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Paladin of Shadows #6
Tiger by the Tail
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING MILITARY ADVENTURE SERIES. A new addition to the Kildar military adventure series by John Ringo and Ryan Sear. Sequel to Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain, Unto the Breach, and A Deeper Blue.
After saving America from Middle Eastern terrorists, even Mike Harmon and the Keldara could use a vacation. Of course, the Kildar’s idea of a vacation includes taking down pirates in the Singapore Straits. But when he finds computer chips designed to run nuclear reactors in the pirate booty, Harmon has a new mission thrust upon him—discover how bottom feeding thieves got their hands on top-secret technology.
The chips are headed for newly democratic Myanmar, a country vital to American interests in the region. Now Harmon finds himself in a desperate race to learn who stole the chips and why. From glittering Hong Kong to the slums of Thailand to the swamps of Myanmar, Harmon and his Keldara team follow a trail of death and deceit across the glittering underbelly of Southeast Asia.
And as the path winds through dark jungle and slave labor camps to the heart of newborn democracy, Harmon must devise a way to prevent the nasty overthrow of a nation’s capital by totalitarian tyrants. But if there’s one thing Mike and the Keldara specialize in, it’s doing what it takes to give freedom a chance.
After saving America from Middle Eastern terrorists, even Mike Harmon and the Keldara could use a vacation. Of course, the Kildar’s idea of a vacation includes taking down pirates in the Singapore Straits. But when he finds computer chips designed to run nuclear reactors in the pirate booty, Harmon has a new mission thrust upon him—discover how bottom feeding thieves got their hands on top-secret technology.
The chips are headed for newly democratic Myanmar, a country vital to American interests in the region. Now Harmon finds himself in a desperate race to learn who stole the chips and why. From glittering Hong Kong to the slums of Thailand to the swamps of Myanmar, Harmon and his Keldara team follow a trail of death and deceit across the glittering underbelly of Southeast Asia.
And as the path winds through dark jungle and slave labor camps to the heart of newborn democracy, Harmon must devise a way to prevent the nasty overthrow of a nation’s capital by totalitarian tyrants. But if there’s one thing Mike and the Keldara specialize in, it’s doing what it takes to give freedom a chance.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published December 16, 2012
About the author
John Ringo
111 books1,765 followersJohn Ringo is a prolific author who has written in a wide variety of genres. His early life included a great deal of travel. He visited 23 foreign countries, and attended fourteen different schools. After graduation Ringo enlisted in the US military for four years, after which he studied marine biology.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 5, 2013
Up until now I have been a fan of the "Ghost" series, but this one was a disappointment. Flat characters with no new development, gaping plot holes and even the sex was boring, I think John phoned it in and the new guy did all the writing.
April 29, 2021
7/5/17 3rd reread.
December 20, 2012
This was a poor book for fans of this series, a number of reasons: Kildar, the main protagonist behaves in a manner, inexplicably at odds with previous books, the main quest object - is a bunch of computer chips that can turn an ordinary nuclear reactor into a breeder reactor - this is just not possible - it is like a car computer chip that turns a Toyota into a Ferrari - unbelievable. There are a number of cardboard characters and other bits of poorer writing than normal for Ringo.
It may be that Ringo had Sear write most of the book, but did Sear read and take onboard the previous books in the series?
Note: I normally really like books by this author and have read and enjoyed over 90% of what he has written.
It may be that Ringo had Sear write most of the book, but did Sear read and take onboard the previous books in the series?
Note: I normally really like books by this author and have read and enjoyed over 90% of what he has written.
January 10, 2013
I really, really wanted to like this book....however. Not Ringo's best. He has done this with other series - he starts out with a great story, kick-a$$ action and then teams up with someone to continue the story. When this happens I end up stopping the series.
Not that the book was bad but it really felt like it did not fit in with the rest of the series. Harmon's character is subtly different in this story. Still pretty damn ruthless but definitely different than the previous installments. A number of other commentators on this site as well as the Baen site have mentioned this.
All in all good but not up to the standard as the others in the series.
Not that the book was bad but it really felt like it did not fit in with the rest of the series. Harmon's character is subtly different in this story. Still pretty damn ruthless but definitely different than the previous installments. A number of other commentators on this site as well as the Baen site have mentioned this.
All in all good but not up to the standard as the others in the series.
February 3, 2013
Mike Harmon and his band of Georgian (the country not the state) mountain soldiers are back. This time they are on a training mission in Southeast Asia. One thing leads to another, with the action moving from Indonesia, to Hong Kong, to Phuket and finally to Myanmar.
In this sixth book, Ringo is cooperating with Ryan Sear. While the action is pretty good, compared to the previous books, especially I-IV, it feels a bit color by numbers, a bit like a Bond movie. The sex scenes, while still explicit and edgy, seem more written for shock effect than with reference to actual S&M practices. And apart from one quite brief action scene, there is far too little doubt about the outcome. The Keldara have become supermen, and this is a bit dull.
The perhaps unfortunate thing about a novel with a large chunk set in Hong Kong is that I could pick it apart for accuracy. I understand artistic license and I understand that there will be inaccuracies but in this book it was a bit much. For
example a Hong Kong scene is set in Shekou docks, but this is over the border in Mainland China. A simple check on Google Maps would have established that. It detracts from the enjoyment of the novel when the research is so sloppy.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1608
In this sixth book, Ringo is cooperating with Ryan Sear. While the action is pretty good, compared to the previous books, especially I-IV, it feels a bit color by numbers, a bit like a Bond movie. The sex scenes, while still explicit and edgy, seem more written for shock effect than with reference to actual S&M practices. And apart from one quite brief action scene, there is far too little doubt about the outcome. The Keldara have become supermen, and this is a bit dull.
The perhaps unfortunate thing about a novel with a large chunk set in Hong Kong is that I could pick it apart for accuracy. I understand artistic license and I understand that there will be inaccuracies but in this book it was a bit much. For
example a Hong Kong scene is set in Shekou docks, but this is over the border in Mainland China. A simple check on Google Maps would have established that. It detracts from the enjoyment of the novel when the research is so sloppy.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1608
June 23, 2015
I did enjoy this book, but could definitely tell J. Ringo had only a small part in the writing. It was as if Ringo had done the outline, started writing the book, then handed it over for Ryan Sear's to finish it. The book was missing the human element. There was none of the personal interactions, no character depth, nothing at all along those lines. So while I can not complain about the level of the writing, if the next book in this series is as lackluster, then I am through with it.
February 15, 2014
The story was not as well written as its predecessors. A little disappointing, This one seemed rushed.
February 3, 2017
The Keldara are training in Southeast Asia by kicking pirate butt and discover a plot to smuggle nuclear control devices to Myanmar. As usual the Kildar and Keldara kick bad guy butt.
Read
November 26, 2020It all begins so simply, with a training mission for some of the Keldara warriors replacing the many lost in the battle against the Chechen insurgents. Mike Jenkins and his chief of staff, Adams, have chosen as their final exam the task of taking back a freighter from a group of pirates near Malaysia, then destroying their home base. All of this goes relatively smoothly, except that his team takes captive a "prostitute" being abused by the pirates, and discovers a locked case full of motherboards designed to control nuclear power plants in the pirates' treasure.
Though it takes Mike a while to figure it out, it seemed obvious to me before it was revealed in the book that the prostitute, Soon Yi, was a secret agent in deep cover for Chinese intelligence, tracking down the stolen motherboards for her government. After Mike contacts his friends at the highest levels of the U.S. government, he is asked to find out where the motherboards were going, ultimately, and get that information back to U.S. Intelligence. So begins the adventure through Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and other fun places in the Far East. Mike's team takes on gangsters, the police, a rogue Chinese general and even the military forces of a sovereign nation.
Plenty of graphic action, both military and sexual. Sear's addition to the writing team seems to add a bit more "documentary" style to things - each time Mike's team lands in a new locale, we get a couple of pages of background on the country, city or political unit, and there seems to be more detail about the capability of various weapons used by Mike and others. Not the best novel in the series, by a long shot, but not as poor as some reviews would have you believe. Hold out for the paperback before you spend the money.
Though it takes Mike a while to figure it out, it seemed obvious to me before it was revealed in the book that the prostitute, Soon Yi, was a secret agent in deep cover for Chinese intelligence, tracking down the stolen motherboards for her government. After Mike contacts his friends at the highest levels of the U.S. government, he is asked to find out where the motherboards were going, ultimately, and get that information back to U.S. Intelligence. So begins the adventure through Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and other fun places in the Far East. Mike's team takes on gangsters, the police, a rogue Chinese general and even the military forces of a sovereign nation.
Plenty of graphic action, both military and sexual. Sear's addition to the writing team seems to add a bit more "documentary" style to things - each time Mike's team lands in a new locale, we get a couple of pages of background on the country, city or political unit, and there seems to be more detail about the capability of various weapons used by Mike and others. Not the best novel in the series, by a long shot, but not as poor as some reviews would have you believe. Hold out for the paperback before you spend the money.
March 3, 2020
This book is not up to the standards of previous books in the series. It appears that John Ringo may have gotten tired of the series and handed off most of the writing to an inferior coauthor.
The action writing is OK, though formulaic, but that is about it. The characters were established many books ago, yet in this novel they have no depth, they are just cartoon action figures. The plot is notably weak, just a collection of action scenes. The threat/objective is not as compelling and, as if the authors sensed this, several side quests are tacked on, each less interesting than the last. There are more implausibilities and plot holes. The sex is more gratuitous. Even the proofreading is sloppier than normal.
This is easily the weakest book in the series, little better than pulp. Ringo (or likely Sear) phoned this one in. It is very disappointing to see how far this series has fallen since Ghost.
The action writing is OK, though formulaic, but that is about it. The characters were established many books ago, yet in this novel they have no depth, they are just cartoon action figures. The plot is notably weak, just a collection of action scenes. The threat/objective is not as compelling and, as if the authors sensed this, several side quests are tacked on, each less interesting than the last. There are more implausibilities and plot holes. The sex is more gratuitous. Even the proofreading is sloppier than normal.
This is easily the weakest book in the series, little better than pulp. Ringo (or likely Sear) phoned this one in. It is very disappointing to see how far this series has fallen since Ghost.
February 10, 2021
this has been my least favorite of the books. it had less character development and most of the characters where very flat. however its still a good series and i hope that this series gets more books particularly i was re-reading the black tide rising books in in it they mention Georgian mountain gorillas i would love to see how these characters handle the zombie apocalypse in those books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2021
Pretty decent end of the series
I’ve read the whole Ghost/Kildar series at least three times. This one is the last one to date ,to my knowledge. First one with two authors. Definitely could tell the difference. There was a slight hint they might tie this series into another one but nothing so far.
I’ve read the whole Ghost/Kildar series at least three times. This one is the last one to date ,to my knowledge. First one with two authors. Definitely could tell the difference. There was a slight hint they might tie this series into another one but nothing so far.
December 5, 2022
The last book
Finished the last book of the series, at least to my knowledge. There may be more in the future, but I am skeptical. Still, it was a good read. It didn't draw you in as deeply as the last book, but was still very good. I read it in one day. My day may not have been very productive, but it was enjoyable.
Finished the last book of the series, at least to my knowledge. There may be more in the future, but I am skeptical. Still, it was a good read. It didn't draw you in as deeply as the last book, but was still very good. I read it in one day. My day may not have been very productive, but it was enjoyable.
February 23, 2017
Mike and the Keldara are in southeast Asia kicking pirate ass and stumble on a cache of nuclear reactor control boards. They are then off on a mad dash through Hong Kong and Myanmar dealing with roque Chinese generals and a military coup.
April 12, 2021
Some think that this book lost it's "voice" when compared to the previous 4. I was told that by the person that suggested the series as well have read that in reviews. After finishing the series with in a 7 day period, and reading them all back to back, I didn't find that to be true for me.
August 23, 2017
Another good one
Another good one from Ringo. This series always leaves me hanging and wanting more.
This one takes place in Asia.
Another good one from Ringo. This series always leaves me hanging and wanting more.
This one takes place in Asia.
July 6, 2020
Not up to the usual Kildar levels, but OK.
December 11, 2023
Lives up to expectations
If you've read any of the Kildar books in the past be assured this one lives up to expectations l👍👍😎😎☕☕
If you've read any of the Kildar books in the past be assured this one lives up to expectations l👍👍😎😎☕☕
March 2, 2014
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING MILITARY ADVENTURE SERIES.
A new addition to the Kildar military adventure series by John Ringo and Ryan Sears. Sequel to Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain and Unto the Breach.
A new addition to the Paladin of Shadows military adventure series by multiple New York Times best seller John Ringo and Ryan Sears. Sequel to Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain, Unto the Breach and A Deeper Blue.
After saving America from Middle Eastern terrorists, even Mike Harmon and the Keldara could use a vacation. Of course, the Kildar’s idea of a vacation includes taking down pirates in the Singapore Straits. But when he finds computer chips designed to run nuclear reactors in the pirate booty, Harmon has a new mission thrust upon him–discover how bottom-feeding thieves got their hands on top-secret technology.
The chips are headed for newly democratic Myanmar, a country vital to American interests in the region. Now Harmon finds himself in a desperate race to learn who stole the chips and why. From glittering Hong Kong to the slums of Thailand to the swamps of Myanmar, Harmon and his Keldara team follow a trail of death and deceit across the glittering underbelly of Southeast Asia.
And as the path winds through dark jungle and slave labor camps to the heart of newborn democracy, Harmon must devise a way to prevent the nasty overthrow of a nation’s capital by totalitarian tyrants. But if there’s one thing Mike and the Keldara specialize in, it’s doing what it takes to give freedom a chance.
“[Ringo’s SF is] peopled with three-dimensional characters and spiced with personal drama as well as tactical finesse.” —Library Journal
“. . . explosive. . . . Fans of strong military SF will appreciate Ringo’s lively narrative and flavorful characters.” —Publishers Weekly
“The interstellar skullduggery is thick, and the final action sequence . . . is practically impossible not to read in one sitting . . . exceedingly impressive . . . executed with skill, verve, and wit.” —Booklist
“Ringo provides a textbook example of how a novel in the military SF subgenre should be written. . . . Crackerjack storytelling.” —Starlog
About the AuthorJohn Ringo began writing for Baen in 2000 with his first release A Hymn Before Battle—the first novel in his Posleen Wars—which has become a New York Times best-selling series with over one million copies in print. The series continued with Gust Front, When the Devil Dances, Hell’s Faire and Eye of the Storm. In addition, Ringo has penned the Council War series: There Will be Dragons, Emerald Sea, Against the Tide, and East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Adding another dimension to his skills, Ringo created nationally best-selling techno-thriller novels about Mike Harmon (Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain, Unto the Breach, and A Deeper Blue). His latest techno-thriller, The Last Centurion, was also a national best seller. A more playful twist on the future is found in novels of the Looking-Glass series: Into the Looking Glass, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe and Claws That Catch, the last three in collaboration with Travis S. Taylor. His audience was further enhanced with four collaborations with fellow New York Times best-selling author David Weber: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars and We Few. There are an additional five collaborative spinoffs from the Posleen series: The Hero, written with Michael Z. Williamson, Watch on the Rhine, Yellow Eyes and The Tuloriad, all written with Tom Kratman, and the New York Times best seller Cally’s War and its sequels Sister Time and Honor of the Clan, both with Julie Cochrane. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, he brings first-hand knowledge of military operations to his fiction.
September 3, 2013
After five years, John Ringo finally comes out with the next installment of his Paladin of the Shadows series. Only this time, the setting is not in Europe and Ringo is not the only author. Not sure why there are multiple authors; perhaps because other writers liked it and want to collaborate. Perhaps the publishers "assigned" writers to him for various reasons.
My biggest question: "Why Asia?" In case the author(s) haven't noticed, blond and red hair, blue eyes, muscular men with American style commando training cannot blend in here. Or maybe, the authors did noticed and ignored it just so they can have different types of missions than infiltration and reconnaissance followed by direct action as they did so well in the previous books. With the exceptions of the first book, the Keldara had home court advantage. In this book, they don't but somehow still prevail because they're insane.
I wonder what will happen in book 7? Will they go back to Europe and the Caucasus Mountains? Will they go on another Asian romp? When Ringo wrote the first five books, the POTUS alluded to is Bush (whatever you think of it, he was the right president in favor of proactive counter terrorism.) The current president in book six does not sound like Obama; perhaps in an alternate universe? The man sounds more like a John McCain... or Bush won an unprecedented (and unconstitutional) third term.
Lastly, I hated the character Soon Yi. First, that name sounds more Korean than Chinese. Second, her role sucked. She ended tortured and mutilated by the end by the enemy. Death would have been kinder. I noticed the body count by the good guys was low, possibly too low. Meanwhile, Katya becomes a bit more likeable and way more useful.
My biggest question: "Why Asia?" In case the author(s) haven't noticed, blond and red hair, blue eyes, muscular men with American style commando training cannot blend in here. Or maybe, the authors did noticed and ignored it just so they can have different types of missions than infiltration and reconnaissance followed by direct action as they did so well in the previous books. With the exceptions of the first book, the Keldara had home court advantage. In this book, they don't but somehow still prevail because they're insane.
I wonder what will happen in book 7? Will they go back to Europe and the Caucasus Mountains? Will they go on another Asian romp? When Ringo wrote the first five books, the POTUS alluded to is Bush (whatever you think of it, he was the right president in favor of proactive counter terrorism.) The current president in book six does not sound like Obama; perhaps in an alternate universe? The man sounds more like a John McCain... or Bush won an unprecedented (and unconstitutional) third term.
Lastly, I hated the character Soon Yi. First, that name sounds more Korean than Chinese. Second, her role sucked. She ended tortured and mutilated by the end by the enemy. Death would have been kinder. I noticed the body count by the good guys was low, possibly too low. Meanwhile, Katya becomes a bit more likeable and way more useful.
April 7, 2013
Working on it.
Here's the thing: I made it ten pages in and set it down because the editing is absolutely horrible. Three egregious typos like: "he might be almost be as sneaky as me someday."
It makes me imagine John (I call him John) walking into Baen (previously one of the greatest science fiction enterprises around) and seeing his editor Stephen (let's call him Stephen) and waving him over.
"Stephen, I just got the hardback copy of Tiger by the Tail"
"Yeah? What did you think?"
And John opens his hands like he's going to hug his editor, but as the guy comes close he kicks him in the right knee - which goes backwards - and the dude starts to fall but John (I call him John) grabs him by the throat and screams: "I could eat you alive!" and then lets go and the editor starts to fall, but Ringo uses the drop to come over him and sock him in the back of the head. As the editor crumples fully to the floor, John (Ringo) waves to an intern.
"This man needs medical attention." And then he shouts: "And learn how to spot a f*cking typo!" at the nearly lifeless body on the ground. And then he turns and leaves - calm, cold, John [flipping] Ringo. The creator of the Ghost.
I'll try and keep going, we'll see if Ryan Sear can compare to the Man...
Here's the thing: I made it ten pages in and set it down because the editing is absolutely horrible. Three egregious typos like: "he might be almost be as sneaky as me someday."
It makes me imagine John (I call him John) walking into Baen (previously one of the greatest science fiction enterprises around) and seeing his editor Stephen (let's call him Stephen) and waving him over.
"Stephen, I just got the hardback copy of Tiger by the Tail"
"Yeah? What did you think?"
And John opens his hands like he's going to hug his editor, but as the guy comes close he kicks him in the right knee - which goes backwards - and the dude starts to fall but John (I call him John) grabs him by the throat and screams: "I could eat you alive!" and then lets go and the editor starts to fall, but Ringo uses the drop to come over him and sock him in the back of the head. As the editor crumples fully to the floor, John (Ringo) waves to an intern.
"This man needs medical attention." And then he shouts: "And learn how to spot a f*cking typo!" at the nearly lifeless body on the ground. And then he turns and leaves - calm, cold, John [flipping] Ringo. The creator of the Ghost.
I'll try and keep going, we'll see if Ryan Sear can compare to the Man...
March 28, 2013
A few spoilers.
Just finished the ARC of this new novel in the "Ghost" series. The usual story, Mike and his Georgian cohorts take out batches of bad guys with a combination of hardcore weaponry and spiritual superiority. Along the way non-stop action with a mix of (the usual) dead bodies, hookers, and money. This time the adventure is in the far east, Honkers, Thailand, Sing, and Myanmar.
A few surprises. This novel has George as president, even though it is set in 2012. Evidently, the pain of a Democrat in the WH is too much? Also, this time Ghost seems to be able to say a few nice things about democracy, in that he praises democratic reforms in Myanmar, and even, so it seemed to me, acknowledged the predilection the military have for the blind following of orders and the supporting of fascist governments.
Overall, did not work as well for me as the previous in the series. Maybe it is the ARC nature of this version, or possibly, the co-authoring, however, it was still the expected adrenalin pumping read.
Just finished the ARC of this new novel in the "Ghost" series. The usual story, Mike and his Georgian cohorts take out batches of bad guys with a combination of hardcore weaponry and spiritual superiority. Along the way non-stop action with a mix of (the usual) dead bodies, hookers, and money. This time the adventure is in the far east, Honkers, Thailand, Sing, and Myanmar.
A few surprises. This novel has George as president, even though it is set in 2012. Evidently, the pain of a Democrat in the WH is too much? Also, this time Ghost seems to be able to say a few nice things about democracy, in that he praises democratic reforms in Myanmar, and even, so it seemed to me, acknowledged the predilection the military have for the blind following of orders and the supporting of fascist governments.
Overall, did not work as well for me as the previous in the series. Maybe it is the ARC nature of this version, or possibly, the co-authoring, however, it was still the expected adrenalin pumping read.
January 20, 2014
Mike Harmon makes James Bond look like a wimp. As told by John Ringo and Ryan Sear, his sixth adventure has him with a Tiger by the Tail(paper from Baen). It starts simply enough with Mike deciding to get his newly trained seals blooded by attacking pirates in the South China Sea. Easy enough for his Keldara, but the pirates have captured a box of computer chips for a nuclear reactor stolen from China. The President wants him to follow up. The trail leads to Hong Kong where he is attacked trying to sell the chips. Which is not a good idea, because of his trained crew. Then the trail leads to Shanghai, and Bangkok, and eventually to Burma where a rogue Chinese General thinks they will make good mine slaves. The sex scenes are for adults only, but anyone who likes his action well limned and any gun lover will really appreciated any of the books in this series. Review Printed by the Philadelphia Weekly Press
August 31, 2015
Sex, war (battles), and of course some really descriptive text almost to the point of having a video screen instead of a bunch of words printed on a page (in my case, text glowing on my Android smartphone.) John Ringo really is a great author who has mastered the art of writing about bloody battles and the tactics involved. I'm not really sure how he can get a difficult scene described so eloquently, yet Mr. Ringo continues to write on and in such a way as to have me feeling as if I am living as one of his characters in this and his other works of art. I can not recommend John Ringo strongly enough, his work is in my mind right up there with modern authors like David Drake, Eric Flint, and while standing on the shoulders of earlier authors such as Isaac Asimov, and such his prose reminders me of Kipling and Shakespeare. So hell yes read this book and any others you can get your hands on by John Ringo, I really doubt that you will find this out any other to be a boring read.
May 27, 2013
If you've read the other books in this series there will be absolutely NO surprises in it for you. I have to confess that I enjoy reading some of the high-octane, over-the-top combat scenes and military hardware acronyms, mixed with shoot 'em ups and no more than a cursory attempt at plot. If you're interested in high-brow, thought provoking work of fiction look elsewhere.
But if you want a fast, simple read wherein the good guys are not really all that good (by their own admission) and the bad guys have little more depth than pop up targets at a gun range, dive in. Entertaining if not engrossing; just like the other books in the series.
But if you want a fast, simple read wherein the good guys are not really all that good (by their own admission) and the bad guys have little more depth than pop up targets at a gun range, dive in. Entertaining if not engrossing; just like the other books in the series.
November 7, 2022
I loved this series and was eagerly waiting the release of this book. When it came, I devoured it like all the others.... However, something was missing.
I'm not sure what it was but the Protagonist wasn't the "same" there were subtle differences that made you stumble as you read the book. It is obvious that there is another author involved and waiting 5 years between books makes it tough.
Over all, I was sadly disappointed with this book. The Paladin of Shadows series, up to this book, was a decent series. Hard assed, kick in the balls, larger than life hero. This book ism in a nutshell, a let down.
I'm not sure what it was but the Protagonist wasn't the "same" there were subtle differences that made you stumble as you read the book. It is obvious that there is another author involved and waiting 5 years between books makes it tough.
Over all, I was sadly disappointed with this book. The Paladin of Shadows series, up to this book, was a decent series. Hard assed, kick in the balls, larger than life hero. This book ism in a nutshell, a let down.
December 30, 2014
a sad step down from the previous five in the series which I've always given 5 stars to for the shear gonads to the wall insanity of its ridiculously insane and un-PC premise which even I had trouble reading at times without squeaming.
this book however is a tired re-tread of the same and it appears John Ringo has run out of ideas apart from moving the novel to SE Asia and what that would obviously entail in these books.
really about a two star rating but in deference to the previous books in series, 3 are given in fond remembrance of better written depravity. a disappointment but ill still give the next one a chance.....
this book however is a tired re-tread of the same and it appears John Ringo has run out of ideas apart from moving the novel to SE Asia and what that would obviously entail in these books.
really about a two star rating but in deference to the previous books in series, 3 are given in fond remembrance of better written depravity. a disappointment but ill still give the next one a chance.....
January 26, 2013
Many other readers have mentioned that this is not as good as the first 5 books in the series, which were written by Ringo himself. This is true. However, this book is pretty good, with only a few plot holes to annoy me. It's tough to try to maintain the same style and voice of an author and still move the characters forward.
If anything, I felt the new author tried to do too much, and thus left out some of the details and development that would have improved the intensity of the situations.
If anything, I felt the new author tried to do too much, and thus left out some of the details and development that would have improved the intensity of the situations.
January 25, 2013
This is the latest in Ringo's Paladin of Shadows series, a non SciFi testosterone and gore filled feast. As a character in the book puts it "The women are gorgeous, the men are handsome, they're all hardcore, and they brew a helluva beer" or "beer, girls, and killing bad people". It's been awhile since the last installment and now the Kildar has taken his show to the East to battle pirates, renegade Chinese generals, and to open a new market for their beer. There is sex, violence, bondage, torture, sex with bondage and torture, you name it. I feel guilty (and a bit dirty) enjoying it.
December 9, 2020
Was worried based on other reviews! No worries needed!
Ghost was my first John Ringo book ever so following the series is a must for me. I was worried based on the other reviews and waited for a while before buying but I read it with an open mind. Not quite the same writing and I missed some of Mike's attitude especially after last book. But overall happy with how the keldara are doing, just wish for some earlier personal connections to be cleared up that have been bugging me past few books like the mortar crew romance with American serviceman. oh well next book. lol
Ghost was my first John Ringo book ever so following the series is a must for me. I was worried based on the other reviews and waited for a while before buying but I read it with an open mind. Not quite the same writing and I missed some of Mike's attitude especially after last book. But overall happy with how the keldara are doing, just wish for some earlier personal connections to be cleared up that have been bugging me past few books like the mortar crew romance with American serviceman. oh well next book. lol
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