There were a lot of different back-stories and plotlines at the beginning, so it took me a bit to get into it, but overall I liked it. I like the comparision between drug cartels, sex trafficking, etc and the secret combinations of bad guys in the Book of Mormon. It seemed a bit far-fetched at times to have the antagonists using the same phrases as those in the Book of Mormon and to have them say specifically that they were handed down by Kishumen and Gadianton themselves, but it's LDS fiction, and LDS authors like to do that sort of thing. I really liked the "The Sunday School Class" and the other chapter that specifically address the comparison. Pretty lame and cheesy. I do not recommend this book. The author's purpose is to spotlight the devastation caused by the Mexicoan drug cartels, comparing them to the secret combinations spoken of in the Book of Mormon. True enough. Unfortunately, the fictional story he contrives to portray this reality is highly improbable, jerkily concocted (with frequent ill-conceived and untimely flashbacks), packed with trite phrases, and filled with inconsistencies (ie., two Mormon missionaries serving in Sinaloa, Mexico, in the time-frame given return to Mission headquarters in "Mexico City" [these are different missions]; a Mexican drug lord in his "early thirties" has two [adult] sons who are arrested and imprisoned in So California; etc). Worst of all, the book is poorly written - very pedestrian. Granted, the subject matter is worthy of our attention, but a lot more thought and effort could have been invested in a good plotline and story before publishing, thus eliciting a much more compelling response from the reader. Perhaps a few writing classes would have helped. I gave it one star because had I given it none (which I believe it deserves), it would appear I would have not rated it at all.
What do You think about Cartels And Combinations (2010)?
A little heavy on the political agenda it seemed. Interesting though, and really made me think.
—gaurav
It wasn't what I expected, but a clean read.
—Jamila
