Review of Crossroads of Empire
- Bethel Saint Bright
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- Latest Review: Crossroads of Empire by Michael J Cooper
Review of Crossroads of Empire
“Crossroads of Empire” by Michael J Cooper is a historical fiction set in the early months of World War I. In this book, the Arabs sought independence from the Ottoman Empire. It was evident to Prince Faisal that neither the Turks nor the Germans would grant them independence. His hopes of independence for his people depended on an accord he hoped to reach with the Brits. Was he successful? Meanwhile, Evan Sinclair lost his memories after being the sole survivor of a shipwreck. His journey to regain his memories led him to Rosslyn Castle, where he met his distant cousin, Harry. Evan began to dig deep into his ancestry and was amazed at what he discovered. What did he discover?
I love every bit of this book. The structuring is good, the storytelling is exquisite, and the narrative is relatable, especially for anyone who has an idea of the history of World War I. I highly recommend this book.
I like how the author tells the story from many distinct angles without confusing me. Readers can follow each part of the plot, anticipating their meeting point. There’s an aspect of the narrative that focuses on Evan and his journey to remember who he is. Another aspect focuses on Prince Faisal and his quest to secure independence for his people. We also see Kaiser Wilhelm’s vested interest in the Middle East and how he tries to keep America from entering the war. The author distinctively develops other plot points as the narrative unfolds. Readers can also see the natural rendezvous of these plot points. Cooper has outdone himself in this one.
“Crossroads of Empire” is a sequel to “Wages of Empire.” While I like to read books in the order in which they are written, I appreciate books in series that can be read as standalone stories. I encourage readers to read “Wages of Empire.” However, you don’t have to read it to understand “Crossroads of Empire.” In this installment, the author focuses on the events occurring between November 1914 and May 1915. Also, the prologue gives an idea of where the story builds from. This is a well-thought-out book.
The chronological arrangement of the chapters aids the book’s flow. The author avoids going back and forth in time, which helps to remove confusion during the reading. This arrangement also helps build up the story. The narrative grows on the reader. Finally, no plot holes will cause any challenges while reading the book.
I, however, noticed one oversight in the book’s arrangement. Chapter 13 occurred twice with different narratives. I saw this as an oversight that would not necessarily affect the enjoyment of the book. However, it would be nice if it were fixed by merging the two, as the events happened on the same day and in the same place.
There’s all to like and nothing to dislike about this book. The editing is perfectly done, as there are no grammar or spelling mistakes. There are some unresolved plotlines, which makes me believe the author is working on another book in the series. Considering that the double occurrence of Chapter 13 is not a serious issue, I rate the book a perfect 5 out of 5.
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Crossroads of Empire
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The novel "Crossroads of Empire" by Michael J. Cooper skillfully blends Prince Faisal's struggle for Arab independence in the wake of World War I with the amnesia-driven ambition of a soldier. Fans of geopolitical sagas and historical fiction should not miss this award-winning work, which blends mystery with history.
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Interesting. I wonder if this wasn't an oversight, but an artistic choice?I, however, noticed one oversight in the book’s arrangement. Chapter 13 occurred twice with different narratives. I saw this as an oversight that would not necessarily affect the enjoyment of the book. However, it would be nice if it were fixed by merging the two, as the events happened on the same day and in the same place.
Either way, I liked your review! Very insightful, very helpful.
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