Scan barcode
topdragon's review
5.0
The fourth in the series of Man From U.N.C.L.E. novels is also the first to be written by David McDaniel who would go on to write five more plus an unpublished finale called “The Final Affair”.
Having only read the first three books in this series so far, I must say, this one is easily the best so far. Sure, it’s another story about preventing an evil genius with a new invention from destroying the world, but it’s the method of telling that story that is unique. The U.N.C.L.E. agents are forced into an alliance with arch-enemy THRUSH in order to prevent the evil plot. After all, THRUSH doesn’t want to see the world destroyed; they want to take it over and wield power over it. It’s in everybody’s best interests to call a temporary truce and work together.
The characterization of both Solo and Kuryakin this time around is much closer to what was shown in the television series. They are very effective as a team, and in tough situations they are each able to read the actions of the other like a well-oiled machine. They also display a playful banter with each other which is both endearing as well as serves to hi-light their different natures. Even Mr. Waverly gets to have some time in the field. The author includes a fair bit of humor as well, including one scene in an airplane where the movie to be shown is the newest James Bond picture. While Solo is quickly absorbed in the opening sequence, Kuryakin just shakes his head, not understanding how people could enjoy such rubbish.
But the best part of this novel is that we finally get to understand the nature of THRUSH, not only learning what that acronym stands for but also to learn of its history and what its primary goals are. That sure beats the vague “bad guy organization” we’ve known about up until this point. The higher-up THRUSH characters of Ward and Irene Baldwin are not only nicely-drawn characters but also work well as a way to put a face to the THRUSH organization and even almost become anti-heroes. It’s always nice to have educated, honorable (at least on the surface), and gentlemanly foes to work with. Working alongside THRUSH agents in life-or-death scenarios might be distasteful at first but we readers tend to get lulled into complacency right along with Solo, Kuryakin, and Weatherly, all the while knowing this won’t last and soon they would once again be enemies.
I’m glad to know there are more U.N.C.L.E. books still to come written by David McDaniel. Looking forward to them all.
Having only read the first three books in this series so far, I must say, this one is easily the best so far. Sure, it’s another story about preventing an evil genius with a new invention from destroying the world, but it’s the method of telling that story that is unique. The U.N.C.L.E. agents are forced into an alliance with arch-enemy THRUSH in order to prevent the evil plot. After all, THRUSH doesn’t want to see the world destroyed; they want to take it over and wield power over it. It’s in everybody’s best interests to call a temporary truce and work together.
The characterization of both Solo and Kuryakin this time around is much closer to what was shown in the television series. They are very effective as a team, and in tough situations they are each able to read the actions of the other like a well-oiled machine. They also display a playful banter with each other which is both endearing as well as serves to hi-light their different natures. Even Mr. Waverly gets to have some time in the field. The author includes a fair bit of humor as well, including one scene in an airplane where the movie to be shown is the newest James Bond picture. While Solo is quickly absorbed in the opening sequence, Kuryakin just shakes his head, not understanding how people could enjoy such rubbish.
But the best part of this novel is that we finally get to understand the nature of THRUSH, not only learning what that acronym stands for but also to learn of its history and what its primary goals are. That sure beats the vague “bad guy organization” we’ve known about up until this point. The higher-up THRUSH characters of Ward and Irene Baldwin are not only nicely-drawn characters but also work well as a way to put a face to the THRUSH organization and even almost become anti-heroes. It’s always nice to have educated, honorable (at least on the surface), and gentlemanly foes to work with. Working alongside THRUSH agents in life-or-death scenarios might be distasteful at first but we readers tend to get lulled into complacency right along with Solo, Kuryakin, and Weatherly, all the while knowing this won’t last and soon they would once again be enemies.
I’m glad to know there are more U.N.C.L.E. books still to come written by David McDaniel. Looking forward to them all.
trin's review
2.0
Mystery box book #30!
...I read this one before?! Oh my god, I truly remembered nothing. And it was only five years ago! Bye bye, brain.
Anyway, I stand by everything I said in my original review, below:
Points for: This is the book that (non-canonically) gave Thrush its acronymical meaning -- Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity. (Join today!!!) Also for implying that Thrush was founded by Professor Moriarty.
Major deductions for: Making Napoleon and Illya participants in torturing a dude. Ew.
...I read this one before?! Oh my god, I truly remembered nothing. And it was only five years ago! Bye bye, brain.
Anyway, I stand by everything I said in my original review, below:
Points for: This is the book that (non-canonically) gave Thrush its acronymical meaning -- Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity. (Join today!!!) Also for implying that Thrush was founded by Professor Moriarty.
Major deductions for: Making Napoleon and Illya participants in torturing a dude. Ew.
jadziadax's review
4.0
McDaniel captured the characters well--Illya gets knocked out three times, Napoleon is distracted by ladies, and they easily let the bad guys get away. Perfect.
(I got 3 different McDaniel MFU books for my birthday and I'm quite pleased. Don't let my snark fool you, these spies may be incompetent at times but the knuckleheads kind of own my heart.)
(I got 3 different McDaniel MFU books for my birthday and I'm quite pleased. Don't let my snark fool you, these spies may be incompetent at times but the knuckleheads kind of own my heart.)
More...