Going Places, Somewhere and Nowhere, is an interesting story, very fast-paced. I’d recommend the book.
The story jumps around quite a bit, with a plethora of short sentences, which serve to speed things up. All in all, the feeling is one of desperation most of the way through. Everyone is ‘fighting’ for survival. This is understandable given the circumstances. And the scariest thought of all: this apocalyptic tale has a good chance of materializing. Borders today are ready to fall one by one, perhaps not soon, but in the future, near or otherwise.
I suggest that the author work more on characterization to move the plot along. It was difficult distinguishing one from another.
The Plague was the once the Argentinean lover of the storyteller. The Plague is a humorous man, who seems to be on the verge of breaking out into full laughter at any moment. He has no life companion nor children. He only has himself to look out for, which makes him quite adventurous. He attracts people that have a positive spirit and enjoy his warmth, approachability and lightheartedness. The Plagues dons a critical position in the free faction society because he skillfully hacks the online communities of the declared factions.
Phaethon is an elderly gentleman, who has become a valued adviser of X. He has been working in the service of X for most of his adult life. He is originally a slave and per de facto so is his family. Phaethon is patient, thoughtful and deliberate. Due to his position as principal adviser and valued servant of X and later Ranger, he is able to create an important standing in his community.
The leader of the House of Slora, which is part of the Freedom Fighters faction. Abram both accumulates wealth and territory through his political endeavors. He is younger and more audacious than X, with whom he seeks to do business. He has a large family that he wants to secure the future position of. 