Review: Another Excellent Book in this series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 22, 2014
Reza is a complicated man, a man full of character - although he doesn't see it himself.  He shows integrity, raw loyalty and care in the dealings with his soldiers.  He has made some errors in judgement and he beats himself up about this.  Plus he battles an addiction that points to an underlying vulnerability in this tough soldier.Emily is reasonably new to the army and doesn't have much background experience in terms of life in the face of enemy attack.  However as she deals with the soldiers and Reza inducts her into some aspects of army life she gains in knowledge and some real life experience.  She also knows when to break rules and stand by Reza.The book itself explores a really difficult issue of suicide.  Men who have come back from the war, have served a number of deployments, and then they crack from the pressure of indelible memories and lost comrades.  How long does it take them to receive the help they need?  Do they even receive it?  What about those who haven't even been on deployment but show signs of pressure that are heading towards breaking point? How are they viewed?The army is an organisation and as such has its inspired leaders and great soldiers.  Unfortunately like all organisations it has its bullies, ineffectual leaders and struggling members.  I can only thank Jessica Scott for the realism that she brings to this book, the compassion it awakens in my heart for soldiers - and the way it calls me to look at those around me and notice what might be happening for them.