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jen_is_booked's review
4.0
Third installment of the Will Robbe series. I think this is one of the best; there was a lot of character development, a lot of action and a lot of growth on everyone's part. Can't wait to start the next one! I won't go into much detail as it is the middle of a series. If you're reading the series then you know how they go and who the people are. If you've not yet started the series, then this should not be your first! Start at the beginning and you won't be disappointed.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Wow, I loved this one. Much more fast-paced than the previous book, and that ending was so intense. Plus we got to know the infamous Blue Man's real name - Roger Walton. Not sure why that was made apparent and not in the last one. I really liked how the terrorists were from North Korea this time. Even though, in reality North Korea is a joke, I liked how we got a glimpse of that part of the world. And it's very apparent that the author did his research, too. Felt familiar to the true story [b:The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story|25362017|The Girl with Seven Names A North Korean Defector’s Story|Hyeonseo Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435968828l/25362017._SY75_.jpg|45105689]. It's funny how the North Koreans talk about their Supreme Leader and say he's the strongest man alive and three meters tall. I love how delusional they are.
However, it didn't add up to how Chang-cha (or however you say the name of the North Korean assassin) developed her skills to best those of Robie and Reel. Plus they wouldn't have been able to know that Robie and Reel were at Pack's house when. Those were the only glaring flaws I think in this book, otherwise it'd have been 5 stars.
The backstory with Reel was great, too. The author did a good job interjecting that story with the main plot. Although, I still wonder how.
I'd love to be Robie and Reel and be able to run 6 miles in 36 minutes. Wouldn't that just be the best thing ever to jot down on your resume?
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However, it didn't add up to how Chang-cha (or however you say the name of the North Korean assassin) developed her skills to best those of Robie and Reel. Plus they wouldn't have been able to know that Robie and Reel were at Pack's house when
Spoiler
he killed himselfThe backstory with Reel was great, too. The author did a good job interjecting that story with the main plot. Although, I still wonder how
Spoiler
Earl would have known about Julie and taking her as baitI'd love to be Robie and Reel and be able to run 6 miles in 36 minutes. Wouldn't that just be the best thing ever to jot down on your resume?
Spoiler
I wish Chang-cha didn't die at the end. I wanted her to be in the next booksjudithdcollins's review
3.0
David Baldacci’s The Target, the third installment in the Will Robie series, involves an assassination with high suspense, endangering the entire nation with Robie and Reel back in action.
The president, the director of the CIA and the president's national security adviser meet in secret to hatch a plot to kill the dangerous and unpredictable leader of North Korea. If the mission goes wrong, the president could face impeachment and worse.
Evan Tucker, the CIA head, decides to use Robie and Reel, whose last mission ended in the deaths of other agency personnel. They are sent to the Burner Box, a training facility in rural North Carolina, for rigorous training, where they're subjected to everything from near-fatal waterboarding to food and sleep deprivation. When a North Korean operative discovers the mission and blows it out of the water, Robie and Reel are sent to clean up the mess.
I have read many of Baldacci’s novels and The Target was my least favorite in this series. The novel started out with a great set up and is action packed, quite compelling; however, the failed strike at North Korea was drawn out and lost my attention. Then it dives into Reel’s neo-Nazi past, her father, as she relives the ghosts of her past, which was further distracting, threatening them both, then the remainder is the Korean storyline.
The main action was the unknown and unlikely assassin, a woman who has trained her entire life to kill who has her own list of targets. Covering a great of territory, The Target from Alabama's death row, NC, NYC, Nantucket, Paris, and North Korea, plus more.
Baldacci is an excellent writer, and used a human interest storyline with the conditions in the Korean concentration camps and the Bukchang labor camp, as heartbreaking, which at times difficult to listen to.
I agree with some of the other reviewers, the third installment was compelling and full of adventure and reflection; however, not up to par with the first two. There was way too much going which took away from the main plot, causing it to be a little disjointed for me. I also listened to the audiobook and the sound effects –very distracting.
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/972344/the-target
The president, the director of the CIA and the president's national security adviser meet in secret to hatch a plot to kill the dangerous and unpredictable leader of North Korea. If the mission goes wrong, the president could face impeachment and worse.
Evan Tucker, the CIA head, decides to use Robie and Reel, whose last mission ended in the deaths of other agency personnel. They are sent to the Burner Box, a training facility in rural North Carolina, for rigorous training, where they're subjected to everything from near-fatal waterboarding to food and sleep deprivation. When a North Korean operative discovers the mission and blows it out of the water, Robie and Reel are sent to clean up the mess.
I have read many of Baldacci’s novels and The Target was my least favorite in this series. The novel started out with a great set up and is action packed, quite compelling; however, the failed strike at North Korea was drawn out and lost my attention. Then it dives into Reel’s neo-Nazi past, her father, as she relives the ghosts of her past, which was further distracting, threatening them both, then the remainder is the Korean storyline.
The main action was the unknown and unlikely assassin, a woman who has trained her entire life to kill who has her own list of targets. Covering a great of territory, The Target from Alabama's death row, NC, NYC, Nantucket, Paris, and North Korea, plus more.
Baldacci is an excellent writer, and used a human interest storyline with the conditions in the Korean concentration camps and the Bukchang labor camp, as heartbreaking, which at times difficult to listen to.
I agree with some of the other reviewers, the third installment was compelling and full of adventure and reflection; however, not up to par with the first two. There was way too much going which took away from the main plot, causing it to be a little disjointed for me. I also listened to the audiobook and the sound effects –very distracting.
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/972344/the-target
cwebb's review against another edition
3.0
Mitten in einer Serie einzusteigen ist immer eine Gefahr. Man muss mit vielen Rückblenden rechnen, so auch hier. Das macht es etwas mühsamer, und die ersten beiden Bände kann ich mir jetzt sicher sparen. Aber insgesamt immer noch ein ganz guter Thriller.
misskamibee's review
4.0
if all his information on North Korea is correct (and I'm sure it is....) that is one place I NEVER want to visit! great read.
krisboss's review against another edition
4.0
There were too many plot lines, but it was still entertaining. I enjoy a good spy novel, especially one with Reel and Robie.
fotoshopguy52's review
5.0
A little uneven at times, but still quite enjoyable. Also, although I found the ending to be somewhat predictable, I did thoroughly enjoy the manner in which Mr. Baldacci finished the story and was left in a satisfied and comforting mood.