10 Feb 2012

THE PATRIOT PARADOX.

THE PATRIOT PARADOX (The Reluctant Hero Series, Book One) by WILLIAM ESMONT.

Ex-CIA agent Kurt Vetter and enigmatic foreign agent Amanda Carter race across Europe in a quest to unearth the truth behind the murder of Kurt's brother. Trying desperately to stay ahead of a government that has forsaken them, they discover a conspiracy that threatens the very foundation of world stability. The clock is ticking and Kurt and Amanda must find a way to halt the plot before millions die.
....... Outer back cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (Chapter 1): Mike Vetter hated this kind of weather.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 97): At a hair over five-feet tall and a hundred and twenty pounds soaking wet, Gasanov looked more like an over-excited schoolboy than a battle-hardened Chechen rebel.

KEEP IT OR NOT?: Yes, one for the shelves.

A blog site win I received a (paperback)copy of this along with a disc copy of the second instalment, PRESSED.

Only a short book of around 250 or so pages, I wondered just how much action could be packed in to such a small volume, just how well the characters could be developed.

Covering 4 countries (America, England, France and Russia) the action was certainly all go. Full of various different government agencies, intelligence and counterintelligence, the author certainly managed to pack a lot in.

Quite scary in places, just how much information can be had at the touch of a button was terrifying and yet totally believable which is more than can be said of the chapters dealing with England which I personally felt could have benefited from more research.

As for characters? Hmm, I have mixed thoughts on these.

Right from the very beginning I felt a connection with male lead, Kurt, a real action hero who, as we quickly discovered, wasn't afraid to show his tender side ....... I bet he was handsome as well. As for female lead, Amanda ...... I'm not so convinced by her and certainly didn't find the connection between the two characters believable though hopefully this will come in time.

Also much to my liking was Nigel, a computer geek who, after an accident, found himself needing the use of a wheelchair. Wonderful to see disabled people playing a part in such novels, I'm only saddened that alas, though I won't go in to details, this is the only time that Nigel will feature in the books.

Short but interesting, all in all The Patriot Paradox was a good read and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series develops.

13 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

It sounds exciting. I hope you enjoy the second book as much!

Kalyan said...

Nice reading the review...looks interesting!

The Bookworm said...

Sounds like a good series. Too bad Nigel won't be back though.

Patti said...

I loved the description of the character. I haven't read a lot of spy books recently. I used to love them when I was a teenager.

carol said...

Action and some romance. Sounds good.

Suko said...

Very nice review. I'm glad you enjoyed the first book in the Reluctant Hero series.

StarTraci said...

I love both lines that you quoted. The opening line made me think of the classic "It was a dark and stormy night..." and the visual image created by the overexcited schoolboy vs. Chechen rebel was very compelling!

Looks like a fun read.
:-)
Traci

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Ooh! These male characters really make me want to pick up this book. I agree about the disabled in books. There needs to be more of them. Great review!

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

WOw. Does sound like a very good read. Glad to hear it's a keeper. :)

Kelly said...

I don't read book from this genre that often, but you sure make this one sound good. I'll keep it in mind.

Mamakucingbooks said...

i think iwill like this book

brandileigh2003 said...

I've been more drawn to the special agency books since I started watching NCIS. Thanks for review.

Bookingly Yours said...

Hi Tracey! Glad that you find this book a good read. Yay, I want to read the second book!