Asian Storm

Strong entry here in Asian Storm. Some great characters and great scenes. Writing both AT and PF into one story is a challenge as there are so many characters who need to get into the storyline. Throw Mack Bolan into the mix and it gets even more difficult. For the most part, Asian Storm succeeds into giving them all ample time to develop, have an important role in the story, and do something significant. My only major gripe is how long some of the storylines take to play out. Able Team's scene scoping out the protest that is due to turn into a riot spans almost 100 pages of text from the beginning where they track the enemy to the actually payoff. Some stuff just seemed to take forever to get to the payoff. Despite this, it was still a well-written, entertaining out for the Stony Man crew.

Loved it and we see some good ORIGINAL writing here where a fair plot is magically enhanced by the inclusion of some fantastic characters and the inclusion of ALL of the teams and giving them all equal starring time throughout the title. Personally I loved the Phoenix Force plotline where they face insurmountable odds considering the restrictions they are under but still are there to save the day. Lot's and lot's of good writing here with the standout David's roof jumping but also what happens with the cops and the cadet. How the team escape after being arrested and what they eventually manage to accomplish is terrific reading. Page 339 last paragraph "A stream of fire shot from the Type 85" Page 340 first paragraph "McCarter let up on the trigger, raised the sights and fired again." I'm guessing here that there was more than one shot fired. Able Teams plotline is also very good chasing up who is organizing the violence in the demonstrations and some of the reading during the chase especially what Lyons goes through (head lice, blisters etc) excels folks and they also feature in the finishing sections where they play major parts to the ongoing storyline. Mack is the Executioner and he excels here from the moment he " held in his hand an instrument that looked like a cross between an oversize flare gun and a deep-sea fishing reel." (thankyou Cowboy) what he does on the seventh story of the building'S is stunning stuff. I was going to review this title as a ten but two sections at the end docked a star. Not mentioned above but there are three brothers invloved in the conspiracy and The Executioner takes out the oldest brother in one of the shortest knife fights I have ever read I reckon. The epilogue rolls on and at the end of a fantastic read the younger brother is also taken out whilst seated at a table with his middle brother. Have I missed something here what about the middle brother of the conspiracy? BUT excellent read here I reckon do yourself a favour highly recommended.

Not one of Jerry's better novels. S Above average is about it. 1) Yagamushi a nice colorful ninja. Likes to wear women's clothes as a disguise and enjoys tormenting his partner Takaka - an undercover cop. 2) I was amazed Bear was able to find out Takaka was an undercover cop but not Yagamushi or his really rich boss. Curious. 3) PF fired exactly one shot in the entire novel. I liked their work in Beijing but except for stopping Yagamushi really didn't do a whole lot. Oh yes McCarter jumped between buildings and the gang had to avoid elderly watchdog ladies at the hotel. 4) AT's storyline was fun especially the chase scene with Carl and the Japanese terrorist wannabe and the skinheads. Good shoot out in Texas with Carl taking a bullett for Texas Governor Jack Rush - that was so obviously George Bush. 5) Mack I liked his Vietnam story. A few shootouts mostly totally onesided on his part plus he had two men handcuffed to him at one point during one shootout. 6) I was amazed that the Chinese poliburo politician Yagamushi was suppose to kill had 4 children. How? I would think all politicians would adhere to the 2 children maximum law in China. Could be misunderstanding that law. 7) Time line was a bit odd. The book had about 7 pages rotating between MB, PF and AT with bad guys thrown in and Stony Man but it appeared MB's storyline for time was the shortest while PF the longest. Although at one point McCarter going from one roof top to another had a space of 20 pages. But then not a whole lot Jerry could have done with this. So this has nothing to do with the review. A solid 7.

Nothing really special about this yarn. Able Team had a surprisingly good showing with their arc. But, Bolan's and Phoenix's parts of the book were rather bland. Just an average effort overall.

I don't believe I haven't commented on this book. It was really good. I liked the character of the villian in this one. A unique wacko. It covers a lot of geography. I liked the ending when Phoenix killed the assasin who pretended to be someone else. Good part of recognition by McCarter I think. The cover is really good. The most accurate portrayal of Able Team.