Author: Russell Brooks
Release: October 24, 2010
Series: Ridley Fox/Nita Parris Spy Series 
Genre: Thriller | Mystery
Edition: Mobi
Pages: 4733
Publisher: Russell Books
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon

Blurb

The deadliest weapon against mankind has been Unleashed. CIA operative, Ridley Fox, never stopped hunting his fiancée’s killers—a weapons consortium called The Arms Of Ares. When Fox follows a lead to one of their top-secret bioweapons facilities in Chechnya, he barely escapes alive. However, he’s learned that Ares has weaponized a hyper-deadly microbe called Pandora. The trail leads Fox to Tokyo, where he teams up with an old flame and fellow operative, Nita Parris. Aside from Ares, they must contend with rogue agents who’ll stop at nothing to get Pandora. This throws Fox and Parris into a deadly game of spy vs spy, as they must rely on each other to locate the microbe. For if it’s unleashed, it could mean the end of humanity.

Rating

4-stars

Review

Plot/Story:

Wow, this book was really hard to review. There were a few this that held me back from reading ahead and I needed to go back a few pages (3 times), but the story itself and the overall feel when you are done reading was really great. The first 20 pages were a bit slow and it dragged for a while on too many details. That being said this was still a very nice thriller story to read.

This book is really action packed and you do get to learn a lot about the CIA, guns and biological information and after the slow start, I started to really be invested in the plot and in the main character Ridley Fox. The author explains the science behind everything that needs explaining and it made me connect to the plot and to the story more. The author makes the action in the book seem very real, like watching a wonderful action movie. With all that surrounds us these days in the news and in real life, the threat against terrorists is very relatable.
The story has a few twists and turns, but not too much and in a way that really made me turn the page. Even though I was able to know who was the true villain here (as I mostly do), it still didn’t made the story less enjoyable.

Characters:

I really loved Fox’s motivation and how driven he was to find the truth about his fiancée and save the world. He was so strong and the author showed his feelings and thoughts well enough for me to relate to Fox and be by his side as he undergo through everything.

The main characters were a bit off, as I craved for more information about them and more emotions from them.

Romance/Kills:

As an action/thriller book, there were necessary kills, but not in a way that I remember them. For me the focus was just on Fox and I think here as well, is where the author shined.

Nita is a nice female presence in this novel, although I did want to see more about her. She is the epitome of a feisty female agent. Nita and Fox were a wonderful pair together and I loved the almost awkwardness about them and I can’t wait to see where the author takes their relationship in the future.

Writing:

I loved Brooks (the author) writing style a lot. The book was well written and edited, making it so easy to read. Brooks made all the action scenes look really effortless and I could relate to how real this could be and enjoy the overall story.

Beginning:

As I said the start of the book was a bit slow and almost leggy in some ways, but you get past that very fast and it is worth it. The rest of the story is well writing and you actually having fun reading it.

Ending:

The story ended in two ways for me. First: Something was missing for me, but I still can’t put the finger on it of what is missing (sorry) but I just have that feeling. Second: The story ended with leaving me feeling that I just read a wonderful book I really can’t wait to read the next.

Cover Art:

I didn’t like the cover much, but I guess for an action-thriller book okay (I just don’t get to read much of action books).

Blurb:

I did like the blurb as it sets the mood and was very accurate of the plot to come, but still not giving too much information.

You can also read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.

Other Stuff

Opening Line: “The blow to the side of his head dropped Ridley Fox to the floor.”

Highlights: I think the highlight for me here is the Brook’s writing style, he really shined here for me and it made me turn the pages faster.

Lowlights: The first 15-20 pages were a bit of a slow read, but it didn’t make me stop reading.

Final Thoughts: This could make a wonderful action movie. If you like action book or thrillers, this book is for you.

Review contributor:

Galit Balli

I am an avid reader, coffee addict, a writer and a blogger. I am a bit of agoraphobic (people scare me, lol). Me and my hubby love to spend every moment together, we even game together.

I live mostly in my own imaginary world full of dragons, magic and vampires and from time to time I pull myself away to deal with the real world.