Jet, Russell Blake (4.5 stars)

About Jet
(From Author's Website)

JET is the story of a twenty-eight year old ex-Mossad operative who faked her own death to get out of the game, but whose past has caught up with her in a big, ugly way. It’s honestly the most non-stop action-and-thrills-filled books I’ve ever penned, or for that matter, read. And that’s not hyperbole. I’ll eat my bandanna if you don’t think so.

I was after an over-the-top heroine the likes of what would happen if Jack Bauer and James Bond had a love child. Think Lizbeth Salander with a double scoop of Kate Blankenship in Underworld. I wanted ass-kicking on top of ass-kicking. In other words, an unapologetic escapist romp that set a new, higher bar for what action/adventure can be.

The elevator pitch? Kill Bill meets Bourne.

That about sums it up.

Review

Fans of fast-paced action and strong female characters, think Sydney Bristow in Alias, will love Jet. As described by the author, "Jet is ... an enigma cloaked in a big helping of ass-kicking."

Jet has made plenty of enemies as a Mossad operative. When she decides it's time to get out, she fakes her own death and goes into hiding. Unfortunately, the twin brother of one of her slain targets finds her and is determined to make her pay. After taking out everyone Grigenko sends to kill her, Jet decides it's time to put an end to her nemesis.

To do so, she will need the help of the man who helped her fake her own death. David is also the only man to claim a piece of Jet's heart. Together they come up with a plan, one that puts both of their lives on the line. The odds are not even close to being in their favor.

As I was reading, the movie version played in my head. Jet is a female Bourne, and could give him a run for his money. But the story is not all action. Jet is a well-developed heroine--the reason behind her need to leave behind the operative life is compelling and unresolved at the end of this first story in the Jet series. Like Bourne, I wanted more for Jet than just to survive. I wanted her to end up with a life and find love. But it is good to know she can handle anything that gets in her way.

I highly recommend this to readers who want a roller coaster of a thrill ride with the added benefit of a female character worth investing in.

Rating: 4.5 stars
(But worthy of rounding up to 5 on Amazon & GoodReads)

About the Author
(From his website)

 

Russell is the international bestselling author of Fatal Exchange, a groundbreaking genre-blending thriller set against the counter-culture backdrop of New York’s gritty underground, The Geronimo Breach, an action/intrigue/thriller set in Panama, the bestselling Zero Sum trilogy of Wall Street thrillers, The Delphi Chronicle trilogy (The Manuscript, The Tortoise & The Hare and Phoenix Rising), the epic assassination thriller King of Swords, its prequel Night of the Assassin and sequels Revenge of the Assassin and Return of the Assassin, adventure/treasure hunt thriller The Voynich Cypher, and police procedural thriller Silver Justice.

His first satirical non-fiction work, How To Sell A Gazillion eBooks In No Time (even if drunk, high or incarcerated) was released to critical raves. An Angel With Fur, his second non-fiction book chronicling the saga of Lobo the miracle dog, hit the #1 spot in Animal Essays on the U.S. and UK charts.

“Captain” Russell lives on the Pacific coast of Mexico, where he spends his time writing, fishing, collecting & drinking tequila, playing with his dogs and battling world domination by clowns.

 

Russell is a proud member of RABMAD – Read A Book, Make A difference.

 

*****

 

This is my second Russell Blake book. Please read my review of The Voynich Cypher here (inclues an interview with the author, too). So far, he has yet to disappoint.

 

I'm excited to read the rest of the novels in the Jet series.

 

*****

 

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

Welcome Russell Blake, author of The Voynich Cypher (5 stars)

I am thrilled to welcome Russell Blake, international bestselling author, today. His newest book, The Voynich Cypher, debuted March 17, 2012. I was fortunate enough to receive a copy to review.

But first, Russell is answering a couple of questions. Welcome, Russell.

In your research for the book, what's the most interesting fact/information you stumbled across?

Boy, this book was research intensive, so that's a tall order. I think I'd have to say that the research into the Voynich Manuscript's authorship was probably the most interesting, as it involved reading dozens of web resources and an entire book on the topic. Of course, the book was wrong in its conclusions about authorship, as carbon dating of the manuscript would make the notional author, Roger Bacon, pre-date the document by over a century. But it was still fascinating reading the history of the Voynich's possession through the ages, much of which is speculative as well. It really is one of the last mysteries out there, and one of the most enduring.

What book has most influenced your writing and why?

Day of the Jackal, by Frederick Forsyth. Why? Because up until that book came out, thriller fiction was mostly cartoonish - sort of the Ian Fleming brand where tough guy superagents were bigger than life, bedded beauties at every turn, and had bullets bounce off them. Jackal changed that. It singlehandedly introduced realism in the genre, and changed everything. It's one of my favorite books, still, for that reason.

Having said that, I would also give a nod to Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco, and of course Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and half of Clive Cussler's novels - when it comes to my latest, The Voynich Cypher. That book is a departure for me, and pays homage to those types of treasure hunt novels. It was a fun departure from my typical conspiracy theory driven novels, although I managed to work in a conspiracy to drive the story.

Thanks for stopping by, Russell.

And without further ado, the review…

From Amazon: When a sacred relic is stolen from its subterranean guarded vault, Dr. Steven Cross, amateur cryptographer, becomes embroiled in a deadly quest to decipher one of history's most enigmatic documents - a 15th century parchment written entirely in unbreakable code; The Voynich Manuscript. Stalked by secret societies, and aided by the daughter of a murdered colleague, a trail of riddles catapults Cross from England to Italy to the Middle East, where a Byzantine web of ancient secrets leads him to a revelation so profound it will change the world order.

Thanks to my husband, I knew just how good this book really was. Sure, I would have enjoyed it. What’s not to like? There’s intrigue, danger, romance, mystery, emotion, and so on. From the first word to the last, you’ll be hooked. But without hubby’s previous book recommendations, I wouldn’t have known it was as good as novels by Clive Cussler and Dan Brown.

Dr. Steven Cross goes from decoding as a hobby to a world-wide adventure that puts his life in danger. Enter Natalie Twain, a woman of mystery who is quite capable of taking care of herself. But her father’s been murdered, and she needs Dr. Cross to translate The Voynich Manuscript. She has the key to doing so, but will the bad guys get to them first?

Action abounds, but the author never sacrifices character development for pulse-pounding thrills. Instead he gives us both. The twists and turns left me constantly guessing what would happen next and who the main characters could trust.

If you have read and loved Cussler and/or Brown, you’ll love The Voynich Cypher. My husband is quite eager to get his hands on it. But don’t worry, ladies, it’s not only for the guys.

Rating: 5 stars

For more information on Russell Blake and his novels, please visit his website. 

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes (thanks to the World Literary Café Review team). A positive review was not asked for or guaranteed. The opinions expressed are my own.