The best description of this book that I think I could give is the disclaimer at the front:
The following is not fiction. The characters and events described are closely based on real life, and any resemblance to real persons, organizations and events is purely intentional, and should be construed in the most negative light the text will support. Some names have been changed to protect the author from violent reprisals from the real people thus depicted, in the unlikely event that any of them have learned to read.
Thus begins a darkly cynical account of one soldier’s experience (or lack thereof) in Al-Anbar Province during the Iraq War. At times hilarious, at times surprisingly moving, this book made me laugh out loud and kept me engrossed all the way to the end.
Full disclosure: the author is a friend of mine from the Leading Edge slushpile, and I was one of the beta readers for this book. That said, I really enjoyed this novel, both the earlier draft that I read and the finished version that I bought as soon as it came out. It’s a lot like Catch 22, except I actually liked this one (whereas I could hardly get through the first chapter of Catch 22). The writing is witty and sarcastic, and the story, while far from honeycoated, ends on a note that makes the read worthwhile.
If you’re happily employed by the military, this book will probably make you livid with rage…or it’ll send you roaring on the floor laughing your ass off. I can see my military friends taking it either way. But one thing is for sure: you won’t find it boring.
One Confirmed Kill is an indie published ebook, and you can currently pick it up in all formats for $.99 on Smashwords. Disclosure: as a Smashwords affiliate, I get about $.10 from the sale. However, even if I didn’t get anything for it, I’d still recommend it, because it’s a great read.
