Review of Chloroform Wars
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Stephanie Runyon
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Review of Chloroform Wars
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Chloroform Wars" by Dan uselton.]
What would you be willing to do for money? Would you participate in a reality show where you have to humiliate your opponent? In Chloroform Wars, Ryker Vale’s family needs money. He was taking part in a reality show for $90. The rules were simple: breathe chloroform through a mask and take down your opponent. Then the winner sexually humiliates the loser. Ryker was nervous with excitement until they brought his opponent onboard. To his horror, he had to combat Rhea Schwartz, his best friend and the girl he loved. Neither of them wanted to compete against the other.
Ryker won the match, but he felt dirty. The following Monday, Ryker receives an interesting call from the network. Mr. Dalton offers him a contract paying for four shows at $800 each. At the studio, Ryker learns the shows are rigged to follow Victor Langston’s narrative. He calls Rhea, hoping she will forgive him. Rhea reassures him and claims the network has offered her a contract too. Ryker and Rhea decided they would teach the network’s owner, Senator Langston, that they would not be a part of his violent, gendered reality show.
Chloroform Wars is a dystopian novel set in Oregon. Ryker and Rhea are both living in poverty. The development of the characters is excellent. The vivid details about the reality show's scenes are very graphic. Intense suspense builds before each match, especially when new contestants are brought in by Langston. Sudden changes made to the show’s contestants at the last minute made the plot unpredictable.
Chloroform Wars leaves nothing to the imagination during the contests. Every horrifying moment is easy to envision as the winner humiliates their opponent. I could easily understand Ryker’s feelings. He struggled with the final act in each fight. The author's note included a list of trigger warnings, which I feel were appropriate for the content. I found nothing to dislike about the overall story.
I rate this dystopian action book five out of five stars. It is easy to read, the timeline is clear, and transitioning between character views is seamless. The widespread acceptance of a gender-violent reality show serves to influence the population. The navigation of life proves lessons of loyalty and love. Chloroform Wars also shows that if something feels wrong, then you shouldn’t submit to being a puppet for a corrupt leader.
This novel is for mature readers. It includes psychological coercion, institutional abuse, sexual violence, and public humiliation make this book inappropriate for younger people. Will Rhyker and Rhea be able to change what people accept as entertainment? Will they fall victim to Langston’s violent tendencies in exchange for a financially better life for their families?
******
Chloroform Wars
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
What would you be willing to do for money? Would you participate in a reality show where you have to humiliate your opponent? In Chloroform Wars, Ryker Vale’s family needs money. He was taking part in a reality show for $90. The rules were simple: breathe chloroform through a mask and take down your opponent. Then the winner sexually humiliates the loser. Ryker was nervous with excitement until they brought his opponent onboard. To his horror, he had to combat Rhea Schwartz, his best friend and the girl he loved. Neither of them wanted to compete against the other.
Ryker won the match, but he felt dirty. The following Monday, Ryker receives an interesting call from the network. Mr. Dalton offers him a contract paying for four shows at $800 each. At the studio, Ryker learns the shows are rigged to follow Victor Langston’s narrative. He calls Rhea, hoping she will forgive him. Rhea reassures him and claims the network has offered her a contract too. Ryker and Rhea decided they would teach the network’s owner, Senator Langston, that they would not be a part of his violent, gendered reality show.
Chloroform Wars is a dystopian novel set in Oregon. Ryker and Rhea are both living in poverty. The development of the characters is excellent. The vivid details about the reality show's scenes are very graphic. Intense suspense builds before each match, especially when new contestants are brought in by Langston. Sudden changes made to the show’s contestants at the last minute made the plot unpredictable.
Chloroform Wars leaves nothing to the imagination during the contests. Every horrifying moment is easy to envision as the winner humiliates their opponent. I could easily understand Ryker’s feelings. He struggled with the final act in each fight. The author's note included a list of trigger warnings, which I feel were appropriate for the content. I found nothing to dislike about the overall story.
I rate this dystopian action book five out of five stars. It is easy to read, the timeline is clear, and transitioning between character views is seamless. The widespread acceptance of a gender-violent reality show serves to influence the population. The navigation of life proves lessons of loyalty and love. Chloroform Wars also shows that if something feels wrong, then you shouldn’t submit to being a puppet for a corrupt leader.
This novel is for mature readers. It includes psychological coercion, institutional abuse, sexual violence, and public humiliation make this book inappropriate for younger people. Will Rhyker and Rhea be able to change what people accept as entertainment? Will they fall victim to Langston’s violent tendencies in exchange for a financially better life for their families?
******
Chloroform Wars
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"Facts don't care about feelings." Ben Shapiro
"If you aren't paranoid, then it's already too late." Marilyn Manson
"If you aren't paranoid, then it's already too late." Marilyn Manson
Latest Review: Chloroform Wars by Dan uselton
