If an army marches on its stomach, can a cook win the war? A dystopian story about food, friendship, loyalty, courage…and what unites us as the world tries to tear us apart.
It’s 2049, in a Russian-occupied America ravaged by civil war. Valerie Kipplander—daughter of the assassinated secretary of state—is thrown in jail. When the regime discovers this daughter of privilege is also a talented culinary student, she’s forced into service in the kitchen of a Russian general whose troops occupy New York.
The general’s mansion proves a prison of a different sort. The head chef has a mysterious past. The Russians have a more insidious agenda than what they’ve promised. The resistance wants her on their side. And one of the guards wants her dead.
Valerie knows she must take a stand. The risks are monumental, the choices few. But how long can she serve the men bent on destroying her beloved country?
"A near future dystopian suspense thriller by a master of the genre, "The Kitchen Brigade" showcases author Laurie Boris' genuine flair for originality combined with a distinctive and reader engaging narrative storytelling style."
There have been a few books written and movies made around the theme of America being occupied by Russia. I have never read one that seemed possible or realistic until now. The Kitchen Brigade by Laurie Boris is that book. It starts with the premise that the U.S.A. broke into warring factions first, with Russian help of course, then Russia steps in to pick up the pieces and make sure America stays down. In light of the 2016 presidential election, and all that has come after it, I find it very believable. After all, who could have imagined a reality TV host as president before now? I really liked The Kitchen Brigade. It can serve as a wake-up call for America and the world. But mostly America. The scenario is well thought out. The characters and plot are well-written. I just loved it and it is very timely in the current political environment.
What I liked most about The Kitchen Brigade is the lesson that unity matters. Politics matter. Who we choose to be as a nation matters. To bring all those points home in a way that is not preachy but very entertaining and thoughtful takes good writing and great characters. Laurie Boris gives us that. And she gives it to us in abundance. Valerie, Tomas, and Etienne are just three of the proud Americans that inhabit this novel. They made me proud to be American. They represent a sentiment that I believe is true. Americans will always fight back, and they are at their best when things are at their worst. Great book.
