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jmoses's review
4.0
This is typical, over the top in several ways, Ringo. If you've read him before, and like him, you'll probably like this. If you already know you don't like him, stay away. This is not a re-imagined Ringo.
If you've never read him, maybe give it a shot? It's (and the whole series) pretty typical for him, with over the top fighting and shooting and rampant ultra-right-wing (ish) political screeds disguised as part of the story and non-mainstream sex (lots and lots).
If none of that sounds awful, give it a shot. Don't say I didn't warn you.
If you've never read him, maybe give it a shot? It's (and the whole series) pretty typical for him, with over the top fighting and shooting and rampant ultra-right-wing (ish) political screeds disguised as part of the story and non-mainstream sex (lots and lots).
If none of that sounds awful, give it a shot. Don't say I didn't warn you.
lesliefh's review
1.0
Oh John Ringo no!
While most books by John Ringo are literary equivalent of a bag full of potato crisps stamped all over with right-wing Republican propaganda, they are also entertaining and readable.
Well, this one not only blew my circuit breakers (I only managed to read about half of the book before giving up in disgust, and I rarely do that), it also coloured my subsequent view of any other books by Ringo. Now I tend to notice the undercurrents of BDSM and despair over the 18 years old age of consent in the US in each and every one of his books. Oh John Ringo no.
Really, give this one a pass. You've been warned. :-)
While most books by John Ringo are literary equivalent of a bag full of potato crisps stamped all over with right-wing Republican propaganda, they are also entertaining and readable.
Well, this one not only blew my circuit breakers (I only managed to read about half of the book before giving up in disgust, and I rarely do that), it also coloured my subsequent view of any other books by Ringo. Now I tend to notice the undercurrents of BDSM and despair over the 18 years old age of consent in the US in each and every one of his books. Oh John Ringo no.
Really, give this one a pass. You've been warned. :-)
pjonsson's review against another edition
3.0
This book has been sitting on my to-read list for a very long time. As a matter of fact it is a long time since I have read a book by John Ringo. Generally I like his books. This one was a bit difficult for me to read though.
The book blurb should already give you some hint that this book is not for everyone. It is certainly not a book for easily offended liberals but then this is John Ringo so that should really not be a surprise.
The hero in this book is a former SEAL that is thrown into a series of action filled events against Muslim terrorists all over the world. Let’s make one thing clear from the start. Said terrorists are the bad guys in this book. There are no rosy pictures painted or lame attempts to explain away the fact that they are terrorists. They are depraved and despicable people regarding everyone except themselves, especially women, to be cattle to be slaughtered or, in the case of women, abused.
The story follows the “Ghost” through a series of situation where he proceeds to kick the ass, usually in a permanent manner, of these terrorists. This is the part of the book I do like. Plenty of action and lots of asswipes getting exactly what they deserve. The biased mainstream media gets a bit of a beating as well. We even have a president in this book that does not shy away from doing what needs to be done. Having said that, although the action was fun read, I’d say that it was perhaps a bit struggling in the credibility department.
However, the hero is not without problems himself. He is actually quite unlikable. In particular he entertains sexual desires that are not exactly my cup of tea. This in itself do in no way get my pants into some moral twist or anything but when half the book is about sexual activities of the kind that a lot of people, most people probably, would consider fairly depraved then it is a bit too much even for me.
So for me there was really good parts in this book, there was bad parts and there was quite ugly parts. The book was also kind of three consecutive short stories stringed together. So altogether I could not really justify more than three out of five stars for this one and I was actually struggling a bit to give it as much as that.
The book blurb should already give you some hint that this book is not for everyone. It is certainly not a book for easily offended liberals but then this is John Ringo so that should really not be a surprise.
The hero in this book is a former SEAL that is thrown into a series of action filled events against Muslim terrorists all over the world. Let’s make one thing clear from the start. Said terrorists are the bad guys in this book. There are no rosy pictures painted or lame attempts to explain away the fact that they are terrorists. They are depraved and despicable people regarding everyone except themselves, especially women, to be cattle to be slaughtered or, in the case of women, abused.
The story follows the “Ghost” through a series of situation where he proceeds to kick the ass, usually in a permanent manner, of these terrorists. This is the part of the book I do like. Plenty of action and lots of asswipes getting exactly what they deserve. The biased mainstream media gets a bit of a beating as well. We even have a president in this book that does not shy away from doing what needs to be done. Having said that, although the action was fun read, I’d say that it was perhaps a bit struggling in the credibility department.
However, the hero is not without problems himself. He is actually quite unlikable. In particular he entertains sexual desires that are not exactly my cup of tea. This in itself do in no way get my pants into some moral twist or anything but when half the book is about sexual activities of the kind that a lot of people, most people probably, would consider fairly depraved then it is a bit too much even for me.
So for me there was really good parts in this book, there was bad parts and there was quite ugly parts. The book was also kind of three consecutive short stories stringed together. So altogether I could not really justify more than three out of five stars for this one and I was actually struggling a bit to give it as much as that.
twerkingtobeethoven's review
3.0
This book is a big bowl of wrong. It's a cross between Edward Lee's fucked up exploitation horror and, I don't know, fucking Die Hard. Oh, there's plenty of sex as well. The second story - Thunder Island - is basically Fifty Shades of Grey on steroids and, in case you're wondering, I didn't read E. L. James's load of wank. And I didn't see the movie either.
Anyway, "Ghost" isn't a masterpiece. Far from it. It's a bucket of phlegm and pus, alright. But it's far from being boring. I, being nothing but a twisted fuck, laughed a lot while going through it.
So, bottom line, if feminism and liberalism are your thing, you should definitely give this book a go. You'll find it to be, ahem, refreshing. Oh indeed. You're absolutely going to love Ghost. Mark my words.
Overall, 3.5 stars.
Anyway, "Ghost" isn't a masterpiece. Far from it. It's a bucket of phlegm and pus, alright. But it's far from being boring. I, being nothing but a twisted fuck, laughed a lot while going through it.
So, bottom line, if feminism and liberalism are your thing, you should definitely give this book a go. You'll find it to be, ahem, refreshing. Oh indeed. You're absolutely going to love Ghost. Mark my words.
Overall, 3.5 stars.
bertturtel's review
5.0
Ghost reads like a cross between Indiana Jones and the Hunt for Red October. Like Indy, Ghost gets himself in some improbable positions- really who has a Russian prostitute offer to sell them a nuke? But it also has a veiw of how the military works and functions- behind the curtain.
I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging read. John Ringo gives you other viewpoints than just his hero's. This gives you a true insight into the fear and emotion that intense situations inevitably cause. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
Enjoy!
I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging read. John Ringo gives you other viewpoints than just his hero's. This gives you a true insight into the fear and emotion that intense situations inevitably cause. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
Enjoy!
bookstuff's review
Basically twisted (anti) hero who seems flawed but heroic until he kicks the puppy near the end.
I was thinking it's basically a mundane version of the bad boy vampire/werewolf/etc hero. Which puts those stories into perspective.
Could not stop eye rolling at the TSTL coeds in the middle section.
Glad Ringo got this out of hiss system, I guess.
I was thinking it's basically a mundane version of the bad boy vampire/werewolf/etc hero. Which puts those stories into perspective.
Could not stop eye rolling at the TSTL coeds in the middle section.
Glad Ringo got this out of hiss system, I guess.
singerji's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
kazeneko20's review
3.0
this book had a very well written may character and memorable side characters. the book is defiantly for adult readers. it was worth a read but its not a book or sears that I would re read due to the amount of sex in it. If there was less sex this book would have gotten a 4/5. however I will probably complete the series however its not a set of books i would read back to back
vailynst's review
1.0
3/10/20 Notes:
DNF @ 20%
Maybe the MC is suppose to be like Dexter. Except, I can watch Dexter and enjoy the show. Here? There's nothing to like about the MC and the story dives straight into action with a kidnap/rape scene with a lot of trash talk by the bad guys. Thumbs up because rape didn't happen. Thumbs down for everything else.
I may try this again but it's sitting at: Bad Book, BAD!
DNF @ 20%
Maybe the MC is suppose to be like Dexter. Except, I can watch Dexter and enjoy the show. Here? There's nothing to like about the MC and the story dives straight into action with a kidnap/rape scene with a lot of trash talk by the bad guys. Thumbs up because rape didn't happen. Thumbs down for everything else.
I may try this again but it's sitting at: Bad Book, BAD!
yggdrasil_81's review
1.0
skiped lots of it. Main character with no coherence. No good point at all.