Official Review: Acts of Sedition by Dennis Stephan

[Lennycat]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Acts of Sedition" by Dennis Stephan.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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What would you do if you woke up one day and you were no longer allowed to vote, or hold a job? What if you had to wear a head covering? What if you weren’t allowed to go to the Church of your religion? What if the President of the United States you voted for turned out to be a totalitarian monster and wanted to rule forever?

Acts of Sedition by Dennis Stephan takes us to this alternate future where some elements ring all too familiar in today’s political climate. It is 2045, and the people of the United States have grown tired of a political establishment that doesn’t seem to care or want to help. Mohammad Abbas, a seemingly secular, charismatic, and conservative Muslim is voted in as President. Within months, he changes the social order and direction of the country by making it illegal for women to hold jobs in leadership roles and making them wear hajibs. He tries to amend the Constitution by getting rid of term limits for positions in government. He holds people without a trial and executes anyone that tries to protest these draconian changes. The country leans increasingly more and more toward Sharia law and the Constitution is slowly eroded into nothing more than a piece of paper.

Three years later, the people are quietly growing with discontent. Groups start to gather at secret meetings to discuss how to take back the country and remove the authoritarian stronghold. A resistance movement is borne with people of all affiliations to gain back the freedoms of their grandparents that had been taken for granted. Angela Mastronardo, from South Philadelphia and a former corporate executive, along with Rabbi Saul Rudzinsky, a New York City Rabbi, and two orphans from Syria, Makim and Qasim Khalid, put aside ideological differences to create a plan to overthrow the government. They are led by Major General Josh Redmond, a hero and superior military strategist who creates a bold and daring plan for a coup.

This story was disturbing to me because it is so timely. Much of what the author wrote can be taken into context in America's current events. His words stayed with me long after I had finished the book. Mr. Stephan does an excellent job of fully forming each character with a distinct personality and I thought about how these characters became a new generation of revolutionists with acts of sedition. I couldn't help but feel that Mr. Stephan's futuristic look at America is a bit too close for comfort and I worry about what will happen with our own country of today.

I did find several technical errors toward the end of the book. I would recommend to the author one more run-through with an editor. There were a few sexually explicit scenes in the book that may be alarming to some readers. I do not feel they were gratuitous.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Although, there were a few technical errors toward the end of the book, I felt this book was deserving of the highest rating because of the compelling storyline. This book offers a terrifying picture of what life in the United States could look like in 25 years. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy political thrillers and suspense. Because of a few graphic sexual scenes, I would recommend this book to readers 17 years and over.

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Acts of Sedition
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Like Lennycat's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Sarah Immanuel]

I would recommend this book, especially for those that love political stories. History and thriller novels. It is a must read. The writer seemed prophetic though.

[Lennycat]

Thanks for your response. I’m glad that you liked the book too.

[KlareAllison]

Projecting into the future with little or no comforting news. Dennis Stephan's outlook on life in the United States in 25 years' time, I would agree, is disturbing. However, Acts of Sedition has an interesting storyline. I think the review is well-worded.

[Lennycat]

Thank you for your response. I would agree that this book had a very interesting storyline.

[meteku4]

Your review is captivating. I enjoyed every bit of it and I am eager to read the book for myself.

[kandscreeley]

Wow. It does sound like an interesting and unfortunately appropriate book for these times. I can see that happening. It's almost too realistic to read. Thanks for the review.

[Job Njoroge]

The book addresses some of the current problems in some countries like Syria. It also shows what humans will do when what they took for granted is taken away. When man feels that he has nothing more to lose and that dialogue is not an option, revolutions are inevitable like in Libya

[Lennycat]

The book addresses some of the current problems in some countries like Syria. It also shows what humans will do when what they took for granted is taken away. When man feels that he has nothing more to lose and that dialogue is not an option, revolutions are inevitable like in Libya

I agree with your very perceptive assessment, Job. Unfortunately, the scenario from this book seems to happening all over the world, not just America.

[Mercelle]

An interesting storyline indeed... This is the kind of book that should be made into a movie.

[Jr Artemis]

For After exam folder list., It must be my first book after reading the review,Thx

[Nivet wahs]

Good book

-- 25 Oct 2017, 22:23 --

Good book

[Gifty Naa Akushia]

This is an interesting read, living the future before it catches up with you. That's not a bad idea O guess, by that the necessary precautions could be taken.

[Yoli García]

Wow! This books sounds like a must read because of its contemporary and prophetic historical content. As a historian, I can see that definitely happening in the United States as well as in Europe.

[MrsCatInTheHat]

It's scary when a book makes you fearful about real-life situations.