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Adrian Hell #0.1
A Hero of War
See where it all began...
The year is 1990, and an eighteen-year-old Adrian Hughes has joined the army.
Showing a natural talent for combat, and for disobeying senior officers, this first short story documents Adrian's initial training, and his eventual involvement in the Gulf War.
A thrilling introduction to the man who would become the most feared assassin ever to pick up a gun, packed with humor, emotion, and edge-of-the-seat action!
The year is 1990, and an eighteen-year-old Adrian Hughes has joined the army.
Showing a natural talent for combat, and for disobeying senior officers, this first short story documents Adrian's initial training, and his eventual involvement in the Gulf War.
A thrilling introduction to the man who would become the most feared assassin ever to pick up a gun, packed with humor, emotion, and edge-of-the-seat action!
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
36 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 24, 2017
Great background info, after reading 1 thru 7, it gives more insights.
Hope there are more from Mr. Sumner it will lead a void in my life until more come out. Have recommended to my friends. The stories border on the fantastic, but are grounded in enough realism and actual politics that its totally believable.
Hope there are more from Mr. Sumner it will lead a void in my life until more come out. Have recommended to my friends. The stories border on the fantastic, but are grounded in enough realism and actual politics that its totally believable.
September 25, 2019
A great prequel short story that gives more of Adrian's back story. An interesting read that rounds out his character more and makes sense of some references made in the earlier books. Definitely one for Adrian Hell fans.
June 17, 2021
This book is about Adrian Hughes and how he ends up being recruited. In 1990 he has two options - sign up for the Army or go to jail. To please his dad he joins the Army not realising what he is getting himself into. Good intro into the life of Adrian Hughes.
April 29, 2022
Great story !
I have decided to read all Sumner’s books in order of storyline, so I started here :)
Adrian Hughes is a very interesting character, and in this book he proves to be both inventive and brave. I’m looking forward to finding out why the series is called ‘Adrian HELL’ :)
I have decided to read all Sumner’s books in order of storyline, so I started here :)
Adrian Hughes is a very interesting character, and in this book he proves to be both inventive and brave. I’m looking forward to finding out why the series is called ‘Adrian HELL’ :)
December 18, 2017
Interesting back story. Looking forward to reading more about him.
November 17, 2019
I have read most of this series out of order, so it was interesting to read how Adrian got his start.
April 25, 2023
The writing style is sort of terse and clinical but it works. This prequel gives us background on how our hero came to be. I look forward to his exploits.
July 26, 2023
A short story telling the beginnings of the most deadly assassin the world, Adrian Hell !
April 5, 2016
This is a Prequel to the Adrian Hell series.
The novella is in the Military/War genre.
Adrian Hughes is training to be a soldier. He is head-strong 18 year old with a mouth that gets him in trouble... a lot. Yet Adrian is a team player even to the point of risking his life to save another soldier on a 'capture the flag' mission. No sooner is that done then he and his 'band of brothers' is thrown into Operation Desert Shield and are at the forefront of Operation Desert Storm.
A lot is packed into this novella. When you finish, you want to know what kind of trouble Adrian gets into next.
Update: As a member of James P. Sumner's fan club, I discovered that this book has been revised to include a little more of Adrian's adventures. After reading the Kindle version, I discovered that it fits beautifully with rest of this story.
Warning: This story is for Mature Audiences due to Violence and Adult Language.
The novella is in the Military/War genre.
Adrian Hughes is training to be a soldier. He is head-strong 18 year old with a mouth that gets him in trouble... a lot. Yet Adrian is a team player even to the point of risking his life to save another soldier on a 'capture the flag' mission. No sooner is that done then he and his 'band of brothers' is thrown into Operation Desert Shield and are at the forefront of Operation Desert Storm.
A lot is packed into this novella. When you finish, you want to know what kind of trouble Adrian gets into next.
Update: As a member of James P. Sumner's fan club, I discovered that this book has been revised to include a little more of Adrian's adventures. After reading the Kindle version, I discovered that it fits beautifully with rest of this story.
Warning: This story is for Mature Audiences due to Violence and Adult Language.
September 15, 2016
With every Adrian Hell book he writes James Sumner takes an already well developed character, adds detail and polish and makes the reader get into his books more! OK, I made a mistake! I read A Necessary Kill, the fifth book in the series before I'd read any of the others, now I'm playing catch-up. I love the Adrian Hell books!. The author has created an assassin like no other, although he reminds me in some ways of John Locke's Donavan Creed and Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp, he adds sarcastic humor throughout the book which is a nice touch. This book is his best work yet filling in background information about an already well-developed character. I'd highly recommend this series, in fact I've just went out and grabbed another next book in the series. Guess what I'll be reading next?
August 10, 2015
Adrian starts giving the bad guys hell!
A rather perfect introduction of where, metaphorically, Hell comes from, what makes him self-motivate. Even though this short story could be read at any point on the series's timeline, I think it's more telling to read it after having read at least one of the Adrian Hell novels. This introduction provides two critical pieces of insight. The first is a glimpse of his "talent" as it initially emerges. The second is a hint of what may be the start of a journey that leads him to the occupational place we Hell lovers all know he ends up at. If you like the full-sized books, you can't go wrong with this vignette.
A rather perfect introduction of where, metaphorically, Hell comes from, what makes him self-motivate. Even though this short story could be read at any point on the series's timeline, I think it's more telling to read it after having read at least one of the Adrian Hell novels. This introduction provides two critical pieces of insight. The first is a glimpse of his "talent" as it initially emerges. The second is a hint of what may be the start of a journey that leads him to the occupational place we Hell lovers all know he ends up at. If you like the full-sized books, you can't go wrong with this vignette.
January 24, 2016
Adrain Hunter is 18 years old. He has joined the military to stay out of jai. Adrian has a smart mouth which continually gets him in trouble, it also creates problems for him but he just can't seem to help himself. Despite the fact Adrian really has no desire to be in the military he turns out to be a natural soldier. He's also a natural at disobeying orders. This book sets you up for the Adrian Hell series. It shows you how Adrian got his training. The book is full of action and adventure along with humor. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the character and look forward to reading the series.
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
August 1, 2016
Gawd where to start!?
Adrian Hughes is a private in the army, he's what real soldiers look at and get embarrassed about because they wear the same uniform.
But Adrian goes from push up vomiting smart ass to wolfslayer in no time.
It's actually an over the top story but it's a good introduction to the character and it's bloody entertaining and that's what I want in my novellas & novels.
Now I plan to read the first 2 novels in the Adrian Hell series, they're on the Kindle and ready to go, so it definitely made me want to read more about Adrian and his transition from soldier to assassin.
Recommended for thriller fans out there.
Adrian Hughes is a private in the army, he's what real soldiers look at and get embarrassed about because they wear the same uniform.
But Adrian goes from push up vomiting smart ass to wolfslayer in no time.
It's actually an over the top story but it's a good introduction to the character and it's bloody entertaining and that's what I want in my novellas & novels.
Now I plan to read the first 2 novels in the Adrian Hell series, they're on the Kindle and ready to go, so it definitely made me want to read more about Adrian and his transition from soldier to assassin.
Recommended for thriller fans out there.
September 26, 2016
Reacher fan hooked on Adrian Hell
I recently read a couple of books that claimed "If you like Jack Reacher, you'll love this character". Not even close! When I saw a similar claim with the Adrian Hell series, I was reluctant; however, I decided to check out this novella and I AM HOOKED! Adrian Hell is a great character, and the books are fast-paced and extremely well-written!
I recently read a couple of books that claimed "If you like Jack Reacher, you'll love this character". Not even close! When I saw a similar claim with the Adrian Hell series, I was reluctant; however, I decided to check out this novella and I AM HOOKED! Adrian Hell is a great character, and the books are fast-paced and extremely well-written!
February 6, 2017
Good read
Good read! Very fast passed and will keep your interest on the action. There was a couple of typos, but they didn't distract from the action.
Good read! Very fast passed and will keep your interest on the action. There was a couple of typos, but they didn't distract from the action.
April 14, 2016
Teaser
The author sets us up with the first book. Introducing a couple of characters. Explaining what the series holds in store, action/adventure. I'm not totally sold on the main character, Adrian. I'm willing to give him a chance. Off to read book#2. Enjoy
The author sets us up with the first book. Introducing a couple of characters. Explaining what the series holds in store, action/adventure. I'm not totally sold on the main character, Adrian. I'm willing to give him a chance. Off to read book#2. Enjoy
August 8, 2016
Prequel to the Adrian Hell series, showing the early years of Adrian's life from the Army to being selected to run his own Black Ops team and his meeting with Josh Winters. Good quick read, recommend if you have enjoyed the main series of books.
December 5, 2016
This is an early look into Adrian's army career and how he meets up with Josh. What I loved so much about this story was how realistic the battle scenes felt. The terror and tragedy involved in war became quite real in such a short amount of reading time
November 17, 2015
Pretty good
Good overview of the beginning of Adrian but it was a little short I read it in a couple hours.
Good overview of the beginning of Adrian but it was a little short I read it in a couple hours.
December 26, 2015
Looking forward to reading more in this series
Read
April 5, 2016Nice bit of background on Adrian Hell's origins.
This book is just the right mix of humor and character development that shows the reader just who Adrian really is.
This book is just the right mix of humor and character development that shows the reader just who Adrian really is.
July 18, 2016
Good novella
Exciting read to learn the characters. Looking forward to reading the series. I don't often read a novella, but pleasantly surprised.
Exciting read to learn the characters. Looking forward to reading the series. I don't often read a novella, but pleasantly surprised.
April 23, 2017
The Creation of Adrian Hell
This novella is the prequel to James P. Sumner's series of Adrian Hell thrillers. Here, the reader follows the gradual transformation of 19-year-old Army recruit Adrian Hughes into what will become the badass killer-for-hire named Adrian Hell. The reader is also introduced to ex-British SAS soldier Josh Winters, who will become Adrian's best friend and handler/partner.
The story deals mostly with Adrian's training and deployment in the Army and, later, with his work as a secret government agent. While mostly background, the reader learns of the events and people who ultimately created this killing machine. For that alone, this is a good read. But the action and Adrian's thoughts along the way add the spice. And it actually helps if you have read one of the Adrian Hell novels before reading this prequel -- knowing the character as he is now only makes the comparison between before and after that much more delicious.
This novella is the prequel to James P. Sumner's series of Adrian Hell thrillers. Here, the reader follows the gradual transformation of 19-year-old Army recruit Adrian Hughes into what will become the badass killer-for-hire named Adrian Hell. The reader is also introduced to ex-British SAS soldier Josh Winters, who will become Adrian's best friend and handler/partner.
The story deals mostly with Adrian's training and deployment in the Army and, later, with his work as a secret government agent. While mostly background, the reader learns of the events and people who ultimately created this killing machine. For that alone, this is a good read. But the action and Adrian's thoughts along the way add the spice. And it actually helps if you have read one of the Adrian Hell novels before reading this prequel -- knowing the character as he is now only makes the comparison between before and after that much more delicious.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews