I didn't realized more books will follow.
June 14, 2018
I received this book through the goodreads giveaways program. I couldn't even finish it, tapped out at 38%. More vulgar than it needs to be, and I think that turned me off early on. Also just too much going on, and not organized, though it appears to be, with all the time stamps. So many characters and too much minutiae. I appear to be the only one though, lots of positive reviews, it just wasn't for me.
January 24, 2018
A politically charged thriller set on a college campus- filled with such richly diverse and detailed characters, skillfully told from each perspective...so well written. I didn't want the book to end. Cannot wait for the next volume in a moving story that can reach (and possibly teach) young and old. Come on Book Two!!!
February 10, 2018
One of my favorite reads of 2017 written by one of my favorite people. The first part of a riveting story about a terrorist attack on a college campus in Florida told through the eyes of six undergrads. Will tells a great story. He also does right by Florida, which as a former Floridian, I love.
July 19, 2018
Patriots is a collection of stories within a larger story and it begins with the ending!
But the real ending is a - god I need the next book right away! So maybe have book 2 to hand before you finish this one.
But the real ending is a - god I need the next book right away! So maybe have book 2 to hand before you finish this one.
June 29, 2018
Full review pending
April 8, 2020
lost me in the gratuitous sex early on.... couldn't find the story
June 25, 2018
With everything that has been happening lately I am not sure how I felt about this book. I think books need to be written on this subject but I'm not sure this was a good example of how to do it.
This book read much more like a murder mystery thriller than it felt like the stark look into the world of school shootings/bombings and the thoughts and feelings involved with those. The author put too much emphasis on the fact that none of the characters were good people that it felt distanced.
The three star rating on this book is because I am not sure how else to rate it. If you want to read it, do so with a grain of salt, but it's not something I will be declaring my love for from the rooftops.
***I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book read much more like a murder mystery thriller than it felt like the stark look into the world of school shootings/bombings and the thoughts and feelings involved with those. The author put too much emphasis on the fact that none of the characters were good people that it felt distanced.
The three star rating on this book is because I am not sure how else to rate it. If you want to read it, do so with a grain of salt, but it's not something I will be declaring my love for from the rooftops.
***I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 28, 2018
Patriots Book 1 by Will Kane Thompson
This book seems to have it all, racism, 9/11, anger, violence, relationships, friendships, conspiracy, politics and death.
This was an intense read for me, it seemed real and facinating, some parts had me skipping the sexual, cursing. These parts were a little too much for me. This book relates more to college age kids, I guess it's my age which make me apauled at the language, it was a little too much for me, There were a lot of characters to follow and the end left you hanging, I'm not sure I would read the next book. Kids today think going on a rampage is how to take care of their problems. With all of the shootings today this book seems all so real. I so wanted to like this book, however I want to give my honest opinion.
Doesn't mean I wouldn't read more by this Author if tamer than this book.
Thank you Net Gallery, Xpressobook Tours and Will Kane Thompson for allowing me to read this book.
Cherie'
#Patriots #NetGallery #Xpressobooktours
This book seems to have it all, racism, 9/11, anger, violence, relationships, friendships, conspiracy, politics and death.
This was an intense read for me, it seemed real and facinating, some parts had me skipping the sexual, cursing. These parts were a little too much for me. This book relates more to college age kids, I guess it's my age which make me apauled at the language, it was a little too much for me, There were a lot of characters to follow and the end left you hanging, I'm not sure I would read the next book. Kids today think going on a rampage is how to take care of their problems. With all of the shootings today this book seems all so real. I so wanted to like this book, however I want to give my honest opinion.
Doesn't mean I wouldn't read more by this Author if tamer than this book.
Thank you Net Gallery, Xpressobook Tours and Will Kane Thompson for allowing me to read this book.
Cherie'
#Patriots #NetGallery #Xpressobooktours
March 10, 2018
Hmmm... I’m not sure how I feel about this book. It started at the end and worked back three days. So I have to be honest, I had to reread first part when I got to the end. There were so many characters that it was a little hard to keep track while reading. I also did not realize it would end so wide open. Hadn’t realized it was to be a series like that. I don’t mind series, I am reading quite a few, but I don’t like when they end so abruptly and obviously stopping where book 2 will start. I felt a little cheated not knowing an ending.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews