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terminalfin's review against another edition
4.0
*** SPOILERS AHEAD *** You thought that was the end? Hah, not quite. After the enthralling ending which took place during book five, I was interested to see how Nick carried on the EC series. I was not disappointed. This book carried on the fantastic writing style that Nick employs throughout the series and his other books. Beckham, Fitz, Davis, Ringgold, and others are back as they look to help stabilize the US and other areas of the world. Fitz is now in charge of team ghost and has been deployed to Europe to help in an area where the deployment of Kryptonite did not go as well as it had stateside.
From the start of this book, we note that many of the members have been promoted after their actions in the previous books. This caught me off guard, especially in the case of Beckham, and it took me a second to realize what had occurred. While I understand Fitz’ promotion to Master Sergeant, I was taken aback by Reed’s “promotion” to Captain. Understanding that this is reminiscent of a battlefield commission from wars long since passed, I would have to wonder whether someone of Beckham’s seniority would consider this a promotion. I would think that Sergeant Major would have made more sense, especially given that he would have fallen under “Save Pay” if he were still being paid. But, that aside, I can understand what was trying to be conveyed here. Reed had served his country and this was a way of recognizing that service (along with his medal of honor from the last book).
The internal terrorism and military deception brought about in the book really drew me in. Watching the broadcasts from Woods and the competing information operations (IO) campaign that Ringgold’s team was attempting really hit home with me. It shows how many folks will continue to believe the first story they hear on a topic, even when competing arguments are presented that make more logical sense. As a world and country already ravaged by the war with the variants, this plot line really makes you wonder how folks would side in a real-world scenario. This same plotline seems to be a common trend in Nick’s books and one which really continues to draw me in. Is Civil War going to start in the middle of the efforts to recover from the variant threat and the on-going variant war overseas? Knowing the title of the next book is “War”, I can safely assume yes, especially with the ending.
And then there is LT Woods which has left me feeling angry at the end of this story. I’ve never completed a book and felt myself being physically angry. That is the nature of Woods in this entry in the series and it really makes me want the next book to hurry up and arrive so I can see some resolution.
My other gripe with this entry is the French accent which Bronson Pinchot attempts. His accent is a good one, but it is difficult to understand at times, especially given that I always listen to these books on the road. I found myself rewinding at several points to try and understand what folks were saying. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Even though I rate this entry four stars, whereas past entries have all merited five, I still wholeheartedly recommend it and the entire series. Nick is a gifted author and his talent still shines through in this book. If you haven’t started the series, please do so. You will not regret it.
From the start of this book, we note that many of the members have been promoted after their actions in the previous books. This caught me off guard, especially in the case of Beckham, and it took me a second to realize what had occurred. While I understand Fitz’ promotion to Master Sergeant, I was taken aback by Reed’s “promotion” to Captain. Understanding that this is reminiscent of a battlefield commission from wars long since passed, I would have to wonder whether someone of Beckham’s seniority would consider this a promotion. I would think that Sergeant Major would have made more sense, especially given that he would have fallen under “Save Pay” if he were still being paid. But, that aside, I can understand what was trying to be conveyed here. Reed had served his country and this was a way of recognizing that service (along with his medal of honor from the last book).
The internal terrorism and military deception brought about in the book really drew me in. Watching the broadcasts from Woods and the competing information operations (IO) campaign that Ringgold’s team was attempting really hit home with me. It shows how many folks will continue to believe the first story they hear on a topic, even when competing arguments are presented that make more logical sense. As a world and country already ravaged by the war with the variants, this plot line really makes you wonder how folks would side in a real-world scenario. This same plotline seems to be a common trend in Nick’s books and one which really continues to draw me in. Is Civil War going to start in the middle of the efforts to recover from the variant threat and the on-going variant war overseas? Knowing the title of the next book is “War”, I can safely assume yes, especially with the ending.
And then there is LT Woods which has left me feeling angry at the end of this story. I’ve never completed a book and felt myself being physically angry. That is the nature of Woods in this entry in the series and it really makes me want the next book to hurry up and arrive so I can see some resolution.
My other gripe with this entry is the French accent which Bronson Pinchot attempts. His accent is a good one, but it is difficult to understand at times, especially given that I always listen to these books on the road. I found myself rewinding at several points to try and understand what folks were saying. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Even though I rate this entry four stars, whereas past entries have all merited five, I still wholeheartedly recommend it and the entire series. Nick is a gifted author and his talent still shines through in this book. If you haven’t started the series, please do so. You will not regret it.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
5.0
Fitz leads his new team towards the Normandy coast to tackle the variants in Europe. Plum Island is about to have another frightening encounter with the infected. Ships and safe zones are under attack and a deranged man with a personal grudge is determined to take over as President, meaning that nowhere is safe.
Fitz is the new leader of Team Ghost, and with the faithful Apollo and Rico by his side, takes new team Tanaka, Stevenson and Yas Dohi towards the beaches of Normandy to help set up a base camp before pushing on into France. But flying variants are attacking the armed support in the air, traps have been set on the beach and aquatic variants are attacking the landing craft, turning the whole mission into a disaster. Is there any hope for the mission or the survivors.
On Plum Island, Kate and Ellis are carrying out checks on the new arrivals when someone injects another refugee with the virus, causing a swift and sudden outbreak that creates a mass panic and lots of bloodshed. Horn's suit is torn and he faces a terrible wait to discover if he is now infected. Ellis has heard of other terrorist attacks in the safe zones so who is trying to destroy their new society? Ellis also has important information that he needs to get to Fitz and the others concerning the new variants but it may involve making some dangerous choices.
Davis is leading a mission to destroy a city when she receives a call for help from civilians in the area. Going behind the back of her commanding officer, she decides to take a team to find and rescue them. However when they get to the building, armed soldiers are waiting and there are no people to rescue. At the same moment, their ship is being boarded by hostile forces...an elaborate set up and Davis is determined not to let these lunatics get away with their plan.
The deranged brother of Zack Woods is running rogue units, making threats against the President and slowly turning her people against her. He sets it up to look like she has destroyed a bunker with his loyalists in it. Now he is attacking her at the White House and her only hope is to flee to the safety of Plum Island and the only people left that she can trust-the remnants of Team Ghost, Ellis and Kate. However Beckham doesn't trust the new people running the island and he and Horn are summoned to a meeting at night which he fears may be a trap.
Ooh it is all kicking off now! Andrew Woods is just as crazy as his dead brother and is going to be an even bigger problem to deal with. Now the good guys are scattered across America, all working to try and stop him. Davis is planning to retake the ship, the VP is in The White House trying to maintain order as the President flees to try to get help on Plum Island which itself is under possible hostile control. And through all this the variants are still out there. To add to the tension Fitz and his team are up to their eyes in mutant monsters, adult and kid variants and no backup.
It's as exciting as it gets as we wait for the final novel out in November!
Read May 2017.
5 stars.
Fitz is the new leader of Team Ghost, and with the faithful Apollo and Rico by his side, takes new team Tanaka, Stevenson and Yas Dohi towards the beaches of Normandy to help set up a base camp before pushing on into France. But flying variants are attacking the armed support in the air, traps have been set on the beach and aquatic variants are attacking the landing craft, turning the whole mission into a disaster. Is there any hope for the mission or the survivors.
On Plum Island, Kate and Ellis are carrying out checks on the new arrivals when someone injects another refugee with the virus, causing a swift and sudden outbreak that creates a mass panic and lots of bloodshed. Horn's suit is torn and he faces a terrible wait to discover if he is now infected. Ellis has heard of other terrorist attacks in the safe zones so who is trying to destroy their new society? Ellis also has important information that he needs to get to Fitz and the others concerning the new variants but it may involve making some dangerous choices.
Davis is leading a mission to destroy a city when she receives a call for help from civilians in the area. Going behind the back of her commanding officer, she decides to take a team to find and rescue them. However when they get to the building, armed soldiers are waiting and there are no people to rescue. At the same moment, their ship is being boarded by hostile forces...an elaborate set up and Davis is determined not to let these lunatics get away with their plan.
The deranged brother of Zack Woods is running rogue units, making threats against the President and slowly turning her people against her. He sets it up to look like she has destroyed a bunker with his loyalists in it. Now he is attacking her at the White House and her only hope is to flee to the safety of Plum Island and the only people left that she can trust-the remnants of Team Ghost, Ellis and Kate. However Beckham doesn't trust the new people running the island and he and Horn are summoned to a meeting at night which he fears may be a trap.
Ooh it is all kicking off now! Andrew Woods is just as crazy as his dead brother and is going to be an even bigger problem to deal with. Now the good guys are scattered across America, all working to try and stop him. Davis is planning to retake the ship, the VP is in The White House trying to maintain order as the President flees to try to get help on Plum Island which itself is under possible hostile control. And through all this the variants are still out there. To add to the tension Fitz and his team are up to their eyes in mutant monsters, adult and kid variants and no backup.
It's as exciting as it gets as we wait for the final novel out in November!
Read May 2017.
5 stars.
barbtrek's review against another edition
4.0
This series is good enough to have kept my interest through 6 books, but I'm constantly saying "enough already!" I think it's more than overdue for the good guys to get a break!
monte_83's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, not as great as the previous 5 though. Slow moving at points and a bit repetitive. Going t read #7 cause i have to now, but you could easily stop at #5 and be done with the series.
cwhite033's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Mini-Review:
I like how Smith ties up different details that were drawn into the story from the very first book and on. That said, I should not have listened to the last three books without putting in more buffer space between the books because it made me note how often certain things were done in the book for characters, feelings & plot. They sort of bleed into each other in a hazy fashion. My advice is to give yourself some time between books. That way you can really enjoy the story for what it is and not get hung up on similarities like I did.
I have NO idea how the surviving members are going to get out of the current hot mess! Guess I will have to get the last book to find out how that series of miracles will occur. =D
Really enjoyed the changes on the Variants. I like it. It makes evil-doer sense and doesn't hit my story believe it net too hard. Smith does a great job of really hammering in the heart feels about humanity. How you can really do without some and want to wreck heaven & earth to help others. Yup! Solid points for making me feel emotions.
I like how Smith ties up different details that were drawn into the story from the very first book and on. That said, I should not have listened to the last three books without putting in more buffer space between the books because it made me note how often certain things were done in the book for characters, feelings & plot. They sort of bleed into each other in a hazy fashion. My advice is to give yourself some time between books. That way you can really enjoy the story for what it is and not get hung up on similarities like I did.
I have NO idea how the surviving members are going to get out of the current hot mess! Guess I will have to get the last book to find out how that series of miracles will occur. =D
Really enjoyed the changes on the Variants. I like it. It makes evil-doer sense and doesn't hit my story believe it net too hard. Smith does a great job of really hammering in the heart feels about humanity. How you can really do without some and want to wreck heaven & earth to help others. Yup! Solid points for making me feel emotions.
lazyreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Mini-Review:
I like how Smith ties up different details that were drawn into the story from the very first book and on. That said, I should not have listened to the last three books without putting in more buffer space between the books because it made me note how often certain things were done in the book for characters, feelings & plot. They sort of bleed into each other in a hazy fashion. My advice is to give yourself some time between books. That way you can really enjoy the story for what it is and not get hung up on similarities like I did.
I have NO idea how the surviving members are going to get out of the current hot mess! Guess I will have to get the last book to find out how that series of miracles will occur. =D
Really enjoyed the changes on the Variants. I like it. It makes evil-doer sense and doesn't hit my story believe it net too hard. Smith does a great job of really hammering in the heart feels about humanity. How you can really do without some and want to wreck heaven & earth to help others. Yup! Solid points for making me feel emotions.
I like how Smith ties up different details that were drawn into the story from the very first book and on. That said, I should not have listened to the last three books without putting in more buffer space between the books because it made me note how often certain things were done in the book for characters, feelings & plot. They sort of bleed into each other in a hazy fashion. My advice is to give yourself some time between books. That way you can really enjoy the story for what it is and not get hung up on similarities like I did.
I have NO idea how the surviving members are going to get out of the current hot mess! Guess I will have to get the last book to find out how that series of miracles will occur. =D
Really enjoyed the changes on the Variants. I like it. It makes evil-doer sense and doesn't hit my story believe it net too hard. Smith does a great job of really hammering in the heart feels about humanity. How you can really do without some and want to wreck heaven & earth to help others. Yup! Solid points for making me feel emotions.
ajspedding's review
5.0
An excellent Book 6 in the series. High tension, cross and double-cross, and more beasties than you could launch a missile at. Looking forward to Book 7.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
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