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Pike Logan #9
The Forgotten Soldier
The ninth thriller in the New York Times bestselling Pike Logan series by Brad Taylor, a retired Delta Force commander who has lived for more than twenty years in the world about which he writes.For years, the extralegal counterterrorist unit known as the Taskforce has worked in the shadows, anticipating and preventing attacks around the globe. Created to deal with a terrorist threat that shuns the civilized rule of law, it abandoned the same, operating outside of the US Constitution. Wildly successful, preventing disaster time and time again, it was rooted in a fear that the cure could be worse than the disease.
And now that fear has come home.
A Special Forces soldier is killed on an operation in Afghanistan. Complicit in the attack is a government official of an allied nation. While the US administration wants to forget the casualty, one Taskforce member will not. When he sets out to avenge his brother's death, his actions threaten to not only expose the Taskforce's activities, but also destroy a web of alliances against a greater evil. Pike Logan understands the desire, but also the danger. Brought in to eliminate the risk, he's now forced to choose between his friend and the administration he's sworn to protect, confronted with the greatest threat he's ever faced: a Taskforce Operator gone rogue. Unbeknownst to either of them, the SF soldier's death is only the beginning. . . .
420 pages, Hardcover
First published December 29, 2015
About the author
Brad Taylor
44 books2,129 followersBrad Taylor served for more than twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2010 as a Special Forces Lieutenant colonel. During that time he held numerous infantry and special operations positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operations Detachment—Delta, popularly known as the Delta Force, where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron.
He has conducted operations in support of U.S. national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. His final military post was as Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel. He holds a master's of science in defense analysis with a concentration in irregular warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats to various agencies. He currently lives in Charleston, SC, with his wife and two daughters.
He has conducted operations in support of U.S. national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. His final military post was as Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel. He holds a master's of science in defense analysis with a concentration in irregular warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats to various agencies. He currently lives in Charleston, SC, with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
June 27, 2017
A member of the Task Force goes rogue after his brother is killed. Pike and Co. have to talk him down. However, due to the nature of these things, the guy blunders into a terrorist scheme of vast proportions, and the Task Force has to stop him and bring the rogue in.
Pretty exciting stuff without all of the relationship nonsense that plagues a lot of the books in this series. Really shows a lot of espionage type stuff available to regular people in these high tech times. Still, it seems like the Task Force spends as much time trying not to be seen as they do anything else. It's a wonder they can stop anything.
Pretty exciting stuff without all of the relationship nonsense that plagues a lot of the books in this series. Really shows a lot of espionage type stuff available to regular people in these high tech times. Still, it seems like the Task Force spends as much time trying not to be seen as they do anything else. It's a wonder they can stop anything.
January 2, 2016
***Read this review, and more, at www.TheRealBookSpy.com ***
When an ex-member of the Taskforce, a secret counterterrorist unit headed up by Pike Logan, goes dark – seeking revenge for the death of his brother – Pike is called upon to find his former teammate and stop him.
That’s the basic plot for Brad Taylor’s latest military thriller The Forgotten Soldier, an action-packed adventure that will have you turning pages like a madman as Pike and his crew work tirelessly to save the day once again.
Taylor, who has undoubtedly become the gold standard in this particular genre, is on absolute fire right now. Earlier this year he released his eighth novel in the Pike Logan series, The Insider Threat, which was, at the time, his best novel to date.
If you’ve followed me on Twitter or read my reviews, then you know how high I was on that book. Amazingly, Taylor topped himself just a few months later with The Forgotten Soldier, which I figured would be nearly impossible to do.
Note to self: when dealing with a former DELTA operator, such as Brad Taylor, always expect them to do the impossible.
Pike Logan is a compelling leading character, but Taylor has added in a wonderful secondary cast that elevates his stories to the next level. My favorite character not named Pike is, without question, Jennifer Cahill.
Cahill is wildly underrated in this genre, which doesn’t feature many women playing a butt-kicking role. In fact, outside of Brad Thor’s The Athena Project and Joshua Hood’s Renee Hart (who stars alongside Mason Kane in Clear by Fire), there are no other female characters to compare Cahill to.
She can hold her own, though, and is certainly an asset to the Taskforce, which she repeatedly proves – including in this novel.
The realism that Taylor writes with is second to none. Have you ever watched an action movie and spotted all kinds of goofs and inaccuracies? Yeah, that’s most certainly not the case here. I’ve already touched on Taylor’s decorated military career, which is something that gives him an edge over the competition. Plenty of people can write well, but not everyone understands the nuances and technical terms that play such an important role in writing military thrillers.
Nothing takes a reader out of the story faster than getting details wrong. It’s a cardinal sin that far too many authors commit, which is why Taylor’s writing is a real treat. He can do both, write and nail all the military details with equal mastery.
I knocked out The Forgotten Solider, which is the ninth novel in the Pike Logan series, in less than two days. While I would advise people to read Taylor’s other books first, mostly because they are so good, I actually think this would be a good starting point for newcomers to the series. Taylor does a good job filling in any blanks from past novels without giving too much away.
While the idea of a rogue soldier piling up bodies around the globe while being tracked by his former comrades isn’t necessarily a new idea, I felt Brad Taylor offered a very fresh and unique take on things. The story, which is packed with action, moves at a blistering pace leading up to a climatic ending that will have you glued to your seat.
I highly recommend this book for anybody that is a fan of the military thriller genre, or enjoys authors such as Brad Thor, Dalton Fury and Joshua Hood. Pre-order it here!
For more on Brad Taylor, check out his official website, and make sure to follow him on Twitter.
Book Details
Author: Brad Taylor
Pages: 428
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: December 29, 2015
When an ex-member of the Taskforce, a secret counterterrorist unit headed up by Pike Logan, goes dark – seeking revenge for the death of his brother – Pike is called upon to find his former teammate and stop him.
That’s the basic plot for Brad Taylor’s latest military thriller The Forgotten Soldier, an action-packed adventure that will have you turning pages like a madman as Pike and his crew work tirelessly to save the day once again.
Taylor, who has undoubtedly become the gold standard in this particular genre, is on absolute fire right now. Earlier this year he released his eighth novel in the Pike Logan series, The Insider Threat, which was, at the time, his best novel to date.
If you’ve followed me on Twitter or read my reviews, then you know how high I was on that book. Amazingly, Taylor topped himself just a few months later with The Forgotten Soldier, which I figured would be nearly impossible to do.
Note to self: when dealing with a former DELTA operator, such as Brad Taylor, always expect them to do the impossible.
Pike Logan is a compelling leading character, but Taylor has added in a wonderful secondary cast that elevates his stories to the next level. My favorite character not named Pike is, without question, Jennifer Cahill.
Cahill is wildly underrated in this genre, which doesn’t feature many women playing a butt-kicking role. In fact, outside of Brad Thor’s The Athena Project and Joshua Hood’s Renee Hart (who stars alongside Mason Kane in Clear by Fire), there are no other female characters to compare Cahill to.
She can hold her own, though, and is certainly an asset to the Taskforce, which she repeatedly proves – including in this novel.
The realism that Taylor writes with is second to none. Have you ever watched an action movie and spotted all kinds of goofs and inaccuracies? Yeah, that’s most certainly not the case here. I’ve already touched on Taylor’s decorated military career, which is something that gives him an edge over the competition. Plenty of people can write well, but not everyone understands the nuances and technical terms that play such an important role in writing military thrillers.
Nothing takes a reader out of the story faster than getting details wrong. It’s a cardinal sin that far too many authors commit, which is why Taylor’s writing is a real treat. He can do both, write and nail all the military details with equal mastery.
I knocked out The Forgotten Solider, which is the ninth novel in the Pike Logan series, in less than two days. While I would advise people to read Taylor’s other books first, mostly because they are so good, I actually think this would be a good starting point for newcomers to the series. Taylor does a good job filling in any blanks from past novels without giving too much away.
While the idea of a rogue soldier piling up bodies around the globe while being tracked by his former comrades isn’t necessarily a new idea, I felt Brad Taylor offered a very fresh and unique take on things. The story, which is packed with action, moves at a blistering pace leading up to a climatic ending that will have you glued to your seat.
I highly recommend this book for anybody that is a fan of the military thriller genre, or enjoys authors such as Brad Thor, Dalton Fury and Joshua Hood. Pre-order it here!
For more on Brad Taylor, check out his official website, and make sure to follow him on Twitter.
Book Details
Author: Brad Taylor
Pages: 428
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: December 29, 2015
January 5, 2020
An interesting twist and lots of "let's pay attention" to details. I enjoyed this read but you would need to read the other 8 books to fully enjoy this novel.
January 17, 2016
Excellent read. My first book by Brad Taylor and will definitely read another.
January 3, 2023
Retired Delta Force operator Brad Taylor's Pike Logan series is, hands down, one of the hottest and most enjoyable thriller series on the market today. With the action, authenticity, and real-deal character building from a man who has lived that life.
THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER is the most gripping and darkest entry to date.
A family member of a Taskforce operator has died in combat operations. The killers have connections to a prominent Middle Eastern government. With the Oversight Council opting to ignore the operator's evidence, he goes off the reservation to avenge his brother.
In turn, the Oversight Council deploys Pike Logan and his team. They are to capture the operator and stop him from causing an international incident. Worse, they are implicitly ordered to kill the operator if they cannot bring him in alive.
Throughout the Pike Logan series, Taylor has hinted at how badly the Taskforce could be abused if they went off the reservation, individually or collectively. This time, he made it a central focus of the novel, and made it his most gripping novel yet. It is incredibly dark as the operator slips into the abyss, something with which Pike Logan is intimately familiar.
Over nine novels, Taylor has managed to continue developing his characters. This time, the focal point of development was Pike, using the rogue operator as a mirror. It was excellently done. And, as always, the plotting and action are top notch. I could go on and on about that, but anyone who has been reading my reviews of the Pike Logan novels already knows what I'll say.
My only (very minor) gripe is that it could have been darker. Call me a twisted individual, but I would have loved if things went absolutely as dark as they could get. But, that isn't enough of a gripe to detract from the overall rating.
All in all, excellent, action-packed, character-rich novel. Highly recommended.
THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER is the most gripping and darkest entry to date.
A family member of a Taskforce operator has died in combat operations. The killers have connections to a prominent Middle Eastern government. With the Oversight Council opting to ignore the operator's evidence, he goes off the reservation to avenge his brother.
In turn, the Oversight Council deploys Pike Logan and his team. They are to capture the operator and stop him from causing an international incident. Worse, they are implicitly ordered to kill the operator if they cannot bring him in alive.
Throughout the Pike Logan series, Taylor has hinted at how badly the Taskforce could be abused if they went off the reservation, individually or collectively. This time, he made it a central focus of the novel, and made it his most gripping novel yet. It is incredibly dark as the operator slips into the abyss, something with which Pike Logan is intimately familiar.
Over nine novels, Taylor has managed to continue developing his characters. This time, the focal point of development was Pike, using the rogue operator as a mirror. It was excellently done. And, as always, the plotting and action are top notch. I could go on and on about that, but anyone who has been reading my reviews of the Pike Logan novels already knows what I'll say.
My only (very minor) gripe is that it could have been darker. Call me a twisted individual, but I would have loved if things went absolutely as dark as they could get. But, that isn't enough of a gripe to detract from the overall rating.
All in all, excellent, action-packed, character-rich novel. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2016
Awesome!!!
As always, Brad Taylor never ceases to blow my mind with his outstanding writing. The Pike Logan Series is a must read for anyone who like action thrillers and suspense. On to the next one.....
As always, Brad Taylor never ceases to blow my mind with his outstanding writing. The Pike Logan Series is a must read for anyone who like action thrillers and suspense. On to the next one.....
May 23, 2019
I've already admitted to binge reading this series having discovered it and compared to similar. For instance, I'd put Brad Taylor ahead of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, and at a similar level to Tim Tigner. He scores for characterisation of both the 'good' and the 'bad' and has believable motives rather than simplistic 'terrorist nutter'. This book does explore a little the blatantly illegal and dangerous nature of his taskforce. Obviously its a bit of a straw man and the operative who loses it and starts killing without sanction is proved to be right, but at least he's aware that a government having an extra legal hit squad can have a down side.
Mind you, we all enjoy seeing good triumph and evil fail, so it still pushes the 'airport thriller' buttons perfectly well.
Enjoyable stuff, with at least a pretence of conscience and consideration.
Mind you, we all enjoy seeing good triumph and evil fail, so it still pushes the 'airport thriller' buttons perfectly well.
Enjoyable stuff, with at least a pretence of conscience and consideration.
July 24, 2021
Even though there is the normal amount of action in this story it actually has to do with the inept attitude of politicians. From my own past experiences I understand and wished we had the The Taskforce during my time.
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December 31, 2015Wow. Just wow!
This newest adventure of Pike Logan and the Taskforce gets into the hard reality and residual affects of the worst part of combat, losing one of your own. The struggle in the mind of an Operator between the mission his government has given him and their own sense of right and wrong is explored in great depth here and it leaves you with an even greater respect for the Taskforce members.
While going through the box of personal effects from his brother, recently killed in Afghanistan, Guy George, a seasoned Taskforce operator, discovers that there might be more to the story of his brother's death than the official story. Slowly slipping into the dark side, Guy goes rogue to get the truth and avenge his brother's death. The Taskforce is sent to stop him, and it's not easy to track one of your own who knows all the tricks of the trade. Especially when the Secretary of State has himself become unintentionally working with terrorists.
There is non stop action in this book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and an extra dose of humor that is mixed perfectly with times of grief and the hard examination of one's own conscience and loyalty. It also highlights Pike's empathy for Guy from his own near fatal trip to his darkest side. Not just Pike but everyone on the Taskforce goes through their own self examination and it is brilliant. A great story and plotline with an entirety new view of our favorite characters. I can't recommend it enough.
I don't know how Brad Taylor manages to do it better each time but he does. This time, he's exceptional. If you're not already a fan of his books, you are missing out. It's always worth it, and he's outdone himself with The Forgotten Soldier.
This newest adventure of Pike Logan and the Taskforce gets into the hard reality and residual affects of the worst part of combat, losing one of your own. The struggle in the mind of an Operator between the mission his government has given him and their own sense of right and wrong is explored in great depth here and it leaves you with an even greater respect for the Taskforce members.
While going through the box of personal effects from his brother, recently killed in Afghanistan, Guy George, a seasoned Taskforce operator, discovers that there might be more to the story of his brother's death than the official story. Slowly slipping into the dark side, Guy goes rogue to get the truth and avenge his brother's death. The Taskforce is sent to stop him, and it's not easy to track one of your own who knows all the tricks of the trade. Especially when the Secretary of State has himself become unintentionally working with terrorists.
There is non stop action in this book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and an extra dose of humor that is mixed perfectly with times of grief and the hard examination of one's own conscience and loyalty. It also highlights Pike's empathy for Guy from his own near fatal trip to his darkest side. Not just Pike but everyone on the Taskforce goes through their own self examination and it is brilliant. A great story and plotline with an entirety new view of our favorite characters. I can't recommend it enough.
I don't know how Brad Taylor manages to do it better each time but he does. This time, he's exceptional. If you're not already a fan of his books, you are missing out. It's always worth it, and he's outdone himself with The Forgotten Soldier.
September 19, 2020
"Peace is an Illusion"
I absolutely love this series. This book has a Taskforce Member brother killed in Afghanistan and the taskforce member is delivered a list of the men who killed his brother. HE is out for revenge!! This member is just as good as Pike Logan and knows what Pike has gone through and the war path he went on to revenge a loved one. He will stop at nothing to find the killers!! This has the other member racing against the clock to get back their Brother in Arms before he does anything he regrets. Non stop action and great story!!
I absolutely love this series. This book has a Taskforce Member brother killed in Afghanistan and the taskforce member is delivered a list of the men who killed his brother. HE is out for revenge!! This member is just as good as Pike Logan and knows what Pike has gone through and the war path he went on to revenge a loved one. He will stop at nothing to find the killers!! This has the other member racing against the clock to get back their Brother in Arms before he does anything he regrets. Non stop action and great story!!
February 14, 2019
Following the combat death of his brother, an anti-terrorist operator goes off reservation to track the people responsible. Pike Logan is tasked to head up a team to stop him and bring him back home. Along the way he uncovers treasonable acts by a member of the president's cabinet. A fast paced thriller.
March 30, 2016
The premise of this story gets lost in a weak, whiney son of a prince and idiotic sec of state. The title is misleading as its hard to identify which the forgotten soldier is. 5 of 10 stars
November 3, 2021
3.5 stars, good effort by Taylor
January 25, 2019
Solid entry in Pike Logan Taskforce series. I felt it peaked about three fourths in, but some great action and worth your time if a fan.
April 29, 2019
Another fun Pike Logan book. This series continues to stay great!
November 18, 2019
Great action and good story. Characters are filled with life.
November 12, 2019
The thing about The Taskforce novels is that the writing can be clunky and Pike isn’t the most PC of heroes. At times chauvinistic and more tolerant than actually accepting of alternative lifestyles, he’s made me cringe at some of the attitudes he harbors while proclaiming his enlightened status.
But, man, are these books some of the most gung-ho special forces thrillers out there. They manage to combine ripped from the headlines and work them through the filter of an author who knows how a small squad of trained military operatives would be used in such scenarios, including both reconnaissance and assault missions. Yet he also manages to up the stakes and the split-second tactics to make you feel like you’re watching an 80’s action flick.
Granted, the rough writing mucks up the intricate plots a bit, but on the whole the good manages to make up for the bad. And this book about what happens when a fellow Taskforce operator goes off the reservation because of personal tragedy, only to stumble upon an actual conspiracy in his revenge mission, is a doozy. Not only does Pike, Koko, Knuckles, and the rest of the team have to try to rein this rogue soldier in, they also have to get their superiors to believe the uncovered threat is real.
Good stuff.
But, man, are these books some of the most gung-ho special forces thrillers out there. They manage to combine ripped from the headlines and work them through the filter of an author who knows how a small squad of trained military operatives would be used in such scenarios, including both reconnaissance and assault missions. Yet he also manages to up the stakes and the split-second tactics to make you feel like you’re watching an 80’s action flick.
Granted, the rough writing mucks up the intricate plots a bit, but on the whole the good manages to make up for the bad. And this book about what happens when a fellow Taskforce operator goes off the reservation because of personal tragedy, only to stumble upon an actual conspiracy in his revenge mission, is a doozy. Not only does Pike, Koko, Knuckles, and the rest of the team have to try to rein this rogue soldier in, they also have to get their superiors to believe the uncovered threat is real.
Good stuff.
November 15, 2020
Pike and team find themselves in a situation that tests their loyalties to the team, to team members and their own commitment to serving the interests of the U.S.
The need for revenge, for justice stirs up deep seated emotions that don't always tract with basic human decency. But the reader can feel for the characters and the demons that they face. When faced with true evil can any of us truly know what we are capable of?
The need for revenge, for justice stirs up deep seated emotions that don't always tract with basic human decency. But the reader can feel for the characters and the demons that they face. When faced with true evil can any of us truly know what we are capable of?
April 9, 2021
When a Taskforce operative's SOG brother is killed in Afghanistan he goes off the reservation to hunt down his killers.
Pike and the team are sent in to shut him down and bring him back home. But politics rears its ugly head and complicates everything.
Another fine entry in the Pike Logan series
Pike and the team are sent in to shut him down and bring him back home. But politics rears its ugly head and complicates everything.
Another fine entry in the Pike Logan series
May 7, 2021
I've waxed on regarding how much I love this series, but I've never touched on the crazy spy stuff the members of The Taskforce utilize. Taylor, through Pike Logan, makes this technology both understandable and thrilling. Knowing Taylor, it's all accurate or, if not, super great BS.
March 5, 2020
I didn't like the last book, but this one is back on track. A good read!
July 27, 2017
This is the first book that I have read in the series. Great characters, ready to save the world, and plenty of action. I am definitely going to go back and read the previous books in the series!
August 16, 2016
My first thought after finishing this book was that Brad Taylor has done it again. Just like his previous eight novels, Brad Taylor has written a great thriller in The Forgotten Soldier. It really is true when they say that you know what you are going to get from a Brad Taylor novel, because all his books are as good as last. Taylor has continued that trend because The Forgotten Soldier is another action-packed read with an interesting plot. While the general plot itself is nothing new, Taylor is somehow able to keep it fresh and exciting the whole way through.
The Forgotten Soldier is the ninth installment in Taylor’s Pike Logan series of spy/military thrillers. In this book, Pike and his group are tasked with bringing home a fellow Taskforce operator who has gone rogue in an attempt to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of a terrorist group in Afghanistan. It is as fast-paced and easily to read as all of Taylor’s other novels and contains heaps of action from Pike and his team.
I feel that Brad Taylor has two real key strengths over other authors in the same genre. The first of these is his ability to balance realism and readability. In The Forgotten Soldier, Taylor shows that he is a master at finding his balance, as his books are always realistic without being overly technical and therefore a slog to read through while also not relying too heavily on action at the expense of a good plot. Taylor’s novels always feel like they could possibly happen, which is what I look for in a good novel, and that is definitely true of The Forgotten Soldier. I read somewhere that Taylor describes his own work as realistic but not accurate, and while this balance is probably not what he was talking about I feel that the description fits what I am trying to explain perfectly.
The second of Taylor’s strengths is his characters. In a genre where characters often take a back seat to plots and action, Taylor’s ability to create a wide range of interesting characters really stands out. While a lot of authors seem to have the problem that their secondary characters are just there to advance the plot, Taylor is able to create characters that feel realistic. With The Forgotten Soldier, Taylor introduced new characters that I would like to see again and I don’t feel that many other authors are able to do that as effectively as Brad Taylor.
I was a little surprised when I read the book that the characters of Aaron and Shoshanna didn’t feature in it, considering that they were heavily featured in the previous novel The Insider Threat which ended in such a way that I was sure that they would be back for this book. However that is probably the only thing that I didn’t enjoy about the book because the rest of it was great. Hopefully Aaron and Shoshanna will be back, along with Carly and Veep and the rest of Pike’s team, in Taylor’s next novel Ghosts of War which is expected to be published in June. Also, just as a sidebar, how Taylor manages to release such high quality novels twice as often as most other authors is beyond me.
Is it worth a read? If you are a fan of the spy or military thriller genre, then you probably have already read this book. If you haven’t, then you are missing out because Brad Taylor is the gold standard and The Forgotten Soldier is a quick, fast-paced, action-packed, thrilling read. If you’re a fan of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor or similar authors, then you will enjoy Brad Taylor and The Forgotten Soldier.
This review was originally published at Worth a Read.
The Forgotten Soldier is the ninth installment in Taylor’s Pike Logan series of spy/military thrillers. In this book, Pike and his group are tasked with bringing home a fellow Taskforce operator who has gone rogue in an attempt to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of a terrorist group in Afghanistan. It is as fast-paced and easily to read as all of Taylor’s other novels and contains heaps of action from Pike and his team.
I feel that Brad Taylor has two real key strengths over other authors in the same genre. The first of these is his ability to balance realism and readability. In The Forgotten Soldier, Taylor shows that he is a master at finding his balance, as his books are always realistic without being overly technical and therefore a slog to read through while also not relying too heavily on action at the expense of a good plot. Taylor’s novels always feel like they could possibly happen, which is what I look for in a good novel, and that is definitely true of The Forgotten Soldier. I read somewhere that Taylor describes his own work as realistic but not accurate, and while this balance is probably not what he was talking about I feel that the description fits what I am trying to explain perfectly.
The second of Taylor’s strengths is his characters. In a genre where characters often take a back seat to plots and action, Taylor’s ability to create a wide range of interesting characters really stands out. While a lot of authors seem to have the problem that their secondary characters are just there to advance the plot, Taylor is able to create characters that feel realistic. With The Forgotten Soldier, Taylor introduced new characters that I would like to see again and I don’t feel that many other authors are able to do that as effectively as Brad Taylor.
I was a little surprised when I read the book that the characters of Aaron and Shoshanna didn’t feature in it, considering that they were heavily featured in the previous novel The Insider Threat which ended in such a way that I was sure that they would be back for this book. However that is probably the only thing that I didn’t enjoy about the book because the rest of it was great. Hopefully Aaron and Shoshanna will be back, along with Carly and Veep and the rest of Pike’s team, in Taylor’s next novel Ghosts of War which is expected to be published in June. Also, just as a sidebar, how Taylor manages to release such high quality novels twice as often as most other authors is beyond me.
Is it worth a read? If you are a fan of the spy or military thriller genre, then you probably have already read this book. If you haven’t, then you are missing out because Brad Taylor is the gold standard and The Forgotten Soldier is a quick, fast-paced, action-packed, thrilling read. If you’re a fan of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor or similar authors, then you will enjoy Brad Taylor and The Forgotten Soldier.
This review was originally published at Worth a Read.
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July 4, 2017As with all Brad Taylor books, action action action is the theme and this book is overflowing with action. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
December 8, 2019
I liked it, a story about taking out the bad guys without becoming a bad guy yourself. I will read more in this series.
February 13, 2016
Brad Taylor’s The Forgotten Soldier, ninth in the Pike Logan series of military thrillers, is a well-written, intricately plotted, character driven masterpiece of a novel.
Logan is a member of an “off-the-books” special operations unit tasked with taking on the most difficult of the asymmetrical terrorist forces targeting the US. Taylor weaves a believable, if complex, series of events into a compelling story.
Logan’s character is a complex one. In this story, he faces the difficult decision of tracking a fellow operator bent on avenging the death of his brother in Afghanistan. Those involved in the death are closely associated with an allegedly unaffiliated Middle Eastern Government. This government claims no official association in the terrorist groups in country, but evidence uncovered by the rogue operator shows otherwise.
Logan must confront his own demons from his personal descent into hell. The contrast and similarities between Logan and his goal contribute to the overall excellence of the narrative.
The supporting characters, the politics of diplomacy, conspiracies within conspiracies, shifting loyalties, and uncertain support add to the many-layered aspects of the novel. While these can be difficult to keep straight, it underscores the grey world these types of operations involve.
Taylor does a masterful job of bringing the reader into the action, feeling the tension, and wondering how things will turn out.
If I were to offer any criticism of the book, it would be generic to a common aspect of these special operator stories. In the book almost all the whiz-bang, hi-tech, sophisticated gear works perfectly. The timing of the various operations works almost perfectly. The plan works almost perfectly.
The reality of the world is that critical equipment fails at the precise moment it is most needed. Timing is off. Chance interferes.
I am sure, with Taylor’s military background, he can recount numerous times being frustrated with military equipment that over promised and under delivered.
However, with that said, Taylor introduces just enough imperfections into the narrative to make this among the most believable military spec ops thrillers.
This is the first of the series I have read. I intend to read the others. This, perhaps, is the greatest endorsement of a book and an author one can offer. I not only enjoyed the book but I am willing to invest my time, and money, in reading more by the same author.
I would encourage all fans of this genre to invest their own precious time in reading Taylor’s novels.
Logan is a member of an “off-the-books” special operations unit tasked with taking on the most difficult of the asymmetrical terrorist forces targeting the US. Taylor weaves a believable, if complex, series of events into a compelling story.
Logan’s character is a complex one. In this story, he faces the difficult decision of tracking a fellow operator bent on avenging the death of his brother in Afghanistan. Those involved in the death are closely associated with an allegedly unaffiliated Middle Eastern Government. This government claims no official association in the terrorist groups in country, but evidence uncovered by the rogue operator shows otherwise.
Logan must confront his own demons from his personal descent into hell. The contrast and similarities between Logan and his goal contribute to the overall excellence of the narrative.
The supporting characters, the politics of diplomacy, conspiracies within conspiracies, shifting loyalties, and uncertain support add to the many-layered aspects of the novel. While these can be difficult to keep straight, it underscores the grey world these types of operations involve.
Taylor does a masterful job of bringing the reader into the action, feeling the tension, and wondering how things will turn out.
If I were to offer any criticism of the book, it would be generic to a common aspect of these special operator stories. In the book almost all the whiz-bang, hi-tech, sophisticated gear works perfectly. The timing of the various operations works almost perfectly. The plan works almost perfectly.
The reality of the world is that critical equipment fails at the precise moment it is most needed. Timing is off. Chance interferes.
I am sure, with Taylor’s military background, he can recount numerous times being frustrated with military equipment that over promised and under delivered.
However, with that said, Taylor introduces just enough imperfections into the narrative to make this among the most believable military spec ops thrillers.
This is the first of the series I have read. I intend to read the others. This, perhaps, is the greatest endorsement of a book and an author one can offer. I not only enjoyed the book but I am willing to invest my time, and money, in reading more by the same author.
I would encourage all fans of this genre to invest their own precious time in reading Taylor’s novels.
December 15, 2017
I've always loved the Pike Logan books, but this one really struck a nerve with me. It seemed a lot more introspective and emotional than previous books, really immersing itself into the theory of vengeance and retribution. As Mr Spock once famously said "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few", but how many of us could live with that tenet when someone they love is ripped away.
Guy George is a Taskforce operator who is confronted with that question when his brother is killed on a mission in Afghanistan. It's a question Pike has had to answer in earlier books after the deaths of his family, and he is called on to try and talk Guy down from his mission and bring him in. The book takes a deeper look into the charter of the Taskforce and what they do, the legalities (and illegalities) of their missions, and the costs to their souls. Still interspersed with the trademark humour and banter we have come to expect from Brad Taylor, this is a great story and should not be missed.
Guy George is a Taskforce operator who is confronted with that question when his brother is killed on a mission in Afghanistan. It's a question Pike has had to answer in earlier books after the deaths of his family, and he is called on to try and talk Guy down from his mission and bring him in. The book takes a deeper look into the charter of the Taskforce and what they do, the legalities (and illegalities) of their missions, and the costs to their souls. Still interspersed with the trademark humour and banter we have come to expect from Brad Taylor, this is a great story and should not be missed.
December 28, 2015
A Special Forces soldier is killed on an operation in Afghanistan and involved in the
attack is a government official of an allied nation. While the U.S. administration wants
to forget the casualty one Taskforce member will not. He sets out to avenge his brothers
death and his actions threaten to not only expose the Taskforce's activities but also to
destroy a web of alliances against a greater evil. Pike Logan understands not only the
desire but the danger. Brought in to eliminate the risk he now faces he is forced to choose
between his friend and the administration he's sworn to protect. Unknown to any of
them this is only the beginning. This is book nine in the pike Logan series but I didn't
think that it was as good as some of the others. I gave it a 3.5.
attack is a government official of an allied nation. While the U.S. administration wants
to forget the casualty one Taskforce member will not. He sets out to avenge his brothers
death and his actions threaten to not only expose the Taskforce's activities but also to
destroy a web of alliances against a greater evil. Pike Logan understands not only the
desire but the danger. Brought in to eliminate the risk he now faces he is forced to choose
between his friend and the administration he's sworn to protect. Unknown to any of
them this is only the beginning. This is book nine in the pike Logan series but I didn't
think that it was as good as some of the others. I gave it a 3.5.
May 12, 2017
This story occurred in the middle east where a United States government agent of a covert task force group headed by Pike Logan went rogue. This rogue agent named Guy was on to some devious plot that he believed was meant to harm the United States and he was tracking down the alleged culprits. The task force was sent to stop the rogue agent because they had no idea what he was up to. The story unfolded slowly and it developed that the United States Secretary of State was planning to attend an important peace conference in the middle east. Very surprising events occurred and the story started moving very fast. You will have to read this book and learn what happened. It was a very entertaining read.
April 13, 2017
Another exciting adventure
I always enjoy Taskforce missions. As I expected, this was another good one. Pike and his Taskforce Team are tasked with tracking down an agent who has gone rogue and is far off the reservation. Naturally, it's much more complicated than that. Even if you've never read any books about Pike Logan and the Taskforce, you'll enjoy this book. Lots of intrigue and the usual cast of terrorist characters. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series.
I always enjoy Taskforce missions. As I expected, this was another good one. Pike and his Taskforce Team are tasked with tracking down an agent who has gone rogue and is far off the reservation. Naturally, it's much more complicated than that. Even if you've never read any books about Pike Logan and the Taskforce, you'll enjoy this book. Lots of intrigue and the usual cast of terrorist characters. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series.
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