KCR: A Desert Called Peace (novel, scifi)

A Desert Called Peace by Tom Kratman is a book that is meant to cast a parallel Earth... a planet called siply Terra Nova. All the major nations here have an exact parallel on Earth, and one of the nations, Federated States of Columbia, was hit by a Salafist suicide strike involving three airships crashed into major buildings. So the head honcho, Hennesey, whose wife and children died in the attack, started a mercenary unit and vowed to rid the planet of Salafism, by fighting wars that others have problem with.

The problem with this book is it is incredibly brutal. Torture was mentioned several times in the book. The character of Hennessey was so dark, so miserable, he's drunk when he's not on duty. One woman that loved him was practically raped... while he's mostly drunk... AND he called her by the wrong name. (I said he was drunk).

On the other hand, Hennesey's brutal but honest tactics was portrayed as the solution to terrorism. Enemy fired from the mosque? Was it documented? Good, give them warning, then level the mosque. Enemy fired from the hospital? Blow up that floor of the hospital. If enemy pretend to be wounded to kill the medics, no quarter will be given. If enemy don't follow the rules of war, then we won't either.

It was like revenge porn (like those old Charles Bronson "Death Wish" movie series).

The technology was completely earth like, no major changes. All countries / nations have their Earth exact equivalents. This novel is part of multi-novel arc, so reading stuff in order may help you enjoy it more.

Rating: Try it (not for the politically squeamish)

A Desert Called Peace (on Amazon)

You may also want to check out Carnifex, the next book in the series

Carnifex (sequel to A Desert Called Peace) (on Amazon)