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trish204's review against another edition
3.0
My first Chess Team book, my second novel by Jeremy Robinson. And I'm not impressed with either. The first book I read had almost the same problem as this one: good basic idea, thrilling, gripping, but at a certain point it just becomes too aloof.
In this case I was already slightly annoyed at the start when reading about the oh-so-perfect-and-formidable special operators of the US Delta Force and all the justifications for how and why they do what they do and why it is OK when they do it but not when others do the very same thing. It was rather spooky to read about their charakters (anger issues, suicidal tendencies, love for hurting other things or people, numerous phobias that can only be controlled by applying violence on something or someone ... to only name a few) and to think that maybe, just maybe, some pychos like that could actually be used for military operations. I hope not.
What I also don't like is when authors take very real situations (in this case diving for a hobby, meeting hammerhead sharks that are being fed) and turn them into nightmares just to thrill the reader, thereby creating a completely wrong impression. Sharks are the prime example in many thrillers (movies and books alike) and it's simply annoying - especially when one takes into account the devastating damage that has been and still is caused by these false images!
Then the action started and I was content for a while, trying to enjoy the adventure and not to think too much. But again, at a certain point it just became too ridiculous, too fancy, too twisted. I mean I knew it would have some mythological, maybe even supernatural elements but not like this. Way too much (I'm not going into detail as to not spoil it for potential readers, if you want to know details, just say so).
Moreover, I couldn't actually bond with anybody in the book. Usually, when I read one of Matthew Reilley's novels for example, I'm emotionally distraught when someone dies or I'm anxiously hoping for someone's survival. Here, nothing.
I wanted to know where the villains took the idea with the Hydra but I didn't care if they succeeded or not. In the end I was even disappointed with the villains' "end game".
For this reason and because I've read on amazon that the sequels will be even more twisted / aloof, I will probably not continue with the series.
The third star is for the passable action alone and to mark it as at least equal to "Island 731"; usually I wouldn't give more than 2stars for this.
In this case I was already slightly annoyed at the start when reading about the oh-so-perfect-and-formidable special operators of the US Delta Force and all the justifications for how and why they do what they do and why it is OK when they do it but not when others do the very same thing. It was rather spooky to read about their charakters (anger issues, suicidal tendencies, love for hurting other things or people, numerous phobias that can only be controlled by applying violence on something or someone ... to only name a few) and to think that maybe, just maybe, some pychos like that could actually be used for military operations. I hope not.
What I also don't like is when authors take very real situations (in this case diving for a hobby, meeting hammerhead sharks that are being fed) and turn them into nightmares just to thrill the reader, thereby creating a completely wrong impression. Sharks are the prime example in many thrillers (movies and books alike) and it's simply annoying - especially when one takes into account the devastating damage that has been and still is caused by these false images!
Then the action started and I was content for a while, trying to enjoy the adventure and not to think too much. But again, at a certain point it just became too ridiculous, too fancy, too twisted. I mean I knew it would have some mythological, maybe even supernatural elements but not like this. Way too much (I'm not going into detail as to not spoil it for potential readers, if you want to know details, just say so).
Moreover, I couldn't actually bond with anybody in the book. Usually, when I read one of Matthew Reilley's novels for example, I'm emotionally distraught when someone dies or I'm anxiously hoping for someone's survival. Here, nothing.
I wanted to know where the villains took the idea with the Hydra but I didn't care if they succeeded or not. In the end I was even disappointed with the villains' "end game".
For this reason and because I've read on amazon that the sequels will be even more twisted / aloof, I will probably not continue with the series.
The third star is for the passable action alone and to mark it as at least equal to "Island 731"; usually I wouldn't give more than 2stars for this.
chandie's review against another edition
1.0
The story felt disjointed and I was very bored with it...didn't even finish it.
meganelise0_o's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
**Still enjoyable on reread. It's escapist, over-the-top adventure pure and simple.**
Rook. Knight. Queen. Bishop. These are the call signs for members of a five person special ops team, one of the most elite Delta force teams in operation. The fifth member is their leader, Jack Sigler, call sign "King". Turning suicidal missions into successful outcomes is just how they roll. But when a well earned, two week R&R break winds up with King unexpectedly on the wrong end of a gun and genetic terrorism becomes a threat on a scale no one could have imagined, King knows it's time to call in his personal cavalry.
King didn't ask for help unless people were dead and someone had to pay for it.
I'd never heard of this series or this author. I picked up the book at the library on a whim, probably because it featured special forces team members as the main characters and I eat that stuff up, but I ended up really enjoying it. I've always been the type of girl who loves explosions, shoot outs, car chases, and high risk adventures. The type of high octane, over the top, suspension-of-disbelief-is-your-mantra action that belongs in a high budget summer action movie - the kind that is only meant for guilty pleasure consumption.
If Indiana Jones had been a highly trained military operative, it might look something like this, complete with old relics, shadowy organizations, and mythical/supernatural happenings. Admittedly the supernatural stuff threw me initially because I was expecting a more straight laced military story, but then I just sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the ride. Along the way we get a little insight into the various members of this Delta team and I can only hope that more will be revealed. I loved their loyalty to each other and their banter. Will this story ever win major literary awards? I won't hold my breath, but for pure escapist fun it did its job and I can't wait to go on more odds-are-against-us covert missions with King and his awesome Chess Team.
Rook. Knight. Queen. Bishop. These are the call signs for members of a five person special ops team, one of the most elite Delta force teams in operation. The fifth member is their leader, Jack Sigler, call sign "King". Turning suicidal missions into successful outcomes is just how they roll. But when a well earned, two week R&R break winds up with King unexpectedly on the wrong end of a gun and genetic terrorism becomes a threat on a scale no one could have imagined, King knows it's time to call in his personal cavalry.
King didn't ask for help unless people were dead and someone had to pay for it.
I'd never heard of this series or this author. I picked up the book at the library on a whim, probably because it featured special forces team members as the main characters and I eat that stuff up, but I ended up really enjoying it. I've always been the type of girl who loves explosions, shoot outs, car chases, and high risk adventures. The type of high octane, over the top, suspension-of-disbelief-is-your-mantra action that belongs in a high budget summer action movie - the kind that is only meant for guilty pleasure consumption.
If Indiana Jones had been a highly trained military operative, it might look something like this, complete with old relics, shadowy organizations, and mythical/supernatural happenings. Admittedly the supernatural stuff threw me initially because I was expecting a more straight laced military story, but then I just sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the ride. Along the way we get a little insight into the various members of this Delta team and I can only hope that more will be revealed. I loved their loyalty to each other and their banter. Will this story ever win major literary awards? I won't hold my breath, but for pure escapist fun it did its job and I can't wait to go on more odds-are-against-us covert missions with King and his awesome Chess Team.
ctgt's review against another edition
3.0
Probably 3.5 star book. I've read quite a few thrillers in the past several months and this was didn't have quite the breakneck speed of the others. Still a good read.
sophial's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
2.5
imzadirose's review against another edition
4.0
In my quest to find more books like Matt Reilly's Scarecrow series (starts with [b:Ice Station|144790|Ice Station (Shane Schofield, #1)|Matthew Reilly|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388185756s/144790.jpg|289833]) and Andy McDermott's Wilde & Chase series (starts with [b:The Hunt for Atlantis|2445116|The Hunt for Atlantis (Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase, #1)|Andy McDermott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330094121s/2445116.jpg|2452310]), I tried Jeremy Robinson and this first book of his Chess Team series.
I didn't find it in the same level as Reilly/McDermott. There were a lot of down times where they were discussing things, which in the other series I mentioned the down time is minimal then it's right back to the action and while the story was steeped in fantasy, I didn't feel the over the top type action those other authors give me.
But, I really liked the Chess Team itself, so I did still enjoy the book and look forward to reading more about them.
I didn't find it in the same level as Reilly/McDermott. There were a lot of down times where they were discussing things, which in the other series I mentioned the down time is minimal then it's right back to the action and while the story was steeped in fantasy, I didn't feel the over the top type action those other authors give me.
But, I really liked the Chess Team itself, so I did still enjoy the book and look forward to reading more about them.
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