Scan barcode
darkbackground's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kkomo's review
5.0
Whooo I know we aren’t done yet, because a thread or two from Relentless still weren’t resolved in this book!
I love this authors style and rhythm of writing. After the whole “darkness” tangent in Relentless put a sour taste in my mouth, I had high hopes for this one- and it was completely satisfying! Joe Ledger meets… (well, I was going to say National Treasure bc I’m a Nic Cage fan, but …) Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. I love that stuff. Add in the epidemiological element: perfection! This book is a wild ride!
And now I’m returning to the beginning of Ledger’s original series for the first time. I know what happens from reading the first three in this series, but can’t wait.
I love this authors style and rhythm of writing. After the whole “darkness” tangent in Relentless put a sour taste in my mouth, I had high hopes for this one- and it was completely satisfying! Joe Ledger meets… (well, I was going to say National Treasure bc I’m a Nic Cage fan, but …) Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. I love that stuff. Add in the epidemiological element: perfection! This book is a wild ride!
And now I’m returning to the beginning of Ledger’s original series for the first time. I know what happens from reading the first three in this series, but can’t wait.
lynguy1's review
4.0
Action, danger, intrigue, history, tension, and suspense are combined in the latest military thriller by Jonathan Maberry: Cave 13. This third book in the Rogue Team International (RTI) series continues to feature Joe Ledger and Havoc Team. RTI are independent troubleshooters who sometimes tackle antagonists on their own and sometimes are asked for help from various countries. Once again, this is a dark and violent thriller with some interludes that are lighter. While most of the novel takes place in Jerusalem, Israel, readers also travel to the Republic of Chad, Greece, and the United States.
While this novel focuses on Joe and his dog Ghost, Havoc Team as well as Top Sims and Bunny. However, other colleagues play important roles that give the reader character continuity. While readers get insight into various antagonists throughout the novel, their specific roles and how everything fits together takes a while to be revealed. Joe is well-developed, compelling, and damaged. While he’s largely apolitical, an idealist, cynical, and has a gift for languages, he is also damaged and hasn’t been in the field for a year. Additionally, others don’t always appreciate his sense of humor.
Once again Maberry hooked me with the fascinating prologue than pulled me immediately into the story. While the plot does jump back and forth in time and between various points of view, it is largely from Joe’s perspective. Readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster.
For an action / military thriller, I loved the style that Maberry used. While there are comprehensive descriptions of people, places and gear, it doesn’t go into minute detail. I believe this approach will make this novel appeal to a wider audience. There are several twists and a big surprise that I didn’t see coming. While a lot was resolved in this book, the ending left a lot of loose threads. I would have liked to have at least some of those wrapped up in this novel.
Overall, this novel is a shockingly dark, disturbing, and an emotional ride. Be aware that there is plenty of violence and emotional turmoil in this story. Themes include fitness for duty, terrorism, found family, friendship, and much more.
This is the seventh book I have read by this author who writes in a variety of genres. I can’t wait to read another one by him. Maberry’s books are well-written with characters that have depth and there is an interesting plot where the story line pulls the reader in immediately. I believe those readers who enjoy action thrillers and military thrillers that are dark will want to read this book.
St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Jonathan Maberry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for August 29, 2023.
---------------------------------------
My 4.26 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
While this novel focuses on Joe and his dog Ghost, Havoc Team as well as Top Sims and Bunny. However, other colleagues play important roles that give the reader character continuity. While readers get insight into various antagonists throughout the novel, their specific roles and how everything fits together takes a while to be revealed. Joe is well-developed, compelling, and damaged. While he’s largely apolitical, an idealist, cynical, and has a gift for languages, he is also damaged and hasn’t been in the field for a year. Additionally, others don’t always appreciate his sense of humor.
Once again Maberry hooked me with the fascinating prologue than pulled me immediately into the story. While the plot does jump back and forth in time and between various points of view, it is largely from Joe’s perspective. Readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster.
For an action / military thriller, I loved the style that Maberry used. While there are comprehensive descriptions of people, places and gear, it doesn’t go into minute detail. I believe this approach will make this novel appeal to a wider audience. There are several twists and a big surprise that I didn’t see coming. While a lot was resolved in this book, the ending left a lot of loose threads. I would have liked to have at least some of those wrapped up in this novel.
Overall, this novel is a shockingly dark, disturbing, and an emotional ride. Be aware that there is plenty of violence and emotional turmoil in this story. Themes include fitness for duty, terrorism, found family, friendship, and much more.
This is the seventh book I have read by this author who writes in a variety of genres. I can’t wait to read another one by him. Maberry’s books are well-written with characters that have depth and there is an interesting plot where the story line pulls the reader in immediately. I believe those readers who enjoy action thrillers and military thrillers that are dark will want to read this book.
St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Griffin and Jonathan Maberry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for August 29, 2023.
---------------------------------------
My 4.26 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
badseedgirl's review
5.0
Joe Ledger and Havoc team really get beaten up in this book and if one more person kicks or punches Ghost into a wall, I am going to seriously kick some ass! This was a great book as always.
cindylchap's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
archerburrito's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookishtrina's review against another edition
5.0
Cave 13 by Jonathan Maberry is another dynamite addition to the Rogue Team International series. Cave 13 is book 3 in this series where we follow our beloved rough-and-tumble crew led by Joe Ledger. Think about your favorite action movie with an A-list cast then ratchet it up 10x. That is this book, well... actually that is any book containing Ledger.
I have followed Maberry's Joe Ledger character in other works since 2009 and this book here... is one of my favorites. The character work is stunning and superb, the plot points are both cinematic and shocking, and the storytelling is swoon-worthy. Maberry was my first auto-buy author ever and continues to be, his work leaves me speechless. Even the chapter headings are succinct and polished. BRAVO!
Thank you MacMillan Audio for this ARC with its crisp audio quality. The audiobook starred Ray Porter, my all-time favorite narrator, who embodies every character he narrates; Porter is Joe Ledger in my mind! Maberry and Porter are ear candy and my favorite dynamic duo!
I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I have followed Maberry's Joe Ledger character in other works since 2009 and this book here... is one of my favorites. The character work is stunning and superb, the plot points are both cinematic and shocking, and the storytelling is swoon-worthy. Maberry was my first auto-buy author ever and continues to be, his work leaves me speechless. Even the chapter headings are succinct and polished. BRAVO!
Thank you MacMillan Audio for this ARC with its crisp audio quality. The audiobook starred Ray Porter, my all-time favorite narrator, who embodies every character he narrates; Porter is Joe Ledger in my mind! Maberry and Porter are ear candy and my favorite dynamic duo!
I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
karthanis86's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gtriley's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mmulvaney's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0