Holy War

by Mike Bond

The Battle of Beirut is worse than Hell, a maelstrom of implacable hatreds and frantic love affairs, of explosions, sniper battles and deadly ambushes. Neill, a journalist on a secret mission for Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency, is trying to find Mohammed, a Hezbollah terrorist who could stop the slaughter. André, a French commando, is also hunting Mohammed, to kill him for the death of his brother, blown up with over 400 US Marines and French paratroopers by Hezbollah. For Rosa, a remorseless and passionate Palestinian guerrilla, Mohammed is one of few hopes for her people, and she will die to protect him. And for lovely Anne-Marie, André is the only one who can save her from Hell. Based on the author’s own experiences in Lebanon, Syria and the Middle East, Holy War has been praised for its portrayal of civil war, and for its evocation of men and women caught in a deadly crossfire.

Genres: Thriller, Historical Fiction, Fiction

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

MIKE BOND has been called the “master of the existential thriller” by the BBC and “one of the 21st century’s most exciting authors” by the Washington Times. He is a bestselling novelist, environmental activist, international energy expert, war and human rights correspondent and award-winning poet who has lived and worked in many remote and dangerous parts of the world. His critically acclaimed novels depict the innate hunger of the human heart for what is good, the intense joys of love, the terror and fury of battle, the sinister vagaries of international politics and multinational corporations, and the beauty of the vanishing natural world.

Reviews

[Ciprian Bujor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesanta, precum toate cărțile lui Bond, bine documentată. Aceasta e și oarecum autobiografică și poate de asta nu mi s-a părut că s-a putut desprinde de subiect suficient încât să fie obiectiv. Dar merită citită, mai ales dacă vrei să afli cum era cândva Beirutul.

[Donna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was the best horrible story I ever read.

Holy War is set in Lebanon during the civil war. There are three protagonists whose stories and points of view interweave throughout this complex, highly literate novel. The plot centers on these individuals, each with one or more relationships whose ruin runs parallel to the destruction and chaos of Lebanon by various opposing forces (with the author’s emphasis on the religious disparity as opposed to the political differences, and indeed it’s a pretty fine distinction to make in this case).

I requested the book from Net Galley because I haven’t read anything set in Lebanon. I am aware of the tendency of US citizens to focus over-much on our own enormous nation, and since I haven’t had the opportunity to travel beyond North America physically, I make a point to read contemporary novels set in other places.

In this case, it paid off. I learned a good deal. I had never regarded Beirut as having once been a thriving cosmopolitan city; all I’d ever heard on the daily news in past years was “war-torn”. I live in a city that’s so scenic it’s nearly magical, and I am hard to impress when I travel. I have never thought of Beirut as having been lovely, but the writer describes it as breathtakingly beautiful, and the descriptions that he inserts into the story, without breaking stride in his pacing, convince me that it is much more than just some arid chunk of rock and sand. Bond makes the reader want to weep for Lebanon, and for the characters whose lives are coming undone as they attempt to do the right thing; this is considered different, naturally, by each of the protagonists.

During the first third of the book, I was distracted by trying to figure out the writer’s political line. He doesn’t really have one, though, apart from the wish that this beleaguered place might have peace. I also initially wondered why all the sex and relationship material was jammed into what is otherwise essentially a thriller; then I began to see the parallels (although I could really, really live without ever seeing the “c” word applied to women’s anatomy ever again).

In the end, inevitably, the protagonists find themselves in the same place together after having missed each other by mere inches at times throughout the story line. I won’t tell you how that plays out; you’ll have to see it for yourself.

By the story’s end, though, each of the main characters seemed so utterly lost and hopeless to me that I found myself rooting for the dog, which was supposed to be peripheral.

I engaged enough with Bond’s novel that I had to go look at a world map (and happily, we have one on the wall in our hallway) to see where exactly Lebanon is located. As it happens, Israel is smack in the center between Lebanon and Palestine; hence the struggle of the Lebanese Palestinians.

I also found myself wondering why Britain (one protagonist‘s homeland) and France (another’s) feel they have any right to determine what happens here. There is no American protagonist, and yet I know the USA hasn’t exactly kept its hands off or its voice silent, either. But Lebanon is a tiny, tiny place, dwarfed by Syria, and practically a fly on the wall in contrast to Saudi Arabia. So why are all the big dogs interested in this tiny place? Are the Americans looking for a military base to replace the one they lost in Iran when Reza Pahlavi was chased away by the Iranian people? Or is there money involved? (At one place fairly early in Bond’s plot, a character says that wherever there is a war, profit is driving it, and I agree.)

A trip to Wikipedia tells me that there’s oil in the Mediterranean. Hypothetically, then, the whole thing should be left to the countries that border the Mediterranean, but it would be naïve to believe it could shake out that way. And just as the great cedar forests of Lebanon have been razed for the betterment of Europe, one wonders just what shape the Mediterranean will be in once the next great oil disaster occurs there.

Of course, you can read this book without examining all of those questions. It’s a fine read right on the surface level, but you’ll need a strong literacy level and full attention for it, regardless. This is not a beach read. It’s serious stuff. For those who enjoy a good thriller or have an interest in Beirut, you should get this book as soon as you can.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy war by Mike Bond.
The Battle of Beirut is worse than Hell, a maelstrom of implacable hatreds and frantic love affairs, of explosions, sniper battles and deadly ambushes. Neill, a journalist on a secret mission for Britain's MI6 intelligence agency, is trying to find Mohammed, a Hezbollah terrorist who could stop the slaughter. André, a French commando, is also hunting Mohammed, to kill him for the death of his brother, blown up with over 400 US Marines and French paratroopers by Hezbollah. For Rosa, a remorseless and passionate Palestinian guerrilla, Mohammed is one of few hopes for her people, and she will die to protect him. And for lovely Anne-Marie, André is the only one who can save her from Hell. Based on the author's own experiences in Lebanon, Syria and the Middle East, Holy War has been praised for its portrayal of civil war, and for its evocation of men and women caught in a deadly crossfire.
This was a good read with likeable characters.  Slow in places.  I liked Neill.  4*.

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5 stars! This book was just so boring. I admit that I am selective about my historical fiction. This genre is often either amazing or overly detailed and dry. I feel this book was the latter. It had some shining moments and history nerds of this specific time will likely enjoy it; it just wasn't for me.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

To understand this intense, chilling and unforgettable book you need to know something about the Civil War in Lebanon. Once upon a time Beirut was called the Paris of the Middle East, a mini-paradise where Christians and Muslims lived relatively peacefully together in a cosmopolitan society. After the Jordanian Black September Civil War the PLO was expelled from Jordan and moved to Lebanon militarising, the Palestinian population. Nothing was the same after April 1975 when Lebanon entered 15 years of bitter Civil War which reduced the centre of the city to rubble almost like Stalingrad. Many parties were involved, Christian and Moslem, PLO and Palestinians, Israel and Syria, with allegiances changing by the day.

A multinational peacekeeping force from the US and France was shattered in October 1983 when huge car bombs planted by the Shiite group Hezbollah killed over 400 troops from both countries in their respective barracks. This act is the background to Mike Bond's chilling tale about a world of terror, bombing, torture and death which exposes human nature at its worst. Bond's prose is atmospheric and authentic because of his own experiences in war-torn Middle East. This is not a book for the faint hearted.

Bond introduces us to some amazing characters from all sides of the conflict. Neill is a war correspondent living in England who covers dangerous stories throughout the world. When he was at University in Beirut he had the love affair of his life with Layla, who is now the wife of Mohammed, a leader of Hezbollah who were responsible for the bombings of the barracks. He goes to Lebanon with the blessing of MI5 to find Layla and get her help with arranging an interview with Mohammed who MI5 believe may be willing to help stop the slaughter and destruction.

André's brother was killed when the French barracks were bombed and is on a revenge mission to Beirut to destroy Mohammed in an "eye for an eye" car bombing. When he is there he tragically meets the love of his life in a bomb shattered cellar.

Rosa is a Palestinian in her twenties who will do anything to promote her objective to destroy Israel. We meet her first smuggling a dozen grenades through the front line to the Hezbollah fighters hidden as a maternity bump in her dress. On the way she kills dozens of Christians by blowing up an arms depot in a cellar of a building they are occupying. Rosa is an enigmatic character, a cold blooded killer, and a liberated and promiscuous woman who uses sex as a weapon and a shield against the horrors of everyday life.

While Mohammed is a leader of Hezbollah and a strict follower of the Koran, his experiences make him contemplate ways to end the war and persuade others to follow him. Rosa and others try to show him that the only path forward is one of violence and power.

Bond left me with a host of memorable quotations about the war and peace - here are some:
"If God hadn't taught us to kill, what good would he be?"
"All wars are holy, because they are dammed. All wars are between Heaven and Hell. And Hell always wins."; and
"It takes a leader to make peace."

Mike Bond has written an unnerving tale right from the heart with great authenticity. The final chapters are especially chilling. The only good news is that Beirut is now basically at peace and the Green Line devastation is now being rebuilt. However, the warring parties are still around and the fundamental issues of Christian vs Muslim, Palestine vs Israel are still as unsolved as ever.

4.5 stars. My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

[Paul Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy War by Mike Bond.
I bought Mike Bond’s Tibetan Cross in both pb and Kindle. Mike Bond books have excellent plots. Unfortunately, Bond’s punctuation, narrative style, and dialogue are radically different from the American idiom I’m used to reading. Lots of ellipses and half-finished sentences. Too many exclamation points. Mike Bond is a superb writer, but his style takes some getting used to.
What Bond does best is to describe action, and there’s plenty of action in Holy War. Bond’s short, clipped sentences capture the fleeting impressions of bullets and bomb blasts, the noises of war, so perfectly you think the bullets and bombs are aimed directly at you. Fleeting images of flying shrapnel and body parts illuminate the landscape of war-torn Beirut. You get the feeling that you are actually there, experiencing first-hand the hellishness of war. The first several chapters, unfortunately, are split between Beirut, London, and Paris. The next several chapters take readers on a leisurely tour of Europe as Neill and Andre make their way south toward Lebanon. You get the sense that everything is moving toward a bang-up conclusion. You just don’t want to wait to get there.
Shifting settings and points of view can be distracting until you get various characters, relationships, timelines, and philosophies straight in your mind. Everyone in Beirut kills everyone else over religion, and nowhere in Beirut is safe. Add the fact that not everyone is who or what they claim to be—Rosa, for example, claims to be pregnant but she isn’t—and you begin to understand what it’s like to live in a war zone where confusion reigns.
Alternating viewpoint characters include Andre, a Frenchman who lost a brother to the war; Rosa, a Palestinian who relocated to Lebanon after the Israeli invasion of Gaza; Neill, a British journalist and inveterate womanizer who wants to interview Mohammad; Mohammad, a Lebanese Muslim (Hezbollah) resistance leader; Mohammad’s wife, Layla, a former girlfriend of Neill’s. What compounds confusion for westerners are the number of factions fighting in Lebanon. Muslims can be Sunni, Shi’a, or Druze. Christians can be Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Coptic, or Maronite. Although the Maronite church merged with Roman Catholicism in the sixteenth century, Lebanese-born Maronites are much closer to Arabic Muslims in ethnic identity than they are to Europeans. Complicating things further is the existence of Israel and the world-wide Jewish Diaspora. The creation of the state of Israel and the subsequent dislocation of Palestinians is the 800-pound gorilla thrown into the mix.
Of course things are further complicated by the involvement of MI6 and French Intelligence.
Holy War is a complex, convoluted, and controversial look at war in the Middle East from various viewpoints. Personalities, interpersonal relationships, and international conspiracies always make things more complex, convoluted, and controversial. Bond tries to depict the futility of war and the terrible toll war takes on everyone caught in the crossfire. I couldn’t stop reading, and I learned some things about history, middle-eastern politics, and human foibles in the process. Holy War is a worthwhile read, not a fun read. War is supposed to be hell, not fun.

[Nicolas Carrillo-Santarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

To begin with, I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The book entitled Holy War, written by Mike Bond, is one of the best books I have read recently, but it must be said that it is a haunting book because it deals with the issue of war. Although it is set in the context of the Lebanese Civil War, its insights can be extrapolated to numerous other armed conflicts, and it can be said somehow that the book perfectly illustrates what Mahatma Gandhi was said, in the sense that "an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." Certainly, how violence and revenge against what one has suffered leads to further violence in an endless spiral is one of the themes of the book, which must be praised because of how it depicts this issue in an engaging and entertaining narrative that keeps the reader interested in it. Another theme of the book is that of deception and betrayal, concerning the way in which groups and individuals in conflicts often form alliances that are short-lived, betray each other and deceive in order to further their own aims. Granted, this is an extension of frequent human selfishness, since individuals are after all who make the decisions. In spite of this, the book is not a mere manifest of nihilism and absolute despair in literary form, because selfless characters are portrayed, with their flaws and doubts, but showing how even in the midst of the worst crises there are human beings who stand for others, even for those whose identity makes them be classified as "the others" by their own groups. In short, this book shows how it is not only possible to tolerate but also to help and even love those labelled as enemies or foreigners or infidels by others, as exemplified by an interesting teacher character. That being said, the book also illustrates and denounces the horrors of war in a gripping and undeniable way, portraying the suffering of civilians and combatants alike, the senseless murder and victimization, the horror suffered by those affected by combat, and more. As a professor of international law, I value this, because sometimes one tends to pay attention to the theoretical notions of international humanitarian law and the prohibition of the use of force, and it is imperative to recall that human lives are affected by armed conflict.
As to the literary technique, the book mainly follows the story of four characters -an American journalist living in the United Kingdom, a Palestinian woman, a French soldier and a Lebanese combatant of a non-state armed group- in sequence, making the pace be quite dynamic and making the reader wonder about what will happen to one character and how he or she will end up being related to others (and they do have links). Other fascinating characters appear later on in the book.
How those regarded as enemies or hated ones can show one about mercy and regret -which happens with the figure of a Christian doctor honored by a Muslim combatant- is also quite fascinating. This book certainly reveals the terror and bloodshed of war, that must be avoided, and does so in a quite entertaining form, serving both as a thriller and as a defense of peace. This book is highly recommended.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Midst of war torn Beirut,Lebanon, a journalist risks his life as an undercover agent for the British MI6, on the trail of Mohammed, a powerful and brutal Hezbollah terrorist. Not for the faint of heart, or weak of stomach, the reader is drawn into a world of warring religious and political factions, who ruthlessly pierce the very soul of their country through torture and death in a dog eat dog arena that leaves destruction in the wake of their battles.
Alone, Neill is on a suicidal mission filled with political machinations and manipulations from as far away as Paris and London, as this tale moves from the streets of Beirut to the seats of power abroad. Not alone in his quest for the elusive Mohammed, a French officer is on his own mission to avenge the death of his brother and other soldiers who died at the hands of the Hezbollah. But for all those seeking to end the monster that is Mohammed, there are those who wish to keep him safe. The hunt is on and the faces of the victims of war will haunt your thoughts long after you have closed the book. Who can be trusted to stand up and rid their country of the terror that hangs over it? Will Neill be successful in his quest? Will forces beyond his control thwart his mission?

Holy War by Mike Bond gains it authentic air due to the author’s own experiences in the war torn Middle East. The gut-clenching events are a nightmare no one should have to endure and be expected to survive unscathed. Each character becomes a victim to this war, to the evils that man can force on another, all in the name of religion or politics or power. Eye-opening, terrifying and realistic, Mike Bond writes from the heart, using what he has witnessed and his firsthand knowledge of the hell these people endure, day after day. What is most frightening to this reader is the feeling that there is more truth than fiction to Mr. Bond’s tale. I promise you, if you read Holy War, you will come away changed.

I received this copy from Mandevilla Press in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: March 5, 2014
Publisher: Mandevilla Press
ISBN: 9781627040143
Genre: Adult Fiction/Mystery-Thriller
Page Count: 406
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

[Gill's likes reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mohammed a Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut is being sought by the English and French; Neill is a journalist working secretly for MI6 trying to get the story of how Mohammed, seeking a peace to end the fighting could stop the slaughter. Andre is a French Commando avenging his brother, Yves a US Marine’s death. Rosa is a Palestinian guerrilla who will do anything to protect Mohammed who she believes is the greatest hope to win the war. All of their lives are interwoven into the horrors what will happen.

Neill’s past is caught up in the present with a love that never left him, a marriage he failed, and hate for himself for destroying lives. When Andre meets Anne-Marie he understands how love changes the meaning of living. However, each cannot stop themselves doing what they came to do, despite their now conflicting emotions.

At the end of the book I felt sorry for the dog that Andre became responsible for, feeling its fear and loss as it searches for him, and I think this is an important part to think about.

Holy War by Mike Bond calls on his own experience in the Middle East to give authenticity to the horrors of massacre told in the book. The smells, taste, noise, dust, and fear are communicated so clearly to be an account of the situation in active fighting. Why each person chooses to follow their own path is woven into their consciences revealed as their paths slowly move towards each other. Holy War shows a brutal and honest account that sets out to describe the war in the Middle East without leading the reader in any direction, giving each side a history of their own. This story is more than just a war; it is about individuals on all sides.

What I like best about this book

This is a terrific book that does not favour any side in this messed up Holy War, but shows the futility fighting something which can never be won. There is a sadness that describes a once beautiful country being destroyed, and where people are still trying to live normal lives among the destruction.

I like the way each character is gradually laid bare so that there is no good or bad, nothing written judgmentally. It is as if Bond is saying, this is the story, it is as it is, these are the people, nothing more, nothing less.

Hearing about the war in the Middle East on the news is so repetitive I admit that I fail to listen anymore not understanding any of it. Holy War has helped me to understand a little more of what is happening and why it continues.

There is nothing I disliked about this book.

My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review

Publication Date: March 5, 2014
Publisher: Mandevilla Press
ISBN: 9781627040143

[J.S. Colley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of the Siege of Beirut during the Lebanon War. It’s a disheartening, yet thought-provoking, look at a religious war—about how utterly senseless and mystifying it is to onlookers.

The story is told through three points of view. The characters’ lives intersect in strange coincidences that are usually only believable if they happen in real life, but Bond makes it convincing. First, there’s Neill, a war correspondent from England sent on a mission for MI-5 because he is the ex-boyfriend of Layla, the now wife of Mohammed, who is a powerful and dangerous Hezbollah leader. Second is Andre, a French commando out to avenge his brother’s death at the hands of terrorist during the bombing of a US base. Third is Rosa, a twenty-something Palestinian who sees no side but her own. Although Bond does a good job of keeping his personal political opinions from seeping into the story, I found Rosa the most disturbing, as she appears the most uncompromising in her ideology. Even if her leader, Mohammed, might seek an end to the war, she will have none of it.

On all sides, there seems to be those few who want peace, but their voices are drowned out by those calling for blood and more blood. But how do you stop the inculcation of youth to whatever side they happened to be born? This quote says it all:

"Calm down, brother! Tell us, what religion are you?”
The man … trying to gain time to decide if these men who had grabbed him out of the darkness were Christian or Muslim, Druze or Hezbollah, Sunni or Shiite, Maronite, Syrian, or Palestinian or Israeli.
“Answer right and I kiss you,” one of them said. “Answer wrong and you die.”

As always, a novel is as interesting as its characters, and the players in Holy War do not disappoint. Each character brings his/her own perspective to this baffling conflict.

This is a griping, chilling novel about the futility of war—especially one based on differences of religion.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

[Steph Bianchini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an avid reader of Frederick Forsyth and Tom Clancy, therefore I'm used to good political thrillers and my expectations are quite high in this field. I’m happy to say that I was not disappointed with Mike Bond’s great novel, which is exactly what you imagine it to be given the excellent reviews it has received so far.
However, Holy War is a great book tout-court, even if you are not interested in this kind of action-packed stories. Tension starts high since the beginning of the narration, and it keeps going.
Based on the author’s first-hand experience of war in Lebanon and his in-depth knowledge of the region, it sounds authentic and, in some pages, you can even forget it is actually fiction.
Characters look as well real enough - being them European spies like Neill or guerrilla people like Rosa.
Another thing I enjoyed is the description of Beirut - you have really the impression to walk around that deadly maze of alleys and bomb-gutted buildings - and it adds to the book’s perks.
There are some minor points here to notice that could have been given further considerations.
First, if you are not familiar with the background, ie, the complex reality of the Lebanon War, you may find difficult to follow the story completely. This is a pity, because it would certainly result more appealing to the big public. The second point to mention is language and sex content - I found some of the sex scenes a bit gratuitous, especially in the way sex is treated. Such a graphical treatment doesn’t add anything to the story itself or the illustration of characters’ personality, which are, IMO, the only good reasons for it.
As a conclusion, I will certainly recommend this book for anyone with a keen interest in contemporary politics and some basic knowledge of the region’s issues, or for thriller’s lovers - but neither to young adults nor for the faint-hearted.

[Maria Beltrami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it happens that, opening a book, another immediately comes to mind, and from that point on, it is impossible to avoid confrontation.
The moment I opened Holy war, Inshallah came to my mind, and it was very hard for me not to compare the precise, cogent and sorrowful Oriana Fallaci's novel with this one, perhaps more adrenalinic but much less intense.
Nevertheless, Holy war is a good novel, though not all characters are equally well managed. Rosa, for example, is virtually one-dimensional; Mohammed, who all want to kill, too stupid because you can even remotely suspect him of any political capacity; the various Neil's women pure citations. In the final part the novel acquires depth. All in all an enjoyable read.
Thank Mandevilla Press and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A volte capita che, aprendo un libro, immediatamente ne venga in mente un altro, e da quel momento in avanti è impossibile evitare il confronto.
Nel momento in cui ho aperto Holy war mi è venuto in mente Inshallah ed è stato molto difficile per me evitare di paragonare il preciso, dolente, analitico romanzo della Fallaci con questo, forse più adrenalinico ma assai meno profondo.
Nonostante ciò, Holy war è un bel romanzo, anche se non tutti i personaggi sono ugualmente ben riusciti. Rosa, per esempio, è praticamente unidimensionale; Mohammed, colui che tutti vogliono uccidere, troppo stupido perché lo si possa anche solo lontanamente sospettare di una qualsiasi capacità politica; le varie donne di Neil delle pure citazioni. Nella parte finale il romanzo acquista spessore. Tutto sommato una piacevole lettura.
Ringrazio Mandevilla Press e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.

[Terry Houchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holy War by Mike Bond

This is a novel about a religious war from three different perspectives.The first is told by a war correspondent, Neill. He is given this assignment because of his former relationship to the Hezbollah leader, Mohammed’s wife. The British MI 5 hope that they may be able to convince Mohammed to stop his terrorist attacks.

The second perspective is through the eyes of a man who wants revenge, Andre. His brother was killed during a terrorist attack on French barracks. He also is out to find Mohammed.

The third perspective is through the eyes of Rosa, a young Palestinian woman. She is for lack of a better word a “purist”. She wants to kill all Christians simply because she believes them to be the enemy. She appears to have no morals. She is part of Mohammed’s inner circle.

This book was interesting in that I think the author gave, what I imagine, is a realistic feel for the civil war in Lebanon. From what I know of the conflict between Palestine and Israel, I imagine there would be people who believe passionately, like Rosa, that their way is the only way. I also imagine there are many who want revenge for the loss of innocent loved ones.

While I found the topic of this book interesting, the way it was written was not to my liking. It was hard to follow the plot of the book. It would be flowing in one direction then take off in a completely different direction. The flashbacks were at times unnecessary to moving the story forward.

I think the characters could have been better developed also. The only one we really got a personal insight into was Rosa. Overall, I did not care for this book. It is classified as a thriller which I think is a misconception.

I do appreciate NetGalley supplying me with a copy of this book.

[John Purvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Holy War” is a fiction novel published in 2014, and was written by Mike Bond (http://mikebondbooks.com). This is his fourth novel.

This is the contemporary story of four people in Beirut, Lebanon. Neil is an American working for a British newspaper. He has spent many years in Beirut and the middle east. He is somewhat of an alcoholic, with a failing marriage. He takes the assignment back to Beirut to interview Mohammad in the hope of getting back on his feet, and perhaps seeing his former lover, Layla who is now Mohammad’s wife.

Andre is a frenchman who is heading to Beirut to avenge his younger brother who was killed in a car bombing attack. In his mind’s eye he sees Mohammad as being responsible for the bombing, and therefore his target.

Rosa is a young Palestinian woman who will do anything to see her people returned to their rightful lands. In her mind all is black and white, there is no middle ground in the struggle to return Palestine to her people. Rosa is one of the close followers of Mohammad.

Mohammad has been at war a long time, and is starting to believe that guns and bombs alone may not be the answer.

The story follows these four as their lives come together and become intertwined with hate, love, loss and lust.

I found the book well written with a good picture of a bleak and devastated Beirut painted by the authors words. He developed the characters well and I felt like I knew them.

While there was a little excitement as the story developed, on the whole I found the story depressing. This is not the kind of novel I would normally seek out, so it is not one I would recommend.

[Travis Starnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holy War has an interesting premise, and Mike Bond seems to have a much stronger understanding of the region, both through the lens of understanding terrorism and the understanding the culture in general, than most of the thrillers set in the Middle East that I have read previously.

The story structure is one that I’ve seen before in more general fiction, but not nearly as often in Thrillers. The jumping between protagonists or in some cases antagonist and not just giving you their POV but presenting it in a way that is sympathetic to that character is something I enjoyed. I should give a word warning that some of the characters and viewpoints might turn off some readers. I, however, read a lot of thrillers and was happy to get characters outside the usual cookie cutter mold.

I should also say that the structure, while interesting, has its issues. The decision to jump POVs often happens just as the story heads to a notable point, usually involving action. It happens enough that there are times when I would throw up my hands and say ‘oh come on’ out loud.
The pacing is fine once you get into the book, but is a bit slow to start. It takes the plot a little while to reveal itself. While the book opens with action, that action isn’t directly connected to the plot so does little more than whet the appetite for the reader before delaying serving anything up. I am all for building characters, but I’d like to have seen it done while advancing the plot, and not putting the plot on hold for it.

Read the full review at http://homeofreading.com/holy-war/

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

The war in Beirut is filled with hatred, hostage-taking and passion. Neill is a journalist on a secret mission for the British MI6 who is searching for Hezbollah terrorist, Mohammed. Neill is going into Beirut without backup and knows he will be in danger every step of the way. The British are not the only ones who want to find Mohammed. French Commando, Andre wants to find him to avenge his brother, Yves, U.S. Marines and French paratroopers that were blown up by Hezbollah. Rosa is a Palestinian guerilla, who will do anything to save Mohammed as her people feel he is their greatest hope.

This book takes place in war-torn Beirut. I found this book to be a very fast paced thriller filled with terror and intrigue. Because of the nature of this novel and so many vital characters in different countries, you definitely had to pay attention as it switches often from Beirut to political subterfuge in London and Paris. This is a well-written book about politics and the horrors of war that could only have been written by someone who had first-hand experience.

This is not a book for the faint of heart and it is definitely an adult book.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this eBook by the publisher, Mandevilla Press, through NetGalley blogger program for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.

[Philip Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

America’s Civil War is history but picture if you can that the very same war was still raging today. With the advancement in weaponry the destruction would unimaginable and surely our country would be a target for invasion. That picture erased from the mind but now try to think of what the country of Lebanon must be like. With warring factions, tribal feuding, religious wars and invading armies. Though once a vacation mecca but now a hell hole of rubble. Destroyed lives, devastated landscapes, leveled cities and yet a population exists, many of whom are intent on destroying their neighbors. Holy War presents vivid descriptions of life and death in and around Beirut. While focusing on a few individual characters the descriptions are of the population in general and the endless struggle for survival in this war torn country. While often superseded in the news by other issues in the region Lebanon remains a staging area for the numerous “terrorist group” headquarters as plans are devised for bringing death to their enemies, Mike Bond gives a good accounting of the “collateral damage” suffered by the people of Lebanon as well as a peek into the minds and attitudes of the warring factions. A five star thriller with a sobering view of the realities of a country ravaged by war.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Battle of Beirut is a maelstrom of deadly hatreds and frantic love affairs, of explosions, snipers and ambushes. Neill, a journalist on a secret mission for the British MI6 Intelligence agency, is seeking Mohammed, a Hezbollah terrorist. André, a French commando, is also hunting him, to revenge his brother and 300 other French paratroopers and US Marines blown up by Hezbollah. For Rosa, a passionate and remorseless Palestinian guerrilla, Mohammed is her people’s greatest hope and she will die to protect him. And for lovely Anne-Marie, only André can save her from Hell. Based on the author’s own experiences in Lebanon, Syria and the Middle East.

This is a very thought provoking fiction book about the battle for Beirut and the love affairs along with the war. It is a difficult subject and not really a book that I wouuld have thought about reading but once I got into the story it was an ok read.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Bond writes lyrical prose. His imagery is masterful and the flow of words transcends the page to transport the reader into another world. In Holy War, the world is Beirut, Lebanon, as the forces of religion spread terror, torture and death, reducing the city to rubble and exposing the basest of human nature. The many featured characters are quite real, and the story of several of them reaching an epiphany is played out in the mean streets of the Mideast. The stories are emotionally gripping, and all the more horrible because they ring so true. The testimony of man's inhumanity to man should call the reader to some form of action. Yet the same human nature that shows so clearly in the book will truly cause the reader to be shocked and appalled, and to quickly forget.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can count on Mike Bond taking me to the most controversial of places. This time in Holy War, it is with Neill an undercover journalist in the middle of Beirut, Lebanon. Bond’s writing has such vivid imagery that it is impossible not to visualize the sights and sounds of war, destruction and torture. Not an easy book or for one who wishes to remain ignorant of the horrors happening around the world. However, I can highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys authentic characters in a fast paced beautifully written, heart breaking thriller.

Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can count on Mike Bond taking me to the most controversial of places. This time in Holy War, it is with Neill an undercover journalist in the middle of Beirut, Lebanon. Bond’s writing has such vivid imagery that it is impossible not to visualize the sights and sounds of war, destruction and torture. Not an easy book or for one who wishes to remain ignorant of the horrors happening around the world. However, I can highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys authentic characters in a fast paced beautifully written, heart breaking thriller.

Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I am very honest with my reviews receiving an advanced copy won't sway by opinion


Not normally my type of book but I thought I'd risk it.. And I'm glad I did!  I absolutely loved this book! I loved that the story wasn't singular and there was many interwoven stories. Really made me think. The part where Mohammed talks to his father about his changing views of the war..Wow, just Wow!

 

[Carol Keen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this is a DNF. I can't push through it, I don't care for the characters, nor the skewed views. The quotes in it are wrong. It's a huge mess. I was confused, it was slow and full of errors. I finally did something I don't do frequently, I gave up on reading this book before the end. I don't feel like I missed anything. That is the sad part.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

[Brenda Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really had a hard time getting into this book and staying engaged. If you like military back drop stories on foreign soil this may be for you. Had a hard time swimming through the details and set ups but again could just be me and the fact this is really not a genre I can get into. I keep trying but always seems to be an epic fail. With that said, it was a well written book and the characters were fleshed out nicely.

[Ted P · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was depressing. I think it was a complete no-win for all the characters in the book. Just not what I'm hoping for in a fiction book. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars is I think it accomplished exactly what Mike Bond wanted in getting across the point that the situation/war in Beirut was terrible. It's just that 400 pages of it was too much. Might be better if it had been a non-fiction book in which someone read it to be educated on how things were.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book was a fictional novel, it was a serious discussion on the situation in the Middle East. There are many parts of it that are disturbing, there are no happy endings. Bond has made an effort to bring realism back into the public consciousness. Well done, Sir. I'm going to have to look into more of his work.

[‘Sup? · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another DNF for me-- the premise sounded interesting, but I simply couldn't get into it. When my TBR pile is so big, I really need something to grab me from page 1 and not let go, and this simply failed to do so. Also, I wasn't into the author's writing style, and the jumping between 3 POVs/intertwined stories could've worked well but just felt really jarring.

[Vicki Carbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOTS of characters. So many that initially you want a score card. But, Mike Bond interweaves his characters and plots so skillfully that, even when you are a little lost.....perservere. It is so worth it. I know this is pithy; so let me just say: READ THIS BOOK!

[William Bentrim · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason I had difficulty getting into this book. The topic is current and should be provocatively interesting but it never grabbed me.

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

War story worth the difficult read

The events of love, family, war, death and weapons revolve around Andre and Neill who end up in the same inhuman cell together in Lebanon. They both seek the same man for different reasons. The man they seek is Mohammed, a Hezbollah terrorist, protected by Rosa, a Palestinian guerrilla, who seems to have lost all sense of humanity; she only cares about the continuance of war.

Neill is a journalist working for MI6. Andre seeks revenge for the killing of his brother. Andre meets Anne-Marie whom he wants to rescue from the desolation of the civil war.

The book takes you into the horror of the conflict literally. Mike Bond seems to have no sympathy for the reader. He tells it like it is. Painfully hard to read, yet it is definitely based on the reality of the situation that we cannot even imagine when reading newspapers. He gets the message across of the horrendous consequences of war through events of bombing, gunfire, loss of the lives of innocent women and children, including the life a loved one. The book culminates in this unnecessary unfair tragic death.

Neill and Andre end up gambling for their lives. There are absolutely no winners in this gamble.

I wanted to give it four stars because of the violence that made the book difficult to read, but the reality and exposure of something most of us don’t experience won over and it is absolutely worth five stars.

BonnieK

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.