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lynguy1's review
5.0
Steven Konkoly brings together diverse characters and an alarming scenario like few authors can. His third book in the Devin Gray series, Wide Awake, kept me reading late into the night. Devin Gray and Marnie Young are trying to return to a normal life after taking out a sleeper network. However, violence and a potential for another sleeper network has them back at work. A plan to start a civil war in the United States is underway. Threats and violence escalate. Who is behind it and can it be stopped?
As always, this author brings characters to life, especially Devin and Marnie. They’re intelligent, patriotic, self-confident, strong, and bold. However, they also have some shortcomings that readers find as the story progresses and their natures and backstories become known to readers. It was also great to visit with old friends from the Black Flagged series.
The initial chapters introduce the various characters and situations from a border patrol incident to the protagonists to various antagonists and supporting characters. However, it took a while to determine how everyone fits into the story, which takes readers from Washington DC to multiple US states to a foreign country. This novel kept me captivated from the first page to its astonishing conclusion.
Konkoly is an outstanding storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat with gripping scenes, action, a superb plot, and fantastic writing. His military background brings an authenticity to his thrillers. He does a great job of balancing the shocking action scenes against the intrigue of the conspiracy plot and the planning of countermeasures. The dynamic plot came alive and felt all too possible with real-world issues incorporated into the story highlighting the societal and political differences between individuals and countries.
Plenty of suspense, a constant sense of urgency, a state of disquietude, and lots of action combined with great characters and a well-written plot make this novel a must read for those who enjoy thrillers. Themes include conspiracy, violence, differing political and social ideologies, duty, leadership, organization, and coordination.
Overall, this was a gripping, gritty, and chilling story with complex characters. It’s intense and dramatic and kept this reader turning the pages. It’s also my favorite of the series. I would recommend it to those who enjoy political and military thrillers. This book works well as a standalone novel. However, the background and relationship dynamics are best fully understood by reading earlier novels in the series.
Thomas and Mercer and Steven Konkoly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for August 15, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
As always, this author brings characters to life, especially Devin and Marnie. They’re intelligent, patriotic, self-confident, strong, and bold. However, they also have some shortcomings that readers find as the story progresses and their natures and backstories become known to readers. It was also great to visit with old friends from the Black Flagged series.
The initial chapters introduce the various characters and situations from a border patrol incident to the protagonists to various antagonists and supporting characters. However, it took a while to determine how everyone fits into the story, which takes readers from Washington DC to multiple US states to a foreign country. This novel kept me captivated from the first page to its astonishing conclusion.
Konkoly is an outstanding storyteller who kept me on the edge of my seat with gripping scenes, action, a superb plot, and fantastic writing. His military background brings an authenticity to his thrillers. He does a great job of balancing the shocking action scenes against the intrigue of the conspiracy plot and the planning of countermeasures. The dynamic plot came alive and felt all too possible with real-world issues incorporated into the story highlighting the societal and political differences between individuals and countries.
Plenty of suspense, a constant sense of urgency, a state of disquietude, and lots of action combined with great characters and a well-written plot make this novel a must read for those who enjoy thrillers. Themes include conspiracy, violence, differing political and social ideologies, duty, leadership, organization, and coordination.
Overall, this was a gripping, gritty, and chilling story with complex characters. It’s intense and dramatic and kept this reader turning the pages. It’s also my favorite of the series. I would recommend it to those who enjoy political and military thrillers. This book works well as a standalone novel. However, the background and relationship dynamics are best fully understood by reading earlier novels in the series.
Thomas and Mercer and Steven Konkoly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for August 15, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.52 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
liberrydude's review
3.0
The Russians are coming. The Russians are coming. They’re back! The final book in the trilogy has Devin in one tense encounter after another in the DC area. From the Chesapeake Bay to Loudoun County to DC itself with drone attacks and plenty of CQB. I just wanted it to end after awhile as the jargon and COA’s became a blur.
abibliofob's review
5.0
Wide Awake is the third adventure with Devin Gray and it's connected with the two previous books but can be read as a standalone if you like. Steven Konkoly is one of my favorite authors although I haven't read everything by him. Devin is still trying to dig up all the remaining sleeper agents his mother discovered when they get a new threat and it's almost non stop thrilling action with a lot of drones. I do like the character Konkoly has created in this series and the dialogu going on. It's is not the usual conspiracy secret agent stuff going on and now I wonder what will happen in the next book. A big thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.
justcallmeemily's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an advance reader copy of this book.
I think Steven Konkoly may be one of my favorite writers. So much so that while I was reading this book I grabbed the other two books in this series.
The action was so well written that I felt like I was right there with the characters. I can't wait to read other books by this author!
I also think this book does a great job of making the characters relatable and funny while still focusing on the seriousness of the situation.
I think Steven Konkoly may be one of my favorite writers. So much so that while I was reading this book I grabbed the other two books in this series.
The action was so well written that I felt like I was right there with the characters. I can't wait to read other books by this author!
I also think this book does a great job of making the characters relatable and funny while still focusing on the seriousness of the situation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and War
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