Book Review: Patriarch Run

Title: Patriarch Run

Author: Benjamin Dancer

Genre: Thriller

Book Blurb: 

Billy discovers that his father might be a traitor, that he was deployed to safeguard the United States from a cyberattack on its military networks. After that mission, his father disappeared along with the Chinese technology he was ordered to steal–a weapon powerful enough to sabotage the digital infrastructure of the modern age and force the human population into collapse. 

PATRIARCH RUN is a thoughtful and character-driven, coming-of-age story. Against a backdrop of suspense, the novel explores the archetypal themes of fatherhood, rites of passage and self-acceptance.

Review:

Hmmm....where to start with the review? Patriarch Run is definitely unlike any book I have read. The plot of the book was interesting--a super computer that has the potential to destroy or save mankind (depending on how you look at it)? The novel also touches upon many topics from a different perspective--ie. is culling the human population the right thing to do considering Earth won't be able to sustain the growing population within two centuries at this current growth rate? 

The novel, in addition to be some sort of a mystery (Jack, one of the main characters, has lost his memories and has to put together the pieces to figure out what is happening and why he is a wanted man,) is also a coming of age novel. This is particularly true for Billy, Jack's son. Graduating from high school soon, Billy learns to view things from the big picture. His "innocence" is shattered by a tragic turn of events that is set off when Jack returns to town, bloodied and confused.

One thing I wasn't a fan of in Patriarch Run is the amount of flashbacks featured. Since Jack has no memory of who he was, other characters will sometimes experience flashbacks regarding Jack in his earlier years to help readers get a better picture of Jack. Towards the second half of the book, Jack also started experiencing many flashbacks himself. I'm usually fine with a certain number of flashbacks, but there was just too many for me (I get confused easily, lol.)

I really liked Jack's character because he's different; I admire his ability to see the big picture. Although I might not always agree with his tactics/actions on completing his goals, I also admire his determination to make choices based on the greater good, even if it means sacrificing something that is dear.

I would recommend this book if you're looking for a quick read (less than 200 pages) but still has a substantial message.

Rating: