Title: Dam Break: The Day Half of China Flooded
Author: Dieter Gartelmann
Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
ISBN: 978-1543710601
Pages: 356
Genre: Political Thriller / Action
Reviewer: Christina Avina

Read Book Review

In a time when ecological disasters and global warming are more prevalent than ever, the need to identify technologies and infrastructure that could lead to environmental disasters has never been more crucial. With some countries facing political unrest that leaves infrastructure and oversight over potential ecological disasters razor-thin and without order, it is so important for every person to take responsibility not only for their own contributions to the environment and where it stands today, but to be proactive and try to maintain and keep together the societal infrastructures that hold back potential disaster.

That is the driving force of Author Dieter Gartelmann’s Dam Break: The Day Half of China Flooded. The story focuses on Azar, who flees to a region in Iran with her father after she discovers the person she has fallen in love with is the son of the man who, years earlier, tortured her father. Angry and desperate to keep her father safe, she first hacks into the CIA, then later discovers there is a major risk of a powerful dam failure that could leave millions dead on the Yangtze River. She must race against time to stop the dam from breaking and save the lives of millions in this powerful romance meets a geopolitical thriller.

A fast-paced, whirlwind narrative with the depth of a character study this novel takes on is truly astonishing. The author did a truly tremendous job of finding a great balance between the powerful themes this narrative is built upon, the deeply personal character development, and the storytelling that defines the protagonist and the characters around her. The rich imagery in the author’s writing style makes these international settings and powerfully emotional scenes feel truly immersive to the reader, allowing them to see the scenes play out in their mind’s eye as the story progresses at an even pace, infusing adrenaline with shocking twists and turns readers will not see coming.

Readers who enjoy suspense, thrillers, especially those that blend action, suspense, mystery, and geopolitical thriller elements into the story, will be completely immersed and engaged by this powerful narrative. The personal mistakes that start the story and the heartfelt connection the protagonist feels early on lay the foundation for a strong, powerful protagonist who allows the narrative to establish real-world stakes that make the impending ecological disaster both believable and terrifying, as well as heartbreaking for those who would be impacted. Strong themes of infrastructure, love, and the impact that power and technology have on global events, which also affect everyday people and the environment. This is a story readers will not want to put down.