3 out of 4 stars
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Final Notice by Van Fleisher is the most politically charged novel I’ve read in recent years, and I must say, I enjoyed every moment of it immensely. This book could not have been released at a more relevant time, and it really capitalizes on the sense of helplessness many Americans are feeling these days.
The concept is truly fascinating. Told from many different perspectives, I worried at first that I wouldn’t be able to keep the characters straight as I read, but Fleisher’s way of storytelling made it so I could effortlessly transition between characters. At the heart of the story are Vince Fuller, FBI Agent Zoe Brouet, and Dr. Vijay Patel. Dr. Patel has developed an amazing piece of technology that can determine when you die, sending an alert known as the “Final Notice.” Dr. Patel and his team are in the middle of running the alpha and beta test trials for the VT2 sports watch when a disturbing trend comes to light: of the 100 alpha testers, there are a handful of users who have received their “Final Notice” and gone on to commit murder. FBI Agent Brouet becomes involved after noticing this trend and investigates the numerous deaths that unfold throughout the novel, all due to gun violence and the VT2 watch.
In parallel to this storyline, you have Vince and Trudi Fuller, who are enjoying retirement but becoming increasingly upset with the tumultuous social and political landscapes. After being inundated with news stories about gun violence against minorities, children, and the elderly, Vince and Trudi begin to question the need for a gun to protect themselves. Things come to a head for the couple when Vince is attacked by a dog with rabies, and he receives a Final Notice on his beta tester VT2 watch. Knowing he has 30 days to live, Vince grapples with the need for revenge versus his moral center, forcing the reader to think about what they would do if they only had 30 days left to live.
The story that unfolds is mesmerizing. I had a hard time putting this book down; Vince and Trudi were certainly my favorites, and I feel like I was a part of their journey. Reading how their worldviews began to change, all due to media and internet influence, was very startling in the reality it represents. I haven’t enjoyed reading a book this much in a long time; it provided such a fascinating dialogue for me to share with my friends about what is going on in America and how to solve our issues.
As for the writing itself, I overlooked many of the typos and grammatical issues I found simply because I was so engrossed with the story. Due to typos and the author switching tenses mid-sentence, I have to give Final Notice 3 out of 4 stars. The content is so riveting, though, and worthy of high praise. I definitely recommend this book if you are disheartened by the state of America or feel like your opinions are not being heard. If you are an NRA supporter, I encourage you to read this and see how the other side feels, as Fleisher’s goal is to draw attention to what’s dividing our country.
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Final Notice
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