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The Scottsdale, Arizona setting is gated communities, luxury cars, and the well heeled. Behind the high-walled mansions, and manicured lawns however, bizarre forces are at play that will find a young adolescent neck-deep in kidnapping, torture, murder, and more. Alisic has concocted a compelling thriller with a teenage protagonist haunted by his past. He’s a war orphan who managed to survive unimaginable horrors in the rape of his country, only to find himself back in battle with old tormentors plus unscrupulous authorities with their own hidden agendas.
Meho’s been adopted by an affluent American family. His ten-year-old brother is the natural son of their loving parents. Meho is quiet and harbors a hideous secret. His younger sibling is a whiz kid. Together they will become involved in a series of seemingly unrelated events that escalate rapidly and dangerously.
While doing their own scientific experiments to find a cure for their grandfather’s cancer, they stumble onto a potentially unstoppable bio-weapon. The younger brother runs afoul of school bullies, and Meho brings mayhem upon them with a level of violence that shocks everyone. Villains from Meho’s past surface, and carnage ensues as passions are inflamed, cruelty is employed, and retribution is metered out with extreme prejudice. Meho winds up on trial for his life, and it may be up to his younger brother to save him.
This novel is fast paced. Prose is conversational. Dialogue is taught. While some of the twists and turns strain credulity, suspense and excitement keep you wanting to know exactly where it’s going and how it will all turn out. If you like tough tales about young people, it might be for you.