The Truth of the Matter, by Andrew Klavan, is a compelling, action-packed page turner. Charlie West is an ordinary high school student who woke up to find that he was in the clutches of terrorists and wanted by the police for murder. To top it off, he has no memory of the events of the past year. Having found the one person who can unlock the secrets of his past, Charlie begins the painful--and dangerous--journey to discovering the truth... and it is far more incredible than he could have imagined.
Written as an action series for teenage guys, Klavan's work is both contemporary and captivating. As a mother of two small children, I found this to be an easy read, and I would compare it to watching a season of 24 (minus the outrageous body count). The things Charlie experiences are outrageous, but then, this is fiction, isn't it? I felt like I was reading the mind of a teenage boy (which was an interesting thing to experience) as he struggled through weighty issues while encountering danger after danger. Charlie West is an unlikely hero, and his bravery (not bravado) is grounded in Truth. I had not read the first two books of the series, but Klavan gives enough background info that I was able to keep up with the story. I would highly recommend this book to any teen interested in thrilling action. Hang on tight, though, 'cause it's a wild ride from start to finish!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
