Brig Berthold

Chewy Spy story... blah

Espionage tales shouldn't be the soft, slightly under-baked cookie of the genre fiction world. This is the so-so B film you watch when you're sick and want nothing more than to survive until your next nap arrives.

I held out how until the end but was ultimately disappointed. At one point, I conjured up a few angles that would have satisfied me but none of them happened.

This story made me emotional nearly from the start. Not all positive. Lots of truly funny moments but most of it was an alignment with the main character. Not sure if I'm an old soul or if the concerns are universal but I was relating to a 75-year-old man along his frsught spiritual and existential journey.

This was the best novel in the series.

NO SPOILERS
Your questions will be answered. Your mind may be blown. Gentry is back, and he's not playing around.

The characters were better than ever. The plot was nearly flawless. The Violator situation will have you ripping through this from start to finish.

Remember, this is fiction. It is not intended to be a reference guide or memoir of plausible CIA activity. Most of the low-ratings will likely hinge on certain details being viewed as “impossible.”

In the end, Back Blast leaves room for more installments. It also tied things off in a way that would be an excellent end to this great series.

Wow...

Here's the deal. Every once in a while, the first book of a series leaves so much of the plot clonging to the elipses following the “to be continued...” promise. (I typically imagine an author/publisher team laughing maniacally when deciding where to pause my hopes and dreams) This book, however, is a complete story. That was the best part of this experience.

Epic fantasy is new-ish to me but this book really was incredible. I am, once again, overjoyed by the discovery of this genre in my life. And, I can't believe the series is as long as it is.

This was my first experience with Dean Koontz and I expected something very different. Despite being let down by pre-determined hopes and dreams of what I was looking for, from a literary perspective, this story was also not worth my time. I finished it, mainly, because I wanted to have a well rounded idea of why I had not enjoyed it and the changes I would have made. I opted for two stars because the ending did redeem some of the allure people express when mentioning this author. Clearly a mystery novel, I will not spoil anything, but if you love Koontz you'll likely enjoy this. However, if this is your first Koontz experience, perhaps direct your efforts elsewhere.

Until the end, that I won't spoil for you, I enjoyed the story. It was plausible, well-paced, and I really liked the characters.

I can't decide whether I'm upset, or not. The ALMOST Deus Ex Machina-esque finalé was just probable enough to offer the benefit of the doubt. Also, I'm struggling to discover how I would have ended the story had I been holding the pen. For these reasons I cannot impune the author ... at all.

This book did not follow the almost unavoidable “Curse of the Second Book.”

Most trilogies struggle between the exposition and world building (book one) and the climax (book three). The middle book focuses so heavily on character development we almost sleep our way along. This, however, was not the case here.

While character development did feature at the core, the plot held its own. At multiple intervals I kept waiting for various shoes to drop. Many opportunities were missed for a more dynamic and intricate plot weave. The author's decision to maintain a relatively simple trajectory is not necessarily disappointing but some juicy opportunities were sorely missed. The same decision likely makes this book more widely accessible to a broader readership and, for that, I cannot blame the guy.

The only true challenge I face is having to wait for the release of book three, August 2017.

Easily the best Rapp novel in the series up to this point.

The book had everything: dynamic characters, compelling and interwoven plot arcs, and richly evocative language.

Despite all that, two elements stood out as why this was the finest. Without giving anything away, it was dark and harsh, but I found myself laughing out loud regularly. Dialogue and exposition gave the reader such a complete experience. This, is the best of them.

This was decent brain candy, though a rather bitter candy. The characters were interesting, the storyline was sufficiently dynamic, and the writing was suitable for such a novel. All this to say, I liked it. Not sure what to expect from the film but I think I'll be giving that a try soon.

This book, however, is not for the faint of heart.

3.5 Stars

I found this story both amusing and, so far as the finalé is concerned, a bit anti-climactic. I was in love with the characters from beginning to end. The writting was fun and Dumas should be known more widely as a wise ass, always cracking dry jokes at the expense of one character or another.

I don't know why people have been so upset with this book. For me, the final installment was just fine. Granted, I wouldn't list it as a masterpiece but it was enjoyable. What's more, the finale was appropriate.

NO SPOILERS: Dashner's conclusion was mature and defensible. The final narration is done with strong character voice and character insight. Everything is summarized from beginning to end in a brief State of the Union address. The monologue clarified some details, validated others, but did not strip away the reader's right of imagination.

This series is meant for a Young Adult audience. While not denigrating the capabilities of the target audience, we must evaluate this story through the lens of transformative adolesence. The entire series forces readers to grapple with moral and ethical dillemas. Its characters and plot points encourage us to consider situations we may have never faced, thereby affording us a degree of education without consequence. Coupled with entertainment what more could you want?

4.5 stars officially

That was bananas! This book was recommended to me as being better than Patrick Rothfuss, George R. R. Martin, and Robert Jordan...so, I had to read it. I'm not sure I can agree with my friend outright but my apprehension in doing so is steeped in ignorance.

Fantasy stories aren't what I deem “my wheelhouse.” However, given my last few excursions into the genre I have considered seriously reconsidering my taste preferences. And I can safely say this book was the final straw in my transformation. I'm officially a nerd, thank you James Islington.

Good grief this story was awesome. Great characters. compelling sub plots. Nearly flawless development woven almost seamlessly with solid pacing. There were a few (very few) times I felt myself wandering. My interest didn't wane but I was wishing I didn't need the critical details I was gathering...which I always ended up needing...so I re-read some things to make sure Islington hadn't cut some corner. In each case, he didn't skip stuff, I simply missed it.

The crown jewel of this book, though, was the writing. Spellbinding and smooth. Hints were dropped, strong visuals throughout, and an emphasis on dialogue over exposition through prose conquered all.

Do not stop. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. DO NOT WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK!