Chris Ryan (1)Besprekingen

There are so many books of this genre out there to read, but most fall apart within just a few pages. I stumbled on Chris Ryan after binge watching Strike Back Season 1 and noting the TV series was based on a novel by Chris Ryan, so I went looking to see what all he had written, and discovered the mother lode of special forces fiction novels. Even so, I've been disappointed so many times and I wasn't very hopeful, therefore I intentionally picked a book at random and not the first in the series. Hunter Killer (Book 2 of Danny Black series) was fantastic. Excellent writing, excellent story, realistic characters with everything to love in an action novel including political intrigue, excellent villains (backstabbing politicians, terrorists...) believable weapons and tactics.
Oh yeah, and best of all absolutely **NO** political correctness or pandering. Period. (love, love love it...).

I'm looking forward to going back and reading book 1 in the series (Masters of War) and after that everything else Chris has written. Books of this genre I've enjoyed as much as Hunter Killer include: Levon's Night by Chuck Dixon, Without Remorse by Tom Clancy, Term Limits by Vince Flynn and Fade by Kyle Mills.

A good quick read. Maybe one for Max. The futility of war.½

CW: Gruesome death of parents.

3.5 Stars

CW: Terrorism, suicide bombers, MCs are orphaned by violent crimes.

A pretty engaging book! I liked the different characters and their back stories. Fellow YA librarians, I strongly recommend this for 12-14 year old Cherub fans.

2.5 Stars

REALLY ENJOYED THE BOOK,VERY EASY TO GET INTO AND A GREAT READ

For me, “The Assassin” was the best “Special Forces Cadets” instalment so far. Filled with lots of action and drama there were twists and turns all through. I also thought the setting was great the Swiss Alps on a during a snow storm. This created a very atmospheric setting and but the cadets in continual danger as they tried to stay on step ahead of their pursuers. I’ve just discovered that this novel was the conclusion to the series but it didn’t feel like it. There are definitely a lot more adventures Max, Abby, Lukas, Sami and Lili could face.½

Afghanistan og USA, Arizona, 2009

???

Josh Bowman is a member of the ‘wing’ part of the SAS, and he has been assigned to protect the President of ‘African’ republic, Ken ‘The Viper’ Seguma at a Royal Wedding. Bowman has been charged with his team of protecting a tyrant as it is in the British interests. Outside Westminster Abbey there is an attempt on Seguma’s life and later at the reception there is a poisoning of a known criminal face, who whispers something to Bowman.
Once he has been debriefed by his Commanding Officer and given a brief statement to the Police, he needs a hit of opioids. Which he manages to buy but while he is sorting his line out there is a knock at the door and there are some men from the Secret Service wanting him to accompany them to a briefing with John Mallet a living legend in the Regiment and known to be the head of the secretive ‘Cell’.
Bowman is offered the chance to work with the Cell in Monaco with Mi6 giving the orders. The job in Monaco almost goes without a hitch. But as with all missions things change and they are told to get back to Nice as they are catching a flight to Karastandu to protect the President’s family as the country is undergoing a Russian supported coup.
When they eventually reach the Presidential Palace, they find the family gone and members of the Government slaughtered. They know where to head to find the family and get there in good time. They know they may have to fight to the death to protect the family, until other special forces arrive.
While the first set of rebels, the Machete Boys are easy to dispatch, they know that things are going to get harder. Especially when they see two buses along with a number of vehicles heading their way. They know the battle is on.
This is a fantastically fast paced story, seeing how the SAS trained soldier accepts what they have to do without question. Even if some of the orders are sketchy. They see between Mi6 and the Cell there are many secrets.
A good thriller, fast paced and interesting look at SAS trained soldiers in fiction.

During the Falklands war in 1982 SAS trooper Mike Hood risks his life to rescue a suspected Argentine spy from a burning ship. 20 years later and Argentina have designs on another invasion but there is limited intelligence about how or when it will happen. Mike Hood is now a patrol leader and is sent to find out what is going on as troops mobilise in Tierra del Fuego. I gave this book 2 stars as I finished it, but it really isn't very good. The writing is pretty basic, but that isn't where my issue lies with the book. The leaps of realism in the book are pretty stupifiying and there is a love scene which I am sure is meant to be passionate but which comes across as pretty rapey. There is a really interesting premise in this book but it is spoiled by the delivery and so much more should have been done with it.

I enjoyed "Ruthless" and liked the touch of romance that pervaded the book. Another action-packed instalment in an entertaining series.½

After reading three books in this series, Max and Sami are definitely my favourite characters in the Special Forces Cadets. Max,because of his calm, level-headedness and Sami because of his kindness and gentleness. In this instalment, the team is trapped in the Congo rainforest and held prisoners by an international trafficking ring. I must say, there were some nail-biting moments throughout this novel and once again it was an action-packed, exciting read which would appeal to younger teens looking for thrills and adventure.½

This book was just as good as "Siege", the first book in the "Special Forces Cadets"series and I liked how the cadets bonded and worked together as a group rather than a group of individuals. An exciting r ead.½

A few years ago I saw the 'Strike Back' series. When I brought this book home from the meeting, I had made no connection between that series and this book. Now I do, remembering this is the book with which the series starts.

It was a nice read, but I found it somewhat superficial here and there. Everything John undertakes runs pretty smoothly, even the set backs are overcome with relative ease. I miss some details in descriptions and the story felt a bit far fetched at times. Nevertheless it was nice to be back in that world again.½

Read for VPRC. This is second in series but didn't need to read the first as all recapped at start. Basically its a group of teenagers who do undercover work when the adults will be too conspicuous. In this one, they are sent to North Korea disguised as students in order to free a British agent who is being held on a barge in the middle of the river. Their mission is to scuba dive up and cut a hole to free the agent - sounds simple enough but all goes horribly wrong.½

An interesting thriller. Nice to read. The romantic, well, sexual scenes can be left out as far as I am concerned, but the rest was more than satisfactory.
For the people who love books with (former) soldiers and a touch of espionage, this is recommended.

John Potter was a good solider, and also a kind protective man. He didn't seems like to be like that. But a character is judged by his action and not his dialogue.

He was disgraced because he didn't kill a child solider. And it is rumored that this child soldier killed 3 of his mates.

He become a washout alcoholic.

Then many years later, he has a chance to rescue a journalist from her capture.

He went in, knowing that there is very big chance he would be killed. He would go anyway, as he has already decided he would rescue her or die trying.

Pretty good and action pack. The story did tie neatly together with Potter at the very center of it.½

That's about it.

Ben is flying. His babysitter Kelly was supposed to fly the plane but she got hurt.

Then there is a fire.

They were trying to find Kelly's dad who was supposed to be kidnapped.

Part of the story is about how Ben's mom escape the fire.

It is a bit too much conspiracy theory to be likable. But as most of the Chris Ryan's books, there were a lot of action that is real enough to be good.½

"Siege" was a great, action-packed read for younger teens. It was filled with some nail-biting moments and I liked the calm, level-headed maturity Max showed in those moments. It was a quick read, but I felt it needed to be fleshed out in parts.

However, I did like the backstories of the young people who became the finalists at the Special Forces Cadets. Max, Abby and Sammy were definitely my favourite characters and the friendship that developed between them was touching. An enjoyable read and I would happily read the sequel when it is released.½

By the time you hit the end of Chapter 1 of 'Blackout', you know you're going to be in for one of those classic Chris Ryan adrenalin-fuelled rides.

When Josh Harding wakes up in a ditch with two bullet wounds, his life on the run begins. Saved by a doctor and her war veteran father, Josh has to work out why so many people want him dead, while he tries to recover from his wounds and avoids capture.

Somehow, he's linked to the wave of power shortages sweeping the globe - he just can't remember why, or how, he's involved.

With the arid, barren setting of Arizona as the novel's backdrop, Josh is pitted against not one, but two adversaries, who will do anything to prevent his memories catching up with their plans.

A great read.

When Zak Darke's parents die in an unexplained mass murder he's left alone in the world. That is until he's sought out by a mysterious man: ‘I work for a government agency,’ the man tells him. ‘You don’t need to know which one. Not yet. All you need to know is that we’ve had our eye on you. There’s a possibility you could help us in certain . . . operational situations.’

Zak becomes Agent 21. What happened to the 20 agents before him he'll never know. What he does know is that his life is about to change for ever . .

Rating: 4.75 Stars

I liked this book a lot. It was the kind of survival story that peeked my interest from the beginning. The story was very well written and extremely engaging. There were some pretty intense moments after moments of lagging. The characters were well developed and and continued to develop throughout the story. All in all...very enjoyable. I love books by this author, his series Agent 21 is amazing. This was the first I read by Chris Ryan about 4 years ago and I vowed that it would not be my last. Now that I am branching out into adult fiction, I think I might explore some of his other adult books as well.

Even though One Good Turn was a quick read, it was brutally realistic and gave a harsh insight into the reality of war; in this case Ypres, France, during World War One. This was clearly obvious in the Postscript which stated:

"The whole bloody war was like a scene in the crater. Good men killing bad men. Bad men killing good men. Cowardice and courage. Selfishness and sacrifice. But war is like a big machine that devours everything with equal relish: the good and the bad, the weak and the strong. It is only the lucky that get out."

While John Stubbs could only be described as the 'bad guy', Private Chris Ransom was definitely a hero who displayed courage at every turn, giving all for his country and fellow soldiers.

Although I was hoping for a happier ending, Chris Ryan certainly show the savage violence of trench warfare, and his own experiences as a soldier made his writing more believable. I just wish he had finished the book with a sense of hope. Ransom deserved so much better.

Many couples have fantasies, some of them even share what it is they imagine in the privacy of their own heads, but very few actually get the opportunity to “live” the more daring situations they dream up. And as for threesomes – they may sound hot in theory, but there are plenty of issues and potential pitfalls in reality, even with temporary ones of the kind that Ken has dreamed up in this story. Need I mention jealousy?

Ken is a pretty normal guy; at least, that is how he sees himself. He works at a garden center, loves his husband who is also his Master when they play in the bedroom, and the only thing he hates about their relationship are Jack’s long, and super-confidential absences for his work as a member of the SAS. But one of the fantasies he has shared with Jack, that of taking a third partner into their bed, is one that has the potential for some explosive reactions. I smiled at Ken’s surprise when Jack brings home Slider, a buddy of his. Ken can hardly wait for the after-dinner activities once he understands that Jack has, indeed, granted them their joint wish of having a second guy dominate Ken.

Jack is a dominant, in control of his life, but he needs what Ken has to offer when he comes home from a stressful assignment. He is not a man of many words, but some of the things he sees and has to do clearly take it out of him. No wonder he wants to be the one who gives the orders during his downtime. I liked that he kept a tight leash on everything, making sure Ken doesn’t get hurt. He knows exactly what Ken likes and what he can take, so when Slider moves in the wrong direction, Jack immediately reins him in. No wonder Ken trusts him so much!

What happens in ’Who Dares Wins’ is super hot, clearly enjoyed by all participants, and everyone involved knows exactly where the limits are (or they find out as things progress). But above all, it is clear that in this case, as much as Ken and Jack enjoy what they do with Slider, this is a temporary thing only. Ken and Jack are a couple, very much in love, and neither of them is looking for a permanent third man. Risky, but in their case, they very much agree, so it becomes a calculated risk – and a very enjoyable one for everyone who likes hot threesomes. If that is what you are looking for, including some very loving D/s aspects, then you will probably like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

This is my second Chris Ryan novel and definitely not my last, good 3.5 star book. Chris and Andy McNab are both authors, both ex-SAS, both drawing upon their experience doing this thriller stuff for real. If I had to pick between the two authors, I'd have to say that I didn't really want to piss either off. Chris is the better writer, but one thing I've noted is that both of their novels have an element of luck involved in the protagonist's success.

I'm guessing the reason for this is down to experience of combat. I'd love to hear from combat vets and their thoughts on this. I suppose being shot at would feel random as to who doesn't get hit.

This adventure sees Matt Browning finding that no-one ever really quits doing work for the intelligence services. The reason for this not getting a 4 star is that the story is a little cliche and somewhat predictable. Still plenty of plot twists to enjoy.