American War by Omar El Akkad was another one of my favorite book from my 2018 book list. (Uncommon Type is still my favorite.) Although it’s thick and heavy, it makes for a great airplane read.

American War by Omar El Akkad: Amazon Description

Sarat Chestnut, born in Louisiana, is only six when the Second American Civil War breaks out in 2074. But even she knows that oil is outlawed, that Louisiana is half underwater, and that unmanned drones fill the sky. When her father is killed and her family is forced into Camp Patience for displaced persons, she begins to grow up shaped by her particular time and place. But not everyone at Camp Patience is who they claim to be. Eventually Sarat is befriended by a mysterious functionary, under whose influence she is turned into a deadly instrument of war. The decisions that she makes will have tremendous consequences not just for Sarat but for her family and her country, rippling through generations of strangers and kin alike.


My Review

American War starts of a little slow, but not in the way that makes you want to put it down. About half way through is when things start to fall into place. I looked forward to going to bed early so I had more time to read. Some of the parts skip several years but it’s easy to pick right back up. The ending was sort of sad but closed the book (pun intended) on any open questions. I recommend it!