Title: The Noble Rebellion
Author: Joshua G. Fensterstock
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 978-1-4327-7661-9
Pages: 420
Genre: Thriller
Reviewed by: John Murray
Pacific Book Review
As Shakespeare once wrote, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” For those that are born great or achieve greatness, their future is fairly clear. They’ve worked hard or have been prepared for that path. The most interesting one is the person whom greatness is thrust upon. What do they do with that newfound power and responsibility?
In “The Noble Rebellion” by Joshua G. Fensterstock, such a scenario plays out. After a botched assassination attempt, newly elected congressman Max Noble is excused from the upcoming State of the Union address. A terrorist leading a split faction of Al-Qaeda launches an attack on the ceremony and nearly wipes out the American government. Except for Max Noble. In one fell swoop, the nation is taken over and Noble is sworn in as President. Noble must then gather up an army, prove he can lead, and take the fight to the terrorists currently in control of the nation.
While similar stories have played out before, Noble’s journey is fairly unique. As a former magazine editor and fairly ineffective one at that, he has much to overcome. He has some allies—including a few unconventional ones—that guide and shape his transformation. But that transformation comes at a cost. Noble finds himself losing his compassion and strict moral fiber in several shocking acts of violence. The story is filled with action and betrayal, but Noble’s development is the heart. One that beats steadily and layers tension wonderfully as the plot races toward the climax.
There are some plot holes that detract from the story. Max trains with several experts and masters warfare and hand-to-hand combat within a few months. That strains belief considering he had little to no physical activity in his backstory to serve as a foundation. Additionally, his wife and second wife are practically interchangeable. His first marriage was one of convenience and had little love in it. His second felt shoehorned in to give Max motivation. Finally, the bad guys rarely act until Max forces them to. Once the terrorists know who Max is and his base of operations, they never move against him. They’re able to capture several major cities, wipe out the government, and shut down any resistance against them. Their inability to confront Max beggars belief.
Overall, “The Noble Rebellion” thrusts a man into a difficult situation. In one night, an inexperienced congressman takes control of a nation fighting an enemy on its own soil. He attempts to steer the country and keep himself from becoming the enemy he despises. With an episodic feel, this book feels polished and well-written.
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