I'd like to thank NetGalley for this ARC of the Dictators Wife by Hollie S. McKay. This is my honest review.

The Dictators Wife is a complex and engrossing novel that had me on the edge of my seat. I spent the last 6 hours enraptured by Anna's story, reading into the next morning.

Much like our main character we are dropped into a world of confusion, disillusionment, and desperation. I spent the first third of the book feeling disoriented with what was happening, the world seemed so precarious and inexplicable. Anna herself is peculiar. I have to admit I was so bewildered by the first portion of the book I almost DNF'd it.

Anna is a rich kid who has odd parents that are constantly at a distance both emotionally and physically. We as the reader, and she, both feel at times befuddlement because of the odd circumstances and world she's dropped into. The one consistency in her life is her obsession with a certain foreign nation. Like a moth to a flame she is drawn into a world of danger, fear, secrets, and atrocities that call her morality and choices into question.

As Anna's future becomes entwined with the country of her obsession questions start to arise and slowly Anna's world starts to make sense little by little. As she digs deeper into her past her future is jeopardized. On Anna's journey to make sense of her world and odd upbringing we amble through a dangerous and intoxicating world of glitz and glamor as she becomes the wife of a powerful dictator. This book is full of shocking back to back revelations, twists you won't see coming and an ending that I'm still left reeling from.

If you're looking for a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat then this is the book for you. The Dictators Wife will stay with you long after you've read the last page.

I am normally pretty good at figuring out the ending, but this one...WHAT A DOOZY!

The book primarily focuses on the experiences of the dictator's wife, offering a unique perspective often overshadowed by the spotlight on the dictator himself. The author skillfully navigates through the personal and political landscapes, providing intimate details of the protagonist's life—her aspirations, struggles, and the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that define her existence.
The author's prose is evocative, painting vivid scenes that transport readers into the opulent palaces and secretive corridors of power. The narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency, keeping readers engrossed as they witness the protagonist's evolution from innocence to disillusionment, from compliance to defiance.

I'm a little on the fence about this novel. I think the author certainly knows a lot about the subject and themes. Dictators and the myths that they create for their people could be a dissertation unto itself. There is certainly little easter eggs of tension that are left for the reader to pick up on, however I became lost in the floating POV. It all got a little tangled for me having to go back and reread certain passages. I can't say I cared very much about the heroine but it still was an interesting read thinking about how a character finds themselves in situations and wondering what brought them to that point.

An interesting read with a little something for everyone - luxurious settings, romance, intrigue and betrayal. Some of the imagery and themes are disturbing, though. The book tries too hard to make an impression. The story is implausible in places and is somewhat predictable.