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kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
There's something deliciously intriguing about the machinations in the plot of THE FOUNDATION. Not for one moment would you like to let the major media barons and the undue and partisan influence they wield off the hook, but the idea that they might also be subject to the same sort of games could make a reader feel there's a bit of comeuppance after all.
Steve P Vincent's debut thriller hits the ground running hard. His protagonist, journalist Jack Emery is worldly wise and as jaded and pissed off as you'd expect somebody with his background to be. Not so pissed off that he's going to let a shadowy Foundation and it's ruthless and vicious director get away with anything however.
Using many of the standard devices of a thriller protagonist - fearlessness and ruthlessness in particular - and putting them in the body of a non-military type is an interesting idea. Not that journalist can't be fit, capable and enduring, but it's a nice twist on the norm, especially as Emery doesn't pretend to be an all-action energiser bunny type. He's dogged, he's loyal, he's human and if you kick him it bloody hurts.
Setting him, and the intrigue that he's trying to uncover with good old-fashioned investigative journalism, in the world of international politics, which lets face it, isn't hard to believe as a melting pot of corruption, greed and power hungry lunacy, isn't going to do much for anybody's faith in those systems (if they still have any that is).
Which goes to show that THE FOUNDATION is very well crafted. It's a thriller sure, so it's high-pace, high-octane, high-risk action all the way. The scenario in which all that takes place however, is believable and chillingly realistic. It's also got some depth that can, unfortunately, sometimes be lacking in this style of book. There are reasons for the bad-guys doing what they are doing which might not be palatable, but it's certainly understandable.
An assured debut, THE FOUNDATION, is a really tightly plotted conspiracy novel that feels uncomfortably like it could very well be based on real-life.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-foundation-steve-p-vincent
Steve P Vincent's debut thriller hits the ground running hard. His protagonist, journalist Jack Emery is worldly wise and as jaded and pissed off as you'd expect somebody with his background to be. Not so pissed off that he's going to let a shadowy Foundation and it's ruthless and vicious director get away with anything however.
Using many of the standard devices of a thriller protagonist - fearlessness and ruthlessness in particular - and putting them in the body of a non-military type is an interesting idea. Not that journalist can't be fit, capable and enduring, but it's a nice twist on the norm, especially as Emery doesn't pretend to be an all-action energiser bunny type. He's dogged, he's loyal, he's human and if you kick him it bloody hurts.
Setting him, and the intrigue that he's trying to uncover with good old-fashioned investigative journalism, in the world of international politics, which lets face it, isn't hard to believe as a melting pot of corruption, greed and power hungry lunacy, isn't going to do much for anybody's faith in those systems (if they still have any that is).
Which goes to show that THE FOUNDATION is very well crafted. It's a thriller sure, so it's high-pace, high-octane, high-risk action all the way. The scenario in which all that takes place however, is believable and chillingly realistic. It's also got some depth that can, unfortunately, sometimes be lacking in this style of book. There are reasons for the bad-guys doing what they are doing which might not be palatable, but it's certainly understandable.
An assured debut, THE FOUNDATION, is a really tightly plotted conspiracy novel that feels uncomfortably like it could very well be based on real-life.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-foundation-steve-p-vincent
grackback's review
4.0
What a great read! I genuinely enjoyed every aspect of this book, besides maybe one or two things which I will mention soon. Not only was it action packed and extremely engrossing, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this journalist who was going above and beyond for a story as it is not something I have read before, and honestly wish I read more of. I loved how at the start of each chapter the exposition was given as a form of a news report/article as it is obviously relevant to the story as Jack is a journalist and it is so much nicer than having the exposition given dryly and awkwardly through dialogue. I also enjoyed how real this novel felt, as it was openly brutal and did not sugar coat anything. Overall, this book was extremely well written and engaging, definitely not for younger audiences. The only problems I had with it were parts that are spoilers, so I will mention them now. Those were the only parts that made me take away a star from this book! I thoroughly enjoyed, was surprised at how much I loved it and I definitely recommend.
Spoiler
There were a few bits that were brushed over, for example, in chapter thirteen Celeste has just been confiding in Jack because she was raped, and then the next page they make a joke about someone thinking that her and Jack are having sex. It just felt a little insensitive and it definitely was not crucial to the story in any sense. I also began to feel that the trauma they were enduring was also downplayed and that this could have been emphasises a little more.balthazarlawson's review
3.0
This book suffers from an identity crisis. I'm not sure how to categorise it. For a while I thought it would be a war story. Then a business thriller. Maybe a story of revenge. Or maybe a political thriller. Then again, a story an action story. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what kind of story this is and there in lays the problem I have with the book. It was all over the place and does not have a nice tight story line. The time line and structure of the book was a bit irratic as well. This all combined for not a great reading experience.
The story had promise, like a well planned attack, but was badly executed. It just didn't grab me.
The story had promise, like a well planned attack, but was badly executed. It just didn't grab me.
michellet85's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get in to it and at times it didn’t keep my attention for very long but overall I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. I look forward to reading the second in the series.
kellimac's review against another edition
3.0
Although I enjoyed the plot, the characters didn't resonate with me. I found myself not really caring who lived or died and just wanted to reach the end. I still enjoyed parts of the book, but even the action scenes didn't keep me captivated for long. After reading the other reviews, I am in the minority so it's probably just a personal preference.
goodbookery's review
2.0
When a corrupt organization incites war between China and the US, journalist Jack Emery finds himself in the crosshairs. With his life and the lives of those around him in danger, can he get to the root of the organization and expose the conspiracy?
This is definitely not my normal genre. This book read like an action movie and a bit like a political thriller. While I was engaged enough to want to read on to find out what would happen and how events would resolve, I found much of the plot to be extremely far fetched (at least I very much hope it is). But then, so are most action movies, really. If you like the Bourne series or that type of book, you may like this too.
This is definitely not my normal genre. This book read like an action movie and a bit like a political thriller. While I was engaged enough to want to read on to find out what would happen and how events would resolve, I found much of the plot to be extremely far fetched (at least I very much hope it is). But then, so are most action movies, really. If you like the Bourne series or that type of book, you may like this too.
rincondejoss's review
4.0
This one it's good, at the beginning was a little slow for everything I have read from the author so far or did felt super slow I was even debating leaving it since it wasn't getting anything for me, and then bum everything happened almost at once.
Jack it's very gritty and resourceful being a reporter and all, can't say I like him better than the spy on the other series, but he was cool.
Overall it was an amazing ride the one we had with Jack at this time, let's see what happens later on with him.
Jack it's very gritty and resourceful being a reporter and all, can't say I like him better than the spy on the other series, but he was cool.
Overall it was an amazing ride the one we had with Jack at this time, let's see what happens later on with him.
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