Review of The Decision

[Obi Egbuniwe]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Decision" by Michael D. Komeshak.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The fate of humanity is thrown into uncertainty following the arrival of a small party of aliens on Earth. These advanced beings declare their desire to help the planet solve some of its most pressing challenges. A diverse group of thirteen individuals is chosen to decide which specific challenges to address. Among this number is the main character, American wildlife conservation officer, Jason Harper. Over a few days, Jason and the rest of the delegates must surmount geopolitical differences, suspicions, distrust, tragedy, and temptation to usher in the new world order.

The Decision by Michael Komeshak is a masterclass in anticipation and suspense. The author successfully managed to create an atmosphere of tension and intrigue that commanded my rapt attention for the entirety of the story. The enormity of the stakes (being humanity's survival itself) was palpable and well-executed. These factors made my reading a very immersive experience. This book is also incredibly well-paced, from exposition to resolution. At no point did the narrative seem to lag. The length, as well as the time allocated to each plot point, felt just right. 

Another highlight of this story for me was the characters. The author created a well-rounded, realistic, and relatable set of characters that enriched the story. Each was a distinct and unique individual. They possessed their own nuances, flaws, and particular speech patterns. No character felt flat or lacked necessary development. This is especially important given that the story is not driven by fast-paced action. Therefore, it needed quality dialogue and characters to move the plot and narrative forward. Michael Komeshak executed this beautifully. The Decision also scores high points in diversity and representation. It depicted characters from various countries, ethnicities, political views, and sexual orientations in a respectful manner.

The themes of the story are deep and thought-provoking. It prompts the reader to individually assess personal values (I did this a lot). It achieved this by presenting each argument (some admittedly extreme) with its merit and underlying logic. The author didn't advocate for any particular opinion but left it to the reader to decide. The Decision x-rays humanity and morality not as black and white but in a more complex and intelligent way. Furthermore, the writing style was clean, precise, and fluid. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For me, there are no negatives to this book whatsoever. My reading experience was further enhanced by the fact that I didn't notice any grammar errors. Hence, I deem it to be professionally edited and give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend The Decision to all classes of readers, particularly those with an appreciation for suspense and intrigue. 

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The Decision
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[Cheryl Erickson]

That is quite a unique plot line! Instead of aliens invading Earth, they come to help solve problems.With well-rounded characters involved in suspense and intrigue, it sounds like an interesting book! I appreciate your well-written review.

[Azubike Richard]

That storyline is really interesting! Aliens come to Earth to help with problems, not to conquer it. It sounds like a good book with full characters embroiled in mystery and excitement! I value your thoughtful evaluation.