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johnbreeden's review against another edition
4.0
I'm very much a stickler for reading a series chronologically. In this case, I don't believe that was the best idea. This story does stand alone as an intro and has its merits, but the military aspects were not my preference. Of course, I haven't gone through the other novels, so I have to reserve judgment on whether this overall series is right for me. Time will tell.
gbdill's review against another edition
2.0
While I thoroughly enjoyed the first two Jack Sigler series novels, "Pulse" and "Instinct" I did not like "Prime". Understand, I typically read Jeremy Robinson's novels for the thrill and adventure. And, I've always enjoyed the mystery of the unknown, not knowing what's going to happen next. Although this story seemingly started out that way (mystery of the manuscript, black plague, historical setting, etc.), it took a quick turn for the worse. I felt like all I was reading was a novel about military combat. Guns-a-blazin everywhere, special ops, Delta forces, sit reps, sit rooms, Army generals, battles in Iraq, blackhawk choppers, yada yada yada. I might as well have been reading a Tom Clancy novel. After reading almost half of the book I simply lost interest. The characters were shallow, poor story development, and felt a bit contrived. Maybe I should have given it more time to develop. But, after reading the first 100 pages, I wasn't convinced it was going to happen. Maybe it's time to move away from the Jack Sigler series and into Robinson's other works.
imzadirose's review against another edition
4.0
Good to finally read the start of Chess Team, after I read all the other books to date. I enjoyed it, though I wish King would have had to make more choices on actually choosing them, rather than it being about who was left standing. Some comical foreshadowing, having already read the other books. Look forward to the next, whenever it comes out.
bookanonjeff's review
5.0
The latest edition of the Chess Team saga takes it back to before it all began - when Jack Sigler was known as "Elvis" and before he had ever met Stan Tremblay, Shin Dae Jung, Erik Somers, and Zelda Baker.
I'm not going to get into the plot on this review, suffice it to say that it is a classic Chess Team rollercoaster that has them travel over much of the globe while explaining the need for just such a team very well.
If you've never read a Jeremy Robinson book, particularly from the Chess Team series, this one is the first one in storyline order and serves as an excellent origins story. If you're a long time fan, this is another wild ride you've come to expect, with a few geek out moments thrown in - such as when "Elvis" becomes "King", and even moreso when Stan, Shin, Erik, and Zelda become "Rook", "Knight", "Bishop", and "Queen".
The introductions to each character are done very well indeed, and some classic moments that have never before been put in the books are revealed. Among them:
How does Stan get his Desert Eagles?
How do Zelda and Jack meet, and how does Jack gain Zelda's trust?
Who the hell is this "Richard" guy that seems to be financing the bad guys?
The most important question (as far as the future of Chess Team goes) is left unanswered:
How do the events of PRIME - the story of the beginnings of Chess Team - affect what long time fans know and expect to see in OMEGA - the story of the endings of Chess Team, coming out later this year? I have my suspicions, but at this point the only thing any of us other than Robinson and his coauthor for OMEGA, Kane Gilmour, know for sure:
No matter what happens, it will be one hell of a ride!
I'm not going to get into the plot on this review, suffice it to say that it is a classic Chess Team rollercoaster that has them travel over much of the globe while explaining the need for just such a team very well.
If you've never read a Jeremy Robinson book, particularly from the Chess Team series, this one is the first one in storyline order and serves as an excellent origins story. If you're a long time fan, this is another wild ride you've come to expect, with a few geek out moments thrown in - such as when "Elvis" becomes "King", and even moreso when Stan, Shin, Erik, and Zelda become "Rook", "Knight", "Bishop", and "Queen".
The introductions to each character are done very well indeed, and some classic moments that have never before been put in the books are revealed. Among them:
How does Stan get his Desert Eagles?
How do Zelda and Jack meet, and how does Jack gain Zelda's trust?
Who the hell is this "Richard" guy that seems to be financing the bad guys?
The most important question (as far as the future of Chess Team goes) is left unanswered:
How do the events of PRIME - the story of the beginnings of Chess Team - affect what long time fans know and expect to see in OMEGA - the story of the endings of Chess Team, coming out later this year? I have my suspicions, but at this point the only thing any of us other than Robinson and his coauthor for OMEGA, Kane Gilmour, know for sure:
No matter what happens, it will be one hell of a ride!
kyrilson's review
5.0
Great action novel
Very enjoyable novel about the origin of the Chess Team, an elite team of operators. Highly recommended for fans of action/adventure.
Very enjoyable novel about the origin of the Chess Team, an elite team of operators. Highly recommended for fans of action/adventure.
imzadirose's review
4.0
Good to finally read the start of Chess Team, after I read all the other books to date. I enjoyed it, though I wish King would have had to make more choices on actually choosing them, rather than it being about who was left standing. Some comical foreshadowing, having already read the other books. Look forward to the next, whenever it comes out.
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