The War Against the Assholes by Sam Munson
Review by Lauren
Source: copy sent for review; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: Mike Wood is satisfied just being a guy with broad shoulders at a
decidedly unprestigious Catholic school in Manhattan. But on the dirty
streets of New York City he’s an everyman with a moral code who is
unafraid of violence. And when Mike is unwittingly recruited into a
secret cell of magicians by a fellow student, Mike’s role as a steadfast
soldier begins. These magicians don’t use ritualized rote to work their
magic, they use willpower in their clandestine war with the
establishment: The Assholes.
Review: You can’t really read a title like The War Against the Assholes and not be interested. However, I have to admit that it wasn’t all that of an interesting read for me. I suppose it got better as it went along, but it was difficult to understand at times and all of the dialogue was written out in paragraphs. What I mean is that they would have dialogue (he says) and then dialogue (she says) back and forth in one paragraph instead of breaking things down line by line. This definitely confused me for a bit, but it got better as I got used to it. You just have to really pay attention to know who is speaking and saying what.
When it comes to characters, there are a mix of people that are important to the story and are part of this “war” so to speak, whether they are assholes or not. However, let me just focus on Mike and Alabama, a member of his group fighting against the assholes. Mike isn’t that likable starting out. He’ll fight with people with no shame and he doesn’t care if he seriously hurts them, as long as they are still breathing. I like to think he’s more likable as the book goes on, though, as you get to see more of his personality and how he really does care for certain people, like his parents. As for Alabama, she’s kind of a bad ass. She plays the violin and isn’t afraid to wield a gun around. I think a book about her would be kind of cool!
Overall, I’d say this is a 3-star type of read. I don’t really rate books, but sometimes I think it helps get my point across. So yes, 3-star: good at times, but not really something I’d go around recommending.
A truly great review, nice of you to share!
It's true that we're easily attracted by the title.
Easily attracted and just as easily put off by the title just as we can be by the cover.
Great review, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I don't think I'd like this one. The title alone is unappealing to me – as is the premise. :/
xx
Great review! I don't think this is one for me, but I do like the title.
Sometimes, I think people should be cautious having awesome titles like that because then you have to live up to it lol
Karen @For What It's Worth
You're right, that title totally would have made me curious too!
Sorry this didn't turn out to be as interesting as the title was. 😉
Thank you for a comprehensive review – an interesting premise but sorry to hear it didn't quite live up to your expectations – better luck with your next read.
Well with that title, I was expecting this one to be humorous, I am guessing it wasn't nearly as funny from your review. Bummer
It sounds like the title might be the best aspect of this one sadly. I like a clearer cut dialogue too, but the storyline is what concerns me. Is it tongue in cheek or a serious storyline? It sounds as though it can't decide if it's a contemporary or fantasy. I'm glad you were able to enjoy it somewhat Lauren, fabulous review nonetheless hun <3
Too bad the book did not live up to it's title :/
DARN IT! I had high hopes after learning that title! Bummer that it didn't live up to expectations. :/
Alabama sounds like the interesting character. A gun-toting violinist!
o_O The dialogues are in paragraphs?! As in the back and forth… in ONE paragraph?! That's kind of hard to grasp, to be honest… and very confusing as well, something I'd never read before, and not sure I'd want to read! I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I think I'll stick to the more traditionally-written books. Haha.
Faye at The Social Potato
I-whoa. Seriously? Yeah, no wonder that's confusing, I mean, yay for getting used to it, but that would've kept putting me out of the story and everything. I don't mind flawed characters (and Mike does sound really flawed!), but I think I'd like them! 🙂
Haha! What a fun title! Well, interesting at least 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the story overall, even though it did have its faults.