Reviews

Devils in Exile by Chuck Hogan

martyfried's review against another edition

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3.0

I thought this book was OK, but I found it hard to really care about the characters. The main character didn't seem especially capable or smart, and mostly got through with sheer determination and the ability to not die when he should. I almost stopped reading early on, but I was a little too vested in it and I was curious to see if and where it might go. In the end, I think a solid 3, or 3 1/2 rating fits for me.

ultrabox's review

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tense fast-paced

3.75

jakewritesbooks's review

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3.0

I had mostly sworn off these testosterone-laden crime novels but I remember being intrigued by this premise a decade ago when I saw the book in a bookstore: ex-Iraqi vet has a problem getting a job back home in Boston so he gets involved with a drug theft ring. When I saw it at a used store a decade later, I decided to grab it. It's good enough, if predictable, with horribly written female characters. Hogan was on to something here, I just wish he fleshed it out in a different way. Read Cherry instead.

teejayniu's review

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3.0

I liked the first half a lot and it showed promise, but the second half becomes quite predictable and departs from reality a bit.

wynne_ronareads's review against another edition

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3.0

Chuck Hogan may be best known for "Prince of Thieves" (changed to "The Town" after the movie based on it was released,) but I'm surprised filmmakers passed this book up in favor of the other.
Hogan's character in "Devils in Exile" is a former soldier tossed back onto American soil and forgotten, until his skills on the battlefield prove helpful at the most opportune time. He's thrown into a world of drugs, sex and manipulation. Not to mention one of the creepiest sets of villains I've ever read about (the Jamaicans.) Stephen King just recommended it as a summer read in last weeks "Entertainment Weekly," so maybe it will get some overdue attention. My guess is you'll see it on the big screen in a few years. Until then, the book will more than satisfy the guy's guy inside us all.
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