American Martyr by Richard W. Kelly is a revolutionary story about Brian Brample’s fight against a tyrannical government. The president reinstated the draft after a bill that sent millions of 16-year-olds into the workforce with low test scores. The war in Asia was depleting the troops in massive numbers. Brian received his draft letter, along with several of his friends. Four days before they were to report for basic training, Brian and his friends took control of their lives. A mass suicide in a mall left an injured Brian as the lone survivor. Divided into two parts, the first chronicles his trials by the state and federal courts. Brian’s actions after his sentencing would change everyone’s outlook. He stood his ground and stated, “I am done being their scapegoat.”

Richard W. Kelly used Brian as an example of how somebody always has to take the blame. Political ambitions and greed embody a tyrannical government treating people as expendable. I felt sympathy for Brian because he was left alone to face being treated as a villain. The inner turmoil in Brian was vivid. Brian’s coping mechanism for the stress during his trials led to him filling several notebooks with his thoughts. Iscariot, his attorney, appears insincere in his representation of Brian. His actions in the Federal Court hearings made me think he was taking advantage of Brian’s situation. The supporting characters in the book add to the depth of emotional turmoil. The civil rights issues that appeared were like today’s issues. Unity was the dominant theme in this unpredictable plot. American Martyr is a story of how one person’s voice can influence the way others view the world.

The American Martyr by Richard W. Kelly is a gripping tale that examines the unfolding of the life of a young man after a terrorist act that gives him unexpected results. Brian Brample and his friends make a statement against the draft by committing mass suicide in a mall. Nothing goes as planned as Brian discovers that he is still alive. Now he will spend many years in prison, charged with manslaughter, murder, and terrorism. If the government felt like an enemy to Brian, the prison system is a monster, and he engages in a new fight — the struggle for the rights of prisoners. Brian will slowly transform into a powerful civil rights advocate. However, can he find redemption for a crime committed as a teenager?

Kelly offers an explosive opening for this narrative, presenting the protagonist right after the shooting. He is stunned after the gunshots and the deafening noise. The imagery that greets the reader is powerful and the author does not relent in descriptions that are terrific, feeding readers with compelling imagery throughout the story. He captures the sounds, the sights, and the emotions of the characters with intelligence and clarity. The writing is fluid and the dialogues are wonderfully accomplished. The emotional impact of this story surprised and enticed me. While it is a character-driven narrative, the author infuses it with enough action to make readers feel exhilarated as they follow the characters. The author's exploration of Brian's prison experience is both compelling and real. The American Martyr by Richard W. Kelly is a mesmerizing tale with strong political themes.

Things were quickly spinning out of control in Asia. While allies of the US supported the democratic uprisings in the region, China was strongly against them. In an effort to re-assert their power in the East, China wages war against supporters of the Uprisings. For the US, joining their allies in the war meant withdrawing their troops in some of the war efforts they were involved in all over the world. This would make them look weak. Remaining impartial about the war in China would only make them look even weaker. In a desperate move to show their hand in the war, the president drafts a bill that obliges sixteen-year-olds in the country to join the army and fight in China. Sixteen-year-old Brian Brample and his friends are among the many teenagers drafted into the war, except they are not ready to give away their young lives for a government’s cause. In a bid to protest against the government, Brian leads protests dubbed “suicide protests” which end up being mass murder. Now the only survivor, Brian faces endless charges in court, while being kept behind bars. With the help of an opportunistic lawyer, he finds himself fighting for his freedom, and sanity, and becoming more powerful than he could ever imagine. Find out more in Richard W. Kelly’s The American Martyr.

Once you open this page-turner, you won't stop reading until the end. Lovers of conspiracy thrillers and legal mystery novels will enjoy Richard W. Kelly’s The American Martyr. Richard effortlessly runs the intriguing plot on a double timeline, giving the story a beautiful flow and edge-of-the-seat suspense. Coupled with the cliffhangers, I was hooked, turning page after page. The vivid depictions breathed life into the scenes, plunging me into a chaotic world of prison life, civil uprisings, and courtroom drama, among much more. One moment I was watching Brian and his friends get lost in teenage games on his birthday, oblivious to the government’s plans and the world’s problems. The next moment, I was staring in horror as Brian and his friends enacted a blood bath after vowing to rather die than give in to the government’s demands. The author highlights the cast’s character traits, making them authentic. The palpable way of bringing out their emotions allowed me to connect with them. Brian is determined to fight the system and perhaps beat it. But then, does he have what it takes?

Richard W. Kelly's The American Martyr is a stimulating and scrupulously constructed story that delves deep into the life of Brian, a teenager who undergoes a remarkable transformation, evolving from a below-average high school student to a modern-day civil rights icon. This transformation forms the anchor of this compelling and stimulating tale. At the impressionable age of sixteen, Brian's life takes an unexpected turn when the draft is reinstated, propelling him into a fervent confrontation with society. In an act of protest against conscription, Brian and his gang resort to an unimaginable act of violence within a mall, an event that Brian unintentionally survives. This act pushes him into a world of turmoil and uncertainty, leading to serious charges of murder, manslaughter, and terrorism. Brian must now navigate the legal system and grapple with the sense of betrayal by his government, his country, and even his family. As the narrative unfolds, Brian's transformation is not just inspirational but also symbolic of the broader societal changes taking place over the course of the story. His journey serves as a heart-rending reflection of the evolving dynamics of the times, offering a peek into the transformation of a generation grappling with the realities of war and the draft.

Richard W. Kelly's adept storytelling in The American Martyr immediately grabs readers. The narrative is not only compelling but also conveys a political message without resorting to didacticism. The author integrates strong political perspectives into the story, enhancing the depth of the characters and their motivations. This is a powerful commentary on society and the justice system. The strength of the book lies in its profound exploration of the American educational system through the lens of young students. This unique perspective is both refreshing and nicely conceived, serving as a compelling narrative device. Kelly's examination of the flawed educational system sheds light on the reasons influencing the actions of young teenagers, making their choices and protests more relatable. The pacing of The American Martyr is well managed, ensuring readers remain fully immersed in the lives of the teenagers and those around them. The author's ability to maintain a firm grip on the story prevents it from becoming overly intellectual, even when featuring weighty subjects. This is a captivating and socially relevant novel that seamlessly combines political commentary with a well-crafted narrative. Kelly's artful balance of these elements while sustaining an engaging pace is excellent. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate fiction with both depth and substance.