Not my usual read but I was drawn to this by the information about it. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and became involved in the plight of the characters , in particular Cassandra the US army girl who was captured and Abu- Al- Hool who had been a dedicated mujaheddin but was now questioning what was happening at the hands of the new radical jihadists.
The story is told by the 3 main characters Cassandra, Abu-Al-Hool and Sergeant Sleed who makes bad decisions that have disastrous effects. Cassandra's captivity is well documented and described and that is when I was pulled into the novel. There was a no holds barred description of her treatment and definitely no sensationalisation of war. I felt as if I was there with her.
Not an easy read but both disturbing and interesting. A read that left me thinking and a read relevant in the way of the world today.

I would say I found this book interesting rather than enjoyable. The author evokes the role of the military and civilians in war with a searing honesty which I sometimes found hard to read. When the two 'opposing' sides come together, the depiction of the complexity of that situation is challenging and moving. I would recommend this book to other readers but with a cautionary tone.

Spoils is a good, well-written book, but it has its flaws.

The well-publicised nub of the story is that in the 2003 Iraq war, a female US soldier, Cassandra Wigheard, is captured by a group of jihadi fighters. We get a first-person account by Abu al-Hool an experienced, slightly world-weary jihadi and a third-person narrative from Wigheard's point of view. Both of these are very well done; van Reet clearly knows about his subject matter and I found the setting and action completely convincing. These two voices, too, are very good and I found myself involved with both characters. There is also another first-person narrative from Sleed, another soldier, to give the perspective of those observing and trying to find Wigheard. I thought this was a mistake.

The story moves a little sluggishly to begin with; the capture which the publishers' blurb suggests is the central theme of the book doesn't happen until about half way through. The book chops between narrators and timescales (almost obligatory in current fiction, apparently) which for me didn't help the book at all, and the Sleed voice simply got in the way. He is making important points about the conduct of the war – but they're not what the book is really about and a tightening of the structure would have helped a great deal.

I thought the second half of Spoils was excellent. It was tense, gripping, insightful and very well written. Van Reet's portraits of Wigheard and al-Hool are excellent and I was completely involved as things developed. The Sleed narrative still intruded, but less so, and apart from one long, inappropriate flashback to earlier times just as the climax approached, I found it completely engrossing.

With tighter editing sand structure, this could have been a real modern war classic in the same league as The Yellow Birds or Billy Lynn's Long Half Time Walk. There are parts of Spoils which are in that class, but it was somewhat flawed as a novel. However, much of it is truly excellent and very memorable and I can recommend it.

There's a lot to recommend in this powerful account of life on the frontline on both sides of the Second Iraq War. As a former Sargent in the US army, including service in this particular war, there's a real authenticity throughout much of this book and it's one that captures much of the adrenalin, horror, confusion, amorality, and boredom of service, especially from the American side. Certainly, if you're a fan of Andy McNab's books and similar, this will be one for you.

The story focuses around Cassandra, a nineteen-year-old gunner on an American Humvee, who is captured during a deadly firefight and awakens in a prison cell. Interestingly, this story is told from a revolving point of view - from Cassandra's through whose eyes we witness the loss of naivety about the war and the horrors of capture, but also through another tank crewman, Sleed, who gets wrapped up in war crimes and looting, and also from the point of view of Abu Al-Hool, a lifelong mujahedeen now questioning his direction.

The prose, particularly from the American points of view, are terrific. Iraq is evoked superbly well, captured superbly in both the heat and the torrential rain. There's also a great balance between the boredom of waiting for battles to come, and the horrors of battle when they arrive. As a book with narrative drive, an interesting moral ambiguity and an interesting central character, this certainly impresses.

There are though two key concerns I have with this book, which would make me hesitant to recommend it to people I know, certainly because the issues I'm about to mention are ones that are subject to much wider discussion right now.

By writing from the point of view of a young woman and the point of view of a radicalised jihadist, Brian is writing from two points of view that he has zero experience of. And at points in the book, it really, really shows.

Take for example, Cassandra. There is a scene of an attempted rape and Brian uses the description 'that she "feels like she's being robbed.... Never in her life has she allowed a man to do this" I outwardly winced at this. These sentences really should have been struck out. There are poor and inappropriate descriptions of rape.

There's a far greater authenticity issue around Abu Al-Hool, who seems to speak perfect Queen's English and whose language is filled with Anglo-Saxon colloquialisms, such as 'a basket case', 'sheer charisma' 'biting off more than you can chew' 'tit for tat' and so on. And that's just the superficial. I can't say that Brian captured what it is to be a disillusioned mujaheddin at all. There was a lot of white man projection here. I get why Brian chose this approach - all sides are guilty and confused here - but even a sympathetic portrayal can't shift the fact that this character is problematic,

Set during the Iraq occupation in 2003, this book tells its story through mostly 2 points of view: a female American soldier and a Muslim freedom fighter. There's also a 3rd perspective, a male American soldier. Although he doesn't feature very often and, quite honestly, I'm not sure how necessary he was to the narrative.
I liked the setting, it was very atmospheric and it seemed like loads of research has gone into this novel. The detail of every situation, behaviour of all involved, the ins and outs of army and insurgent life were incredible.
However, it dragged in places. Quite a lot. I don't know why but Spoils failed to grabbed my interest.
It made me think a lot about season 2 of Serial and I wasn't too crazy about that either. So maybe this kind of story just isn't for me.
But if modern day war stories are your thing, I'd definitely recommend this.

This is a great novel written by a former US Army tank crewman. There are three main characters, Sleed a tank crewman (like the author himself), a female soldier Specialist Cassandra Wigheard, and a jihadi named Abu al-Hool. Cassandra is escaping a life of poverty, stoically endures the macho sexism that characterises army life - the patronising chivalry of her immediate superior, the brutish misogyny of a fellow crewmate. She’s better than many of her colleagues but must work twice as hard to prove it. Sleed is a typical grunt trying to get by. Surrounded by thuggish colleagues he tries to fit in, but there’s a decency about him that his immediate comrades lack. Abu al-Hool is a veteran jihadi whose exploits date back to the Afghan jihad against the Soviets. He’s increasingly disillusioned by his life and has recently been usurped as leader of his band of fighters.

Dr Walid, the new leader of al-Hool’s jihadi band, has brought them to Iraq. For weeks, they sit around doing nothing but shooting propaganda videos, Walid clearly seeing himself as a proto-Zaqawi. But then they get wind of an American position and attack. In the ensuing firefight, Cassandra Wigheard and two other Americans are captured. The Quick Reaction Force that would, potentially, have rescued them is delayed, thanks to Sleed and his colleagues being away from their posts: they were searching one of Saddam’s palaces for booty.

The rest of the novel is focused on Wigheard’s captivity and, to a lesser extent, the American forces’ hunt for her. Wigheard really is a great creation, a character the author brings to life with a deftness of touch. The jihadis are also brilliantly portrayed. While some are the brutal psychopaths we might expect from the news media, most are portrayed as ordinary human beings, whose motivations for taking up arms against what they perceive to be foreign invaders in Muslim lands are numerous and complex. One striking aspect of the novel is how the author portrays their reaction to having captured a female soldier. As products of conservative Islam, they are equal parts fascinated and repelled by this blonde-haired example of the opposite sex. When she has her period their behaviour would border on the comical if it weren’t for the circumstances.

If I have one minor criticism of Spoils it’s that I’m not sure that the character of Sleed adds much to the narrative. It’s not that he’s a poorly constructed character, he isn’t, his characterisation is equally strong. But one could imagine the novel with his sections edited out and the book wouldn’t necessarily be any the weaker for it. Perhaps the author should have told the story just from Wigheard and the jihadists point of view and saved Sleed for another book.

Certainly, I hope this isn’t the last we hear from Brian Van Reet, he’s an author I would like to read more from. If Spoils is anything to go by, he’s a special talent.

5 out of 5 stars

Spoils

Wow!! Spoils is an addictive read that you won't be able to put down!

I'm not that into 'war' books but I seem to enjoy books based around the goings on in the Middle East...maybe because the reality of what has happened over there has taken place during my lifetime.

Anyway, set post 9/11, Spoils covers the war on Iraq from both sides of the coin. A beautifully heart wrenching story and a definite must read.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book, 5*!

A good solid modern war book. The real life experience and knowledge adds an authenticity to the descriptions and dialogue and give the book a believability. Also there is a good attempt to see all sides and the similarities as well as the difference in what drive people to do what they do.

A truly realistic, debut war novel.
'Spoils' by Brian Van Reet is a truly realistic debut war novel, set in Iraq in 2003. Firstly, I must point out that this subject is not usually my cup of tea at all. In fact, it was a struggle for the first part, due to so many technical details.
However, I found myself immersed in the plot once the author plunged into the gruesome reality from two main perspectives, both on opposing sides.
I was particularly drawn to the plight of 19 year old Cassandra Wigheard, an American soldier, and the subsequent harrowing trials she had to face due to the brutality of war. It is obvious that Van Reef has had first-hand knowledge of the horrors of the Iraq War, as he depicts all the main characters with such realism, that he even made me think deeply about the futility of war; loss of life, death in all its finality.
The other main character is Abu al-Hool, a mujahid who starts to contemplate the intricacies of warfare and some of the beliefs of the jihadists. He is a veteran who has become disillusioned with this way of living. It certainly makes the reader question who is right and who is wrong? Suffice it to say the lives of both main characters become enmeshed. There is also a third character, an American tank crewman, who arguably was not essential to the plot.
Brian Van Reet, himself a war veteran, certainly brought the two main characters to life in such a realistic way that I'm glad I stayed with the book to its bitter conclusion.
Galadriel
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

'Great writing doesn’t announce itself – you don’t notice it until you are under its spell. Later, the scenes come back to you, crystal clear.' Jonny Geller, literary agent, Curtis Brown.
Brian van Reet’s novel is full of stunning images, told in spare prose. A hard-hitting, pacy page turner of a novel. A story of confusion, blunders and uncertainty with sudden horrors inflicted both by military weapons and more primitive means. Spoils focusses on the lead up to one particular attack and its aftermath, examining the lives of three people caught up in the conflict. We see how strong the will to survive is in the worst of circumstances: the claustrophobia of an army tank or a make-shift prison. The fluctuating allegiances in time of war and the extremes people will go to under pressure are presented with visceral detail. Visceral but also cerebral – this Steinbeckian novel also makes you think. Although it lacks the lyricism of Kevin Powers’ The Yellow Birds, Brian van Reet’s thrilling novel, with its privileged view, can certainly stand alongside it.
Spoils is an important and harrowing commentary on the key international conflict of the 21st century, but ultimately it is a profound meditation on what it means to live and to be alive.

For me, Spoils is a tricky book to write about. There were parts of it I found deeply fascinating and which really hooked me in – mainly the parts where Cassandra is in captivity, which were so disturbing but at the same time incredibly interesting to read about. The general theme of army life and conditions in Afghanistan is also one I found I became absorbed in.

I wasn’t overly keen on the way the novel was structured; I found the switches in narrator a little confusing. I usually really enjoy books that swap around a lot, but in Spoils I found it a bit off-putting at times. I think I really just wanted to read more about Cassandra’s capture, as that’s what really hooked me in from the synopsis! Unfortunately it takes a long time in the storyline before that actually happens, and I found myself feeling a bit impatient as I wanted the narrative to get to that point, despite knowing it would be disturbing / tricky at times to read. I understand that the section before that point is laying out the run-up to these events and really setting the scene, but I found that I much preferred reading the scenes about Cassandra’s captivity and how Abu al-Hool’s ‘brotherhood’ treated her, as it was just so intriguing and different to read about. I felt Cassandra’s captivity as if I was experiencing it myself, and this is a testament to Brian Van Reet’s writing and knowledge on the subject - very impressive.

I would recommend this novel, and feel it is an important novel to read especially with everything going on in the world today, and it's certainly something different, as well as being a powerful read.

Rating: 4.5 bumped to 4

I don't usually read war stories but there was something in the blurb for this book that made me want to read it and I'm glad I followed that up. The story switches between three points of view but there was never any danger of confusing them. The character of Cassandra the young American soldier was particularly well drawn and the stand out character for me. I note that the author is an Iraq war veteran and I wonder just how close to real life this book is. In any case, this is a powerful story and I highly recommend it, particularly to readers (like me) who don't normally read war stories.

I really wanted to love Spoils because it’s so well written, gripping and fast paced but I couldn’t quite bring myself to love it. I couldn’t get on board with the subject matter which made me uncomfortable at times. It’s weird, I read horror and thriller especially ones with serial killers and they don’t faze me, yet a book about Iraq. Afghanistan and soldiers unsettles me? I guess because the fear and horror depicted is so real? Terrorism is the only thing in the world that really frightens me so Spoils was way outside my comfort zone. It is an important book and a story that needs to be told I’m just glad I finished reading it. What really unnerved me is that some chapters are written from Cassandra’s viewpoint and some from the terrorist who kidnaps her. These voices are very powerful and unsettling at times. I had similar feelings when I read the memoir American Sniper so I guess books, both fiction and non-fiction about modern warfare is not my thing.

Dramatic depiction of warfare in Iraq with characters on both sides. A graphic description of the early days in the invasion with th

Confession: I didn't get very far through this before giving up. The writing was fine; I just think maybe it's more for a reader who likes military fiction. Chris Ryan Bravo Two Zero or whatever?

A book about war that does not fit the natural stereotypes is always welcome. This had the feel of veracity, the grunt level exchanges were real. Even the Mujahadin dialogue and motivation rang true as well as the conflict that all parties feel, both gung-ho, go-get-em and fear mixed with a dose of boredom. I thought all the characters were well drawn. The story reflected reality and while the text did not zing along like a bullet it had the most excellent pace of a good read. One identified with all three characters and could even sympathise with those on opposite sides. To give away the end would not be right but it was the RIGHT end and the author should be congratulated for as much bravery as the characters..

Spoils is the debut novel from author Brian Van Reet.

The story is set in the early stages of the Gulf War in 2003. The plot centres around US Specialist Soldier Cassandra Wigheard and her deployment in Iraq. During her deployment, Cassandra is captured by mujahideen fighters and held hostage.

The plot of Spoils explores Cassandra's capture from multiple viewpoints including Cassandra's, her captors including long-term jihadist Abu al-Hool, and the colleagues she left behind who are searching for her.

The main plot timeline focuses on the capture, but Van Reet jumps the narrative around to give the reader more context on life in the military, Cassandra and al-Hool's background before moving forward in time.

Many other reviewers have commented on Van Reet's minimalist, powerful prose. I agree.

The sentences are really sharply crafted; with no spare words, adjectives or fluff, and the plot moves along at a fast pace. Given Van Reet's military service, it is not surprising that the military aspects of the story, (in particular the battle scenes), are vividly described and very powerful.

Given its subject matter, Spoils is by no means a light read and there are scenes in the novel that some may find disturbing but I thought it was a very powerful read. Highly recommended.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

So I haven't given any stars to this book because I didn't enjoy it BUT it's too good to be given one or two or three stars! My problem is that despite the excellent writing and interesting premise I just could not get into it! I didn't like Cassandra, she is not a character I warmed to therefore I quickly disengaged from caring where the story went! All that said the author sure can write well and from a cursory look I'm in the minority on this! This is my first five star failure!

Spoils tells the story of three army combatants all involved in the Iraq war. This isn't the type of book that I would normally choose to read. I was won over by the description that it was similar to the Kite Runner, which was a book I adored. Like others have noted this is not an easy book to read, but it is faced past and enjoyable. For the first quarter of a book I found it a slog, but once I got into it I felt compelled to finish. You can tell Van Reet has experience in the army due to his incredible depth of knowledge and insight.In some ways I didn't understand having Sleet's viewpoint through the book and of the three characters he felt the weakest for me.

This book does not glorify war, but you are faced with the stark realities that each character has to make. I think this book is definitely an eye opener and it was an engaging read.

Spoils by Brian Van Reet

I wanted to read this book because I felt that I would (perhaps should) know a little bit more about the events following September 11 attacks on the USA (specifically the war on Iraq) which have affected the world so dramatically. Thanks to media coverage on these events, I don’t think I did learn much more although I must admit that ‘Spoils’ did have the advantage of having a more immediate, intimate perspective of two opposing viewpoints – or did it just have two?

The time is 2003 and the place is Iraq. There are two opposing forces, one represented by Abu al-Hool a veteran jihadist who served in Afghanistan and now in Iraq; the second is 19 year old Cassandra Wigheard on her first deployment for the US. The period covered is a mere eight weeks. The narration shifts between these two voices. Cassandra newly arrived, is keen to serve and slightly judgemental about her team. Al-Hool weary and disillusioned ponders on his past, his struggle to remain as Emir and the death of his son. After two decades of fighting he questions his commitment to the cause and his mujahideen brotherhood.

Much of the action is described by each of the narrators (providing the backstory) but it isn’t until Cassandra’s team gets separated from their support and they are taken captive by al-Hool’s forces that it gets really interesting. We are then presented with the two individual perspectives of the protagonists and this serves to illustrate a personal view and leaves the reader questioning how different are these viewpoints, or how similar. However, is there a third personal perspective, one that is much more confused trying to straddle the position of the two different camps?

Van Reet has used these ‘small’ stories which are overshadowed by the fall of Baghdad/Hussein to take the war on Iraq out of the political and media arena to illustrate the reality of war on the individuals affected; the mujahideen, the US forces and those most affected the local populace.

I was thoroughly absorbed by Cassandra and her captors and through her voice I became aware of an unsettling sense of unease, worried for her and the outcome. Strangely, I was also fearful for al-Hoon and what I perceived as his precarious position. If Van Reet’s intention was to take the public and make it personal, he certainly succeeded.

In some ways this book reminded me of Gerald Seymour and Leon Uris. Often their books will present oppositional perspectives leaving the reader in a dilemma as to the ‘rightness’ of one or other sides. Fundamentally what happens (for me) is that it is possible for both sides to have a valid argument which can become lost in the political/economics arena.

The background may be political, but it is not a heavy political tome, this is a really good book with a clever plot, well-written and great characterisation.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this book via Kindle in return for an honest review.