Prayers For The Assassin -- Book Review

So this blogging thing is kinda cool. First I got to attend the advance screening of Serenity for free. Now I get to do a book review. Mj will have one too later when she finishes it.

Robert Ferrigno's "Prayers For The Assassin" Starts with a bang. You are deposited in a future Muslim States of America where the war has already been lost. True believers and Dhimmi's co-exist in an uneasy truce, not quite Sharia law, but edging that way.

Our main character, Rakkim is the quintessential lovable rogue who never quite fits in any of the world's offered to him. The only caveat I would offer to those with more delicate sensibilities is the sex scenes are pretty raw. Didn't bother me a bit (yes, I'm well aware that I'm a big perv!), but I know this is an issue for some.

The story kicks off when Rakkim's best gal finds herself in a pickle and Rakkim steps in to give her a hand. She has possession of secret that many would kill to keep, a secret that would rock the foundations of the Muslim leadership. After a cross country hunt for clues with a dangerous assassin on their trail they finally...

What? I'm not giving it away. Read it for yourself you cheap bastige!

As an action/adventure novel I have only good things to say. The pacing is excellent, the story sucks you in with plenty of ups and downs, twists and turns to keep you interested. The characters really lived and breathed for me, I found them not only believable, but sympathetic and well drawn. Especially as regards the mental dissonance of living in a Muslim America.

This future is a dark one. Realistic in it's portrayal of Muslim societies inability to innovate or even maintain existing technology. Satellites are falling from the sky and bridges are collapsing only to be blamed on non-existant terrorists.

This however leads me to my only complaint with the book. I felt the Islamic society was painted in too sympathetic a light, though he shows the brutality in stark terms. I just couldn't swallow the idea of Americans meekly accepting Muslim rule. There was a tacit acceptance of the Muslim leadership I just couldn't wrap my mind around.

Overall I give this novel a high rating for its entertainment value and tight plotting but found some of the philosophical underpinnings a bit weak. But as a fun read action read I'd definitely give it a whirl!

Well done Bob!

***Caveats***
I was unfortunately not paid anything for this review, not a damn thing. I received a free advance copy of the book for review purposes and that is all. Believe it!

And of course curious minds want to know: Any relation to Lou? Any great Hulk stories?

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