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sandraagee's review
3.0
I gave this three stars not necessarily because the writing was so good, but because I lower my standards a bit when I read paperback romance (which is almost never). But overall, not a miserable read at all, and I (I hate to admit it) am kind of curious how the rest of the series works out. Lots of action, and this first book is really setting up the rest of the series in terms of setting so some of the romance actually seemed to be left on the back burner.
lydiaewinters's review
2.0
I remember liking this book. Why did I like this book???
Overly political, almost disturbingly patriotic, and barely a romance. (Seriously, they didn't meet for 2/3 of the book.
This was the original book, so I don't know if the update the author made (to convert her two parts of a 6 book series into a whole story) is any better. I won't be finding out.
Overly political, almost disturbingly patriotic, and barely a romance. (Seriously, they didn't meet for 2/3 of the book.
This was the original book, so I don't know if the update the author made (to convert her two parts of a 6 book series into a whole story) is any better. I won't be finding out.
attytheresa's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this, enough that I've tracked down either digital or paper copies of the rest of the 5 book series, even though a different author wrote each entry.
Bree 'Banzai' MacGuire is a fighter pilot who sets out on a routine peacekeeping patrol over the DMZ between North & South Korea in 2006 (book was published in 2004 so this is slightly in the future from the start). Shot down by a handheld missile, Banzai is captured by a scientist operating outside legitimate labs who takes her to his North Korean cave lab and puts her into biostasis for what he says will be only a few days. We next find ourselves in 2176, and a SEAL named Ty who is a treasure hunter in his free time is hunting amongst the underwater bombed out ruins of the lab for Banzai. He finds her and starts the process of awakening her when they are captured by the autocratic ruler now controling all of Asia. Ty is treated as a prisoner and thrown into the dungeons while Banzai is brought back to life completely and treated as a prize. One thing leads to another, and in simple terms it becomes clear that there is unrest throughout the planet Earth as forces start protesting against the governments repressing them, all reminiscent of 1776 just with cool tech. The rebel factions are intent on luring Banzai to the cause as her legendary status of surviving from the past makes her a rallying point for the rebellions. By the end, Banzai has decided to throw herself into the rebellion, that destiny has set this path for her, and she brings Ty along with her. And yes, a romance starts to bloom, but that is not the driving part of the story. For those of us who love action and adventure, there is plenty to be found here.
There are also cool references to 1776 particularly the revolutionary writings of Thomas Paine and the Stamp Tax Act that gave birth to the American Revolution. As Banzai says history tends to repeat itself.
This is only the beginning of a saga where each of the 5 separate novels continues the story but from the point of view of a different set of protagonists and geographic location each time. Banzai and Ty clearly appear in each story though, as the rebellion grows and their roles as leaders increase.
I was struck by the novel's similarity to The Hunger Games -- like Katniss, Banzai is a reluctant leader of the rebellion, at least at first. But then this is a book written for adults, so Banzai is 28, already a decorated female fighter pilot in the male dominated USAF, and dedicated to serve. She was born to be a soldier and only ever wanted to be a soldier. Banzai, unlike Katniss, embraces her destiny and makes it hers.
I read this as my romance (fitting either love story romance or adventure romance) set in the future for 2016 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge, but it qualifies as a science fiction book or a dystopian novel just as easily. I also met one of my personal rules for the challenge - it was a book I already owned, stumbling across it as I searched my bookcases for something else I knew I had.
Bree 'Banzai' MacGuire is a fighter pilot who sets out on a routine peacekeeping patrol over the DMZ between North & South Korea in 2006 (book was published in 2004 so this is slightly in the future from the start). Shot down by a handheld missile, Banzai is captured by a scientist operating outside legitimate labs who takes her to his North Korean cave lab and puts her into biostasis for what he says will be only a few days. We next find ourselves in 2176, and a SEAL named Ty who is a treasure hunter in his free time is hunting amongst the underwater bombed out ruins of the lab for Banzai. He finds her and starts the process of awakening her when they are captured by the autocratic ruler now controling all of Asia. Ty is treated as a prisoner and thrown into the dungeons while Banzai is brought back to life completely and treated as a prize. One thing leads to another, and in simple terms it becomes clear that there is unrest throughout the planet Earth as forces start protesting against the governments repressing them, all reminiscent of 1776 just with cool tech. The rebel factions are intent on luring Banzai to the cause as her legendary status of surviving from the past makes her a rallying point for the rebellions. By the end, Banzai has decided to throw herself into the rebellion, that destiny has set this path for her, and she brings Ty along with her. And yes, a romance starts to bloom, but that is not the driving part of the story. For those of us who love action and adventure, there is plenty to be found here.
There are also cool references to 1776 particularly the revolutionary writings of Thomas Paine and the Stamp Tax Act that gave birth to the American Revolution. As Banzai says history tends to repeat itself.
This is only the beginning of a saga where each of the 5 separate novels continues the story but from the point of view of a different set of protagonists and geographic location each time. Banzai and Ty clearly appear in each story though, as the rebellion grows and their roles as leaders increase.
I was struck by the novel's similarity to The Hunger Games -- like Katniss, Banzai is a reluctant leader of the rebellion, at least at first. But then this is a book written for adults, so Banzai is 28, already a decorated female fighter pilot in the male dominated USAF, and dedicated to serve. She was born to be a soldier and only ever wanted to be a soldier. Banzai, unlike Katniss, embraces her destiny and makes it hers.
I read this as my romance (fitting either love story romance or adventure romance) set in the future for 2016 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge, but it qualifies as a science fiction book or a dystopian novel just as easily. I also met one of my personal rules for the challenge - it was a book I already owned, stumbling across it as I searched my bookcases for something else I knew I had.
takethyme's review
3.0
Thank you, Luli, for your amazing insight! Because of our buddy-read, my awareness was elevated when I read [b:The Legend of Banzai Maguire|617508|The Legend of Banzai Maguire (2176 Series, #1)|Susan Grant|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348345739s/617508.jpg|56921696] for a second time. I just wish we could have figured out what the differences were between the original paperback and the new, longer and re-edited Kindle version.
We both agreed that new readers should avoid the prologue. As it was somewhat revealing: start at Chapter 1.
In 2006, Bree ‘Banzai’ Maguire along with her wingman, Cam ‘Scarlet’ Tucker, were pilots flying in the Korean demilitarized zone when they were shot down and captured. -In itself, this was unsettling because of what is currently happening between the US and North Korea.- Except that a mad scientist was the perpetrator.
Very quickly, Bree finds herself in the year 2176. She wants to find Cam alive and two men -they are enemies- want Captain Maguire. Each for a different reason.
I agree with all those readers who thought Bree accepted her situation willingly; I expected greater trust issues. She might have put up more of a fight. It was interesting to note Bree’s comment on genetically altered food (a hint of GMOs today?) and the countries that made up the UCE, United Colonies of Earth, versus the ruling power of Asia. And, lastly, what eerily happened to Australia, Pakistan and India and their surrounding countries.
My description: it was a futuristic time travel that included apocalyptic militaristic overtones with a light romance. What a mouthful!
I know it is a must-read if you attempt the entire 5 book series or just Ms. Grant’s two stories. There were some interesting parts but unfortunately and too often, it slowed down considerably. The romance was a long time coming. I am lowering my original 4 stars to three.
We both agreed that new readers should avoid the prologue. As it was somewhat revealing: start at Chapter 1.
In 2006, Bree ‘Banzai’ Maguire along with her wingman, Cam ‘Scarlet’ Tucker, were pilots flying in the Korean demilitarized zone when they were shot down and captured. -In itself, this was unsettling because of what is currently happening between the US and North Korea.- Except that a mad scientist was the perpetrator.
Very quickly, Bree finds herself in the year 2176. She wants to find Cam alive and two men -they are enemies- want Captain Maguire. Each for a different reason.
I agree with all those readers who thought Bree accepted her situation willingly; I expected greater trust issues. She might have put up more of a fight. It was interesting to note Bree’s comment on genetically altered food (a hint of GMOs today?) and the countries that made up the UCE, United Colonies of Earth, versus the ruling power of Asia. And, lastly, what eerily happened to Australia, Pakistan and India and their surrounding countries.
My description: it was a futuristic time travel that included apocalyptic militaristic overtones with a light romance. What a mouthful!
I know it is a must-read if you attempt the entire 5 book series or just Ms. Grant’s two stories. There were some interesting parts but unfortunately and too often, it slowed down considerably. The romance was a long time coming. I am lowering my original 4 stars to three.
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