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kegriese1's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
starblaze's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
grahamreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
jerantium's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
liberrydude's review
3.0
Not in the habit of reading ersatz authors but I’d heard there was a SR-71 in this one. There was. Your typical military techno thriller with Texas and Iran as settings and characters with indefatigable energy reserves, unbelievable luck, muscle memory, and Olympic level field skills that both awe and become tiresome after awhile.
dburley37's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love the way Don Bentley writes these Clancy novels. They have action, humor, character development and great plotting. This one has a very tense ending.
blackknight's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This week I able to read the Weapons Grade novel by Don Bentley. Since this is the last book of Don Bentley in the Clancyverse that too a 2nd one within this year itself I was little bit skeptical and curious how his exit was going to be. He delivered one of the well written Jr novel that give importance to his character development within an awesome storyline.
This novel starts with Newly engaged Jr is driving on a Texas highway after enjoying a great football game while speaking with his fiancée he encounters an accident. As a good Samaritan he tries to help the victims instead he was surprised by ongoing gun fight. Jr was cornered by shooters who were well trained mercenaries and was saved at the last moment by Police. But police grills down Jr instead of pursuing the killers as he was the only one present in the crime scene. Mean while my fav Green Berets duo Cary and Jad was trying to infiltrate a mysterious mercenary gang in Las Vegas and the whole episode was written in a comical yet deadly fashion that clearly shows the chaotic side of the duo. At the same time due to Jr’s absence his fiancée Lisanne tries to solve the case from her end with the help of her Law enforcement contacts. Finally the major focal point of this story was revealed after some near misses of Jr and the reveal is unique yet explosive to read.
As I said in my earlier review of FlashPoint both Jack Ryan and Jr have come a long way in so far more than 30+ novels. Post Tom Clancy many readers are not satisfied with novels written by different authors. But Mark Greaney made Jack Ryan once again awesome in the current setting then Marc Cameron elevated it to the next level and I’m eagerly waiting for Andrew & Wilson to work their magic in this universe. I’ve seen many people comment that they quit Jack Ryan because of portrayal of Jr as a mix of Clark and James Bond which made them rage quit this series all together since it mirrored most of the thrillers of that time. Then Don Bentley took the rein of Jr novels and he overhauled the character in such a way that even people who hated that character began to like it slowly and I say this confidently because I’m one of them. Initially I was frustrated because the way he was portrayed in Clarkish way instead of his father. Believebility factor was not the best part of Jr’s character development at that time and the only novel of Jr I enjoyed until that time was Under Fire by Grant Blackwood. From Target Acquired novel itself Don slowly changed the Jr character who uses more his logical skills than his strength.
Even in this novel most of the time Jr is in the receiving end of shootouts, brawl even down and dirty beatdown. But his whole character was beautifully written by addressing all his insecurities, flaws and personal relationships he shares with his friends and family. Other than Jr Lisanne get some of the best scenes in this novel even with her disability the way she took risk for her fiancée was commendable to read. Small moments of emotional bonding between Jr and Lisanne and Lisanne with Cary and Jad was beautifully written and this helps to flesh the individual characters in good way. Scenes that involve SR 71 blackbird are blast to read especially the conversation between the no nonsense pilot and National Security Council was entertaining to read.
Honestly this is not the best Jr novel by Don Bentley because FlashPoint will always be my favorite. But more than fireworks Don focused on how to develop Jr character in an organic way so that the coming author can write in superb way. Don you gave us 4 best novels and set the bar high so that the upcoming author will have some big shoes to fill. Happily this is not a good boy because you’re going to write the next best series Mitch Rapp and I’m eagerly waiting to see how you’re going to up the bar that was already set by Kyle Mills and I’m also waiting for the next Matt Drake novel. Thank you for the novels.
If somebody knows who is going to succeed Don Bentley please write in the comments and as usual thanks for reading my review if I had said anything wrong just point it out I’ll change it accordingly. Happy weekend friends.
This novel starts with Newly engaged Jr is driving on a Texas highway after enjoying a great football game while speaking with his fiancée he encounters an accident. As a good Samaritan he tries to help the victims instead he was surprised by ongoing gun fight. Jr was cornered by shooters who were well trained mercenaries and was saved at the last moment by Police. But police grills down Jr instead of pursuing the killers as he was the only one present in the crime scene. Mean while my fav Green Berets duo Cary and Jad was trying to infiltrate a mysterious mercenary gang in Las Vegas and the whole episode was written in a comical yet deadly fashion that clearly shows the chaotic side of the duo. At the same time due to Jr’s absence his fiancée Lisanne tries to solve the case from her end with the help of her Law enforcement contacts. Finally the major focal point of this story was revealed after some near misses of Jr and the reveal is unique yet explosive to read.
As I said in my earlier review of FlashPoint both Jack Ryan and Jr have come a long way in so far more than 30+ novels. Post Tom Clancy many readers are not satisfied with novels written by different authors. But Mark Greaney made Jack Ryan once again awesome in the current setting then Marc Cameron elevated it to the next level and I’m eagerly waiting for Andrew & Wilson to work their magic in this universe. I’ve seen many people comment that they quit Jack Ryan because of portrayal of Jr as a mix of Clark and James Bond which made them rage quit this series all together since it mirrored most of the thrillers of that time. Then Don Bentley took the rein of Jr novels and he overhauled the character in such a way that even people who hated that character began to like it slowly and I say this confidently because I’m one of them. Initially I was frustrated because the way he was portrayed in Clarkish way instead of his father. Believebility factor was not the best part of Jr’s character development at that time and the only novel of Jr I enjoyed until that time was Under Fire by Grant Blackwood. From Target Acquired novel itself Don slowly changed the Jr character who uses more his logical skills than his strength.
Even in this novel most of the time Jr is in the receiving end of shootouts, brawl even down and dirty beatdown. But his whole character was beautifully written by addressing all his insecurities, flaws and personal relationships he shares with his friends and family. Other than Jr Lisanne get some of the best scenes in this novel even with her disability the way she took risk for her fiancée was commendable to read. Small moments of emotional bonding between Jr and Lisanne and Lisanne with Cary and Jad was beautifully written and this helps to flesh the individual characters in good way. Scenes that involve SR 71 blackbird are blast to read especially the conversation between the no nonsense pilot and National Security Council was entertaining to read.
Honestly this is not the best Jr novel by Don Bentley because FlashPoint will always be my favorite. But more than fireworks Don focused on how to develop Jr character in an organic way so that the coming author can write in superb way. Don you gave us 4 best novels and set the bar high so that the upcoming author will have some big shoes to fill. Happily this is not a good boy because you’re going to write the next best series Mitch Rapp and I’m eagerly waiting to see how you’re going to up the bar that was already set by Kyle Mills and I’m also waiting for the next Matt Drake novel. Thank you for the novels.
If somebody knows who is going to succeed Don Bentley please write in the comments and as usual thanks for reading my review if I had said anything wrong just point it out I’ll change it accordingly. Happy weekend friends.
kord's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0