Scan barcode
texreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Venezuela is a very bad place to be for Americans, if this book is to be believed. Based on my other readings about the country, sadly I do believe it. Once a thriving country, rich because of its oil and a thriving economy, it is now a solid dictatorship rife with corruption and crime. So, Caracas is the perfect place for an AWOL’d soldier escaping the Taliban to be found. But what is his real motive and what is America’s for Venezuela? CID officers Brody and Taylor are sent first to Caracas to find and apprehend him and they follow his tracks deep into the jungle—both places, Caracas and the jungle, are characters as much as the people and as likely to kill them. Action-packed but also a lot of “telling” about back stories and repetition that gets a bit numbing. Still a good read that likely accurately portrays a country in serious distress.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Torture
carivinci's review against another edition
4.25
This was a very long book and it easily could’ve been shortened. I enjoyed the back-and-forth between the two protagonists. we knew all along that they would get out of the impossible situation. However, when it ended, they were in the middle of the desert with unfriendly troops and no airplane yet it was a happy ending come on. Let me know. How did they get out?
jennybun's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Two manly men wrote about a manly man doing manly man things however he wants to because he’s a MAN and he’s MANLY.
I exaggerate… a bit. This book is a very good example of men writing their version of the ideal man and men writing women. This is not a good book.
I exaggerate… a bit. This book is a very good example of men writing their version of the ideal man and men writing women. This is not a good book.
cindyreads2024's review against another edition
4.0
Another great story by Nelson DeMille. I started this book when it first came out. And for some reason, that I don’t recall, I set it aside. This time around, I couldn’t put it down. Every night, I looked forward to the story’s progression and the voices of the characters. It’s DeMille’s characters that bring me back to his books time and again. This is the first in the series and I look forward to reading the next.
jamies93's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mdajca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Great plot, set mostly in Venezuela, agents trying to track down Afghanistan war hero who deserted was captured by Taliban and disappeared. Book1 of new series.
katemoxie's review against another edition
1.0
I won't bother with any subsequent Brodie & Taylor books.
rodbmoser's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, an engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable Nelson Demille read.
I love the wit and humor in Nelson Demille's writing. There is always just enough tension, and serious moments sprinkled with humorous internal dialogue to keep you smiling and captivated.
The authors were able to bring to the awareness the reality of Venezuela, and the plight of the people, in their writing. They were also able to deliver an understanding of the difficult decisions that often are made during war and conflict. They successfully tackled a difficult subject with tact allowing you to reach your own conclusions. Well done and definitely thought provoking while being hugely entertaining.
Of course, there were elements of the story that were a little 'James Bond' like. Entertaining while stretching the outcome a little beyond what is believable ... but come on, isn't that what fictional writing is for?
Highly recommend this one for being interesting and entertaining.
I love the wit and humor in Nelson Demille's writing. There is always just enough tension, and serious moments sprinkled with humorous internal dialogue to keep you smiling and captivated.
The authors were able to bring to the awareness the reality of Venezuela, and the plight of the people, in their writing. They were also able to deliver an understanding of the difficult decisions that often are made during war and conflict. They successfully tackled a difficult subject with tact allowing you to reach your own conclusions. Well done and definitely thought provoking while being hugely entertaining.
Of course, there were elements of the story that were a little 'James Bond' like. Entertaining while stretching the outcome a little beyond what is believable ... but come on, isn't that what fictional writing is for?
Highly recommend this one for being interesting and entertaining.
constantreader471's review
4.0
Captain Kyle Mercer deserts his unit in Afghanistan. He's captured and tortured by the Taliban. Then he escapes, sending a video of him with dead captors to U.S. Government. Then he is sighted in Venezuela. The Army sends 2 CID investigators to capture him and bring him back for court martial. Scott Brodie has a reputation for breaking the rules and succeeding in his assignments. He is paired with a new partner, Maggie Taylor. But there is more to Kyle's desertion and Scott and Maggie are almost killed numerous times. Venezuela is vividly portrayed as a failed lawless state.
This is a moderately long book at 449 pages, but it moves along at a brisk pace as Scott and Maggie follow clues to Kyle's whereabouts and why he deserted. This is a co-author book with Nelson and son Alex.
Thanks to the authors and Simon&Schuster for sending me this book through NetGalley. I read this book in 2 days.
One quote: "Venezuela wasn't yet a police state like Cuba, or a chaotic failed state like Somalia. But it was a country on the edge, economically desperate, with weak and corrupt institutions and a government openly hostile to American interests."
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
This is a moderately long book at 449 pages, but it moves along at a brisk pace as Scott and Maggie follow clues to Kyle's whereabouts and why he deserted. This is a co-author book with Nelson and son Alex.
Thanks to the authors and Simon&Schuster for sending me this book through NetGalley. I read this book in 2 days.
One quote: "Venezuela wasn't yet a police state like Cuba, or a chaotic failed state like Somalia. But it was a country on the edge, economically desperate, with weak and corrupt institutions and a government openly hostile to American interests."
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
nick_latanick's review
3.0
High literature it is not, but for a dime-store action novel it was well plotted, well paced, and well written. It's a popcorn read for sure, but a fun enough ride that I'll be continuing the series.