Chrissy’s Review: The Charity Chip by Brock Booher

The Charity Chip
written by Brock Booher
published by Sweetwater Books, an imprint of Cedar Fort

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

Disclosure: I did some editing work on this title through EFC Services, LLC. After that work was completed, I was asked by the author to review the book. I received a copy of this book for review purposes. Although I was compensated for the editing work, it in no way affected the outcome of my review. My review is my honest opinion of the book.

Did I enjoy this book: I really did enjoy this book. I read it every free chance I had and didn’t want to put it down until the very end.

Julio won me over in the beginning. He is a character worth rooting for. You worry about him. You hope for him. You want him to get out of the slums and have a better life. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a life like Julio’s. He’s so young, yet he has to be a grown up. He has potential; that much is evident from his dealings with others, the skills he is learning from his landlord, Dr. Barilla, and his outlook on his life. He is smart enough to ask for help and advice, and his instincts are pretty good.

As with many twins, Julio and Raul are very different. And I was not a fan of Raul’s. He was a brat, and I didn’t feel bad for him. I wanted him to shape up. I wanted him to acknowledge the things that his brother was doing to help him. I wanted him to leave los mALditos. That gang was a bunch of punks. On the other hand, I should not have been a fan of Isak’s, but he is a fantastic character. You want to hate him, loathe him. But you also kind of like him, despite what he’s doing. And I know that sounds awful, but you will understand once you read the book. I think he has a decent heart; he just doesn’t act accordingly all the time. Dr. Barilla is a decent man. He helps out those who can’t afford medical treatment, but his past and present aren’t stellar. He is trying to make right. His first step in the right direction is helping Julio and Raul.

The Charity Chip ends leaving you satisfied but wanting more.

Would I recommend it: Absolutely.

About the book – from Goodreads: Life on the streets of Lima is already difficult for Julio, but now that digital money has replaced hard currency, survival is virtually impossible. Isak comes to his rescue and offers him a chance at a better life through a hi-tech humanitarian program. The only catch is a microchip implanted between the thumb and forefinger of the hand. At first life improves dramatically, but when another participant dies mysteriously, Julio suspects that the chip does more than just dispense charity. Now he must uncover the truth behind the charity chip before someone else suffers the same fate.