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chelsea_shelves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 stars I think. This book was a book club pick and actually pleasantly surprised me. It’s not a genre I typically reach for, but I think I will from time to time now. It was certainly engrossing and entertaining. An adventure! The subject matter is fascinating and so well researched. I learned a lot about the history of the Boer Wars and the science of LUCA and its potential for good and evil. I thought all of this was well woven into the story and made easy to understand. What brought the reading experience down a bit for me was pacing and characterization. For me the book felt too long in the middle. It was very episodic and at times I felt like I was watching a video game as we moved into different settings with a new set of helpers to fight another boss. My attention would wander during all the action/fighting scenes. I was glad that we got to keep the last helpers around through to the end and see some relationships form. What I missed was depth of character. This was very plot driven. I found everyone a bit too flat and archetypal. I would have liked to see more emotion from Tucker and maybe more moral conflict or grayness from all of them considering the situation. Sometimes I laughed at some of the cliches and phrases used, but overall I enjoyed this book. The dog definitely brought more heart to this action packed narrative and I loved the animal-human partnership that anchored the story.
ohmariagilbert's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
topdragon's review against another edition
5.0
I've really been on a role lately with my reading choices.
Tucker Wayne is a former Army Ranger who has been working as free-lance high-stakes protection when he is recruited by Sigma Force for an extremely important mission. Readers of James Rollins’ Sigma Force series will understand the nature of that business but it is not necessary to have read those books before beginning this series at all.
The plot is a roller coaster ride of adventure. Tucker must extract a Russian scientist/pharmaceutical magnate from Siberia. A biological breakthrough has been discovered deep in Africa and it’s a race to see who can recover the find first. If the wrong people get there first, the find can be weaponized with devastating results. This is a fairly linear adventure story with the main team of good guys rocketing from one dangerous near-death encounter to the next. From traitors to shootouts to femme fatales to discovering ancient life origins, this is definitely a page-turner.
Of course what makes this novel different than so many other similar novels is Kane, a military working dog (MWD) of extraordinary training and intelligence. I’ve had the opportunity to work with MWD teams and it is an amazing thing to see. Kane has an understanding of over 1000 words and commands and his loyalty to Tucker is truly inspiring. It’s what really makes this novel. And don’t think that this fictional team is inflated beyond what real world WMD teams can do. While the vast majority of the novel is seen through the eyes of Tucker, we occasionally get to experience it through Kane’s eyes. Pretty cool.
In the past I have been reluctant to try a spin-off series, especially one that has two authors. I worry that it’s simply an attempt to cash in on the name of the well-known author while being written almost entirely by the other one. Even if that is the case here, I am so very glad I gave this a try. It was a blast to read and I am hopeful that there will be many more Tucker and Kane books to follow.
Tucker Wayne is a former Army Ranger who has been working as free-lance high-stakes protection when he is recruited by Sigma Force for an extremely important mission. Readers of James Rollins’ Sigma Force series will understand the nature of that business but it is not necessary to have read those books before beginning this series at all.
The plot is a roller coaster ride of adventure. Tucker must extract a Russian scientist/pharmaceutical magnate from Siberia. A biological breakthrough has been discovered deep in Africa and it’s a race to see who can recover the find first. If the wrong people get there first, the find can be weaponized with devastating results. This is a fairly linear adventure story with the main team of good guys rocketing from one dangerous near-death encounter to the next. From traitors to shootouts to femme fatales to discovering ancient life origins, this is definitely a page-turner.
Of course what makes this novel different than so many other similar novels is Kane, a military working dog (MWD) of extraordinary training and intelligence. I’ve had the opportunity to work with MWD teams and it is an amazing thing to see. Kane has an understanding of over 1000 words and commands and his loyalty to Tucker is truly inspiring. It’s what really makes this novel. And don’t think that this fictional team is inflated beyond what real world WMD teams can do. While the vast majority of the novel is seen through the eyes of Tucker, we occasionally get to experience it through Kane’s eyes. Pretty cool.
In the past I have been reluctant to try a spin-off series, especially one that has two authors. I worry that it’s simply an attempt to cash in on the name of the well-known author while being written almost entirely by the other one. Even if that is the case here, I am so very glad I gave this a try. It was a blast to read and I am hopeful that there will be many more Tucker and Kane books to follow.
guido_the_nature_guide's review against another edition
3.0
It’s a contemporary action thriller, not Moby Dick, so a 3-4 star review is a good recommendation. As to the reviews that complain (slightly) of too much action, not enough emotion – seriously? I didn’t pick this up to wallow in existential angst or get bogged down in a weepy love story. A man and his dog was enough. I expected things to blow up, and they did. As John Candy said, “They blowed up. They blowed up real good!”
embisset's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Tucker and Kane are such great characters!!! The story line was also very captivating and kept my attention the whole way through. I can't wait for the next Tucker and Kane adventure!!
ugmo's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jessicaswhirled's review against another edition
2.75
I wanted to like this book, but the sheer length of time it took me to finish (when Rollin’s books are usually binged) says enough. I love Tucker and Kane, but the side characters and the plot made this more of a chore than anything.
hirvimaki's review against another edition
3.0
Three and half stars. I like the characters. I like Rollins' style. I really like and appreciate Rollins' detail to the science and history. The locales are amazing. But I feel like it dragged a bit at the end and the predictable trope of the Big Bad Guy (girl) who just won't die was a little too cliché. That being said, I think this series has great promise as I love Wayne and Kane. I fully expect Rollins to hit his stride in future novels with these heroes.
ti_leo's review against another edition
3.0
Klassisch seichte Unterhaltung. Viel Action, ein Hauch Wissenschaft, fertig. Hier mit einem Hund als Sidekick. Lässt sich gut lesen, wenn man Lust auf ein paar unterhaltsame Stunden Lesen ohne Tiefgang hat. Das literarische Äquivalent zu Actionfilmen wie Mission Impossible. Für das, was es ist, routiniert gemacht, daher drei Sterne.
campmom03's review against another edition
5.0
Tucker Wayne and Kane rock! Great new series by Rollins and Blackwood. Looking forward to the next adventure.