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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Not the most balanced novel overall in the series but the general plot was compelling. The flashbacks were long, but for those who've journeyed here via the prior two books, this has to be some of the most satisfying plot/backstory completion I've come across. Even beyond the story of the book itself - the flashbacks about Donny's time stateside, the visceral writing about domestic protests, about serving on the ground, and the battle sequence that Swagger and Donny are valorized for - the writing is completely gripping. Certainly the best depictions I've read of such events. This alone makes it five stars.
The rest: it is satisfying to get to the showdown between Solaratov and Swagger. The build up and maneuvering are in some ways better than the final moments themselves. The reveal about the targets is great - even if improbable. And the final poetic justice moment is action-movie level fun and crazy.
Is this better than book #1? Probably not. But the places it takes you, the images that Hunter serves up, the narrative arc completion are incredibly satisfying and overcome any of the other unevenness. Worth the read for those who've read the previous 2 books.
The rest: it is satisfying to get to the showdown between Solaratov and Swagger. The build up and maneuvering are in some ways better than the final moments themselves. The reveal about the targets is great - even if improbable. And the final poetic justice moment is action-movie level fun and crazy.
Is this better than book #1? Probably not. But the places it takes you, the images that Hunter serves up, the narrative arc completion are incredibly satisfying and overcome any of the other unevenness. Worth the read for those who've read the previous 2 books.
This is a hard one to get a handle on. I wish we could do half stars.
The opening of the book annoyed me with it's cliffhanger opening with Bob Lee apparently being killed. Then it switches to 1971 and Bob Lee's spotter Donny Fenn. That also kind of annoyed me at first, but the Donny Fenn section was by far the best part of the book.
Hunter really filled out the character, made him very compelling and interesting. I enjoyed that part of the novel.
When the focus came back to Bob Lee, I didn't care for the book very much. His anger at the Ivy League types didn't ring true and his brilliant abilities against the CIA also were kind of out there.
Overall the book was not a bad read. Not Hunter's best, but I will move on to the next Bob Lee novel, The 47th Samurai tonight.
The opening of the book annoyed me with it's cliffhanger opening with Bob Lee apparently being killed. Then it switches to 1971 and Bob Lee's spotter Donny Fenn. That also kind of annoyed me at first, but the Donny Fenn section was by far the best part of the book.
Hunter really filled out the character, made him very compelling and interesting. I enjoyed that part of the novel.
When the focus came back to Bob Lee, I didn't care for the book very much. His anger at the Ivy League types didn't ring true and his brilliant abilities against the CIA also were kind of out there.
Overall the book was not a bad read. Not Hunter's best, but I will move on to the next Bob Lee novel, The 47th Samurai tonight.
Ok, so in fairness this is not my usual genre. I actually found this book lying around as a donation from my mom and decided to read it to clear up shelf space.
I was skeptical at first. The prologue describes the machinery of a sniper rifle in truly excruciating detail, and the first chapter reads like a love letter to the Marine corps. But once the action got going it was truly hard to put down. I kept telling myself it wasn't my thing and kept on reading anyway, before finally accepting about halfway through that I would in fact be finishing it. It wasn't spectacular or anything, but was solidly entertaining throughout. If I find another Stephen Hunter book around I won't be so hesitant to pick it up.
I was skeptical at first. The prologue describes the machinery of a sniper rifle in truly excruciating detail, and the first chapter reads like a love letter to the Marine corps. But once the action got going it was truly hard to put down. I kept telling myself it wasn't my thing and kept on reading anyway, before finally accepting about halfway through that I would in fact be finishing it. It wasn't spectacular or anything, but was solidly entertaining throughout. If I find another Stephen Hunter book around I won't be so hesitant to pick it up.
Ok action filled read, but the story seemed a bit contrived. Story centers around Donny Fenn who was Bob Lee Swagger's spotter in Vietnam and was killed in Vietnam. Then 40 years later, Bob is forced to investigate who or why Donny was killed in Vietnam.
This is the third book in the Bob Lee Swagger series and another enjoyable read. The plot starts after the events of the last two books but we only get a short teaser into Bob's current life, a quick cliff-hanger before we jump back in time to the Vietnam War era. And once there, the POV shifts to Donny Fenn, a young marine who had been severely wounded during a tour in Vietnam but is now in Washington DC serving in a nice "safe" position. We get to watch him get drawn into the peace movement and be asked to spy on his fellow marines. His story is a poignant one and lasts for quite a while before he makes a courageous decision and is forced back to the warzone where he meets up with Bob Lee Swagger and becomes the master sniper's spotter.
That section was quite lengthy, so much so that I was actually beginning to wonder if this was going to be a Swagger book at all. But from there it's all Swagger as we jump around in time to experience the larger plot. Utimately this serves to tie the entire story together and, at the same time, really fleshes out Bob Lee Swagger's backstory. We get to see cool sniping action as well as fall into a mystery/espionage plot and finish with an intense long range battle between two super sniper legends. Along the way we come to further understand the present day demons that Swagger endures and how they came to be.
That section was quite lengthy, so much so that I was actually beginning to wonder if this was going to be a Swagger book at all. But from there it's all Swagger as we jump around in time to experience the larger plot. Utimately this serves to tie the entire story together and, at the same time, really fleshes out Bob Lee Swagger's backstory. We get to see cool sniping action as well as fall into a mystery/espionage plot and finish with an intense long range battle between two super sniper legends. Along the way we come to further understand the present day demons that Swagger endures and how they came to be.
This author writes really well in this genre. Of course the cowboy/hero/soldier is not for everyone, but if you enjoy one from time to time, this guy does well.
this is the 3rd entry of Swagger saga ! Part adventure, part thriller, part mystery story :) kinda got bored with 85 pages long Vietnam era peace movement. but other than that all good :)
looking forward for next entry
looking forward for next entry
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes