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ulharper1's review
3.0
This is one of those novels that, while reading, you can tell the author is very close to. It is well researched and well thought out.
The Day The Ravens Died follows Paul, a terrorist expert of sorts. He is the guy you call on when things get really bad or when things are about to get really bad. He lives a serene life with his wife and housekeeper until terrorists strike and then he is plunged back into the deeply serious world of people who are dedicated to catch the really bad guys.
Paul is the A-team without BA Baraka, Face or Murdoch. He's a man's man and he gets things done and has blatant disrespect for anyone who is not trying to get things done...his way. Paul and several others search for ways terrorists are doing their thing so they can catch them.
What's great about this story is that the dialogue is great. Characters develop through the dialogue and events happen while dialogue is happening. That's the main reason why you the reader believes who these people are, even down to the people who don't mean anything in story.
At the same time I had a hard time caring for the characters. Deep down I wished something would happen to Paul that would make me care for him more. I wanted his wife to leave him. Let him deal with that. I wanted his house bombed. I wish Paul wasn't only just a soldier but that's all he is. At the beginning and end it's implied that there's another part of him but you simply want to see more of it.
It might have helped to have a bit more of a subplot or another character to follow.
If you want to read a hardnosed thriller then this book is for you. If you like details and inner workings of the military then this book is right up your alley. It's only missing a little bit of empathy. Just a little.
The Day The Ravens Died follows Paul, a terrorist expert of sorts. He is the guy you call on when things get really bad or when things are about to get really bad. He lives a serene life with his wife and housekeeper until terrorists strike and then he is plunged back into the deeply serious world of people who are dedicated to catch the really bad guys.
Paul is the A-team without BA Baraka, Face or Murdoch. He's a man's man and he gets things done and has blatant disrespect for anyone who is not trying to get things done...his way. Paul and several others search for ways terrorists are doing their thing so they can catch them.
What's great about this story is that the dialogue is great. Characters develop through the dialogue and events happen while dialogue is happening. That's the main reason why you the reader believes who these people are, even down to the people who don't mean anything in story.
At the same time I had a hard time caring for the characters. Deep down I wished something would happen to Paul that would make me care for him more. I wanted his wife to leave him. Let him deal with that. I wanted his house bombed. I wish Paul wasn't only just a soldier but that's all he is. At the beginning and end it's implied that there's another part of him but you simply want to see more of it.
It might have helped to have a bit more of a subplot or another character to follow.
If you want to read a hardnosed thriller then this book is for you. If you like details and inner workings of the military then this book is right up your alley. It's only missing a little bit of empathy. Just a little.
helenid's review
4.0
Read this whilst riots hit the UK. Thought that Paul would have been quite useful. An enjoyable read, although a worrying subject.
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