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kkomo's review
5.0
Great Story
This has been one of my favorites in the Reznick saga. A couple of them felt harder to get through, but I almost couldn’t put it down. The man still reminds me of Jack Bauer- which I love.
This has been one of my favorites in the Reznick saga. A couple of them felt harder to get through, but I almost couldn’t put it down. The man still reminds me of Jack Bauer- which I love.
nathanedw's review
3.0
I keep reading the Reznick books, but it’s honestly just to give my brain a break between other books. They are all the same, and you’ll hear the following description for every character, “He was a good man. A true patriot.” The main character is basically a piece of wood and the dialogue is weak at best, but I do love the pacing and action sequences in the series. I know they aren’t good books, but I just keep coming back - so there’s something to be said for that and it’s why I can’t give below 3 stars.
Also, please include more Trevelle and Fifi.
Also, please include more Trevelle and Fifi.
theamyleblanc's review against another edition
1.0
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this. I thought I was going to like this. Based on the summary, I thought this was going to be a story about political intrigue and government corruption, yes, but I also thought the hacker (Trevelle Williams) would feature more heavily than he did. I thought this would be a more high-tech, cyber-based action novel.
I could not have been more wrong. On all counts.
It was like a bad action movie. You know the type: the action movies that are so bad, they're funny. Except this wasn't even funny. The dialogue was incredibly unrealistic. It often made me cringe because people just do not talk like that in real life. And it was so circular. Reznick kept rehashing the same conversations with the same characters. It became redundant and didn't further the story.
There was plenty of action but it was empty action. Any dramatic tension that was built up dissipated almost immediately after. Things were too easy. There was no mystery except what would happen to Rosalind. And the ending could have been great but it was a total waste because it wasn't earned. An ending like that needs time, tension, and finesse. It only pays off after carefully building and stoking that fire. Because none of that happened, the ending was a massive disappointment. I skimmed the last bit of it because the aftermath wasn't important at that point.
This one is a hard pass for me.
I wanted to like this. I thought I was going to like this. Based on the summary, I thought this was going to be a story about political intrigue and government corruption, yes, but I also thought the hacker (Trevelle Williams) would feature more heavily than he did. I thought this would be a more high-tech, cyber-based action novel.
I could not have been more wrong. On all counts.
It was like a bad action movie. You know the type: the action movies that are so bad, they're funny. Except this wasn't even funny. The dialogue was incredibly unrealistic. It often made me cringe because people just do not talk like that in real life.
Spoiler
At one point Reznick was waiting in the dark with his gun drawn for some bad guys to arrive. When they did, he shouted "Freeze motherf***ers!" I mean, seriously?!There was plenty of action but it was empty action. Any dramatic tension that was built up dissipated almost immediately after. Things were too easy. There was no mystery except what would happen to Rosalind. And the ending could have been great but it was a total waste because it wasn't earned. An ending like that needs time, tension, and finesse. It only pays off after carefully building and stoking that fire. Because none of that happened, the ending was a massive disappointment. I skimmed the last bit of it because the aftermath wasn't important at that point.
This one is a hard pass for me.
lianareadsblog's review
5.0
Another great story in the Jon Reznik continuation series.
Every time I’m reading a new book it feels like actually seeing all the action on a screen and I’m always looking forward to it because it’s a great ability that not many writers have it and being on the edge of your seat at all times, turning the pages faster and faster just to read one more chapter it definitely makes you going up on my favourite authors list.
New characters, interesting plot and twists and turns, some unexpected and some predictable but necessary in my opinion, all together are adding up for a worthwhile couple of hours.
It’s compelling and it makes you think how far are some people willing to go and sacrifice for revealing the truth or taking the justice in their own hands with all the risks that are implied.
Some people are considered lucky to be still alive but who really knows what hides behind their facade? Any lost or grief is lived differently and I must admit that I like how the author is dealing with this topic and our main character.
Every time I’m reading a new book it feels like actually seeing all the action on a screen and I’m always looking forward to it because it’s a great ability that not many writers have it and being on the edge of your seat at all times, turning the pages faster and faster just to read one more chapter it definitely makes you going up on my favourite authors list.
New characters, interesting plot and twists and turns, some unexpected and some predictable but necessary in my opinion, all together are adding up for a worthwhile couple of hours.
It’s compelling and it makes you think how far are some people willing to go and sacrifice for revealing the truth or taking the justice in their own hands with all the risks that are implied.
Some people are considered lucky to be still alive but who really knows what hides behind their facade? Any lost or grief is lived differently and I must admit that I like how the author is dealing with this topic and our main character.
jodym's review against another edition
4.0
Jon Reznick is a great character; he is compassionate but will push all boundaries to get what he wants to protect those around him, and this was no different. Jon is the main character assisted by Trevelle Williams, a very talented hacker, tasked with protecting Rosalind Dyer. Rosalind is a key congressional witness, about to testify against the American government but someone is trying to stop her. Along the way, there are 7 men killed who have been associated with the case and there is are people trying to ‘eliminate’ her along the way, but she is very determined to complete her testimony. As usual, Jon will stop at nothing to bring them down and to keep Rosalind safe.
There are some dark political connections to those around the pentagon who want Rosalind gone, she knows too much and has evidence for it all. The FBI tries to help, and we see Jon’s long-standing friend, Meyerstein, involved but despite repeated requests, Jon and co will not hand themselves in until after Rosalind’s deposition.
The new characters are quickly and well developed, this is the usual action-packed read that you come to expect from Turner. However, this was a little slower paced than his last one for me and took me a while longer to read it but I am more sleepy this weekend so maybe that’s why!
Easily read as a standalone though book 8 in the Jon Reznick series.
There are some dark political connections to those around the pentagon who want Rosalind gone, she knows too much and has evidence for it all. The FBI tries to help, and we see Jon’s long-standing friend, Meyerstein, involved but despite repeated requests, Jon and co will not hand themselves in until after Rosalind’s deposition.
The new characters are quickly and well developed, this is the usual action-packed read that you come to expect from Turner. However, this was a little slower paced than his last one for me and took me a while longer to read it but I am more sleepy this weekend so maybe that’s why!
Easily read as a standalone though book 8 in the Jon Reznick series.
thelittlebookishnerd's review against another edition
5.0
Trevelle Williams is a hacker and ex-NSA. While helping a hacker friend, he discovers a memo ordering Rosalind Dyer, a key congressional witness to a government cover-up, to be killed. Everyone that knows about the cover-up and memo start dying. Trevelle turns to Jon Reznick who is the only person that can save him and help save Rosalind.
This is the eighth book in the Jon Reznick thriller series, but the first one that I’ve read. I was hooked from the very beginning and didn’t want to stop reading, but little things like sleep and work forced me to. Hard Target was fast-paced with a lot of action and it was a quick read. I’m looking forward to reading the first seven books and any future books in the series!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!
This is the eighth book in the Jon Reznick thriller series, but the first one that I’ve read. I was hooked from the very beginning and didn’t want to stop reading, but little things like sleep and work forced me to. Hard Target was fast-paced with a lot of action and it was a quick read. I’m looking forward to reading the first seven books and any future books in the series!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!
readswithnatalieb's review
4.0
TRIGGER WARNINGS!
- murder
- violence
I read this book a lot quicker than I anticipated. They story kept me on my toes and to be frank, didn’t want to put it down.
This was my first Jon Reznick story, proving you don’t need to read the previous seven installments. While it’s better to read any story in sequence as books are published, this is a stand alone book that didn’t have me questioning what happened in previous novels.
While I liked the story, the character build seemed nonexistent, but I think that’s due to the fact each book is a different mission for Jon (or at least that’s what I’ve gathered). Had I read the previous seven books, I think this review would be a lot different. This was definitely a plot driven book.
It’s a quick political thriller that makes you question how corrupt our government is.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy in return for an honest review!
If you’re into politics, I think you’d like this book. If you’ve been following the Jon Reznick series, chances are you’ll like it. I plan on reading the previous seven books in the future.
- murder
- violence
I read this book a lot quicker than I anticipated. They story kept me on my toes and to be frank, didn’t want to put it down.
This was my first Jon Reznick story, proving you don’t need to read the previous seven installments. While it’s better to read any story in sequence as books are published, this is a stand alone book that didn’t have me questioning what happened in previous novels.
While I liked the story, the character build seemed nonexistent, but I think that’s due to the fact each book is a different mission for Jon (or at least that’s what I’ve gathered). Had I read the previous seven books, I think this review would be a lot different. This was definitely a plot driven book.
It’s a quick political thriller that makes you question how corrupt our government is.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy in return for an honest review!
If you’re into politics, I think you’d like this book. If you’ve been following the Jon Reznick series, chances are you’ll like it. I plan on reading the previous seven books in the future.
kweitkamp's review
2.0
Based on the story line of this book I thought I would enjoy it. However, the stereotypical characters and the "made-up" technology were distracting particularly since the technology was instrumental to the story. Situations and events didn't appear to have been thought through such as when a hacker who is being hunted by supposedly sophisticated bad guys travels from Miami to NYC on a bus without being spotted at either end of the trip in a bus station. Or, another character who is murdered in a fashion that is supposed to appear as suicide is "hung" in a hidden room where it's unlikely that anyone would have found him except someone suspecting foul play and searching for secret rooms. It was a disappointing read.