Scan barcode
ladyreading365's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
gmakstutis's review against another edition
3.0
I always feel slightly guilty when reading a Tom Clancy novel. Somehow, I feel I should be more discerning and reading something more intellectual. It's a guilty pleasure, and is often a rollicking good time. The main issue I have with Clancy's novels is that they feel as if he is really writing for things to be made into films. This was, particularly with the later Jack Ryan (and the Ryan Jr.) novels, getting a bit stale.
This might be considered a return to the early style of his novels. Taut, complex and very thick; both in terms of page count but also in terms of the density of the information. If anything, this density often becomes a bit cliched. Do we really need to know the manufacturer and model number of every weapon that is usd by the good and bad guys?
What remains enjoyable is the speed with which Clancy can keep a plot moving. And, while things move apace, there is none of the sense that time operates differently in the novel (eg it takes time to get from one place to another, and we know that time has passed). This lends a certain reality to the story that is often lacking in the 'action' genre.
This is not on a par with Le Carre, for plot and character, but as an action novel it does a very good job of being entertaining and keeping the attention.
This might be considered a return to the early style of his novels. Taut, complex and very thick; both in terms of page count but also in terms of the density of the information. If anything, this density often becomes a bit cliched. Do we really need to know the manufacturer and model number of every weapon that is usd by the good and bad guys?
What remains enjoyable is the speed with which Clancy can keep a plot moving. And, while things move apace, there is none of the sense that time operates differently in the novel (eg it takes time to get from one place to another, and we know that time has passed). This lends a certain reality to the story that is often lacking in the 'action' genre.
This is not on a par with Le Carre, for plot and character, but as an action novel it does a very good job of being entertaining and keeping the attention.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy the different character, but overall it is basically the same books as the Jack Ryan (and Jr) books.
zare_i's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting setup regarding possible links between terrorists and narco-cartels.
Entire novel looks like a cross between "Without remorse" and "Debt of Honor" but without the depth of these two books.
Main character (I think Clancy franchise truly loves SEALs :)), Moore, is basically Clark for the new age.
Where this book falls short IMHO is all the "we-are-the-best" attitude of the main character. Don't get me wrong - in this novel plans go south, agents get killed, there is a true cat-and-mouse game going on between good and bad guys etc. But there is no doubt at any point that good guys will prevail (anyone remember "The Sum Of All Fears"? Now that was tense action novel).
Good guys are superior in everything (training, equipment (you'll get the specs on any weapon they choose and of course they are always choosing US production lines because - you get it - they are the best), you name it) and that's the main issue I have with the novel - you need group of commandos from country X in 2 hours at some location in the Mexico? No problem, we can make it happen. You need hi-tech equipment at location Y - it's waiting for you. I mean even Alias would say something like "Wait a minute, this is ridiculous! How are you doing this" :)
Also, each chapter seems a little bit repetitive (e.g in one chapter they are chasing down a cartel boss and reader is introduced to the character; next chapter repeats all the info - to the letter .... I mean what for, this is the novel not serialized series of short stories that are published with few days in between).
It's a fun read though, and in truth I am giving it 3,5 stars (can't select it though).
If you want a little bit more darker (and maybe more realistic) story on anti-cartel operations give Forsyth's "The Cobra" a try.
Entire novel looks like a cross between "Without remorse" and "Debt of Honor" but without the depth of these two books.
Main character (I think Clancy franchise truly loves SEALs :)), Moore, is basically Clark for the new age.
Where this book falls short IMHO is all the "we-are-the-best" attitude of the main character. Don't get me wrong - in this novel plans go south, agents get killed, there is a true cat-and-mouse game going on between good and bad guys etc. But there is no doubt at any point that good guys will prevail (anyone remember "The Sum Of All Fears"? Now that was tense action novel).
Good guys are superior in everything (training, equipment (you'll get the specs on any weapon they choose and of course they are always choosing US production lines because - you get it - they are the best), you name it) and that's the main issue I have with the novel - you need group of commandos from country X in 2 hours at some location in the Mexico? No problem, we can make it happen. You need hi-tech equipment at location Y - it's waiting for you. I mean even Alias would say something like "Wait a minute, this is ridiculous! How are you doing this" :)
Also, each chapter seems a little bit repetitive (e.g in one chapter they are chasing down a cartel boss and reader is introduced to the character; next chapter repeats all the info - to the letter .... I mean what for, this is the novel not serialized series of short stories that are published with few days in between).
It's a fun read though, and in truth I am giving it 3,5 stars (can't select it though).
If you want a little bit more darker (and maybe more realistic) story on anti-cartel operations give Forsyth's "The Cobra" a try.
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
2.0
This was not my favorite Tom Clancy book. There was too much going on, and I didn't really like it...
ascaris75's review against another edition
2.0
Doesn't feel or read like a Clancy novel, though none of his co-author efforts do. The "classtic" Clancy books have complex plots, but they're generally very tight and easy to follow. The plot here is convoluted and not as easy to follow. The protagonist, Max Moore, is a typical special-forces-turned-spy-super-agent, and while there is plenty of action, there isn't any emotional attachment to any of the characters to really care what happens to them. It's decent enough as mindless action read, but going in with higher expectations would lead to disappointment.
hydenseek's review against another edition
4.0
Found this book in a clearance bin and got it on impulse. Not my typical read. I didn’t know if I would love or hate it. I ended up really enjoying it and I have to remember to find the rest of the series!
shaekin's review against another edition
2.0
I was 2-3 hours into the audio book and very few characters were recurring, the book was all over the place with very little cohesion, decided I didn't want to keep going and quit.
dhilderbrand's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. Great action! The story was good. I didn't find it crazy predictable. It took me awhile to read, and there were a ton of characters so it was a little hard to keep track at first, but I would highly recommend this book - No surprise, Tom Clancy is fabulous!