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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If Reaper ([b:Reaper's Run|18363862|Reaper's Run (Plague Wars, #1)|David VanDyke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1377637247s/18363862.jpg|25487083]) was a tall, thin, bald Native American man with killer aim, no Eden Plague, and a ton of baggage, this would be her story ;-)
Skull was with Daniel Markis' band and helped them fight and escape INS, though he declined to take the Eden virus and its resulting virtue. He needs his bad side. It's what enables him to do the things he does for the good side.
See, in book 0.5, [b:The Eden Plague|17449363|The Eden Plague (Plague Wars, #0)|David VanDyke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1361988955s/17449363.jpg|21400648], Daniel Markis' Air Force buddy and rescuer Zeke was killed by a headshot during battle with the villainous INS, creators of the Eden Plague, and Zeke was the only person Skull cared about. After that disaster, Skull rejected the Eden virus, ditched Markis' band, and is now headed off to the INS headquarters on his own, looking forward to causing a ruckus. On his route he encounters murder and mayhem, and dishes out plenty of his own--but always on the side of the oppressed.
Skull's a quiet, unassuming loner. But that calm exterior belies a calculating mind, special forces tactics, top-notch fighting skills, and a wicked aim that he's not afraid to utilize in the pursuit of his goals. Skull is dedicated to the eradication of as many evildoers as it is possible for him to get. True, he can get carried away, he doesn't have a problem with torture, and he makes some pretty nasty threats to get necessary things done. But he only uses these tactics against those who are truly evil, those who like to hurt others, those who are bad because they want to be and they can. Skull doesn't mind causing collateral damage if it can't be avoided, like killing police who catch him and are about to give him away to the authorities, but he does show restraint when he has a choice.
Coming across a farm and its owners who have been brutalized and murdered by local townsmen, Skull holds a little girl as she dies, then brings on the murderers the swift, sure hand of "life for life" vengeance with his sniper rifle. He does what a lot of others wish they could when he carries off, confronts, and executes a pompous, sniveling, bully of a governmental rat who does nothing but brag, boss, and interfere in situations where lives could be lost. Watching Edens held in a veritable concentration camp and fed with human flesh, Skull almost cannot contain his rage, illustrated in the following excerpt.
This desire for justice is not wrong. Indeed, justice is what God Almighty is passionate about. And He has specially called and instilled some with this same passion.
God does take vengeance, and sometimes He uses people like Skull to do so.
Skull's visit with someone he loves and hasn't seen in years provides a brief respite in his life on the edge, a quiet time of contemplation of the path he's on. Part of his internal rage is revealed to be anger at himself. From then on, he's been holding on to his hate and finds an outlet in his outbursts at the evildoers he meets. This tragic situation could be rectified if Skull accepts peace and forgiveness at the foot of Jesus' Cross he was taught about by his childhood priest. He could be whole inside. He could forgive himself and release his built up anger. He could be a fully righteous warrior for truth and justice. But he isn't ready to do all that. It's a small but important aside that I hope is more fully pursued in following books. And of course, the ending is glorious in true Skull style!
Skull's refusal to take the Eden Plague stems from his knowledge that if he does, he won't be able to do these hard things (the fighting and killing stuff, the things that Edens and other "good people" want done but are too squeamish to do themselves). He has an excellent point there. This is a problem many Christians cause when they do ridiculous things like condemn war one minute and then the next, thank God for the US military. Still, I wish people like Skull would discover the truth that one can be a Christian and still be a warrior for justice. That they can have forgiveness, peace, rest in God--and be the protector and Guardian Angel for His children.
Read in Judges 3:14-30 of Ehud, the God-ordained judge who tricked and assassinated the king of Israel's oppressors, burying a dagger into him up to the hilt. When things gotta get done, God sends His servants to make sure they are. Servants like Skull.
Skull was with Daniel Markis' band and helped them fight and escape INS, though he declined to take the Eden virus and its resulting virtue. He needs his bad side. It's what enables him to do the things he does for the good side.
See, in book 0.5, [b:The Eden Plague|17449363|The Eden Plague (Plague Wars, #0)|David VanDyke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1361988955s/17449363.jpg|21400648], Daniel Markis' Air Force buddy and rescuer Zeke was killed by a headshot during battle with the villainous INS, creators of the Eden Plague, and Zeke was the only person Skull cared about. After that disaster, Skull rejected the Eden virus, ditched Markis' band, and is now headed off to the INS headquarters on his own, looking forward to causing a ruckus. On his route he encounters murder and mayhem, and dishes out plenty of his own--but always on the side of the oppressed.
I would really like to kill someone here. Someone deserving. Someone on the wrong side.
Only problem was, he wasn't yet sure of the sides. Still, he knew if he just stayed patient, evil would reveal itself.
It always did.
Skull's a quiet, unassuming loner. But that calm exterior belies a calculating mind, special forces tactics, top-notch fighting skills, and a wicked aim that he's not afraid to utilize in the pursuit of his goals. Skull is dedicated to the eradication of as many evildoers as it is possible for him to get. True, he can get carried away, he doesn't have a problem with torture, and he makes some pretty nasty threats to get necessary things done. But he only uses these tactics against those who are truly evil, those who like to hurt others, those who are bad because they want to be and they can. Skull doesn't mind causing collateral damage if it can't be avoided, like killing police who catch him and are about to give him away to the authorities, but he does show restraint when he has a choice.
Coming across a farm and its owners who have been brutalized and murdered by local townsmen, Skull holds a little girl as she dies, then brings on the murderers the swift, sure hand of "life for life" vengeance with his sniper rifle. He does what a lot of others wish they could when he carries off, confronts, and executes a pompous, sniveling, bully of a governmental rat who does nothing but brag, boss, and interfere in situations where lives could be lost. Watching Edens held in a veritable concentration camp and fed with human flesh, Skull almost cannot contain his rage, illustrated in the following excerpt.
Simply put, his psyche begged permission to unleash the joy of the kill within him.
Not for revenge. Does a man take revenge upon rats?
No, this desire was for justice.
For balance.
For cleansing.
This desire for justice is not wrong. Indeed, justice is what God Almighty is passionate about. And He has specially called and instilled some with this same passion.
I have done judgement and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
-Psalm 119:121
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for He that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
-Ecclesiastes 5:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
-Micah 6:8
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
-Psalm 82:3-4
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
-Proverbs 21:3
Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed.
-Isaiah 56:1
God does take vengeance, and sometimes He uses people like Skull to do so.
Skull's visit with someone he loves and hasn't seen in years provides a brief respite in his life on the edge, a quiet time of contemplation of the path he's on. Part of his internal rage is revealed to be anger at himself
Spoiler
for inadvertently getting his fiancee killed some time agoSkull's refusal to take the Eden Plague stems from his knowledge that if he does, he won't be able to do these hard things (the fighting and killing stuff, the things that Edens and other "good people" want done but are too squeamish to do themselves). He has an excellent point there. This is a problem many Christians cause when they do ridiculous things like condemn war one minute and then the next, thank God for the US military. Still, I wish people like Skull would discover the truth that one can be a Christian and still be a warrior for justice. That they can have forgiveness, peace, rest in God--and be the protector and Guardian Angel for His children.
Read in Judges 3:14-30 of Ehud, the God-ordained judge who tricked and assassinated the king of Israel's oppressors, burying a dagger into him up to the hilt. When things gotta get done, God sends His servants to make sure they are. Servants like Skull.
Very good. Enjoyed the character - could understsnd his motivations -very cut &dry... Remorseless.
Wish the third & fourth books had whispersync. I am enjoying the series
Wish the third & fourth books had whispersync. I am enjoying the series
Skull is not a nice guy. He is impossible to root for, even when he is helping the good guys. He is way crazy. Still it was not hard to read. Skull is a train wreck that I willingly watched.
This series was ok. Entertaining but not excelent. This third book took a turn for the worst such that I'm not motivated to finish the series. Which is unusual.
I can't relate to Skull as well as I did other characters and that is the only reason for the four stars rather than five. I love the way this book was written, love the little tie ins with the previously introduced characters. What's sad is I could totally see our government reacting this way. Power and money and loss of control would for sure bring this kind of evil out in our leaders. I wanted the Auschwitz style Concentration camp to have more of a role in the book but with Skull, i can kinda get it. For a while I thought he might be infected too...did some out of character things that made me think the virtue effect was trying to take hold...but it is what it is. Great read, wish I could afford the rest of the series but sadly, nope.