Masters of War

Danny Black #1

by Chris Ryan

The first book in the hugely popular Danny Black series by the creator of the hit TV show Strikeback.Paris. An elderly man is assassinated as he takes his morning walk.In the war-torn cities of Syria, government forces wage a bloody war against their own people.The Russians are propping up the government, the French are backing one rebel fraction and the British are backing another.In north Africa, young SAS trooper Danny Black is coming to the end of a gruelling tour of duty, or so he thinks.Danny has a new mission. An MI6 agent needs to make contact with Syrian rebel forces, and also with the private military contractors who are - unofficially - training this rebel faction as it struggles to bring down their government and establish a new regime that will be favourable to British business interests. Danny will learn who the masters of war, the men who call the shots, really are.Danny discovers a world where death is dispensed by the highest bidder and individuals will betray anybody if the price is right.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Military Fiction, Audiobook, Action, War, Adventure

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Colin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Ryan books are an odd choice for me if you look at the rest of the books that I read but I absolutely love them - they grip you right from the first page and I can never put them down - read this one in just over 24 hours not bad considering I was working for at least 8 of these hours. Danny Black ...........born to be a hero that was clear right from the start but as per usual a great twist or twists at the end that just make the book. Searching for this book on Goodreads I have found a few of Chris's books that I have not read - so they are added to the list - ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. What does scare me is how twisted and corrupt these books show the world to be - has to be a bit of a wake up call to all of us that this sort of thing goes on...............

[Ross Sidor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better Chris Ryan novels. A fast paced, somewhat crude book filled with extensive descriptions of graphic violence, as well as ample foul language, many scummy duplicitous characters who are just out for themselves, and a plethora of authentic military and weapons details. All centered around SAS soldiers, spies, mercenaries, and jihadists competing for different agendas in Syria. Very much an action movie or video game in book form, vividly written and very entertaining.

[Niall Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, to the point I want to read more books of a similar nature. Gruesome in parts and shocking at times, but it goes on 😟. Danny Black was a legend.

[Tzu · Rating 5 out of 5]

And here I was thinking there was going to be a happy ending... That Danny would give a special someone a call and everything would be fine, but no Chris Ryan decided I should read the next book to find out what happens next... Very well done. That ending bumped up my rating from a four to a solid five!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 stars
The Maters of War is a real military thriller that not only packed with gun fired, and grenades but also greed and betrayal. It's a story of warfare and people who are caught in the middle and some that exploit such conflict to their best interest. I like the subterfuge plot and the depiction of war torn country and its state of anarchy and chaos but the characters are too black and white especially the spook...he could use more subtle personality. And of course since this is about war there are a lot of violent, cruelty and gore in gruesome and graphic details.

[Sebastian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spannend boek maar teveel onnodig geweld. Zal er in werkelijkheid misschien best zo wel aan toegaan maar niet voor mij als lezer. De verbeelding is dan al voldoende. Nodigt hierdoor niet snel uit nieuw deel te lezen. Maar misschien zijn die delen anders.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, in my experience, some male (action) authors find it challenging to write well-rounded, believable female characters. So, don't expect much beyond physical attributes.

More importantly, this book has scenes of sexual assault and rape.
Trigger warning.

[Myles (semi hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF NEVER AGAIN HATE THIS ON A RAMPAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris French · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a brutalness (if that's not a word, it is now) to this book that may not be for everyone, but it certainly worked for me.
If you're a fan of Chris Ryan then this is more solid action for you to inhale. If you haven't read him and you like military action, then get into it.
The plot is current, black ops in Syria, and the foreword where the author explains about his experiences there back in 1991 only adds to the reading experience. Having recently spent some time in Turkey, it's bizarre to think that just next door is a country that is tearing itself apart. Whilst it makes for great fiction, I hope they settle into peace soon.
This is only the second Chris Ryan book I have read, so I have plenty more to get excited about, and then there is Strike Back (the series), bring on season 4.

[David Thorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are great escapist books. I hope they're more believable in terms of what happens as they are written by someone who was special forces, and we at least don't have to suffer leaping from 3 storey buildings completely unscathed.

Ryan's style of writing isn't for everyone, it's fairly brusk, there are places where the story doesn't scan properly (although plot holes seem limited based off an audiobook listen). Ryan is also quite graphic in some of his descriptions of the violence, explosions etc (I'm trying not to give too much away.) so it isn't one to read whilst eating.

Overall a good bedtime reading/listening book. I've already read Book#4 without realising it (sadly giving away a semi obvious part of the plot) so I'll read the other 3 and see how it goes.

[Christina Rochester · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So what do we do now, kiddo? Kill each other? Or let each other go?"

Danny Black is an SAS officer, sent on a mission to Syria. His job, escort Buckingham to one of the rebel leaders. Given a team of 5 men that shouldn't be too hard. But from the moment they touch down in Syria things start to go wrong. And that's only the beginning of a messy web of lies and deceit.

This is the first installment in the Danny Black series and I absolutely loved every second. The story flows perfectly and has you hooked right from the prologue.

I can't wait to pick up the next one! Highly recommended if you like a bit of action.

[Stuart Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

not a bad read which builds the story ready for further stories

[Gary Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my usual genre from one of my most read authors. I’d read book 2 of the series first, so had to go back and read this book 1. I can see why Black doesn’t like Buckingham in book 2!

[Sue Morcumb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst this was a fast-moving book with lots of twists and turns and deceit from all corners of the book, it was such a shame that some of the Swear words were far too much, I know it was talk between the soldiers and I appreciate that a part of the language was used to reinforce the depth of the crisis, but I do not think that the gratuitous use of the more profane swear words were not necessary, I found that they spoilt the book as it took you away from the story for a moment or two and you would have to go back over the passage again to pick up the story. The book is cleverly written and I enjoyed the actual story and it was fast-paced and as always there was the good guy who became the target and the mentor who he had believed in turned against him and that was too much for him to bear, but again, the language was appalling and not necessary or some of the scenes were horrific and well described, this book would not be good for youngsters to get hold of and somewhere it should be marked that it should be for 18 and over, the language and the descriptive acts of torture and brutality should not be read by anyone younger than 18. It was my first time reading this book by Chris Ryan and I can understand his mindset in writing the way he has but his books may not be as appreciated as they should be due to the other things I have mentioned. I have not got the 2nd book yet as I am going to see what the next story is before I commit to the next book, reading books from the the Thrillers and Suspense, the books all seem to have the same theme running through them, so sometimes you have to stip off that roundabout. I feel that people will enjoy the story but it most definitely have an 18 grade for the safety of younger members.

[Alex Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is your standard Chris Ryan book;

. Tough loner SAS super soldier (in this case Danny Black is the recurring character) ✔

. Top secret mission into warzone ✔

. An upper-class public-school MI6 handler who doesn’t care about nothing but himself ✔

. A betrayal by said MI6 agent and or other ‘trusted’ friend ✔

. A ‘damsel in distress’ who is also a tough woman ✔

. A lot and I men A LOT of people being shot in the head ✔

It what seems like the 100th book I’ve read by Chris Ryan, for anyone who has read his books before know what you’re getting, for new comers you can expect hard SAS men shooting up conflict ridden hellholes, being manipulated by snobby intelligence agents, being betrayed and captured and then managing to escape, just before a massive firefight kicks off the conclusion.

Danny Black is dragged from one battlefield in Afghanistan to Syria, on the orders of MI6, to escort an agent to broker a peace between two rival rebel groups on a deniable operation alongside a group of mercenaries led by a long-time family friend.
Hit by betrayals, double-crosses and enemies from all sides, Black uncovers a dark family secret and the murky decisions of the powers in Syria.

I enjoyed this one more than some of his others I’ve read recently, especially his Extreme series. Full of action, the book was pacey and exciting, it’s just not original and all these seem to fall into the same plot points.
A decent bullet filled read, its just not that much of an explosive must read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Chris Ryan book and it did not disappoint. I had previously read a couple of Damien Lewis books that I thoroughly enjoyed to wanted to carry on with the genre.

Masters of War is a great introduction to the Danny Black series; it really helps you sink your teeth into the character. You get a good understanding of his emotionally complex personal life and understand his frustrating family situation.

Alongside the obvious enemies of the story we also have a character with a personal vendetta against Danny who you want to hate and to watch out for. The book is full action, twists and accurate military related details. We are also introduced to a handful of other characters that will be included in future books. Clara is definitely one to watch out for.

I would fully recommend this book; it’s a great gateway book into the genre, although it isn’t for the faint of heart as it is brutal and gory at times. I do appreciate that for the most part the rape scenes are alluded to rather than heavily detailed, although some may have been more detailed than necessary. They weren’t bad enough to be a deal-breaker for me but may be something for readers with certain triggers of trauma to be wary of.

[Zax · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drug induced trip of a Book

Ok, Fair One, is fairly good.
Best thing is the characterisation of the very Very Bad people, just very messed up and very messy. Revolting to read, but then there are people like this.
Also a reminder of the terrors that occurred in Homs, Syria.
A must see re this is the film ‘A Private War’ the story of Marie Colvin; the conditions well set out in this book are brought to life there.
The protagonist SAS man is a confused mosaic of a character.
He does have a good back story, that plays out through the book, but not much to see really.
He’s somewhat overshadowed by a gritty Doctor.
She’s as hard as nails and ought to be in the SAS herself.
There’s a double, triple, quadruple cross going on, which is rather wearing, as is the slimy man from MI6.
A somewhat abrupt finale, is again super complex and highly improbable.
As a series start it’s ok. Hope the follow up will be much better.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A roller coaster ride of a book.
In the very beginning there is a warning that descriptions of actions can be found lively. Usually I take that kind of warning with a grain of salt, because mostly it isn't that bad after all. But in this book the warning is an actual warning for what follows in the book.

And even though my stomach turned at times, I don't think the violence was over the top. I think it serves a purpose, to give a reader who's never been in Syria or in a country that's fallen victim to (civil) war or in one that's become a plaything of warlords, mercenaries, religious fanatics, where foreign governments play their games of RISK! by sending in their spies and covert armies, a good idea of what is going on in a situation like that.

I will take a (short) brake though and read something else in between. But I am really curious to find out how Danny's story continues.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Danny Black is the son of a soldier shot in the head, and survived, in Northern Ireland on the same day that Danny was born. His mother was also shot but had died. He joins the SAS on the recommendation of his fathers best friend and he leads the life of a soldier protecting the country.

Then he gets sent to Syria to protect a MI6 agent trying to open up connections with the rebel forces fighting the government. From the beginning nothing goes right and Danny's world is turned upside down. All that he thought was true turns out to be smoke an mirrors and his future, if he survives the mission, will never be the same.

This had promise, but somehow it missed the mark for me. It didn't flow smoothly, some of the characters were just totally weird and unbelievable. It was barely enjoyable.

[Costasl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Badly needs proof reading in order to save some pretense of authenticity! I understand that some unnamed ghost writer writes these books, but at least someone should have hired a competent proof reader, if the real Chris Ryan won't bother to even read "his" books... Because at least we would have pointed out that (a) the M1911 is not a revolver but a semi-automatic pistol, (b) the Sig pistol does not have a safety lever at all, (c) a revolver carries its rounds in a cylinder and not in a barrel and (d) there are no F16s on an aircraft carrier (the F16 only operates from airports). It is not enough to use jargon like "rupert" or "technical" to sound authentic, you need to get at least the basic facts straight.

[John Hodgkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of information on the activities of the British SAS and MI6, as Ryan himself was an overseas operative of SAS. However, in spite of the interest I had in these "real life" experiences, written into this adventure book, the fact that a 23 year-old can run an operation in Syria, shielding an MI6 man, and outrun and outgun numerous Syrian army special units as well as quite a few Spetznaz operatives is way OTT. And he gets the Czech ambassador to arrange for his 2 buddies and the MI6 man and an English (female) doctor to be let free by the Syrian torture squad is so far-fetched to be totally unbelievable.
Sorry, but this is fairy-tale land; OK for kids' comics (apart from the gruesome details), but as serious adventure writing ......NO.

[Franci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gory, gruesome and brutal. Did I say gory?

But brilliant!!! So brilliant!

The pacing is breakneck speed, never relenting, never slowing down until the very last chapter.

Few thoughts:
*Danny Black is my hero.
*Buckingham is a mucker. Through and through. (Fun new lingo I picked up)
*Taff....maybe I shouldn't get into that....
*I want to know more about Clara. (It looks like I'll definitely continue the series)

I watched ALL of the seasons of Strike Back and absolutely loved it!!
But this is next level.
Thank you Chris Ryan.

[fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal, Awesome & Non Stop

What a read!
This pace is relentless and exhausting.
A great book and riveting from start to finish.
It has been a while since I've read a book from a former serving military author and the authenticity is normally good in comparison to civilian counterparts and this is no exception.
So glad I've started the series when there are 8 in the collection
Great read and not for the faint hearted.

[Oksana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Коли втомлюєшся від Глибоких Думок, закладених Автором, Важливих Проблем, що піднімаються в книгах, алюзій і інших Прихованих Сенсів, а натомість хочеться простого людського надерти сраки всім поганцям і щоб головний герой в кінці, втомлений, але не переможений, гордо ішов на захід сонця.

Чудовий динамічний бойовик з Хорошим Хлопцем, Поганими Хлопцями, інтригою і драйвом.

Читатиму продовження циклу

(А ще і серіал по ньому є)

[Yemic · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Chris Ryan book and it was an incredible read. I found it difficult to put down, picked it up every opportunity I got. Everything about the book was great, the story was believable, character development was good and conversation well paced. there was an instance I shouted YES, (forgetting were I was) after a certain person got dealt with.

[Silas Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was turned on to Ryan's work after falling in love with the Cinemax/Sky One series based on his book "Strike Back". After reading a couple of the books in the SB series, I turned to Danny Black, SAS hero turned assassin. And it does not disappoint. Ryan's Danny Black series is riveting, grossly violent, disturbingly surreal.

[Lee Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually started reading the Danny Black series out of sync and started with Hell Fire. On its own a very good read that grips you from the off set. I decided to start the whole series form the beginning and boy am i glad i did. What an absolutely outstanding character Danny Black is. Chris Ryan is an amazing author and keeps you wanting more.

[Stefan Bogdanski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, solid thriller work.

But Danny seemed to be a little naive for a toughened up regiment boy. And while it sometimes seems to be quite realistic and authentic, a few scenes seemed to be out of step.

But maybe that's just me. My personal reference for thriller about regiment guys is the Nick Stone series. And compared to Nick, Danny had some steps to catch up.

[Rita Hebberd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read and I enjoy Chris Ryan’s style of witting which is very graphic and thought provoking with many acts of brutality clearly described - not for the faint hearted.

With the current state of war today all over the world this story gave me issues for thought that are possibly hidden behind the news headlines that I encounter every day.

[Sophia Aouichaoui · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first,I didn't think I'd enjoy this novel...but I loved it.
The detail (sometimes quite graphic) is so intricate,I cringed and winced ,realising these scenarios do actually occur on the battle field.
I loved Chris Ryan's first 'Danny Black' novel so much that I am ordering the rest of the series to read too!!
Great read,highly recommended.