Well written book filled with action, intrigue and sacrifice. The first half was a little slow, just getting into the groove, I think just because there was a lot of heady information (due to the fact that the villain(s) are combined military & computer hacker brains) and a back story had to be built, in order to get to where it could essentially "explode".
The last quarter of the book was quite intense (comparatively speaking with most of Kendig's work, I'd say the last quarter of this book was the most intense I've seen her writing get...just with the brutality stuff), with a good deal of torture and the also rape...so it was, like I said- quite intense.
Since this is a three part series, the villain didn't end up getting defeated, so it was a bit of a momentary let down...simply because the characters went through so much, and the pay off seemed fairly non-existent (apart from getting out alive, which is a big plus, of course).
However, with this series, it is definitely the kind where you need to read all three books (Hawk & Falcon- reviews coming for these soon!) to get the overarching problems solved. Whereas in some series, there is an individual problem for each book and it gets resolved at the ending of said book, this series has a collective villain that all three books work towards defeating, and yes, it takes all three books to uncover the crazy force they are up against.
So definitely, stick to the end and read all three books- don't give up on the first simply because it looks like there isn't a lot of resolution that takes place in book 1.
PLOT:
Like I said above, it was a bit slower unless you could plow through a lot of technical military & hacker wordage and complex plot buildup. It wasn't that it lacked something going on- there was a LOT going on, it was just quite large and took a bit more brain power to comprehend. Kendig is a literal plot genius- and it takes a fully engaged mind to understand and track what is going on, in all the different plot/subplot strains.
The last quarter was quite intense- when everything went crazy, it went full throttle.
VIOLENCE:
With a book set in Afghanistan about the military, you just know there's gonna be some nasty violence. Innocent people (including a child- though we don't see them when it happens) die from Taliban (I think it was Taliban, I'll have to check back on that) attacks and the ravages of a country torn apart by war. A soldier has flashbacks about getting tortured in the past, and also is captured & tortured again. Also including a scene of physiological warfare, where (when in captivity) captors turn out the lights and blast screamo-heavy metal music, to essentially wear down the mind & create terror.
SEXUAL CONTENT: (SPOILERS)
Apart from the regular and pretty low profile romance between the main characters, Zahrah (lady main character) is raped. As reader's we aren't in the same room when it happens, but we can hear her screaming in the other room.
CONCLUSION:
Since this is a three part series, the villain didn't end up getting defeated, so it was a bit of a momentary let down...simply because the characters went through so much, and the pay off seemed fairly non-existent (apart from getting out alive).
However, with this series, it is definitely the kind where you need to read all three books (Hawk & Falcon- click the titles for a link to their respective reviews) to get the overarching problems solved.
So, stick to the end and read all three books- don't give up on the first simply because it looks like there isn't a lot of resolution that takes place in book 1.
This is definitely a heavier read. With the reality of war and the atrocities that come along with it, it shook me up since I was so invested in the character's and storyline, and they were hurt deeply physically, emotionally and mentally. Despite the heaviness that the reality brings, it remains an amazing book- but, depending on what you're looking for in a read, it may or may not be up your alley.
3.5 stars. (the dock in stars is resulting from the fact that it was more intense than I prefer (regarding torture & rape) but that is merely a personal preference, and in no way should reflect anything but amazing writing, character & plot creation by Ronie Kendig) I would recommend this book for ages 19+
Have you read Raptor 6? What were your thoughts?
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