Drone Child: A Novel of War, Family, and Survival

David H. Rothman

Nov 2021 · David H. Rothman

About this ebook

Lemba Adula is the perfect 15-year-old--brilliant, hardworking and polite to his elders. He excels at flying drones and coaxing new tricks out of smartphones and computers.

But murderous Congolese rebels kidnap Lemba and force him to kill. He also must train other child soldiers and even help hijack a giant container ship.

Drone Child is a powerful thriller and adventure story recommended for mature readers aged 18 and above. Younger readers should receive guidance and engage in dialogue with parents, teachers or librarians due to the book's mature content. Sex traffickers kidnap Lemba's sister, a gifted rumba singer, highlighting a real-life crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also, Drone Child contains elements of violence.

The novel includes satirical passages that critically address the inhumanity of violence-loving individuals. Lemba is a crack shot both on the firing range and when hunting for food. At the same time, he's far from the typical action hero and empathizes with the families of the people he must kill.

For authenticity and cultural sensitivity, author David H. Rothman enlisted the expertise of two Congolese fact-checkers. Junior Boweya is a translator, software localization expert, and businessman. Jean Felix Mwema Ngandu is a former Mandela Washington Fellow and prominent civic activist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both experts endorse the book and hope for translations into Lingala and French. Rothman has long been interested in issues affecting developing countries, especially technological ones.

Positive reviews have appeared in Kirkus, The Midwest Book Review, and the American Library Association's Booklist. "A hefty tapestry interwoven with the possibilities for change," says the African American Literature Book Club. "In the context of our current times, this is a hope worth having."

The second edition includes a new cover and a discussion guide for book clubs, parents, teachers and librarians. Drone Child also offers an informative section that compares events in the book with real happenings in the Congo.

Additionally, the war in Ukraine makes this thriller more relevant than ever due to the moral questions that arise regarding drones and war in general, including atrocities against civilians.

Don't miss out! Read Drone Child and root for Lemba and the other Adulas.

Ratings and reviews

Drone Child by David H. Rothman is a thrilling novel set in the near future and is filled with adventure that will keep you on your toes at all times. The story follows a young fifteen-year-old electronics genius from the Congo. His twin sister is also a young genius in the fields of music and dance. In a time where the Congolese purification army is taking children from their families and turning them into child soldiers, it is time for Lemba and Josiane to leave for the city’s safety. However, the city is not any better so our protagonist is on the quest to save himself, his parents, and his sister. “The problem with a war memoir is there’s no suspense. You already know I live. I need to tell you, too, that I not only survive, I thrive. Even less suspense.” These are the first few lines of this incredible novel. So aware of itself and simple yet so striking that the author has you hooked on his words from the very start of the book. The author uses vivid imagery that creates an engrossing world and leads the reader on a phenomenal visual journey. Because this is all so foreign to me it felt exotic and I really enjoyed the details that immerses readers in the fascinating setting and the colorful culture. While this is a riveting thriller with many elements and captivating characters, the solid writing ensures readers always know what is going on and why. The easy storytelling lures you into this, at first, deceptively simple tale, that soon spirals into something much more complex and gripping. Lemba is an intriguing character that I loved following because his slow evolution throughout this spellbinding story is methodical and absorbing. Making Lemba a character you will be rooting for throughout the novel, which is one of the ways readers get lost in his compelling journey. It is a journey that is sadly reflective of real child soldiers in Africa, and I appreciated how that level of social commentary permeates the story. Drone Child: A Novel of War, Family, and Survival is a rousing military thriller that will appeal to readers looking for a compelling young adult novel with a unique voice.

AAA BOSS NETWORK

About the author

David H. Rothman is also author of The Solomon Scandals, praised by the Washington City Paper for "the same dark zeal Hammett held for Frisco or Chandler had for Los Angeles." A former investigative journalist, he lives in Alexandria, Virginia.