“First Family”, by David Baldacci (PanMacMillan)

With the President’s niece kidnapped, King and Maxwell are called in to investigate

David Baldacci exploded onto the thriller scene with Absolute Power (1997), which was later made into a movie starring Clint Eastwood. Not since Absolute Power, however, has Baldacci taken us back into the lives of those who live in the White House.

In First Family, the President Dan Cox’s niece is kidnapped after her twelfth birthday party and her mother murdered. First Lady Jane Cox, who has some history with Sean King from his Secret Service days, employs him to find her niece, Willa. Sean King and his partner Michelle Maxwell (the stars of three previous novels by Baldacci) embark on a convoluted case, disrupted by family tragedies, Washington politics, and a truly ingenious plot that has been years in the making.

Baldacci’s novels continue to enthrall readers the world over (his novels are available in 40 languages in more than 80 countries), and First Family will not disappoint his fans. The plot moves along a little slower than normal (though this didn’t stop me devouring it in two days), with the events concerning Michelle’s family something of a distraction. Maxwell has always been a pretty broken character, struggling with her personal demons, and in First Family we get to see what it is that she’s buried in her subconscious from so many years ago. All of Baldacci’s characters – whether minor bit-players or our heroes – are well-rounded and believable, and in First Family, he’s done an exceptional job of rounding out Maxwell and King, their relationship and those they interact with throughout the novel.

The main case, that of Willa’s kidnapping, is an excellent story, and one that unwinds slowly as the novel progresses and Sean and Michelle tease out facts and clues to help save Willa. The case takes them through the politics of government contracts to the deep South and a historic plantation house filled with secrets. Sam Quarry, the novel’s antagonist, is an exceptionally well-rounded character, and one I ended up caring about far more than I did for the First Couple (or perhaps any other character in a long while).

Expertly written and an engaging and exciting plot: What more could we ask for? Baldacci remains one of the best writers in the business.

An essential read.

Series Chronology: Split Second (2004), Hour Game (2005), Simple Genius (2007), First Family (2009)

For Fans of: Lee Child, Kyle Mills, Andrew Britton, Brad Thor, Vince Flynn

“Omen”, by Christie Golden (Century)

Luke Skywalker continues his search into the reason for Jacen’s fall, the Jedi Order remains in crisis, and a hidden enemy re-emerges

In Outcast, Luke Skywalker was exiled from his home, Coruscant; two Jedi knights were afflicted by an unknown illness; and the Jedi Order was sent reeling as they were assailed by the very people they have sworn to protect. Omen, the second volume in the Fate of the Jedi series, picks up right where the first finished, but ups the ante. The pall of suspicion hanging over the Jedi – a souvenir from the authoritarian reign of Darth Caedus, remains in place. The Chief of State, Daala, continues to search for ways to undermine and blunt the Jedi.

Jysella Horn, sister of one of the afflicted Jedi (Valin Horn), has succumbed as well. With three victims, the Jedi Masters are starting to notice a pattern – each victim has displayed mastery of a Force technique they had no business knowing in the first place. This leads Luke and the other Jedi to more urgency in their quest to recreate Jacen Solo’s Force pilgrimage, and to discover and understand why he turned to the Dark Side.

In Omen, We learn a little more about Jacen’s voyage, as Luke and his son, Ben, visit another planet of secretive and xenophobic Force-users; Cilghal and her team of researchers back at the Jedi Temple delve deeper into the mysterious Jedi-sickness, while acting Grand Master Kenth Hamner struggles to keep the politics and politicians at bay; the backstabbing politics and media of the Galactic Alliance encroach on the Jedi again as they are forced to dodge reporters and explain why their members are turning into destructive, delusional lunatics; Han and Leia foil another dangerous, rogue-Jedi scheme; and the mysterious Tribe, a group of Sith marooned millennia ago on the planet Kesh (described in the events of Precipice) emerge into the light of day, ready to reclaim the galactic dominance they believe to be their birthright.

Omen, like every other major Star Wars fiction release has lived up to expectations. Christie Golden, a newcomer to the authorial fold, has penned an enjoyable story, picking up where Aaron Allston left off and making it her own. The story proceeds with quite a clip and I found myself burning through it faster than the norm, in part because of Golden’s writing style and also the excellent composition of the story. The author has delved a little deeper into the culture and traditions of the Keshiri Sith. Strangely (at least to begin with), the story thread for the Sith runs two years behind that of the main plot. Luke and Ben’s journey introduces us to more and deeper understanding of new aspects of the Force and how it works in the Galaxy. The new characters are interesting and well-crafted, the dialogue believable and well executed.

Overall, a very enjoyable read. If only they were releasing these books quicker…

Highly recommended to all fans of Star Wars and science fiction.

Series Chronology: Outcast, Omen, Abyss (August 2009), Backlash (January 2010), Allies (March 2010) – Volumes 6-9 as-yet untitled

“Lost Tribe of the Sith #1: Precipice”, by John Jackson Miller

Precipice, a short eBook novella, lays some of the background for the second book in the Fate of the Jedi series, Omen (reviewed below). It opens with the Sith Empire ship, Omen, on a collision course with an unknown planet, having ejected abruptly from hyperspace. The Commander of the ship, Yaru Korsin, and his crew are left stranded, with few supplies. Tension mounts and the crew quickly devolve into a tribal state (imagine Lord of the Flies, but with lightsabers…), and Korsin must exert his authority in brutal fashion, following a failed coup. It’s not immediately apparent how these events will be tied into the upcoming novel, but for such a short story (50 pages or so), it was certainly gripping and expertly executed.

It’s clear that this is the first in perhaps a series of eBook novellas, which bodes well for the reader: in this short space, Miller has introduced us to an engaging cast with a lot of potential – Seelah, Korsin’s brother Devore’s “woman” (as Sith, there’s no love between them), Ravilan (a Red Sith), and especially Korsin (who is aided by his Force-blind ally, Gloyd)

You can download the story (legally and free), here, and it is also available for the Kindle and Sony eReader.

John Jackson Miller has also published an interesting, short essay discussing the short story and how he approached the task of writing it, here.

NEWS: Summer Reviews, Autumn/Winter Projects, & Twitter

From September to December, I am going to attempt some rather large review projects, where I review an entire series (or part of a series). So, I thought it would be a good idea to just let you know which ones these will be:

Brian Ruckley’s Godless World series:

• Winterbirth, Bloodheir, and Fall of Thanes
  

Brad Thor’s Scott Harvath series:

• Lions of Lucerne, Path of the Assassin, State of the Union, Blowback, Takedown, The First Commandment, The Last Patriot, The Apostle
  

The Vampire Masquerade: Clan Novel Saga series:

• The Fall of Atlanta, The Eye of Gehenna, Bloody September, End Games

Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child’s Pendergast-Diogenes Trilogy:

• Brimstone, Book of the Dead, Dance of Death
  

Other authors that will receive more than one review of recent releases include Tim Green, Jim Butcher, and (in the very near future) James Rollins.

Normal reviews of new-release books (both fiction and non-fiction) will continue as well (some from Emma, some from me), but posting might be a little less frequent.

Also, there is now a Civilian-Reader Twitter account! We shall use it to post short updates, news, and also announce new books received from publishers as they come in. (The feed’s the final gadget on the left-hand sidebar, but it’s easier to follow with a normal Twitter account.)

“This Is How It Starts”, by Grant Ginder (Simon & Schuster)

An insider’s look at Washington, D.C., through the eyes of an atypical protagonist

Taylor Mark is a recent graduate, newly employed by California Congressman John Grayson, a less-than-brilliant member of the House. Guided by the experienced hand of his best friend from college, Chase Latham, and his well-connected lobbyist family, Taylor gets to know the inner-workings of the city, and how deals and decisions are made behind the scenes, and as the stakes climb higher, the boundaries between right and wrong, legal and illegal become blurred as actors play to win.

“Secrets are currency.” This Is How It Starts is a personal tale of one young idealist’s journey through modern-day Washington, D.C. A satirical look at the tedium of working in American politics, stripped of the glamour, patriotism, and style we’ve come to expect through multiple viewings of The West Wing. Taylor navigates his way among the egos, the affectations, the snobbery, and politics. His new world is populated by those whom David Brooks, a columnist at New York Times, dubbed “BoBos” – the Bohemian Bourgeoisie. Totally wrapped up in their own lives and microcosmic world, they are prone to small-minded prejudices(couched in high-mindedness), not to mention institutionalised racism and bigotry. It’s a fascinating appraisal of a strata of society considered so exclusive, but in actuality one that has considerably unpleasant attributes.

Taylor Mark is an unusual protagonist for a political novel. He is neither driven by some inner thirst for political power, nor through any burning sense of civic duty and idealism (such as Richard North Patterson’s Kerry Kilcannon character), and he is certainly not former-military (see Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels). Taylor Mark is a Chandler-esque character (the one from Friends): he is self-deprecating, self-conscious, not entirely successful with women, and somewhat overshadowed by his best friend, Chase. Chase, on the other hand, is your typical, brash trust-fund baby. Taylor’s family and past has contributed significantly to his character, and Ginder expertly weaves scenes from the past into the narrative to help us understand our ‘hero’.

Ginder is a strong writer – his prose flows nicely, and he has a gift for writing snappy dialogue and interesting, three-dimensional characters. As a debut, this is an assured, frequently funny novel about a post-collegiate idealist’s attempts to make it in the capital. Taylor Mark is an endearing protagonist, and is an entertaining guide through Washington’s young-elite society. The humour is well done, never forced or laid on too thick, but not laugh-out-loud funny (a blessing, as attempts at political ‘lol’ moments rarely, if ever, succeed in being funny). The pace and plot could have done with some streamlining, as I found it slower to get going than I would have expected. Taylor is, however, an interesting and insightful guide to this less-than-praiseworthy side of Washington, and the story will still keep your attention and hold your interest throughout.

Overall, a good novel that I enjoyed reading, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this genre. If you like Christopher Buckley’s novels (e.g. Thank You For Smoking, Boomsday), then you should like this as well (although Ginder’s tale is nowhere near as zany as Buckley’s plots can be).

NEWS: Some Upcoming Releases

Troy Denning, Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi - Abyss

Aaron Allston, Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi - Backlash

The series is shaping up really well, so far. Review of book two, Omen, will be up on the site soon. (Abyss is released in August/September 2009; Backlash is release in February 2010)

Mike Lawson, House Secrets

This is the US edition. It’s also possible that the UK edition will be called Dead Man’s List. Not sure what it’s about yet, but for anyone who loves authors like David Baldacci and Kyle Mills should definitely read Mike Lawson’s Joe DeMarco novels (Inside Ring, Second Perimeter, Dead on Arrival).

Jim Butcher, Cursor’s Fury & Captain’s Fury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third and fourth book in Jim Butcher’s other series. As good as the Dresden Files, but very different, the Codex Alera novels should appeal to all fantasy fans. Books 1 & 2 will be reviewed on the site very soon. (Book 3: July 2nd 2009, Book 4: August 6th 2009)

James Twining, The Geneva Deception

James Twining finally returns to the scene after what feels like way too long. Tom Kirk, international art thief (reformed) is back in action, mixing with the mafia and secret societies. Throw in some genuine art treasures, and you know the reader’s in for an exciting read. (Released: October 15th 2009)

“Wicked Prey”, by John Sandford (Pocket Books)

The Republican Convention is in town, and a killer’s on the hunt

In Wicked Prey, the 19th Lucas Davenport thriller from one of America’s best thriller authors fails to disappoint.

With the Republican Convention in town, Minneapolis’s police forces are stretched to breaking point. A team of professional criminals, led by Brutus Cohn, have decided to take advantage of the vast amounts of cash involved in presidential elections. They have organized an ingenious scheme to get (very) rich quick while avoiding attention from law enforcement. Unfortunately, they failed to factor Davenport into the equation, as he sniffs out the smallest leads to track them down. As things escalate, and they’re pushed into a corner, the chase becomes deadly.

Meanwhile, Lucas must also deal with troubles at home, juggling the various women in his life – Letty, his ward, is slowly starting to exert her independence, working at a local news station. To add further trouble for him, Randy Whitcomb, a paraplegic pimp, has decided that Lucas is the root of all his woes and decides he wants revenge, one way or another. The problem is, Letty’s budding journalistic tendencies are pointing her in Whitcomb’s direction…

Sandford remains the king of American thriller authors. His plots are always seamlessly constructed, his criminals ever-changing and increasingly cunning. Wicked Prey has a slower start than normal, as the author allows things to build to a gentle simmer before the action and chase begins. His prose keep the reader hooked, pushing ahead as events unfold on the pages. One of the best things about the Prey series is the attention paid to the relationships between the recurring characters – be it Lucas and his wife, Weather, or among the employees of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

To say more would be to give away too much of the plot. Needless to say, Wicked Prey is easily one of the best crime/thriller releases of the year, and is an absolute must-read for all. If you like thrillers, this will tick all the necessary boxes for you. I always finish a Sandford novel completely satisfied, while also wanting more. As the author expands another of his series (featuring Virgil Flowers, a protégé of Davenport’s), each year offers more and more opportunity to read his work. Now, if only he’d revisit the Kidd series…

Impeccably written, populated by interesting and colourful characters, this could not come more highly recommended.

For Fans Of: Lee Child, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Kyle Mills, James Patterson, David Baldacci, Jack Kerley