Worth reading 😎

RIO is a captivating and skilfully written coming-of-age novel that takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery and atonement.

Synopsis

Lieutenant Elkanah Rhyolite is content serving in the U.S. Army in the 1880’s when he is unexpectedly discharged from his honorable position as a respected officer. Unsure of what he should do now, the journey unfolds for the young man as he begins to dream mysteriously, with a divine encounter challenging him to follow a new vision. Encountering love, betrayal, animosity, forgiveness, corruption, and following hope through life-threatening situations, he may find more than he expected. Now on a journey driven and by his faith, and filled with new faces and friendships, Lieutenant Rhyolite will gain an experience that will shape the rest of his life deeper than he'd ever imagined.

Rio is a young man who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and repentance in Seth Barber's riveting novel RIO. The 1970s setting of the book follows Rio as he sets off on a cross-country road journey in search of a fresh start and an escape from his problematic past.

The colourful and in-depth descriptions of the various places that Rio explores on his voyage are one of the book's strong points. Barber does a fantastic job of capturing the turbulent political climate, counterculture movements, and hippie culture of America in the 1970s.The reader is transported back in time and can almost smell the aroma of marijuana in the air thanks to the author's excellent descriptions of the setting, characters, and events.

Rio is a really well-developed character, and the reader is drawn into his story right away. Rio is a multifaceted and complex man that is struggling to deal with a lot of emotional pain from his past. He is compelled to face his issues and accept who he is and what he wants from life as he makes his way across the country. Rio's development and transformation are beautifully depicted by Barber throughout the book, and the reader is left hoping that he will be successful in his quest.

The novel's pace is one of its other strong points. The plot advances quickly, and there is plenty of adventure and excitement to keep the reader interested. From Rio's internal battles to the obstacles he encounters along the way, Barber does a fantastic job at balancing the various components of the plot. As a result, the book is both emotionally and intellectually engaging.

The work also addresses some significant issues like the identity crisis, the effects of trauma on mental health, and the efficacy of forgiveness. These topics are subtly weaved into the story, and by the book's conclusion, the reader will have a better grasp of these problems.

Some of the supporting characters in the book could have been explored more thoroughly, which is a minor flaw. Rio is a thoroughly developed character with a fascinating past and obvious goals, but some of the other people he meets along the way are less well-rounded. The overall enjoyment of the book is not diminished by this tiny complaint, though.

In general, RIO is a well-written and compelling book that will interest readers who like coming-of-age tales, books about road trips, or books about human development and transformation. Seth Barber is a gifted author who has developed a likeable protagonist and a world with intricate details for him to explore. Anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking book should definitely read this one, in my opinion.

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I am a Finance Professional, trying to steal time out of my day job to read, explore and occasionally write!

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RIO

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Worth reading 😎

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