Raven's Redemption

by John D. Trudel

Book Description for Raven’s Redemption Raven’s ragtag team thwarted an EMP attack by terrorists with Iranian nukes, but paid a terrible price. Everyone on his team was badly injured. A peaceful neighborhood was left in flames. Raven doesn’t officially exist. People are demanding explanations, but what doesn’t exist can’t be explained or defended. Politically it is easier to deny covert agents than support them. The few who know what happened dare not say how close America came to Armageddon. An EMP attack would have killed at least 70% in major cities. Publicizing the extent of our vulnerability would create panic. Raven’s partner Josie, a gentle psychic with exceptional powers, is catatonic. Her mind shut down from the trauma of red, raw combat. She is gone along with their dreams of someday having normal lives. Raven swore to protect her. She trusted him, but he failed. They were outnumbered and outgunned in their own Homeland. From the White House to the UN, our enemies have friends in high places. Instead of targeting civilian populations, terrorists will now directly attack America’s leaders and the thin black line of agents that protect America. Remove the protectors and the sheep will be helpless. Without Josie or government support, what can Raven do? Can he find redemption?

398 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2016

Reviews

[Eva Lazar]

The second book of the series, this story does a good job building on existing characters. They are introduced enough for readers who have not picked up the first book to understand them, while not reaching too much for material from the previous book, meaning it does not bore readers who have read book number one.

While shifting perspectives and locations depending on whose part of the story is in focus, the tale takes place in chronological order. This shows that the author is capable of different types of writing, rather than being a one-trick pony whose value lies in connecting timelines. A complaint I had with the previous book was the lack of female characters, something that is amended here.

With all that said, the story itself did not quite capture me. The action flows well, but many pieces of dialogue do not add to the story, to the point that the story seems a little diffused at times. Furthermore, the book makes use of bold text on top of italic text, and I did not feel like that was necessary; the bold text made the appearance of the book a little sloppy.

I am interested to see how the series will continue from here on forward, and will dive into the final book when opportunity arrives.

This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

John Trudel’s Raven is back for his second thriller, and this time it’s not just terrorists in his sights!

Raven and his partner-turned-lover Josie are back, but they just barely survived their last mission in Raven’s Run and both must do some serious healing before they go active again. However, events force them back into the covert operations game, and they along with John Block and Dr. Goldfarb must act to save the President. If the President dies, not even Josie’s clairvoyance can see what’s going to happen.

Trudel picks up where he left off in Raven’s Run, with thrilling action, entertaining characters, really bad “bad guys,” all on a canvas that at times is way more truth than fiction. Readers will love Raven and Josie, worry about Black, hate the bad guys, and through the whole story be more than just a little afraid that the entire thing is just a bit too plausible. Raven is every bit as engaging and likable as Cussler’s Dirk Pitt or Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan; flawed, but driven to do the right thing even if he needs to break some eggs along the way.

Fans of Clancy, Cussler, Dale Brown, and those of that ilk will enjoy this.

Review by Rob Ballister, MWSA Awards Director

[Rob Ballister]

Read and reviewed as part of the MWSA awards program. No review until after winner's announced.