The Disillusioned

A mother's suicide threatens to destroy a family legacy. Her sons, Sam and Daniel, are forced to leave their comfortable worlds behind and search for a woman they believe can unlock the secrets that have remained hidden. They are propelled into separate journeys from Los Angeles to the heart of the Zambezi, where they are forced to confront a man known as Die Duiwel, the Devil.

On their adventures they will find themselves in a place where death is one breath away, where thousands of children are disappearing into the darkness, and where the woman they are searching for is on the hunt for revenge. When they stand face-to-face with the forgotten slaves of Africa, they will fight to redeem what has been lost.

*May Contain Spoilers*

D.J. Williams explores family legacy, loyalty, and love with his novel The Disillusioned. Facing a newly discovered family secret may be the key to bringing two brothers back together after their mother's suicide. Daniel and Sam share the main character role as they try to move on and accept what happened to their mom though the will of their mother has other plans for the two men. 

Daniel is a man who has lost his way. He's unsure of himself, embarrassed by his lack of faith, and has lost his will. Readers will connect with Daniel's nature and his attempt to change the path he's on by obeying his mother's last wishes - to find a woman named Stella who was raised an orphan in Africa. As he flies across the world to track down this woman, he uncovers a family secret that threatens to destroy the family name.

Sam is the black sheep of the family and he's been running away since he was old enough to be called an adult. But when his brother goes missing in the heart of Africa, he has no choice but to put away his ill-willed feelings and save Daniel. Readers will bond with Sam based on his loyalty and respect him for his bravery, instincts, and sacrifice. 

The plot of the novel focuses on human trafficking in Africa and how it influences politics. Some of the places and political terminology was a bit confusing, but with some close reading I believe any reader could enjoy this book. The character connections stay strong throughout the entire novel though the names of the political leaders do seem to jumble together at times. The Disillusioned is a quick start thriller that takes readers into a realm where survival is key. Recommended for mature audiences. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

The Disillusioned