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js_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
3 and 1/2 stars
This book spends too much time on the story it tells and then leaves a lot to be resolved in the next book--thus 3 and a half stars. Still love Mitch.
This book spends too much time on the story it tells and then leaves a lot to be resolved in the next book--thus 3 and a half stars. Still love Mitch.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Once more, I was sucked into the book from about half way through. The introduction of the Mike Nash character gives an interesting take on the lives the covert CIA ops have, and whilst I thought it would detract from Rapp's character (and it did a bit) I still really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next in the series now.
vendea's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a little bit torn about this book because the plot was good...and the book could have been good but the author spent so much time pontificating about...everything....and...it ended up being bad.
peter_gagne's review
1.0
One of the worst books I have ever read. Extremely anti-Islam, gung-ho "American", anti-government, mindless patriotism. Throw in some grammatical mistakes, and I don't know how this book ever got published.
jonyoung2007's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
4.0
A good one. I'm liking this arc of Mike Nash, too. He's a quality character. I'm excited to see what Vince does for him. And with that, Mitch Rapp didn't really have much of a presence it seemed in this book. I wished they hadn't glossed over him getting arrested, plus how did he get out of jail? It'd also be nice if they expounded on how the terrorists figured out our military training and torture methods so they wouldn't be as affected when captured. But this fight was more domestic instead of abroad which I liked.
But the best part about this book is that Stan Hurley is back!!!!!!! Oh boy, I was so happy hearing his crass speech. It's the best ever. I think it was now when Vince wanted to do a flashback to Mitch's training as an assassin so he introduced Stan's character now for the two prequels he'd write later (I started this series in chronological order not in published order). There's a few plot holes I noticed when they said Hurley has been retired for 30 years but Rapp has only been in the game for 18. Maybe they meant off the books for 30 years but secretly still did some work.
I was hoping the ending would have had the POV from Kaleem and Hakeem.
But the best part about this book is that Stan Hurley is back!!!!!!! Oh boy, I was so happy hearing his crass speech. It's the best ever. I think it was now when Vince wanted to do a flashback to Mitch's training as an assassin so he introduced Stan's character now for the two prequels he'd write later (I started this series in chronological order not in published order). There's a few plot holes I noticed when they said Hurley has been retired for 30 years but Rapp has only been in the game for 18. Maybe they meant off the books for 30 years but secretly still did some work.
I was hoping the ending would have had the POV from Kaleem and Hakeem.
zgill0314's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
tracyjw66's review against another edition
3.0
It's scary thinking about how the bad guys can sooooooooooo easily get into our country...
angelarwatts's review against another edition
5.0
STORY
WOW. Just, wow. I loved it. The story was a big twist compared to the atmosphere we usually see Rapp in. Stakes were high, the plot was thick, and every decision mattered. I really enjoyed the story involving the Muslim terrorists, the legal issues and Senators and such trying to nail Rapp, all of it wrapped together and made one of my favorite books of the series. Absolutely a well-written and woven novel. Blew me away.
THEMES
Oh, gosh, this book hit hard. Really hard. I was doing OK, y'know, till Nash had a pretty moving scene with his son. Nash, in the end, decides he will be there more for his kids. His job matters, but his family needs him. None of the Rapp novels have shown such raw, beautiful portrayal of "domestic" life. We only saw Rapp and Anna in the (rather sickening) honeymoon stage of marriage. Nash and Maggie are quite a wild couple but realistic and the dilemma of raising kids while working in the government... it's a hard life to live. But this family wasn't just cast aside or made into a bunch of non understanding civilians. Nash loves them. He cares for them. They're a family. And I know this sounds like a stupid theme to be caught up over, but the theme of family hit me hard. Because I truly wish every single Army, Marine, Navy, government, you name it, not every guy chooses family over career. And it hurts the family they leave behind. It really does. So seeing this novel tackle this topic... it made me laugh. It made me cry. I loved it.
The themes of brotherhood and justice and patriotism hit super hard in this novel, as well. With so much at stake, people had to come together, had to have each other's backs, and I will never tire of these themes. I especially loved when Rapp told the men that they were warriors and ought to be proud of what they did. This is a mindset I feel America is lacking. We need to be warriors. Unashamed, unafraid.
CHARACTERS
Rapp was a total blast in this novel! Focused on the game, smartmouth never tiring, and always there to slap sense into his comrades, I really enjoyed him in this one.
Nash is a great guy and his family is absolutely amazing. I loved this subplot.
Coleman is a KING and y'all can fight me. (He's very proud of Nash's 1 year old and that slays me)
STAN HURLEY RETURNS. Sure, it was a brief scene, but 1) Stan is still a terrible, terrible old man 2) he made me laugh, as usual 3) OUCH. Talk about Stan giving Nash a pep talk but it also being a slap to the face I, also, needed to hear. Ironic.
I do want to point out I loved the ending plot twist with Senator Londsale, her final choice was absolutely amazing.
The villains, also, weren't your usual "kill! kill! be bad!" but they were complex and intriguing. They did terrible things but are the type of antagonists who justify their actions, see them as justice, etc, so it's interesting to read, for sure. I look forward to seeing what happens with Karim and Hakim.
CONTENT
R. Heavy swearing. Descriptions of torture, violence, blood, murder, gore, etc. Sensual content and innuendos but I think a bit less than R in that department? Who knows.
OVERALL
I loved it. Oh my gosh.
WOW. Just, wow. I loved it. The story was a big twist compared to the atmosphere we usually see Rapp in. Stakes were high, the plot was thick, and every decision mattered. I really enjoyed the story involving the Muslim terrorists, the legal issues and Senators and such trying to nail Rapp, all of it wrapped together and made one of my favorite books of the series. Absolutely a well-written and woven novel. Blew me away.
THEMES
Oh, gosh, this book hit hard. Really hard. I was doing OK, y'know, till Nash had a pretty moving scene with his son. Nash, in the end, decides he will be there more for his kids. His job matters, but his family needs him. None of the Rapp novels have shown such raw, beautiful portrayal of "domestic" life. We only saw Rapp and Anna in the (rather sickening) honeymoon stage of marriage. Nash and Maggie are quite a wild couple but realistic and the dilemma of raising kids while working in the government... it's a hard life to live. But this family wasn't just cast aside or made into a bunch of non understanding civilians. Nash loves them. He cares for them. They're a family. And I know this sounds like a stupid theme to be caught up over, but the theme of family hit me hard. Because I truly wish every single Army, Marine, Navy, government, you name it, not every guy chooses family over career. And it hurts the family they leave behind. It really does. So seeing this novel tackle this topic... it made me laugh. It made me cry. I loved it.
The themes of brotherhood and justice and patriotism hit super hard in this novel, as well. With so much at stake, people had to come together, had to have each other's backs, and I will never tire of these themes. I especially loved when Rapp told the men that they were warriors and ought to be proud of what they did. This is a mindset I feel America is lacking. We need to be warriors. Unashamed, unafraid.
CHARACTERS
Rapp was a total blast in this novel! Focused on the game, smartmouth never tiring, and always there to slap sense into his comrades, I really enjoyed him in this one.
Nash is a great guy and his family is absolutely amazing. I loved this subplot.
Coleman is a KING and y'all can fight me. (He's very proud of Nash's 1 year old and that slays me)
STAN HURLEY RETURNS. Sure, it was a brief scene, but 1) Stan is still a terrible, terrible old man 2) he made me laugh, as usual 3) OUCH. Talk about Stan giving Nash a pep talk but it also being a slap to the face I, also, needed to hear. Ironic.
I do want to point out I loved the ending plot twist with Senator Londsale, her final choice was absolutely amazing.
The villains, also, weren't your usual "kill! kill! be bad!" but they were complex and intriguing. They did terrible things but are the type of antagonists who justify their actions, see them as justice, etc, so it's interesting to read, for sure. I look forward to seeing what happens with Karim and Hakim.
CONTENT
R. Heavy swearing. Descriptions of torture, violence, blood, murder, gore, etc. Sensual content and innuendos but I think a bit less than R in that department? Who knows.
OVERALL
I loved it. Oh my gosh.