A Journey into the Heart of Conflict: Review of In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
I picked up In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros, intrigued by its promise of angsty romance set against the backdrop of contemporary warfare. I’ve read several of Yarros’ books about war, and although I often find nuance and depth in her writing, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this one missed the mark in a major way. With the tone of today’s global conflicts echoing in the background, I dove in, ready for a blend of love and peril—and perhaps a little sarcasm.
The story revolves around Izzy, a woman who barges into a war zone to "save" her sister—a journalist well aware of the dangers she faces. Right from the start, I was struck by how unintentional comedy collided with serious themes. Set in Afghanistan amidst the Taliban’s resurgence, it felt like Yarros was tiptoeing on sensitive ground without fully acknowledging the gravity of the setting. To throw a romance into such a backdrop without understanding its complexities felt, to put it mildly, tone-deaf.
Izzy’s motivations come off as naive, putting herself—and by extension, others—at risk for reasons that sometimes seemed utterly self-absorbed. Her journey to pull American troops out of Afghanistan transforms into a personal vendetta based around her complicated feelings for an ex-flame, Nate. This leads to cringe-worthy moments that made me wonder how a story about a serious political landscape could devolve into a tale of unrequited love. There’s a moment where she exclaims, "He’s wearing Hermès. In a freaking war zone," and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Was this a romance or a mismatched fashion show?
Characterization was another sticking point for me. Izzy’s emotional vacillation made her feel less like a three-dimensional person and more like a plot device in need of a huge reality check. Nate, too, serves as a stereotype of the gruff, emotionally bereft soldier who magically transforms into a superhero in crisis. While I appreciate a good complex character arc, these characters often reverted to tropes that felt a little hidden behind the grandeur of their setting.
Yarros’ writing style, as always, is dynamic, blending quick dialogue with poignant observations. There were moments, about 7% of the book as I whimsically counted, where I found myself nodding along or even thinking, “Oh, that’s kind of cute!” The pacing fell in line with contemporary romance expectations, keeping readers engaged even when the plot stumbled in its execution.
However, the significant themes surrounding war and the consequences of misguided adventures left me in a bit of distress. Characters should mirror the weight of their actions, especially in a setting that has seen untold suffering. Moments that were crafted to feel romantic often came off as bafflingly trivial against the severe backdrop, culminating in a reading experience that was equal parts entertaining and frustrating.
In conclusion, In the Likely Event would likely resonate with readers who enjoy a heavy dose of romance mixed with their military settings and who perhaps appreciate the chaos of love more than the complexity of conflict. For me, it served as a reminder of the delicate balance we must maintain when weaving stories of passion amid real-world crises. While I appreciate Yarros’ effort to bring attention to issues through her books, this one left me wondering about the impact of missing the mark. For future readers, I hope they find a more profound connection that perhaps I couldn’t fully grasp.
At the end of the day, this book—like life—elicits a spectrum of reactions, and who knows? Maybe your journey through its pages will be vastly different from mine.