I found these stories hard to get into and slightly disjointed; for whatever reason, the collection just didn't particularly grab or move me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the literary landscape of contemporary fiction, Sara Power’s debut collection, “Art of Camouflage: Stories,” emerges as a poignant exploration of the lives entangled in the military’s vast web. Power, with her background as a former artillery officer, brings an authenticity to the narrative that is rare and riveting.

The collection comprises stories which delve into the lives of female recruits battling the storms of toxic masculinity, military wives navigating the tumultuous seas of constant relocation, and military children whose friendships are as transient as their parents’ postings. 

Each story is a vignette, a snapshot that offers a glimpse into the inner workings of characters who are often invisible in the grander narratives of war and service. Power’s characters are not just surviving; they are trespassing beyond the boundaries of their prescribed roles, seeking a sense of self within and beyond someone else’s story.

What makes “Art of Camouflage” particularly memorable is its ability to resonate with readers from all walks of life. While the military setting is specific, the themes of resilience, identity, and the human spirit’s indomitable nature are universal. Power’s storytelling is bold, her characters’ motivations deeply human, and their journeys a mirror to our own intrinsic desires and fears.

As a book reviewer, I find “Art of Camouflage: Stories” a compelling debut which speaks to the artistry of survival and the subtle rebellions that define our existence. It is a book that deserves a spot on the shelf of anyone who appreciates nuanced storytelling and the art of revealing the unseen.

Sara Power has crafted a work that is as much about the art of storytelling as it is about the stories themselves.

“Art of Camouflage: Stories” is an experience, a journey through the lives of those who live in the shadows of the military, yet shine brightly through Power’s narrative. It is a debut that announces Sara Power as a formidable voice in fiction, one that I eagerly anticipate hearing more from in the future.

As a former military spouse, I am always intrigued by stories that center these unique experiences rather than focusing solely on the service member. This collection of stories attempted to do this, but also included stories about young women in military academies, children of service members, and more. This didn't bother me, but my engagement in the stories may have been affected by the fact that this was the Canadian forces. Without a lot of knowledge around their structure/culture/etc., I may have missed out on key nuances. As such, I found the stories unremarkable.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy reading Art of Camouflage as much as I thought I would. Life in and around the military is far outside my realm of experience, and I am highly critical of the institution, particularly its treatment of women; I was interested in reading this story collection in order to gain some insight into this unknown sphere and listen to criticism that comes from inside it.

However, I was unable to become invested in any story or character, and felt like I was going through the motions of reading for the sole purpose of writing this review. The opening story, "About Face," set the tone for me: The prose struck me as rather weak, relying largely on telling instead of showing, which, being in first-person POV, read as "I did this, I did that." The dialogue, too, seemed stilted and unrealistic, especially when a teenage boy was speaking. The stories written in third person were significantly more readable, though still not very engaging or memorable.

A few stories did have intriguing premises--for example, "Kijiji BFF," which highlights the prevalence of MLM-based "friendships" in a military wife's limited social sphere--but these stories didn't quite go as deep as they could have. There were several points at which I thought Powers was about to call out the misogyny and toxic masculinity on military bases, but then these offenses were largely glossed over. When it came to stories featuring young women at military academies, I had many questions and wanted more information about them: Why would these young women desire military life? What were their motivations, their visions for the future?

It's possible that I came to Art of Camouflage expecting something other than what Powers intended to write, which could have colored my reading of the collection. Overall, I think my issues with the book are based in execution rather than premise. Stories of women affected by military life are absolutely stories worth telling and reading--that said, Powers' particular telling of these stories was not the telling for me.

The writing style is good, the first story really hooked me and I was ready for a wild literary ride … but after the second story, and feeling a bit triggered, I just couldn’t enjoy the rest of the collection.
Having served in the Marine Corps in the United States, I felt I might relate to these stories and appreciate them. I understand every persons journey might be different… I didn’t like what felt like acceptance to bad behavior or comparison to the males bad behavior to the victim because they’re both suffering under the same military umbrella …

This wasn’t for me.