shan198025's review against another edition
4.0
I love Joe Ledger. He was in rough shape in this book. After the events in the previous book (The Dragon Factory) he was having a hard time getting his headn straight. I liked the concept of the Ten Plagues and the Seven Kings, I kinda wish there ahd been more "gory" detail though. Part of what made Pateint Zero and Dragon Factory so good was that we were told a lot about the gross stuff. I guess in the first two I was grossed out and wanted that from this one also.
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Holy Joe Ledger! The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry was packed with action and intrigue.
Overall Thoughts: (Quick Review) The King of Plagues was a little bit detective work and whole lot of kick ass Joe Ledger. OMG Jonathan can write a thriller. Even though I know this always has levels of Fringe, to me these are hands down some of the best thrillers on the market. Joe is a detective with some very special skills. His best one though is following a lead and deducting where the clues will take him. Sure he can kick ass, has an awesome dog, and has a highly trained team helping him but Joe is just brilliant. This story combines the very real (and timely in this case) threat of madmen trying to take over the world.
I want to add a quick note about the kick-ass women that Jonathan writes in this series. He never pigeon-holes them or makes them "eye candy". They are generally smart (book and street), diabolical (if that is their role), and just as important to the team as the guys. Thank you for the Mr. Maberry!
Audio Thoughts:
This is one of those series that initially I didn't like on Audio. I admit that Ray didn't blow me away in book 1. However, now I can't see anyone else being Joe. His deliverance and pacing is perfect for Jonathan's writing.
Final Thought: On to the next one (this is another series that I am pacing so I don't get caught up) :)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Holy Joe Ledger! The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry was packed with action and intrigue.
Overall Thoughts: (Quick Review) The King of Plagues was a little bit detective work and whole lot of kick ass Joe Ledger. OMG Jonathan can write a thriller. Even though I know this always has levels of Fringe, to me these are hands down some of the best thrillers on the market. Joe is a detective with some very special skills. His best one though is following a lead and deducting where the clues will take him. Sure he can kick ass, has an awesome dog, and has a highly trained team helping him but Joe is just brilliant. This story combines the very real (and timely in this case) threat of madmen trying to take over the world.
I want to add a quick note about the kick-ass women that Jonathan writes in this series. He never pigeon-holes them or makes them "eye candy". They are generally smart (book and street), diabolical (if that is their role), and just as important to the team as the guys. Thank you for the Mr. Maberry!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Ray Porter / Length: 16 hrs and 7 mins
This is one of those series that initially I didn't like on Audio. I admit that Ray didn't blow me away in book 1. However, now I can't see anyone else being Joe. His deliverance and pacing is perfect for Jonathan's writing.
Final Thought: On to the next one (this is another series that I am pacing so I don't get caught up) :)
billd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry is the third book in the Joe Ledger action / thriller series and it doesn't let you down one bit. As the other ones the story moves from location to location, from person to person, keeping you on your toes and holding your breath.
It starts with the destruction of a major hospital in London. Joe Ledger is basically on leave and potential retirement due to the death of his lover grace Courtland but his boss Church has called him back to help investigate the bombing. Also the story follows Gault, a villain from previous book, who is being courted by the 7 Kings to fill a gap in the organization, that being the King of Plagues. We also meet Circe, who works for a secret organization, Terror Town, trying to track terrorists and other baddies. And, oh yeah, there is Nicodemus, a prisoner in Philadelphia, who somehow has everyone in the prison under his thrall and seems to know everything that is going on.
So, that's the basic premise. The Kings are sowing discord and chaos and have many plans in the mill. Joe and the DMS team are seemingly one step behind as they try to track down the next attack. Santoro, of the Kings, is their lead man, terrorizing people to get them to follow their plans.
Slowly, the DMS gather info as they continue to fight; facing attacks in the Nevada desert, on an island in Scotland, even a Starbucks in Pennsylvania. The body count mounts but DMS persists! It all comes to a climax on a cruise ship off Brazil where the high and mighty in the entertainment world and political world gather for a huge concert for charity.
It's all very exciting. Joe tries to sort out his feelings, is he a policeman, a killer, or what. It's exciting, introspective and filled with action and personalities. Circe is a welcome addition. Entertainment plus. (4.0 stars)
It starts with the destruction of a major hospital in London. Joe Ledger is basically on leave and potential retirement due to the death of his lover grace Courtland but his boss Church has called him back to help investigate the bombing. Also the story follows Gault, a villain from previous book, who is being courted by the 7 Kings to fill a gap in the organization, that being the King of Plagues. We also meet Circe, who works for a secret organization, Terror Town, trying to track terrorists and other baddies. And, oh yeah, there is Nicodemus, a prisoner in Philadelphia, who somehow has everyone in the prison under his thrall and seems to know everything that is going on.
So, that's the basic premise. The Kings are sowing discord and chaos and have many plans in the mill. Joe and the DMS team are seemingly one step behind as they try to track down the next attack. Santoro, of the Kings, is their lead man, terrorizing people to get them to follow their plans.
Slowly, the DMS gather info as they continue to fight; facing attacks in the Nevada desert, on an island in Scotland, even a Starbucks in Pennsylvania. The body count mounts but DMS persists! It all comes to a climax on a cruise ship off Brazil where the high and mighty in the entertainment world and political world gather for a huge concert for charity.
It's all very exciting. Joe tries to sort out his feelings, is he a policeman, a killer, or what. It's exciting, introspective and filled with action and personalities. Circe is a welcome addition. Entertainment plus. (4.0 stars)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
stitchinthyme's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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? No
3.75
jaxboiler's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is the first book in this series I have read. I really enjoyed it. Now I will need to find the others and read those.
mferrante83's review against another edition
3.0
As ridiculous, entertaining, and over-the-top as the previous books.
pingthevile's review against another edition
4.0
Really good, but not the best of the Joe Ledger books. Started out a bit slow, but picked up nicely as it went along. Good ending.
jessica22's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this storyline the most out of the first three, with the seven kings and maberry links everything. However, the best thing about this series is Joe ledger himself and this book just didn't have his humor, the parts that he was in weren't his normal I'm gonna go in and kick some ass. so because of that I was really upset because that's why I read these.
terrik_409's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Like previous books the premise is horrifying. Poor Joe should be gibbering in a corner from all of the horrors he's faced. Stayed up till 4am to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Mass/school shootings, Hate crime, Gun violence, Torture, and Violence