Sua Sponte: The Minneapolis ADOZ

5 Star Review

Forthcoming on Amazon!

Editorial Book Review:

By Julia Allen

Mikael Carlson has once again shown that he is a master at writing fiction about politics and the mind with Sua Sponte: The Minneapolis ADOZ. The prequel to the Watchtower series is captivating and well written. It has a lot of tension, subtleties, and smart ideas. The plot of this book is exhilarating, while it also takes a deep look at duty, identity, and the effects of wars that can't be seen.

Carlson’s writing is clear and vivid, so it's both easy to understand and deep with meaning. Due to his skill with structure, the story moves quickly, but there are also times when the characters can think and feel more deeply. The dialogue sounds real, and the settings are described in a way that makes the reader feel like they are really there in the world of elite special operations and secret plans.

At its core, the book asks what the costs of loyalty are, how hard it is to keep secrets, and how personal convictions and institutional duty can clash. Because they have served and given so much, the characters embody these conflicts in ways that feel very real and deeply human. As Carlson asks, "What are you willing to fight for? What are you willing to become in the process?" this is a question that has meaning in both the military and the civilian world.

The intellectual weight of Sua Sponte lies in its thoughtful treatment of contemporary anxieties—surveillance, autonomy, and the moral gray zones that define modern conflict. Yet it never loses sight of the individuals within the machine. Carlson shows the mental toll of people who work in the shadows through complex character development and emotionally charged moments. This reminds readers that being a hero often comes at a very high personal cost.

The result is a novel that thrills as it provokes, entertains as it enlightens. Carlson writes not to simply entertain, but to challenge, to reflect, and to elevate the genre.

As a matter of fact, Sua Sponte: The Minneapolis ADOZ is a political thriller that everyone who likes smart, emotional, and utterly real books should read. It's an important addition to modern fiction and a powerful confirmation of Mikael Carlson's ability to tell stories.

About the Author

Mikael Carlson

Mikael Carlson is an award-winning political fiction author, including a silver medal from Readers' Favorite and National Indie Excellence, American Fiction, Lyra, and Global E-book Awards. He was named one of the ‘50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ by The Authors Show in 2018.

Mikael is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper and retired Army National Guardsman. He conducted over 50 airborne operations following the completion of jump school at Fort Benning in 1998, and trained on several occasions with the British Airborne, earning British Parachutist wings. Mikael participated in several international jump competitions and traveled to Arnhem for an anniversary jump celebrating the Allied sacrifice during Operation Market Garden in World War II.

He graduated with a Master of Arts in American History in 2010 and a B.S. in International Business from Marist College in 1996. An avid traveler and unabashed political junkie.