This is the most difficulty I’ve ever had starting a review before, so I guess I’m just going to jump right into it.
I started Chasing the Lion, and I was hooked. The pace was fast, the action was nonstop, and then the author’s political rhetoric decided to make an appearance. I shrugged it off, as I’ve read a number of books by authors (Thor, Winslow) where the writing in the book seems to mirror a political Twitter thread. But then it happened again. And again. And again. I’ll revisit this again momentarily, but first, I think it’s important to discuss something else.
This may be just a personal preference, but as I’m currently living through a pandemic from COVID-19, honestly, the last thing I want to read about in a fiction novel is COVID-19. It was probably mentioned in close to every chapter, the fact that the world was going through the pandemic, etc, etc. I read books to escape, and reading a book that perpetually reminds me of the current chaos was disappointing. You wouldn’t write a fictional WWII novel in the middle of WWII. It was deflating to have to slog through a novel that brought it up so frequently.
The crux of the novel is built around a mind-altering nerve agent that the “Lion of Tabas” is attempting to spread to America(ns). I thought it was a fascinating premise. Then, the moment the main character said something to the effect of, “The government asked the citizens of the United States to shelter in place during the pandemic, so how hard is mind control really?” I knew this book was going nowhere but down. Add in the idea that all mobile devices are hacked and the governments can read your texts messages and hear your phone calls, this novel felt more like a dystopian conspiracy theory as opposed to a thriller.
I had high hopes for this book, Chasing the Lion, but unfortunately, it was a let down. Maybe in the future, we will see some more good novels from Tata, but if they follow this same formula of fantastical ideals fused with political ideology, count me out.
Follow Stuart on Twitter or contact him via the site.
Purchase Chasing the Lion
(Note: most indie bookstores can fulfill an order as quickly as larger retailers. Please consider contacting them for your next purchase.)
Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
