America is A Zoo is a sharp satirical literary fiction mirroring the debauchery of United States. In short, under a secret operation, a special chemical turn the govt officials into animals. It personified each person with different animal and lead the country into progressive change. The politicians, combined with their beastly desires, delivered their sins one by one.

As the page turned, we've got to see the background and significant figure behind the operation. This book tackled the bad stereotypes and terrorism narratives placed upon Muslim and Black people.

Personally, I wouldn't say this book is a light read. It's that kind of food for thought and I think I need someone to discuss the content. Definitely not English beginning friendly. It will be much more compelling if you're following US political dynamics. I don't, but I get the whole message it tried to send through (I felt like it mirrored my own gov system lol)

The science was too good to be true, and sometimes I lost in the process of who's who.

Bottom line, I know that this is a well researched book. Still enjoyable despite the heavy theme. I love it when the author despises the gov official lol 😭😭😭

The message was strong and well delivered.

What I don't really get is the self-insertion the author did . It didn't vibe well😅

If you like book about politic, secret operation agents, satirical work, give this book a go!!!!

Thank you Process Protocol LLC and netgalley for the arc. I had so much fun and can't wait to browse and dive further in America is a zoo dot com

3,75 ⭐

Many thanks to Netgalley and Process Protocol LLC for the ARC.

So, America is in a mess: politicians who happily lie, steal, rape, and otherwise betray the trust of their constituents without impunity are running wild and doing whatever pleases them, because who is going to stop them? The people of America long for better times, but again, who is going to change things and make them better? Enter Andre Soares. Under the direction of a terrorist, he manages to transform the members of the legislative and top executive members into the animals whose personalities they most embody, leaving the country a little better off than it began...or does it?

When I was first introduced to this book, I thought it would be interesting as I'm all for transformation, political thrillers, and a dash of humor. This book does have some excellent points, but this book had a difficult time maintaining my interest. I could definitely have done without the anti-Blackness in the terrible AAVE and tropish Black people living in the 'hood, ready to die easily over drugs and turf. I also could have done without the Middle Eastern-coded Big Bad.

This book had a wonderful premise and really got my hopes up, but honestly, it failed in the execution.

To say the least, this is such an interesting and unique book, which is why it intrigued me after reading the plot. The unbiased writing was raw and kept you engaged. It's also a fairly quick read and you're able to start/finish in one sitting if you choose to.

Disclaimer: received an ARC from NetGalley and from a press run. The views are mine, and mine only.

Overall, I really enjoyed America is a Zoo. It's a product of a more maybe... classical literature? High-quality writing, layers, double-entendre, subtle yet skillful. It's different from the lighter options we see more often now. It's demanding and challenging and I suspect this is the target audience the author is interested in.

I love both good and bad reviews when purchasing a book (I usually don't review but I really appreciated the story and it hit close to home). They can both be great and, I don't know if the author is reading those reviews, but if Andre Soares is, just know that we cannot always please everyone.

I'm going to give an honest review with strengths and weaknesses. One thing for certain, most of the "bad" reviews I read on this book so far are suspicious. Between DNFs, aggressive language, attacks on the author (a projection of your own unaddressed issues maybe? Seek counsel)... Only one was valid (the proletarian one, great review, although you omitted most of the characters, obsessed with Seraos). I wouldn't really take those in consideration. But it's always funny to see how miserable people find some semblance of power online (it happens everywhere author, don't worry, this isn't personal).

Strengths:

The writing. Wow. A poetic prose with such vivid descriptions and some of the best dialogue I've ever read. It flows well and Soares uses timing and beats to create amazing conversations that feel straight out of a screenplay (which makes sense, since he also operates within that sphere apparently).

SPOILER ALERT. The ending. Right now, most of the "trendy" offerings in books offer either a happy ending or an open ending. Soares took a third route and offered an ending with closure, but where the "villains" won. Unique and refreshing.

To piggyback on that. The characterization. Stellar. Brilliant. Each character in this story is unique and complex, driven by competing motivations that aren't necessarily defined by their identity. It's less and less common in American literature.

Weaknesses:

America is a Zoo is definitely an indie product. There's a mix of genres and unusual tropes. This may not work for readers who prefer more conventional stories that follow the market drivers.

The Seraos stunt. Although I get that the author was trying to use this character as an outlet, and the overall result was great, some readers may see it as an ego trip. I think this could have been prevented.

This is a neutral piece, and although there is nothing hateful in this book, it could have explored some of the themes that were briefly mentioned a bit more (identity politics and LGBTQIA+) BUT not every story has to. This could upset some readers but I can tell you objectively (as an ally of the LGBTQIA+) that there is nothing remotely controversial in this book and no derogatory language (or else I wouldn't create an account and review it).

Although we realize towards the end that this isn't just about the working class and the elite, the opening sequence sets that kind of tone. For some readers, it may overshadow the broader themes of introspection, social media and the danger of trends.

Great overall, a pleasant surprise! You need to give this book a chance and try to move past its shortcomings, because the value is here.

What a pleasant surprise! I normally don’t read political charged novel, but this novel compelled me to turn the page chapter after chapter. Each page pulled me further into an arena the general public often overlook. A great depiction of naive sheep aimlessly abiding by the rules and norms of society—running into the slaughter of politicians.

Where there is power, there is corruption. The details of this novel, both abstract and literal, strummed a provocative chord I didn’t realize existed within me. I desperately am seeking more answers in the world; especially as it pertains to government involvement.

The author brings each scene to life by using vivid descriptions and metaphors. This was not an overnight project. The text is rich in details and research. I love it when I highlight a passage and learn new things!

This literary work was eloquently written. The character descriptions, dispositions, and profiles were crafted with care. The authors ability to smoothly shift between chapters made the reading easy to digest, while other authors poorly shift between multiple scenes and characters within a chapter—you can easily lose focus and disengage.

Abeba Solomon is one of my favorite characters. The author beautifully displayed endless potential from her rare form of autism. I applaud the author’s inclusivity of often disregarded and/or melanated characters.

I appreciated the author's ability to gently include me in the words on the page. Each time he presented “you” in italics. It pulled me deeper into the plot and made me feel apart of the storyline in an intriguing way. Hence, I couldn’t stop reading.

“why were the politicians and government officials now more recognizable?”

America is A Zoo envelopes the reader to that intersection of questions. What will it take for the world to take notice and demand justice. With justice, hopefully a veil will be lifted in order to get clear and concise answers. A consistent thread of mysterious allure kept me guessing with every twist and turn. A delightful read!

I didn’t care for one of the characters name, closely resembling the authors name, but nevertheless this was a minor eye sore. This novel is an indeed page turner. I look forward to the authors future projects and a future on-screen adaptation.

I did not enjoy this book. The writing is confusing and the book thinks it is more clever than it is. Many parts of this book come off as condescending and arrogant, but it does not have the merit to back it up.

America is a Zoo
2.5 Stars

My favorite thing about this book was its stunning cover. I tried to read this all the way through and found it difficult. At times, I flipped ahead. I was looking forward to humor, but didn't find any. I have zero desire to review politics, and this book touches on many of them. So I didn't find this book fun or entertaining. Though it's written well. It was giving me Animal Farm vibes. I can see it being used in social studies. This book had me thinking!

Overall, America is a Zoo wasn't my jam. It hit too close to home and dragged my mood down. Thank you, NetGalley, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I tried to read this all the way through but all I heard while reading was essentially "four legs good, two legs bad!" The Orwellian quality commentary was eerie and the unnecessary switches to second person at the end of every chapter left me a bit weirded out. This book seemed like a mishmash of every single banned book on social commentary. Interesting premise but the robotic narration left something to be desired.

ARC here!

*SPOILER ALERT*

Stellar writing! The twist and the ingenuity of a plan devised to bring America down and rebuild it. Everything connects, everything makes sense (from the smoke screens to the assassinations and characters' leveraging of their position)! If you read between the lines, the author left a lot of clues but they are so subtle and masterfully crafted that you won't notice most on your first read. An amazing project that deserves recognition.

Abeba Solomon is one of the best characters I've ever read. The complexity of her psyche. The lens through which she sees her world... A project that was overall refreshing.

My favorite part:

"The trio charted a new course through the stars of a fractured sky. Healing was a lifetime pursuit that expanded beyond the U.S. borders.

Africa was the next breeding ground for a better model, a more humane society in which love, active listening, and a sustainable progress reigned over the hearts and minds.

This time, however, there were no subterfuges, no forced entries, no meticulously planned assassinations.

Bin Allah’s mentorship and a successful shakedown of a then-diseased America had convinced other nations to follow.

Simply put, Abeba was the forerunner of a foreseeable development."

this book is just not good. it is classified as a humor and satire book with no mention of politics but the whole first two “stories” or chapters are all political. I wish it was just the content that was not great but the writing itself left much to be desired. I DNF’d around 5% because I was so bored and confused and could not stand the way the author wrote. thank you netgalley for the arc.

Shout out to NetGalley for providing an ARC of America is a Zoo.
Review contains <b>spoilers.</b>

If I had one word for the book, it'd be: <b>arrogant.</b>

Andre Soares is not only the author but a major character who struts into the story a third of the way in like a peacock in search of a sunbeam. You'd think an author would have the decency to at least write themselves with a soupçon (a word you'll come across more than once in this tome) of humility, but alas, no. Instead, throughout the novel, Soares (the character) has his name chanted in a "transfixing chorus" and his "uncompromising integrity" shouting at the "naked souls" of various politicians.

Apparently, all it takes is meeting a charismatic religious (perhaps even cultish?) figurehead for the first time for Soares (the character) to do a complete 180 on his military career and facilitate an "act of terrorism" upon the U.S. Capitol. Probably helps that the Bin Allah (yes, really) is filthy rich and flitting Soares around in private jets with fancy mineral waters by the end of the novel.

Did I mention that Andre Soares (the character) is a military leader? Here's how Soares (author/character) describes his platoon of his men:

<blockquote> The men he led, however, were reliable factors. They did not have his insight or critical thinking skills, and nor were they raised in a cultural melting-pot of a broad spectrum like he was. They had different… sensibilities. </blockquote>

Yikes. Fortunate for those jarheads they had Soares (the character) to lead them!

Worse yet is Soares's (the character) "Jesus moment." I'm sure this was meant to be a twist, but the fact that Soares (the author) could not let Soares (the character) stay dead and not enjoy drinks off the Ivory Coast in the epilogue speaks more to the resiliency of his ego than Soares's (the character) fortune & planning.

Let's talk about the politics of this novel, since this novel is meant to be biting political critique (note I did not say satire).

Soares (the author) in his afterword and throughout the novel attempts to position his views as being unpartisan and focused on "us" versus "them" (the corrupt elites). While, he takes a few swipes at both ends of the political spectrum, this effort does not moderate his views but rather (like the magician in the book) attempts to divert your attention away from the heart of his political agenda: a proletarian revolution (and yes, I mean this exact term with all of its political baggage).

In the feel-good ending of the novel, the revolution is triggered, and the President, VP, and those next in line are effectively neutralized. A new woman president in installed with the aim of ridding the USA of its "outdated Constitution" (yes, really) and State agencies (and by that I think the author truly means the "agency of States") in favor of the all powerful Federal government. Did I mention that Madam President also has decided to do away with elections for the time being?

In her own words:

<blockquote> Madam President remained stoic. “Thank you, Miss Forthwith. Currently, constitutional requirements prevent the postponing of a presidential election. Certain loopholes and legal specifics between the Congress and the states could be used to delay it, but ultimately, an election would happen. This is going to change. I will define narrower specifics in a future address, but at this very moment, my cabinet and I have initiated a complete overhaul of the judicial, legislative, and executive branches. We are also going to revise the articles of the Constitution to serve our people better and support a more just society. Which leads to your question. To answer clearly and concisely, there will be no presidential election until further notice. Right now, our top priority is to rebuild the foundations with more sustainable and durable materials.” </blockquote>

But don't worry. It's not a communist or socialist takeover so long as you listen carefully and stop critically evaluating it (and if you do indulge in such critical thinking, do know that it's a "toxic belief"):

<blockquote> Our ideas and vision for a better America are not motivated by democrat or republican, liberal, communist, or socialist ideals. They are parts of a thought process supported by logical reasoning and the pursuit of a better quality of life. Let go of the counterproductive comparisons and arguments, and let’s move this country forward, together.” The words were like glue; the two activists were the binding adhesive holding the fractured porcelain together. The hearts and souls of those standing before them roared in content, grateful to have been purged of the toxic beliefs and nonsensical lines of inquiry that favored storms over clear skies. </blockquote>

But the cherry on top is the utterly novel message that Soares (the author) bangs us over the head with, as if scales were covering the eyes of every American: the elites are corrupt, vile swine.

No sh*t, Sherlock.

DISCLAIMER: The views are mine only. I received an ARC through the SFWA committee before the Netgalley ARC.

Initially, I came across this title looking for a political satire with a thriller-like pacing. A subgenre that is often underrepresented and underpromoted, one I'm fond of I must say.

We all have our own thought process when choosing stories. Some are drawn by the covers, some by the blurbs. For me, it was the title.

But soon, I was wondering, is "America is a Zoo" a gimmick? A marketing scheme to draw readers? I know the social media space likes that but I'm an old soul. I love great stories with substance and complexity. I can care less about the rest. It has to move me.

And wow, America is a Zoo did not disappoint. An indie with a professional packaging, this is a tale of two worlds: the working class and the political class. So many themes are embedded into this elegantly penned novel, from race hustling, polarization in public opinions to legal impunity (for our politicians) and foreign policies (with very sleek touches of espionage and military actions). It is (sometimes) witty and (often) intense.

The story is fast-paced and the ending surprising (well-done on the twist, no spoilers) yet satisfying (finally, an author who knows how to balance open-ended statements with closure!).

The direction is neutral: it is a powerful swing at EVERYONE and EVERYTHING that makes America "fugly". There is no partisanship, no subconscious bias, no extreme "wokeness". It is all substance and great storytelling. This might offend some but I'm sure they're not the target audience given the maturity of Soares' prose/pen.

My favorite character, Michael Hoover, a CIA agent whose methodical ways stem from a concealed mental illness, is a prime example of Andre Soares' knack for characterization and character development. You rarely see such complex characters nowadays; ones who transcend boundaries, who are not defined by their color or gender.

I highly recommend this read! I also commend the author for speaking against certain platforms in his afterword, and highlighting important data on the current state of our country. Soares managed to combine education with entertainment value.

A unique piece with a soul.

I had enjoyed C1 from the same author and this book had what I was expecting from that book. Andre Soares does a great job in telling a story and it kept me invested. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and getting to know the world that was set. I'm excited to see where Andre Soares goes from here.

"He smirked and spoke. “Good. You have the upper hand, keeping in tradition with the oddly inspiring feminism transforming the landscape of those who sell death.” Moses, an attractive woman of a darker complexion, betrayed no reaction. She was a lioness of deep, layered eyes and sharp features."