I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A group of people find their lives uprooted by the events of September 11th and the subsequent war in Afghanistan in the novel “Forever Changed” by author Jim Servi.

The Synopsis

Starting out in the everyday country setting of rural Wisconsin, the world is quickly transformed when two soaring towers crumble to the ground and America is transformed from peace to chaos. The events that transpired are known by many around the world and revealed in this adventurous historical fiction. Forever Changed captures the details and portrays the feelings of citizens thrown into the extraordinary positions on September 11th and the war in Afghanistan that followed.

Paul Foster is a small-town boy looking for adventure and love, but only one woman could ever capture his heart even as he is thrust into war. JD, his best friend, is consumed by war before he ever sets foot there and is equally transformed when he returns home. Marie Lafayette is an innocent girl ready to expand her comfort zone, but never thought she would ever love a soldier, or have to watch him leave. Lynn Stone, on the other hand, has always loved men in uniform while she travelled the world in a military family. Never did she think loving a soldier would be so hard. Nasir is a young Afghan man that watches the Taliban take over his homeland and tear his family apart.

As their simple, happy lives are transformed, their paths intertwine in unforeseen ways, creating circumstances that none of them could have imagined. Forever Changed captures the essence of a globally connected world during the pivotal moments surrounding September 11th, 2001 and gives us a comprehensive look at the war in Afghanistan with a perspective that can only be gained from exploring the Afghan countryside and experiencing combat firsthand.

Jim Servi lives in Hamburg, Wisconsin with his wife and three boys. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jim has written for several magazines and newspapers, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars magazine. This is his first novel.

The Review

This was such a powerful and moving read. The author expertly crafted a narrative that felt both relatable and heartbreaking. The depth of world-building and character development was evident from the beginning, with the author creating diverse, deep, and compelling characters that highlight the struggles and hardships so many faced during this troubling point in modern history. The tension that builds throughout that fateful day on September 11th really stays with readers, especially those who lived through that day, as readers feel the terror and heartbreak of those on the scene of those tragedies and the uncertainty so many felt watching the day unfold on their television screens.

The powerful themes of this book really resonated with readers as the story progressed. The impact of war and how it changes people is the driving force of the narrative, both for those who serve in the military and the people waiting behind who must watch their loved ones go to war and put their lives on the line. The complexities of war and politics take center stage as well, with multiple perspectives giving readers the mindset of loyal soldiers committed to the American cause, loving spouses who want nothing more than their loved ones safe return, and even the surprising emotional story of Nasir, a young Afghani boy who slowly is indoctrinated into the Taliban after suffering his own losses and has a complex character arc that isn’t a typically villain arc, but instead a tragic figure who loses himself to a cause he is essentially born into by circumstances. 

The Verdict

Haunting, thought-provoking, and emotionally driven, author Jim Servi’s “Forever Changed” is a must-read historical fiction-meets-military-action-thriller. The character-driven, thoughtful narrative will keep readers invested, and the memories of this historic event will help readers understand those most impacted by this tragedy and war in ways they may not have known before. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Jim Servi is a U.S. military officer, journalist, and novelist whose life bridges service and storytelling. Over a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, Jim deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, gaining firsthand experience of the complexities of modern conflict.

His service also included strategic planning roles, including work with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and in the Pentagon, reflecting his deep commitment to global security.

After returning from combat, Jim channeled his experiences and his struggles with reintegration into writing. He began contributing to a range of publications, writing about the outdoors, sports, business, travel, and, especially, military life. His work has appeared in numerous outlets, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars magazine.

Jim’s debut novel, Forever Changed, was published in 2020. Drawing on his own wartime experiences, he weaves a fictional, deeply human story set in the wake of 9/11, following characters from small-town Wisconsin to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. Through the novel, Jim explores themes of loss, identity, trauma, and renewal, and gives his readers an empathetic, layered perspective on life before, during, and after war.

Beyond his writing, Jim is a devoted family man, living in central Wisconsin with his wife, Angie, and their three sons. His journey reflects a powerful fusion of service and creativity, using his voice not just to tell his own story, but to amplify those of others.

www.jimservi.com

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