Title: A New Democracy

Author: Karu Sankaralingam

Genre: Climate fiction

 

A New Democracy by Karu Sankaralingam is a futuristic novel where the Atlantic Coalition and Pacific Federation champion sustainability and the remaining U.S. struggles with traditionalism. The three leaders within the book must come together and decide whether a new form of democracy can prevail, driven by justice, compassion, and sustainability.

Sankaralingam offers clear and well-structured writing throughout this book, with carefully thought-out paragraphs allowing for a quick and digestible read. A New Democracy includes complex political topics that are explored in a way that prevents the reader from feeling bogged down by information and heavy chapters. The writing flows well throughout, ensuring readers remain engaged from beginning to end.

Some chapters within the book are news report segments which lend an exciting, real-time feel to the narrative. These sections enhance the immediate impact of events occurring within and immerse readers as though they are watching live coverage unfolding of political events. It is a clever narrative that brings a strong sense of urgency and authenticity to the story, creating a sense of anticipation.

In terms of pacing, the novel carefully balances introspective moments with faster-paced events. Sankaralingam uses slower sections to explore political themes allowing for reflection from both the characters and readers, and the fast-paced action keeps readers eager to continue.

The conversations between characters feel grounded and real, providing a deeper, genuine feeling to the story. The dialogue between characters is believable and relatable, reflecting discussions that readers may expect to overhear in political circles. This allows readers to connect with the characters as they navigate their fragmented world.

A potential drawback to the novel is that it contains a heavy focus on political theory and detail, which is explored in an interesting way, but could limit its appeal to a broader audience. At times, the novel dives deep into policy and ideological debates, which may feel sluggish to some readers, making it a book that could resonate more with politically savvy readers rather than those looking for a lighter read.

This novel is relatable to today’s world, reflecting current schools of thought when it comes to environmental awareness. In A New Democracy, political leaders uphold what they believe to be their principles, even when faced with tough choices. However, when their decisions misalign or sensitive information leaks to the media, it triggers public unrest—leading to protests, vandalism, and chaos. The novel vividly demonstrates how quickly a society could descend into disorder without strong, steady leadership, possibly reinforcing leaders’ role in maintaining stability and driving change.

Sankaralingam brings the central characters to life as the three main leaders in the novel are well-developed and multidimensional, allowing the reader to understand their motivations and see parallels with real-world political figures. Issues such as climate change and political polarization are explored, and the author skillfully blends these themes with moral dilemmas. Characters like Justice Marisol Reyes stand out, with her unwavering commitment to addressing climate challenges, offering a fresh perspective on the subject of climate justice.

A New Democracy is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that explores a democracy’s vulnerability. An involved political drama that combines personal struggle with global challenges, this is a must-read for those who consider climate change an important topic for our times.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.