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char931's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
asoutter's review
4.0
A good action story filled with some interesting reading. Story is a bit predictable and at time confusing to keep track of names. But it's action and excitement exactly what you'd want.
tig319's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
writtenbysime's review
3.0
RED NOTICE feels like Andy McNab trying to straddle the fence between his raw, expletive-laden Nick Stone series and his more recent efforts with fellow author Kym Jordan, which pack far more of an emotional pull and realism into its pages. Unfortunately the result lacks the impact of both. RED NOTICE is little more than an adept thriller. Undeniably readable, packed with plenty of action - but it's nothing we haven't read before. It's perfect airplane fiction. You part with your cash and you know what to expect.
Protagonist Tom Buckingham is fairly one-note. An SAS soldier struggling to balance his commitment to the Regiment with the needs of his girlfriend, who screws things up so badly she decides to leave him, buying a one-way ticket for the Eurostar the day after he fails to show up for their date. Naturally, Tom chases her down, manages to board the train just as the doors close - which is, naturally, the same train terrorist Laszlo plans to hijack; the same terrorist Tom and his SAS unit failed to capture less than 24 hours ago.
The plot just feels a tad too contrived for my tastes. I understand this is fiction; coincidences will occur in order to further the plot. Certain twists just seemed a tad too unnatural. There are the usual elements thrown in for good measure; traitors in the Regiment's ranks; Laszlo's plan isn't quite what it seems. All the necessary boxes are ticked off - just not in a particularly inspired fashion.
As the first in what is clearly a new series - too many plot threads are left dangling for this to be a standalone - RED LINE isn't the greatest of openers. My advice to any first-time McNab readers? Check out the Nick Stone books. For the rest of us stalwarts? This'll do. We desire better only because McNab's so often provided better. And it'll take a lot more than one mediocre thriller to stop me picking up his next.
Protagonist Tom Buckingham is fairly one-note. An SAS soldier struggling to balance his commitment to the Regiment with the needs of his girlfriend, who screws things up so badly she decides to leave him, buying a one-way ticket for the Eurostar the day after he fails to show up for their date. Naturally, Tom chases her down, manages to board the train just as the doors close - which is, naturally, the same train terrorist Laszlo plans to hijack; the same terrorist Tom and his SAS unit failed to capture less than 24 hours ago.
The plot just feels a tad too contrived for my tastes. I understand this is fiction; coincidences will occur in order to further the plot. Certain twists just seemed a tad too unnatural. There are the usual elements thrown in for good measure; traitors in the Regiment's ranks; Laszlo's plan isn't quite what it seems. All the necessary boxes are ticked off - just not in a particularly inspired fashion.
As the first in what is clearly a new series - too many plot threads are left dangling for this to be a standalone - RED LINE isn't the greatest of openers. My advice to any first-time McNab readers? Check out the Nick Stone books. For the rest of us stalwarts? This'll do. We desire better only because McNab's so often provided better. And it'll take a lot more than one mediocre thriller to stop me picking up his next.
sashacarpenter's review
4.0
Trying to prove his love to Delphine, Tom Buckingham hops aboard a train she is on that is headed for Paris; he wants to win her back after making one too many mistakes. As luck would have it, this is the same train that Laszlo Antonov, with the help of his fellow terrorists, has chosen to take over as he attempts to escape justice. The plan should go down without a hitch, but they never considered running into Sergeant Tom Buckingham, an off-duty SAS soldier who knows exactly who Laszlo Antonov is and what he is capable of.
SAS: Red Notice is a fast-paced page-turner that truly kept me at the edge of my seat. There are a lot of chapters in this book--118 plus an epilogue--and this breaking up of the narrative, as it switches between the many characters and locations, creates a lot of suspense and makes it hard to put down. The development of the characters and the story continues right up until the very end, leading to shocking revelations and action throughout. At times the technical language and terms used by McNab could be confusing. While I understand its importance to the story, there were a couple of times that I was unsure of what I was reading; however, I didn’t feel as though I was truly missing anything and that I still had a grasp on the story and situations. SAS: Red Notice is an action-packed novel, with a touch of love, full of explosive people and revelations.
SAS: Red Notice will be available on April 6th. Thank you to BookishFirst and Welbeck Publishing for an advanced copy of SAS: Red Notice by Andy McNab, given in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
SAS: Red Notice is a fast-paced page-turner that truly kept me at the edge of my seat. There are a lot of chapters in this book--118 plus an epilogue--and this breaking up of the narrative, as it switches between the many characters and locations, creates a lot of suspense and makes it hard to put down. The development of the characters and the story continues right up until the very end, leading to shocking revelations and action throughout. At times the technical language and terms used by McNab could be confusing. While I understand its importance to the story, there were a couple of times that I was unsure of what I was reading; however, I didn’t feel as though I was truly missing anything and that I still had a grasp on the story and situations. SAS: Red Notice is an action-packed novel, with a touch of love, full of explosive people and revelations.
SAS: Red Notice will be available on April 6th. Thank you to BookishFirst and Welbeck Publishing for an advanced copy of SAS: Red Notice by Andy McNab, given in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
trish204's review
5.0
My first book by this author and let me tell you, this was one hell of a ride. I was sceptical at first, I'll admit it. You see, the author was a member of the famous SAS (British special forces for you who don't know) so I knew I'd get accuracy, but that doesn't necessarily mean the man can write. I stand corrected however.
The story is of a terrorist and his crew and several attempts to apprehend them, but it has many more layers. There is political intrigue, cameraderie, action, an intelligent plot, lots of (apparently accurate) military details, blood, some more action, and even humour.
The characters are all very well drawn and not just cardboard cut-outs as is often the case in thrillers. Naturally, I especially liked Delphine (still think it's a horrible name though) for her sassiness and strength (all while being a very realistic character).
While this will never be high literature well-known hundreds of years from now like Shakespeare's plays, it does manage to give the reader some things to think about - such as the hypocrisy of our society (not just in one country), the lies of our politicians (not just in one country either), the special bond people can forge (especially when thrown together in bad circumstances), and the willingness of some truly extraordinary people to sacrifice all for the well-being of others. However, McNab never gets preachy and his book doesn't drown in pathos. He simply states facts and convictions and it is his dry matter-of-fact way whith which he addresses certain aspects here that was really nice. A couple of times I thought I knew what was gonna happen and in some cases I was right, but in others he actually surprised me.
However, if he is reading this (I don't think he will be, but just in case):!
So yeah, intelligent and realistic entertainment all around and I can't wait for the next.
Special thanks to my fake-adoptive daddy-dearest, who not only made me look up Andy McNab in the first place, and not only recommended this particular book to me, but was also willing to read the series in a buddy-read with me. *hugs*
The story is of a terrorist and his crew and several attempts to apprehend them, but it has many more layers. There is political intrigue, cameraderie, action, an intelligent plot, lots of (apparently accurate) military details, blood, some more action, and even humour.
The characters are all very well drawn and not just cardboard cut-outs as is often the case in thrillers. Naturally, I especially liked Delphine (still think it's a horrible name though) for her sassiness and strength (all while being a very realistic character).
While this will never be high literature well-known hundreds of years from now like Shakespeare's plays, it does manage to give the reader some things to think about - such as the hypocrisy of our society (not just in one country), the lies of our politicians (not just in one country either), the special bond people can forge (especially when thrown together in bad circumstances), and the willingness of some truly extraordinary people to sacrifice all for the well-being of others. However, McNab never gets preachy and his book doesn't drown in pathos. He simply states facts and convictions and it is his dry matter-of-fact way whith which he addresses certain aspects here that was really nice. A couple of times I thought I knew what was gonna happen and in some cases I was right, but in others he actually surprised me.
However, if he is reading this (I don't think he will be, but just in case):
Spoiler
I'll never forgive you for Gavin! You could have killed one of the other people but nooo, it always has to be a character I'm rooting for. This is a conspiracy of authors against meSo yeah, intelligent and realistic entertainment all around and I can't wait for the next.
Special thanks to my fake-adoptive daddy-dearest, who not only made me look up Andy McNab in the first place, and not only recommended this particular book to me, but was also willing to read the series in a buddy-read with me. *hugs*
flashahahhh's review
3.0
The plot is a little thin, even for a McNab novel, but the action comes thick and fast making it plenty enjoyable. The ending seemed a little anticlimactic and somewhat rushed, though a few loose ends could mean a followup is on the cards. If so I would be happy to read it.
jlmcnair's review
4.0
This was a fun read, although I did find the author a bit too detailed in his explanations of certain weapons and tactics and what have you. I really don't need that level of detail and I found it detracted somewhat from the flow of the action. But on the whole, it's a high octane thriller and certainly entertaining.