Going Dark (The Lost Platoon)
3.5 StarsI rounded it up, because I ended up being way invested and I want more!
McCarty, the queen of Scottish hotties historical, has started a new series and it's not a historical one.
But it is set in Scotland. Which is one of the best things about the book if you ask me.
I am still enamored with her descriptions of Scotland. She paints the landscape with her words and I feel like I am there again. Every time I read a book by McCarty I end up reminiscing about the time I lived in the Highlands, remembering it's natural beauty, the smells.. the cold (my least favorite part about Scotland) and I plan to visit again, soon.
McCary's writing style works for me whether it's historical or contemporary. It's as I said beautiful descriptions and insightful. But most of all I love the way she meticulously builds characters.
Just like I expected the character building is my favorite part of this novel. While I am not all fangirling about some aspects, when it comes to character building. I am a goner. I want more. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next with the team... I am emotionally invested in them, even though, we only get a small glimpse of most of the team members.
The two MCs didn't actually win my heart first go. Nope they kinda weaseled their way in. I love how they complement each other and how they agreed to disagree. How both discovered that really the world isn't all black and white, but there is a lot more to it. Also how both found that their weakness is also their strength and that when you want something you can find a way.
The plot is all action and insta- attraction. I enjoyed it immensely. There is a lot of pent up chemisty, a lot of frustration in between the fighting-for-your-life-bits and some sweet falling for each other moments. And then there are the political banters and dialogues... And this is where the 3.5Stars falls in. At times they felt a bit like the reader is being preached at. I suddenly wondered where McCarty politically stands. But mostly the arguments are those we get to read and hear every day on social media and television. They felt a bit generic in the beginning. But as the story went on, I realised that, McCarty used the arguments of both sides to highlight the different standpoints of the two characters
I admire what she tried to do, but I also have to say I am not sure if it added to the reading pleasure. I think it will divide the readers, some will love it and some won't.
Retrospectively I find it interesting and clever, while reading however, I felt like not this again. I have my political views, just like most people. I guess I am quite in the middle field, because when it comes to the liberal and conservative discussions, I find that I agree with certain issues with that and with others with this side. However the thing I can't abide at all is that both sides argue that the other is wrong and they both only see black and white. Where is the compromise? Also how about to agree to disagree? For me about halfway in the book, that was my biggest issue. It was like we think this you think that.. and we can argue to death. Both gave valid arguments. But both also accused the other side of things that were just assumptive and is exactly what irritates me in the current political discussion. McCarty did make them both come around - in that they both acknowledged that neither side is all right or all wrong. There is no clear right way or wrong way, it would be great, but sadly we dealing with much more complex situations. I think if people would be able to listen to others POV, we would have a better world. Sounds simplistic, but that's where it starts. Which is why I love McCarty's solution here. Listen, find a just compromise and agree to disagree. I know this is a book and it's just two people, but it's the way if you ask me.
So how does this compare to McCarty's historical hot scottish alphas?
As I said, the descriptions of the country is fenomenal. McCarty gets Scotland if you ask me. The romance has definitely McCarty's MO all over it. But more than that, I could see a parallel between The Highland Guard and the Lost Platoon. I am not only talking about the fact that both are about highly trained, well built gorgeous warriors, who are all single to start with. But I saw clearly McCarty's signature in her characters and the way she sees alpha warriors. I guess while the customs, methods have changed over the time, and certainly the politics, the essence of a warrior hasn't changed that much and neither has falling in love.
I am looking forward to the next installment of the Lost Platoon. Which reminds me: I feel like I didn't get enough on the mystery about the platoon, I hope McCarty will shed some more light on it in the next book. At least I hope there will be another book, and please let it be about Colt!