Official Review: Moscow Machination by Ian Maxwell

Shelle · Post by **Shelle** » 03 Mar 2016, 14:06

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Moscow Machination" by Ian Maxwell.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Entertaining, fast-paced, unpredictable, and hilarious are all good words to describe the satirical fiction Moscow Machination by Ian Maxwell. What a treat this book was to read! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent with this story and eagerly flipped along to see what would happen next. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It held my attention throughout, was well-written and executed, and the story itself was masterfully imaginative.

The storyline is filled with international espionage, bumbling Russian Special Forces, power-hungry world leaders, spectacular crashes fit for summer blockbusters, planet-destroying weapons, and ever-changing alliances between world super (and not-so-super) powers. I should also mention the giant planes, lightning fast trains, and lots of black Audis. The toys alone in the story are enough to grab any reader’s attention and keep them wanting more.

Along with the glitz and glam of high-tech toys, Moscow Machination also introduces us to some wonderfully nuanced and deeply flawed characters. These include the witty Russian President who sports a chip on her shoulder after decades of seeing her homeland underperform on the world stage, the surprisingly laid-back and not-as-crazy –as-you’d-expect ruler of North Korea who loves American television shows and the Green Bay Packers, and the U.S. Intelligence official who wants nothing more than to flee his awful job and responsibilities. These pivotal leaders are painted as a mix of foul-mouthed, racist, misogynist, ethnocentric egomaniacs who deep down sincerely want the very best for their own countries. The barbs thrown back and forth are biting, and I couldn’t can’t help but wonder how close these scenes are to those that actually happen behind closed office doors.

Secondary characters, such as the whip-smart high-speed rail pilot, the eager underground Nazi weapons scientists fresh from the Stalin-era, and even an endangered white tiger that becomes the center of a potential nuclear war are all used to add to the storyline and create some engaging plot twists that keep the reader guessing and turning the page for more. Maxwell even adds several sprinklings of current pop-culture humor to keep things light-hearted, including a few Kardashian jokes.

I appreciate that Moscow Machination never takes itself too seriously. Sure, the satire is effectively used to get the reader to think about bigger issues relating to world politics, the dangers of superpowers, and the potential of cataclysmic disaster, but Ian Maxwell does it with such humor and wit, that contemplating world-wide nuclear war becomes something you’d laugh about with friends over a few beers.

Moscow Machination would be a delicious read for anyone who likes fast-paced fiction, stories about international politics, advanced weaponry, or just flat-out enjoys a good satirical read.

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Moscow Machination
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Ianmaxwellbooks · Post by **Ianmaxwellbooks** » 06 Mar 2016, 10:38

Wowzers. Thank you for that amazing review. I am really happy you got the tone and tenor of the book. Appreciate your time and effort. Thanks again.

Shelle · Post by **Shelle** » 06 Mar 2016, 11:48

Thank you for the great read!

Post by **bookowlie** » 06 Mar 2016, 13:56

What a great review! I love the way you described the characters. You made the book sound like a wild ride! Adding this one to my reading list.

gali · Post by **gali** » 06 Mar 2016, 14:00

Sounds good! Thank you for the lovely review.

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 13 Mar 2016, 07:42

Sounds like a very interesting book, I love fast-paced novels. Moreover, the characters seem very intriguing. Great job on the review, your enthusiasm is contagious

Congratulations to Ian Maxwell for such a well-written book.