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jarichan's review against another edition
5.0
Die Prequel-Trilogie gefällt mir eindeutig besser als die Hauptreihe. Das hat dieser Band eindeutig bewiesen, denn er ist sogar noch besser als der erste Teil - welch eine Seltenheit.
Cole kann unheimlich gut schreiben. Vor allem hat er ein unglaubliches Händchen dafür, Charaktere zu zeichnen. Schweitzers Kampf um seine Familie hat Spuren hinterlassen. Wie wirkt sich das auf ihn aus? Weiss er noch, wofür er kämpft? Was ist richtig, was falsch?
Doch nicht nur der Held muss sich solchen Fragen stellen, auch die anderen Figuren sind stetig dazu angehalten, ihr Verhalten zu hinterfragen, werden getestet und geprüft. Deswegen fühlt sich hier alles echt an, lebendig. Trotz des untoten Military Sci-Fi-Settings.
Mister Cole, wie schaffen Sie das bloss?!
Cole kann unheimlich gut schreiben. Vor allem hat er ein unglaubliches Händchen dafür, Charaktere zu zeichnen. Schweitzers Kampf um seine Familie hat Spuren hinterlassen. Wie wirkt sich das auf ihn aus? Weiss er noch, wofür er kämpft? Was ist richtig, was falsch?
Doch nicht nur der Held muss sich solchen Fragen stellen, auch die anderen Figuren sind stetig dazu angehalten, ihr Verhalten zu hinterfragen, werden getestet und geprüft. Deswegen fühlt sich hier alles echt an, lebendig. Trotz des untoten Military Sci-Fi-Settings.
Mister Cole, wie schaffen Sie das bloss?!
mferrante83's review against another edition
3.0
Javelin Rain is the sequel to Gemini Cell. Both novels take place in Myke Cole’s Shadow Ops world albeit before the events in Control Point (review), Fortress Frontier (review), and Breach Zone (review). Javelin Rain continues the story of US Navy Seal Jim Schweitzer as he fights for his family against the nefarious Gemini Cell; the seemingly government sanctioned operation that turned him into the monster he is.
Javelin Rain takes place almost immediately after the events of the previous novel with Schweitzer having conquered the spirit Ninip, regaining control of his body, and having defeated a number of Gold Operators sent after himself and his family. Schweitzer along with his wife and son go on the run as they attempt to evade Gemini Cell pursuit and formulate some kind of plan going forward. Meanwhile the Gemini Cell increases their efforts to track down Schweitzer and his family without regard for collateral damage. Elsewhere, we are introduced to a new cell with their very own sorcerer, Dadou Alva. Alva is tasked with attempting to bind spirits to the living rather than the dead, a job that is significantly messier than Jawid’s binding spirits to corpses. Alva is eventually called in, at the behest of the shadow Director, to assist Doctor Eldredge, Jawid, and Gemini Cell in tracking down Schweitzer and his family while simultaneously using Gemini Cell’s resources to further the task of binding a spirit to a living creature.
Cole adds a fascinating element to the story in that Dadou’s magical ability is the same as Jawid’s however her personal ideology and religious frame of reference differs vastly. Using their magic to call spirits from violent soul storm both Jawid and Dadou both experience the same thing but interpret it in different ways. It becomes further apparent that both Jawid and Dadou are profoundly damaged individuals whose psychological hang-ups make them easy targets for manipulation by both The Director and others. Cole does an excellent job of conjuring sympathy for both parties while rocketing both towards what will ultimately be a tragic confrontation. I absolutely love Cole’s world and the parts of Javelin Rain are really the only section of the novel where he delves into the nitty gritty of the magic seen throughout the novel. Sadly, I don’t feel like any lingering questions about Dadou’s and Jawid’s abilities are answered. This is a disappointment for me, as I crave to more about the magic of this world, but other readers might feel differently.
Doctor Eldredge plays a more prominent role in Javelin Rain as his experiences with Schweitzer and the wanton destruction reaped by the Gold Operators over the course of the novel begin to tax even his loose moral code. Eldredge’s moral dilemma is further compounded by the enigmatic Director who seems unconcerned with threats to the funding of Gemini Cell. Eldredge was a far more mysterious figure in Gemini Cell and infusing him with some humanity here is a nice touch. While the Director plays an important role in the novel the less said the better as that role would constitute a major spoiler.
I do have to admit that Javelin Rain is my least favorite of Cole’s novels so far. Schweitzer’s complete lack of a plan for most of the novel and an extreme focus on Schweitzer’s love for his family, while understandable, felt like it impeded the novel’s progress on multiple occasions. Throughout Javelin Rain I was more compelled by Doctor Eldredge, Jawid, and Dadau Alva then I was by Schweitzer and his family. While those other characters play an important part in the novel it becomes difficult when the bulk of the novel is spent with Schweitzer. That being said I’m still curious to see where things are moving going forward. There were hints throughout Javelin Rain that tie it more strongly with previous Shadow Ops novels and I am not entirely certain that Schweitzer’s quest to end the Gemini Cell, righteous as it is, will end well for him or any magical actives across the United States.
Javelin Rain takes place almost immediately after the events of the previous novel with Schweitzer having conquered the spirit Ninip, regaining control of his body, and having defeated a number of Gold Operators sent after himself and his family. Schweitzer along with his wife and son go on the run as they attempt to evade Gemini Cell pursuit and formulate some kind of plan going forward. Meanwhile the Gemini Cell increases their efforts to track down Schweitzer and his family without regard for collateral damage. Elsewhere, we are introduced to a new cell with their very own sorcerer, Dadou Alva. Alva is tasked with attempting to bind spirits to the living rather than the dead, a job that is significantly messier than Jawid’s binding spirits to corpses. Alva is eventually called in, at the behest of the shadow Director, to assist Doctor Eldredge, Jawid, and Gemini Cell in tracking down Schweitzer and his family while simultaneously using Gemini Cell’s resources to further the task of binding a spirit to a living creature.
Cole adds a fascinating element to the story in that Dadou’s magical ability is the same as Jawid’s however her personal ideology and religious frame of reference differs vastly. Using their magic to call spirits from violent soul storm both Jawid and Dadou both experience the same thing but interpret it in different ways. It becomes further apparent that both Jawid and Dadou are profoundly damaged individuals whose psychological hang-ups make them easy targets for manipulation by both The Director and others. Cole does an excellent job of conjuring sympathy for both parties while rocketing both towards what will ultimately be a tragic confrontation. I absolutely love Cole’s world and the parts of Javelin Rain are really the only section of the novel where he delves into the nitty gritty of the magic seen throughout the novel. Sadly, I don’t feel like any lingering questions about Dadou’s and Jawid’s abilities are answered. This is a disappointment for me, as I crave to more about the magic of this world, but other readers might feel differently.
Doctor Eldredge plays a more prominent role in Javelin Rain as his experiences with Schweitzer and the wanton destruction reaped by the Gold Operators over the course of the novel begin to tax even his loose moral code. Eldredge’s moral dilemma is further compounded by the enigmatic Director who seems unconcerned with threats to the funding of Gemini Cell. Eldredge was a far more mysterious figure in Gemini Cell and infusing him with some humanity here is a nice touch. While the Director plays an important role in the novel the less said the better as that role would constitute a major spoiler.
I do have to admit that Javelin Rain is my least favorite of Cole’s novels so far. Schweitzer’s complete lack of a plan for most of the novel and an extreme focus on Schweitzer’s love for his family, while understandable, felt like it impeded the novel’s progress on multiple occasions. Throughout Javelin Rain I was more compelled by Doctor Eldredge, Jawid, and Dadau Alva then I was by Schweitzer and his family. While those other characters play an important part in the novel it becomes difficult when the bulk of the novel is spent with Schweitzer. That being said I’m still curious to see where things are moving going forward. There were hints throughout Javelin Rain that tie it more strongly with previous Shadow Ops novels and I am not entirely certain that Schweitzer’s quest to end the Gemini Cell, righteous as it is, will end well for him or any magical actives across the United States.
shelfquest's review against another edition
4.0
Myke did it again! Another interesting and unique read unlike anything else I've read. One of my favorite things about Gemini Cell were the military missions, and while we didn't have any this time, the lack of those were made up for by the uniqueness of the story. Dead bodies with multiple souls inside, working for and run by the government? Uh, cool.
This book is packed with so much action, SO MUCH, especially since it seems to take place over only a few days. Javelin Rain picks up right where Gemini Cell left off, with Jim rescuing Sarah and Patrick. Jim and Sarah really go through some ups and downs in this book and Jim really develops as a... being. I had a difficult time identifying with Jim and Sarah's drive to protect Patrick because I don't have kids and I don't want them, so I spent some of the book trying to hurry those parts along. What I did like is that Jim's love for Sarah is his driving force and that is more along the lines of what I like to read (despite using "baby" way too much for me). I also really enjoyed the little military dictionary in the back of the book. The author really makes military terms available to those who have no knowledge of that field. Also, LOTR references!
I was given a copy of the book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is packed with so much action, SO MUCH, especially since it seems to take place over only a few days. Javelin Rain picks up right where Gemini Cell left off, with Jim rescuing Sarah and Patrick. Jim and Sarah really go through some ups and downs in this book and Jim really develops as a... being. I had a difficult time identifying with Jim and Sarah's drive to protect Patrick because I don't have kids and I don't want them, so I spent some of the book trying to hurry those parts along. What I did like is that Jim's love for Sarah is his driving force and that is more along the lines of what I like to read (despite using "baby" way too much for me). I also really enjoyed the little military dictionary in the back of the book. The author really makes military terms available to those who have no knowledge of that field. Also, LOTR references!
I was given a copy of the book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
chukg's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read previous entries in the series (I didn't realize there were any until I started reading it and there's enough recap that I could tell what was going on). Lots of action scenes and government secret magical programs. I would like to give this 2.5, maybe 2.8 stars so I rounded off to 3. I probably won't bother with the previous works or the sequel(s).
ptrhansen's review
3.0
I would have given this book 3.5 stars if I could.
A quick action packed read but with a touch too much military analysis for me. Yes, the main character (narrator) was a Navy Seal before his death and re-animation but it took me out of the story a bit to have that much description.
Overall worth the read, fans of Larry Correira's Monster Hunter series would also like this series as well.
Start with [b:Gemini Cell|17888374|Gemini Cell|Myke Cole|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420073272s/17888374.jpg|45914201] first as this extends that story.
A quick action packed read but with a touch too much military analysis for me. Yes, the main character (narrator) was a Navy Seal before his death and re-animation but it took me out of the story a bit to have that much description.
Overall worth the read, fans of Larry Correira's Monster Hunter series would also like this series as well.
Start with [b:Gemini Cell|17888374|Gemini Cell|Myke Cole|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420073272s/17888374.jpg|45914201] first as this extends that story.
conalo's review
5.0
Another excellent entry in his Shadow Ops universe. Looking forward to reading MORE!!!
strangecurrencies's review
4.0
Javelin Rain is the latest novel from American author and veteran Myke Cole. In it Cole continues the story of Ex-SEAL Jim Schweitzer, as he comes to terms with the strange undead superhero form he picked up in Gemini Cell of which you can read my review here. Javelin Rain felt like a bit of a genre shift from the previous book, which felt a little strange for a continuation of a series, but which admirably suited the focus of the plot and story. I’m glad that Cole is willing to play with the formula in the name of telling the best possible story.
Read the full review at
http://strangecurrencies.org/2016/03/01/review-of-javelin-rain-by-myke-cole/
Read the full review at
http://strangecurrencies.org/2016/03/01/review-of-javelin-rain-by-myke-cole/
vinayvasan's review
4.0
Yet another action packed adrenaline fueled thriller from Myke Cole, albeit this is tending to move into a whole new level of creepiness. The sequel to Gemini Cell, this picks up almost immediately after the events of the first book and is more than anything a chase book featuring the lead character on the run from the secret facility that housed him.
The action is truly pulse pounding and the book just seems to race through with quite a significant and brutal body count. On the quieter side, we have one of the supporting cast contemplating their actions and forced to make a choice. There is a new sorcerer introduced who is particularly irritating and the secretive director is finally revealed. Being the middle book of a trilogy brings with it a natural disadvantage and Javelin Rain also falters due to that. While there are no dull moments in the book, this is pretty much positioning your pieces in play before the inevitable explosion in book 3
The action is truly pulse pounding and the book just seems to race through with quite a significant and brutal body count. On the quieter side, we have one of the supporting cast contemplating their actions and forced to make a choice. There is a new sorcerer introduced who is particularly irritating and the secretive director is finally revealed. Being the middle book of a trilogy brings with it a natural disadvantage and Javelin Rain also falters due to that. While there are no dull moments in the book, this is pretty much positioning your pieces in play before the inevitable explosion in book 3
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