Good read after a slow, but intriguing start. Lots of twists and turns. ( )

This could have been much better--interesting premise but too many convenient (lazy?) plot devices for me. Jack McClure, an ATF agent, is chosen to help in the search for a to-be-inaugerated president's daughter because his daughter went to school with her. The story bounces back and forth between present and his past. I expected more from the guy chosen by Ludlum's estate to continue the Bourne series. ( )

I enjoyed First Daughter (in fact, I read the whole book in 24 hours). It is intricate enough to keep you guessing with enough action and intrigue to keep you from thinking too much. The effects of dyslexia, positive and negative, on Jack McClure’s life and daily functioning are not only interesting but integral to the plot. Also interesting is the interplay between religion and atheism, though this is where, unfortunately, some of First Daughter’s potential audience may be lost.

The struggle of separating church from state, which has increasingly been lost in the United States in the last decade (maybe it has been longer, but I live outside the United States and am going by what enters my consciousness through the international news), is central to First Daughter. There is a battle between secular and religious views fought throughout the book both in the main plot and in the private lives of all the characters.

The characterization of religion and the religious is unflattering (and, arguably, so is that of the secularists), which may offend or at the very least put off some readers. The positions on both sides are extreme. I was not offended, but I was starting to tire of it by the end of the book. For another perspective, see Christine’s review at She Reads Books. First Daughter is worth reading, whichever side of the argument you inhabit, as a glimpse of a possible future, but don’t expect nuanced philosophical positions (it is, after all, a thriller first).

You can see more of my reviews at Booklorn.com. ( )

What a change of pace from the series of books that I had been reading -- and I loved every page, every line of it. Lustbader writes with such brilliance and suspence that it captivates you from the very beginning until the very end. The twist of McClure having dyslexia is impressive as Lustbader allows it to become McClure's unique weapon and not just as a lame attempt to defend those with his mental disorder. His writing is well-written, the research that went into it well-gathered and he explains all the government terms and procedures so well that you can undersand it even if you're politically-disabled. The story was woven with characters and plots that were all interconnected beautifully and it kept you guessing. The conspiricies and betrayals in the novel protrayed the dark side of the government. This portrayal of the things people do with their power and selfishness is so realistic that it might even sadden you that it seems hard to really trust anyone in the book. This novel was compelling, suspenseful and can't-stop-turning-the-page-cant-yet-sleep-until-its-done-going-to-have-dreams-about-it good! Definitely a MUST READ for everyone, for those who love suspense, and even for those who don't. ( )

First Daughter is as topical as you can get. It’s a political thriller set in the days before a Christian leaning, hard line foreign policy president leaves office. His predecessor promises change and moderate care. Sound familiar?

The president elect’s daughter, Alli, has been taken hostage and Jack McClure, a friend of the president-elect, is brought in to assist the various government agencies in the search. McClure also happens to be the father of a recently deceased daughter who just happened to be Alli’s dorm mate and friend. There are several sinister plots co-exiting in this twisting, turning who-done-it.

I’m probably the wrong sort of person to review this novel, as I never read thrillers, and have read only a handful of political leaning novels, period. If you include politics in the story, you can just about forget me reading your book. However, I did finish First Daughter without too mush offense. Lustbader does a fine job keeping all the plot and story lines moving and the ending has a little surprise thrown in for good measure. I only felt one continuity error in the political theme. I wasn’t sure exactly what Lustbader was trying to say or if he was even trying to make a statement.

For those who like political thrillers, I think First Daughter is probably your cup of tea.

Review first published on Many A Quaint & Curious Volume
© Tasses 2007-2009 ( )