Book Review: The Other Kind: The Rise

The Other Kind: The Rise by Yusuf Bhatti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoy “hiding in plain sight” stories, so of course I couldn’t resist one about a tough, strong fighter throwing punches in Thailand, unaware that his fighting talent and resilient constitution comes from his superhuman heritage. When he finds out who he really is, he’s appalled at the way his new “family” makes the rules that they all must live (and die) by. He’s got that “new kid on the block” kind of energy and conviction to take them on and challenge those rules.

The story is action-heavy and focused on tense dialog rather than heavily detailed descriptions of people, places, and things. Everything you need to know is revealed, though. This tight, fast-moving format should appeal to fans of action shows and movies. The witty banter between characters keeps the story fresh.

Though written in English, the setting is Thailand. As an American, I enjoyed “traveling” to another country, which to me felt mysterious and thrilling. The dialog is simple and straightforward, which makes this book a good choice for people who aren’t dedicated literary bookworms, or perhaps are learning English as a second language.