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The Sons of War #4
Soldiers
Days since dirty cop Ray Clarke gunned down Lucia Moretti in a battle that claimed both of their lives, word has spread across Los Angeles and everyone knows Don Antonio will react swiftly and explosively. To protect their loved ones, some of the Saints--an elite, off-the-books tactical team--have sent their families to a safe zone in Iowa. Meanwhile, the Morettis and the Vegas are preparing for an all-out war in LA, but the Saints plan to take them both out and rid the city of the last two crime families for good. At their safe house Dom Salvatore readies his crew, because they know the only way to save the city is to take out the lead contender for the crown: Don Antonio Moretti. All paths are converging and the endgame is here. There can only be one king to reign over the City of Angels.
- GenresAudiobook
452 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2024
39 people are currently reading
3008 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Sansbury Smith
123 books2,399 followersNicholas Sansbury Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels with two million copies sold. Before his writing career, he served at Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a background that inspired many of his story concepts. A two time Ironman triathlete, he enjoys running, biking, and hiking. Nicholas also loves traveling, especially to his cabin in Northern Minnesota where he weaves his tales. He lives in Iowa with his wonderful wife and their son and daughter.
Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.
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Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/
Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.
Facebook Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSSFa...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicholassans...
Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 7, 2024
Epic Gangland vs Saints in this U.S.A. 2.0
Awesome conclusion to this series! I love the way it all wrapped up and had a heck of a lot of action that surprised me and awed me with emotion. Ray’s audio is exquisite as per usual. Thank you for this adventure through so many memorable characters lives! The dystopia they had to survive through, or didn’t, made me want to survive even harder ;)
Awesome conclusion to this series! I love the way it all wrapped up and had a heck of a lot of action that surprised me and awed me with emotion. Ray’s audio is exquisite as per usual. Thank you for this adventure through so many memorable characters lives! The dystopia they had to survive through, or didn’t, made me want to survive even harder ;)
February 8, 2024
I started reading this installment of Sons of War and did not want to put it down. Needless to say it’s my favorite of this series. Nick never disappoints. The story flowed beautifully from start to finish.
February 15, 2024
The game is changing. There is more at risk than ever before.
To understand just how much fun it was to read and thoroughly enjoy "Sons of War 4", you really have to understand how fans like myself felt leading up to its release! This was going to FINALLY be the conclusion of what I felt was one of Nicholas Sansbury Smith's finest series and fans like myself had been clamoring for ages for a concluding chapter! And that's with me living in a strict "no clamoring" zone, so you know it was serious! And not only that, but to see that it was going to be co-authored by the one and only Tom Abrahams was a treat beyond treats! I mean, this is the team-up that brought us "Extinction Red Cycle", the precursor for the immortal "Extinction Cycle" series that really fixed my love of this genre in a thoroughly addictive way!
The end is within our grasp. We need only reach out and seize it by strangling the last of our enemies.
But what a task lay before our scribes? If you had been following the SoW series like myself, you know that at the end of the third book we had so many lose threads flying about you would think you were witnessing some massive kite flying competition which, yes, is the best analogy I could come up with! These stories of a post-apocalyptic United States - reeling from the criminal nuclear attacks brought on by an unfathomable new Civil War - was so incredibly complex that the reader had to constantly keep on their toes to keep track of all the players, all the schemes, and naturally all the insane alliances and their opposite! These were not warm fuzzy stories but instead tales of true suffering and the worst kind of evil imaginable.
If you are reading this, it means I no longer need haircuts.
Needless to say then that I am more than pleased with how Smith and Abrahams handled this über-exciting conclusion, even if I have to admit I'm not sure that I was able to keep every aspect of it clear in my head. But the sheer balance of focal points was truly astounding. There are so many crossing paths in this final instalment that it's amazing that it all came together so well at the end. And to not only track the action but also the mental fortitude of the main players - or lack thereof (no spoilers, sorry) - just added to the delicious chaos that ruled! There were some scenes where I found myself literally slack-jawed and having to re-read parts in order to fully understand - or even believe - what I'd just seen!
We are so close. We cannot let anything sway us from the path we are destined to travel.
Now that's not to say that I quite "got" all of it. Some of my head-scratching moments were definitely due to the complexity of watching all the dominoes fall but some were probably more due to my age than anything else. For example: how did the Saints finally get around that bizarre - and unexplained - wall of stacked shipping containers on their way to complete their penultimate mission? And how did so many of the key players make their way out of that building without getting stopped by the gathered mass of the authorities? And, perhaps most troubling to my own psyche: was there always a dog in the story? I might have put that mistakenly in the "Trackers" portion of my brain. Still, it wouldn't be any trouble to go back and re-read this tetralogy from the start some day!
It was time to finish this. One way or another, it would end today.
But overall this was truly an exquisitely executed tale that left me only wanting more (I know, I know!). The dialogue was super, the action beyond fantastic, often bordering on the audacious, and the surprises were just… WOW! Sure, okay, sometimes a VINNIE snuck in when it should have been VINNY, but hey, fuggit about it, capice?! If that's the worst that popped up in a sea of Dons, Doms, Mons and more, then hey, it's all good! But this was such a magnificent display of truly juggling such a wide range of characters, of emotions, and of motivations that I'm left agog thinking how it all fit into just one book! A highly recommended story, a highly recommended series, and a more than worthy conclusion brought to you by two of the finest in the business! Enjoy!
To understand just how much fun it was to read and thoroughly enjoy "Sons of War 4", you really have to understand how fans like myself felt leading up to its release! This was going to FINALLY be the conclusion of what I felt was one of Nicholas Sansbury Smith's finest series and fans like myself had been clamoring for ages for a concluding chapter! And that's with me living in a strict "no clamoring" zone, so you know it was serious! And not only that, but to see that it was going to be co-authored by the one and only Tom Abrahams was a treat beyond treats! I mean, this is the team-up that brought us "Extinction Red Cycle", the precursor for the immortal "Extinction Cycle" series that really fixed my love of this genre in a thoroughly addictive way!
The end is within our grasp. We need only reach out and seize it by strangling the last of our enemies.
But what a task lay before our scribes? If you had been following the SoW series like myself, you know that at the end of the third book we had so many lose threads flying about you would think you were witnessing some massive kite flying competition which, yes, is the best analogy I could come up with! These stories of a post-apocalyptic United States - reeling from the criminal nuclear attacks brought on by an unfathomable new Civil War - was so incredibly complex that the reader had to constantly keep on their toes to keep track of all the players, all the schemes, and naturally all the insane alliances and their opposite! These were not warm fuzzy stories but instead tales of true suffering and the worst kind of evil imaginable.
If you are reading this, it means I no longer need haircuts.
Needless to say then that I am more than pleased with how Smith and Abrahams handled this über-exciting conclusion, even if I have to admit I'm not sure that I was able to keep every aspect of it clear in my head. But the sheer balance of focal points was truly astounding. There are so many crossing paths in this final instalment that it's amazing that it all came together so well at the end. And to not only track the action but also the mental fortitude of the main players - or lack thereof (no spoilers, sorry) - just added to the delicious chaos that ruled! There were some scenes where I found myself literally slack-jawed and having to re-read parts in order to fully understand - or even believe - what I'd just seen!
We are so close. We cannot let anything sway us from the path we are destined to travel.
Now that's not to say that I quite "got" all of it. Some of my head-scratching moments were definitely due to the complexity of watching all the dominoes fall but some were probably more due to my age than anything else. For example: how did the Saints finally get around that bizarre - and unexplained - wall of stacked shipping containers on their way to complete their penultimate mission? And how did so many of the key players make their way out of that building without getting stopped by the gathered mass of the authorities? And, perhaps most troubling to my own psyche: was there always a dog in the story? I might have put that mistakenly in the "Trackers" portion of my brain. Still, it wouldn't be any trouble to go back and re-read this tetralogy from the start some day!
It was time to finish this. One way or another, it would end today.
But overall this was truly an exquisitely executed tale that left me only wanting more (I know, I know!). The dialogue was super, the action beyond fantastic, often bordering on the audacious, and the surprises were just… WOW! Sure, okay, sometimes a VINNIE snuck in when it should have been VINNY, but hey, fuggit about it, capice?! If that's the worst that popped up in a sea of Dons, Doms, Mons and more, then hey, it's all good! But this was such a magnificent display of truly juggling such a wide range of characters, of emotions, and of motivations that I'm left agog thinking how it all fit into just one book! A highly recommended story, a highly recommended series, and a more than worthy conclusion brought to you by two of the finest in the business! Enjoy!
March 19, 2024
This is one of my all-time favorite series and so saddened that it didn't take off initially due to the impact COVID had on its release. The first book was my escape from a chaotic world that suddenly was taking place around us, and I was devastated when future installments were seemingly delayed. But this fourth book makes up for the wait!
I will say that throughout the entirety of the series I had hoped for a MAJOR build up between Vinny and Dom. I felt as if the ingredients were slowly but surely rising to an eventual run-in, maybe a close encounter directly between the two. But for the story to end with the first real one-on-one between them and they walk away without even a punch (as Dom was MMA trained and a heavy emphasis was put on that at the beginning of series but it seemed to get away from that trait with each passing book). It is cool in regards to them agreeing to walk their separate ways, and the very ending of the book had me at edge of my seat. But I can't lie when I say I feel let down by no real fight between the two other than potshots when their groups were in the same areas.
The last half of 4 seemed rushed, particularly after Monica's rescue. Maybe because that had been such a driving force throughout the entirety of the series and at that point it was time to wrap it up, i am not sure. Even with her rescue, there was no real payoff as to catching a certain member of the Morretti family red handed with the trafficking of the girls. Dom could've then had a much bigger vendetta against Vinny and their walking away at the end could've been more of a "wow" moment had that occurred. How amazing itd have been if Christopher was secretly running all that and he could've gone out being a dirtbag versus just being charred due to Dom's grenade shots? Back to the sense of feeling rushed though, and there was a lot of drawn out time detailing Moose's travels East, especially with the refugee camp stop. I feel that would've been the best place to have introduced Hickham as saving Moose and family and then moving with them in the caravan eastward, befriending him more along the way rather than just meeting him on duty in at the Iowa safe zone during a shift and suddenly they're besties. I was waiting for a curve ball to come our way with him at that point too as someone who wanted revenge on Moose for the killings (albeit self defense) at the refugee rest stop where shit hit the fan.
Lastly, just a minor gripe, but seeing the misspelling of Vinny as "Vinnie" on pg 407 was disappointing considering he played such a major role throughout, it's unfortunate that an editing oversight occurred there.
Overall very good story to conclude series. I just would've liked for it to have been longer with a bit more "payoff" tangled into the plot rather than so many characters quickly exiting at the very end. There was just a major night and day difference between how the series began exploding with absolute crazy action on the pages versus the action but that which felt too predictable at the end. I wish it kept up with that same theme of not knowing what'd happen next.
I will certainly reread this series again someday. But HOPING FOR SOME SPINOFFS IN OREGON, NEW ORLEANS, OR SOMETHING DRAWING EVERYONE BACK TO L.A.
I will say that throughout the entirety of the series I had hoped for a MAJOR build up between Vinny and Dom. I felt as if the ingredients were slowly but surely rising to an eventual run-in, maybe a close encounter directly between the two. But for the story to end with the first real one-on-one between them and they walk away without even a punch (as Dom was MMA trained and a heavy emphasis was put on that at the beginning of series but it seemed to get away from that trait with each passing book). It is cool in regards to them agreeing to walk their separate ways, and the very ending of the book had me at edge of my seat. But I can't lie when I say I feel let down by no real fight between the two other than potshots when their groups were in the same areas.
The last half of 4 seemed rushed, particularly after Monica's rescue. Maybe because that had been such a driving force throughout the entirety of the series and at that point it was time to wrap it up, i am not sure. Even with her rescue, there was no real payoff as to catching a certain member of the Morretti family red handed with the trafficking of the girls. Dom could've then had a much bigger vendetta against Vinny and their walking away at the end could've been more of a "wow" moment had that occurred. How amazing itd have been if Christopher was secretly running all that and he could've gone out being a dirtbag versus just being charred due to Dom's grenade shots? Back to the sense of feeling rushed though, and there was a lot of drawn out time detailing Moose's travels East, especially with the refugee camp stop. I feel that would've been the best place to have introduced Hickham as saving Moose and family and then moving with them in the caravan eastward, befriending him more along the way rather than just meeting him on duty in at the Iowa safe zone during a shift and suddenly they're besties. I was waiting for a curve ball to come our way with him at that point too as someone who wanted revenge on Moose for the killings (albeit self defense) at the refugee rest stop where shit hit the fan.
Lastly, just a minor gripe, but seeing the misspelling of Vinny as "Vinnie" on pg 407 was disappointing considering he played such a major role throughout, it's unfortunate that an editing oversight occurred there.
Overall very good story to conclude series. I just would've liked for it to have been longer with a bit more "payoff" tangled into the plot rather than so many characters quickly exiting at the very end. There was just a major night and day difference between how the series began exploding with absolute crazy action on the pages versus the action but that which felt too predictable at the end. I wish it kept up with that same theme of not knowing what'd happen next.
I will certainly reread this series again someday. But HOPING FOR SOME SPINOFFS IN OREGON, NEW ORLEANS, OR SOMETHING DRAWING EVERYONE BACK TO L.A.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2024
The City of Angels is torn by war.
The entire country is torn, fighting against itself for dominance. Radiation from nuclear weapons used against San Diego is spread across the western states. Safe drinking water is as hard to find as clean food. Los Angeles is divided by gangs and criminal organizations. The Moretti crime family controls gambling, prostitution and drugs in most of LA. The cartel, operated by the Vegas, wants to expand their drug operation. Battles between the two outfits are deadly and takes as many innocent lives as cartel soldiers and Morettis. Fighting against both operations is a secret police unit known as the Saints. Reporting to police lieutenant Zed Marks, the Saints are led by Dominic Salvatore. Dom and the Saints are the only effective fighters against the crime families. The City of Angels is dying a slow death. Between the radiation and disease and the criminal element fighting over the rotting corpse of Los Angeles, a sure hand is needed to steer the city to health. Leadership? The mayor and police chief are in the Morettis' pocket along with most of the cops. The rest report to the Vegas. The Saints are alone in their fight.
Dom and the Saints are the heroes of the story and lead the storyline through the trials. They're sure that taking out the leadership of the outfits will lead to a healthy LA. But it's more like Wack-a-Mole. Knock one down and another pops up. A mighty effort is needed to clean this city, and it might just be possible. Maybe.
Sleepless nights and blurry days. That's what this amazing story cost me as I kept turning pages long past any chance of sleep or dreams! And amazing collaboration between two of my favorite authors, this is a great read!
The entire country is torn, fighting against itself for dominance. Radiation from nuclear weapons used against San Diego is spread across the western states. Safe drinking water is as hard to find as clean food. Los Angeles is divided by gangs and criminal organizations. The Moretti crime family controls gambling, prostitution and drugs in most of LA. The cartel, operated by the Vegas, wants to expand their drug operation. Battles between the two outfits are deadly and takes as many innocent lives as cartel soldiers and Morettis. Fighting against both operations is a secret police unit known as the Saints. Reporting to police lieutenant Zed Marks, the Saints are led by Dominic Salvatore. Dom and the Saints are the only effective fighters against the crime families. The City of Angels is dying a slow death. Between the radiation and disease and the criminal element fighting over the rotting corpse of Los Angeles, a sure hand is needed to steer the city to health. Leadership? The mayor and police chief are in the Morettis' pocket along with most of the cops. The rest report to the Vegas. The Saints are alone in their fight.
Dom and the Saints are the heroes of the story and lead the storyline through the trials. They're sure that taking out the leadership of the outfits will lead to a healthy LA. But it's more like Wack-a-Mole. Knock one down and another pops up. A mighty effort is needed to clean this city, and it might just be possible. Maybe.
Sleepless nights and blurry days. That's what this amazing story cost me as I kept turning pages long past any chance of sleep or dreams! And amazing collaboration between two of my favorite authors, this is a great read!
February 11, 2024
Loved it and glad NSS got to finish the series. A tiny nitpick I have is his writing of women- Camilla is the best he has written so far. But he seems to think "nag"="strong". Some of the wives marry men with dangerous jobs that are trying their best only to be bitched at about having a dangerous job.
Otherwise enjoyed the series, its honestly the only "mafia" kind of stuff I have an interest in.
Otherwise enjoyed the series, its honestly the only "mafia" kind of stuff I have an interest in.
February 14, 2024
I always hate seeing a great NSS series end. This one is no exception. But as always, it was a great ride with a great ending. Ray Porter does an amazing job with the narration! This series is definitely worth a listen! (or read if you prefer)
March 31, 2024
great story
I really enjoyed the book. There was a build up to a final battle and it was not disappointing. I also enjoyed how the book showed us where our favorite characters were after the battle.
I really enjoyed the book. There was a build up to a final battle and it was not disappointing. I also enjoyed how the book showed us where our favorite characters were after the battle.
June 11, 2024
Good ending to a good series. The Saints come out on top vs the Sinners. LA is safe from the criminals now time to rebuild. Recommend the series to anyone who likes action, adventure, twists, turns, morality questions, good vs evil, betrayal or just a great story.
November 28, 2023
Great story
February 14, 2024
Excellent - this is one of my favorite NSS series and it did not disappoint!
March 6, 2024
Great ending to a gripping and very solid series.
March 24, 2024
why is this series not popular
I was so captivated by this series I read the whole thing in a week I can’t believe he had trouble getting people to catch on to it
I was so captivated by this series I read the whole thing in a week I can’t believe he had trouble getting people to catch on to it
April 7, 2024
Satisfying conclusion to the Sons of War series. #audible
May 31, 2024
great read!
I have read all of his books! I always grab anything new that he writes! One of my favorite authors.
I have read all of his books! I always grab anything new that he writes! One of my favorite authors.
June 7, 2024
A great end to a great series. Great character, with great story telling. As always I can’t wait to read the next story that Nicholas and Tom both put out.
August 28, 2024
Great ending
Read all 4 straight through and stayed enthralled the whole time. Really liked Vinneys character and ending.
From Texas Southeast also.
Read all 4 straight through and stayed enthralled the whole time. Really liked Vinneys character and ending.
From Texas Southeast also.
September 29, 2024
Excellent series
A very different take on TEOTWAWKI. Action packed. I am so glad the whole set was available! A truly great read!
A very different take on TEOTWAWKI. Action packed. I am so glad the whole set was available! A truly great read!
December 4, 2024
Really really good ending to the series. Everyone gets an ending and if all feels complete.
February 20, 2025
Sons of WAR
I wasn't sure Bout this series in the first book but as I continued I enjoyed the characters and the premise of the story. It was a good read!
I wasn't sure Bout this series in the first book but as I continued I enjoyed the characters and the premise of the story. It was a good read!
April 30, 2025
Outstanding
Another Outstanding Book in the Sons of War series. It is very exciting. I sure would like to see more of Don Camilla Monica Ann’s Moose.
Another Outstanding Book in the Sons of War series. It is very exciting. I sure would like to see more of Don Camilla Monica Ann’s Moose.
May 14, 2025
OK I guess
Pretty good book seemed slow a lot sort of just enough action to keep my interest. I almost returned the book 2/3 way through then it picked up. It's worth a read.
Pretty good book seemed slow a lot sort of just enough action to keep my interest. I almost returned the book 2/3 way through then it picked up. It's worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews