The English Spy by Daniel Silve (Gabriel Allon #15)

The English Spy by Daniel Silva
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is nothing much more I can say when it comes to this author and this series. It is by far the most intelligent and worthy series in thriller fiction. There is a comfort to Silva's writing. His characters breathe and bleed and sorrow and joy. The English Spy is the 14th in the Gabriel Allon series, and the 4th with Christopher Keller, first experienced in The English Assassin. Keller needs his own series. He is a very complex and fascinating character.
In this entry of the series, we are taken into the depth's of Keller's past and an old enemy from his days during the Troubles in Ireland. Eamon Quinn is that enemy and a thoroughly destestable human being with ties to the death of Gabriel's son years before. Allon and Keller join forces to find him and stop his reign of terror for good. But, all is not as straight forward as it seems with duplicity, moles in MI6, a recent defector and the death of a Russian spy in a snowy wood from a previous Allon novel. Revnge is the motive of this book in more ways than one. Couple this with the impending arrival of Gabriel's twins and his taking over of the Office, makes this a very rich and full work.
Silva is very prescient with his writing and very engaged when it comes to our world and the evils in it.
I promise you. Start your reading of Silva with The English Assassin (Gabriel Allon #2) and you will be hooked.



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The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer (Culper Ring #1)

The Inner Circle by Brad Meltzer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first book by Meltzer. I have tried to read him many times but have never been intrigued enough to continue.
For some reason with The Inner Ring this changed. Even though the story was predictable at times and you really wanted to throttle Beecher White for being a wimp, the fascinating historical detail and locations kept me going. I will be giving The Fifth Assassin a try.

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Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (Farseer #1)

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, I have to admit, rather embarassingly that this is ny first Robin Hobb book. For years O have looked at them with interest, but I never really felt the pull. Well, I recently felt the pull and I am so glad that I did.
I love this book. I have become a fan. The story of FitzChivalry is amazing. Plus all of the little tidbits about other land and goings on in the Six Duchies has made me so glad that I waited. Now I have a plethora of Hobb books when the mood for really good, really well written fantasy hits me.
Well Done!
The story of Fitz is a common one. Born a bastard to the King in Waiting, Chivalry, his story begins with him being dropped at the door of the keep, to be taken care of by the Royalty. He comes under the watchful of Burrich who was Chivalry's Man. Burrich is the stablemaster and keepes a watchful and doting eye on Fitz in his youth. Unfortunately, Fitz has a gift that is not a welcome one to Burrich. He can bond with animals via The Wit. There are still more surprises for young Fitz when King Shrewd, take him in and starts him on the long journey of learning. Not only letters, and arms but of the ways of the assassin by a mysterious old man named Chade.
There are twists and turns and such wonderful scenes that I would rather you discover them yourself.
But, KNOW THIS.. This book is worthy of all hyperbole. Read it. It is perfect for young adults as well!

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Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb (Farseer #2)

Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As many of you know I read a lot of books at the same time and I am a pretty fast reader. That is until I came in contact with Robin Hobb and the amazing Farseer series. There are not words to describe just how good this series is and how wonderful a writer Hobb is. She forces me to slow down and savor every word and scene.
Royal Assassin, second in the Farseer trilogy was amazing. I am saddened that it took me this long to discover the richness that these stories are imbued with. The characters have become family and the history and peoples of the Six Duchies are as real as our own. There is power in this kind of storytelling.

Royal Assassin opens immediately after the events of Assassin's Apprentice. Fitz, is a shadow of who he was before and must return to Buckkeep and resume his life under the shadow of the treacherous Prince Regal. RA is full of plots and counterplots, love and laughter and many ideas on what one's word means as well as what it ultimately means to be oneself. Heavy stuff wrapped in an engrossing story that takes us to a shocking conclusion.

I really do not like spoilers in reviews. Just trust me. If you haven't read Robin Hobb, begin today. Pick up Assassin's Apprentice and enter a fantastic adventure that you will not want to end.

Then let's talk about it. I love to share ideas and points of view in reading.



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Prayers of the Assassin by Robert Ferrigno ( A look at our future?)

Prayers for the Assassin by Robert Ferrigno
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is scary and quite visionary on so many levels. This book came out in 2006, but it is eerie when you take a look at the maps in the front of the book at what the United States has become.
When you take into account recent events that have been occuring in our country, Ferrigno's "thriller" takes on a whole new meaning. It is not so far fetched as we at one time thought it would be.
If you are looking for a possible snapshot at our future, read this book. It along with Dan Simmon's Flashback will scare the H E double hockey sticks out of you. Plus they are good reads.

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The Next John Sandford is here! Owen Laukkanen's Criminal Enterprise ( Stevens and Windermere #2)

Criminal Enterprise by Owen Laukkanen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Owen Laukkanen's 2nd entry in the Stevens and Windermere series proves that The Professionals (Stevens and Windermere #1) was no fluke. The writing is assured, the plot well thought out and fast moving. Laukkanen is quickly making his mark in crime fiction and is a welcome addition to other great Twin Cities standbys such as Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers. This series is a wonderful companion and will be a worthy successor once Sandford decides to hang it up. Which I hope is years down the road.
In Criminal Enterprise, we meet Carter Tomlin, a well paid CPA that lives in a McMansion in an affluent area. His perfect life falls apart pretty quickly when he is laid off and resorts to a life of crime to keep the mortgage paid, etc..
Unfortunately for Tomlin, he likes the life, it gives him a thrill and his crimes escalate quickly.
Windermere is hot on the case while dealing with a reluctant partner and Stevens is trying to resist the lure of the excitement of the FBI. Their jobs collide again and the ending is cinematic and climactic.
You will love this series.
Caution: There is language and a few sexual situations.

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The Next Great Young Adult book is here! Alive by Scott Sigler

Alive by Scott Sigler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay. Do you remember how you felt when you began reading about Trice in Divergent or about Katniss in The Hunger Games. You kind of knew that you were beginning a special journey. Alive by Scott Sigler is such a book. I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of this book and the author politely asks that in potential reviews or blogposts that spoilers not be present. I couldn't agree more. It is rare when a book captures your attention and is so compulsive that you have to know what happens next. Em will join the ranks of great young adult characters. This book is part Hunger Games with a dash of Maze Runner and Divergent thrown in for good measure, but totally and utterly original.
Trust me. Alive is not to be missed.

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