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The Women's War
This edition cancelled by the publisher.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2016
45 people are currently reading
1604 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
953 books356k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 1, 2016
Patterson brings Shan Serafin into his coterie of BookShot authors and develops this highly entertaining and unique story. Heading a covert and well-trained group of Marines, Colonel Amanda Collins has a single target in mind, drug lord Diego Correra. Working throughout Mexico, but happy to send his product up into the United States, Correra has been a thorn in the side of many, particularly Col. Collins. When Collins takes her all-female team on a mission to scrub him out, they discover he remains a step ahead, having evacuated his compound moments before, but leaving a significant gift behind to mock Collins. Using her continued intel from the elusive 'Fat Man', Collins hopes to have another opportunity to catch this most vile of drug paddlers. Returning stateside, Collins arrives home to discover a personal tragedy, one that has her leave the Marines and settle in the small community of Archer, Texas. Two years thereafter, Collins is working off the books but still have some of her team together, Carrera still in their crosshairs. Fat Man continues to provide intel about Carrera shipments, but Collins continue to feel as though they are draining the ocean with a teaspoon, breaking laws to derail this single drug pipeline. After a threatening visit by the DEA, Collins remains determined to remove Carrera herself and organises a mission to Mexico to destroy all his factories. That mission has some glitches of its own, but Collins can chalk it up to at least partial success. Feeling slightly cocky, she lets down her guard and is taken into custody before being left stranded in the heart of Mexico City's slums. With a bounty on her head and a burning need for revenge, Collins and her team wage one final "Women's War", giving all they've got. A great story that keeps the reader enthralled throughout, this is precisely what BookShots should be.
I have come to really enjoy the BookShot collection for a number of reasons. While it does allow Patterson to continue crafting ideas with some authors with whom he has worked effectively before, it is also a a showcase of new and exciting talent. These stories are also highly varied, which enables the reader to see that not all will be showstoppers; there is gold and garbage in equal measure. Serafin surely ups his game in writing this story, developing a collection of gun-toting women who have a mission and work effectively to plod through the narrative in order to find some measure of success. The characters suited this short story and the plot kept things moving without issue. While there was a slight dramatic corniness in the "freedom fighting, tragedy, and capture" equation, Patterson and Serafin work around this by keeping the reader focussed on catching Diego Carrera and trying to rid the world of one more drug runner. Easily read in a single sitting for those who are inclined, this BookShot has flecks of gold. Readers should keep an eye out for Serafin in future, either on his own or in future collaborative efforts.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Serafin for developing a great story. I am eager to see if this pairing is something that could work in future, or if this BookShot is the only stellar piece we will see.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have come to really enjoy the BookShot collection for a number of reasons. While it does allow Patterson to continue crafting ideas with some authors with whom he has worked effectively before, it is also a a showcase of new and exciting talent. These stories are also highly varied, which enables the reader to see that not all will be showstoppers; there is gold and garbage in equal measure. Serafin surely ups his game in writing this story, developing a collection of gun-toting women who have a mission and work effectively to plod through the narrative in order to find some measure of success. The characters suited this short story and the plot kept things moving without issue. While there was a slight dramatic corniness in the "freedom fighting, tragedy, and capture" equation, Patterson and Serafin work around this by keeping the reader focussed on catching Diego Carrera and trying to rid the world of one more drug runner. Easily read in a single sitting for those who are inclined, this BookShot has flecks of gold. Readers should keep an eye out for Serafin in future, either on his own or in future collaborative efforts.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Serafin for developing a great story. I am eager to see if this pairing is something that could work in future, or if this BookShot is the only stellar piece we will see.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 17, 2016
This little novella probably has one of the least likeable and sympathetic characters in any of the books put out under the James Patterson brand. Amanda Collins, a former colonel in the Marines has built a secret life as a private warrior against Mexican drug lords with the help of two of her friends. Much of this is tied to the fact that her husband and two daughters were murdered by a drug czar 2 years earlier during her final mission with the Marines. Now, she and her two best friends maintain a private arsenal they use to sneak across the border between Texas and Mexico to cause as much damage as she can against that drug czar. Her ultimate goal is to destroy and kill him.
Things take an interesting turn when what Amanda and her team are doing is noticed by an agent in the Drug Enforcement Agency. He clearly seems to have every intention of blocking what she is doing not because he doesn't want the drug czar (and all drug dealers) removed from power, but because what she is doing is evil. The real question is how much he can and will interfere with what she is doing.
I really didn't like Amanda, which is pretty sad to say because her story starts with such horrible tragedy. I think it might be because she is such a two-dimensional character and doesn't really have an opportunity to connect with the readers as a result. I just didn't feel vested in her or what she was doing in the least. It is not tied to the short length of the work, but more to the lack of infusion of her as a realistic person in the writing.
Things take an interesting turn when what Amanda and her team are doing is noticed by an agent in the Drug Enforcement Agency. He clearly seems to have every intention of blocking what she is doing not because he doesn't want the drug czar (and all drug dealers) removed from power, but because what she is doing is evil. The real question is how much he can and will interfere with what she is doing.
I really didn't like Amanda, which is pretty sad to say because her story starts with such horrible tragedy. I think it might be because she is such a two-dimensional character and doesn't really have an opportunity to connect with the readers as a result. I just didn't feel vested in her or what she was doing in the least. It is not tied to the short length of the work, but more to the lack of infusion of her as a realistic person in the writing.
August 1, 2020
A James Patterson Book Shots, very fast paced page turning with some good twist and turns. Good storyline but did find some thing hard to think could happen, but then again it a story.
June 1, 2017
The women's war was decent. I guess I am finding that I didn't enjoy books about the bad guys fighting the even badder guys. The whole premise is based on something you don't really believe or get into because the book is so short. You lose detail obviously, but this story line couldn't take it in my opinion.
July 14, 2017
I've come to this conclusion, and yes, I told myself this before; book-shots are not for me. Furthermore, I think that it's immensely difficult to write a decent story in only 80 pages - but it can be done. I think only the rarely talented authors can do it - and it's not the case here. I've read better books by Patterson, but never a good short story.
The plot was similarly disappointing. There was a lot of gratuitous violence, which is automatically a turn-off for me. I tried to empathize with these three strong-willed and determined ex-Army women, but there wasn't enough background or depth to their character to sincerely get to know them. I understood their battle and I was in awe of their skills, but the story wasn't up to the standard I hoped for.
The plot was similarly disappointing. There was a lot of gratuitous violence, which is automatically a turn-off for me. I tried to empathize with these three strong-willed and determined ex-Army women, but there wasn't enough background or depth to their character to sincerely get to know them. I understood their battle and I was in awe of their skills, but the story wasn't up to the standard I hoped for.
November 15, 2016
This was a little bit farfetched but I still enjoyed it. It was different from most of the other bookshot stories I've read so far. I'll still keep reading them though.
October 6, 2017
If you like stories about bad ass women then this is the story for you!
March 25, 2019
A bookshot that not only did I find very confusing, but also very high on violent content!
Main character Amanda Collins used to be a colonel in the Marine Corps. When her family gets murdered, she is out for revenge and will do anything to track those responsible down. Taking place between the USA and Mexico, there was just so much going on, in so little time that I couldn't connect nor visualise the characters or setting. I was also surprised to see how much violent content there was, and no trigger warnings for that on the edition I had.
Main character Amanda Collins used to be a colonel in the Marine Corps. When her family gets murdered, she is out for revenge and will do anything to track those responsible down. Taking place between the USA and Mexico, there was just so much going on, in so little time that I couldn't connect nor visualise the characters or setting. I was also surprised to see how much violent content there was, and no trigger warnings for that on the edition I had.
July 28, 2021
Wait, people are giving lesser rating to this book because it doesn't have a detailed narrative like other books? That's the whole point of book shots , isn't it? It was fast paced, to the point, not a single boring chapter, quick read! Exactly the way James Patterson intended it to be!
February 16, 2023
Not a fan of war stories.
November 17, 2016
This was a great story. Amanda was an amazing character. I hope to read more about her and her friends
November 9, 2020
Amanda Collins is a former Colonel with the United States Marines. She and her all female 18 member platoon have worked hard to put a dent in the activities of drug lord Diego Carrera who has dominated the U.S. Mexican narcotic trade, but their efforts put only a small kink in his huge operation. They often arrive on the scene to find he has just left, always leaving a significant reminder of the terror and violence he leaves in his wake. His so-called gift often targets his cruelty on innocent civilians, many of them children.
Collins uses intel from “Fat Man”, a single anonymous source who often leads her to a prize, but is also someone she doesn’t trust. After her last foray with her team she returns home to find Diego’s long cruel arm has reached out to strike in her own home, an event so horrific she leaves the marines and returns to the States. She lives in the small town of Archer Texas where she and her two best friends from her former team, Rita Ramirez her former assistant team leader and Kyra Holmes a sniper, continue their lives outside the military.
Although no longer in the forces, Amanda still has her contact with Fat Man and continues her work with Rita and Kyra carrying out covert activities against Carrera, using illegal means to interrupt his shipment of drugs into the States. But their activities are interrupted by a visit from the DEA. They are led by Warren Wright, a cocky, confident man who breezes into town and leaves after confiscating all the weaponry, ammunition and the explosives they bought on the black market.
This strike to the heart of their fight against the drug lord mobilizes Collins and the other members of her trio to wage an all-out war against Carrera with a mission designed to take out his Mexican crop fields and meth factories. The raid meets with partial success but the ill-advised, ill conceived, illegal mission leaves the women caught, taken into custody, questioned and abandoned in a run-down barrio in Mexica City. Left without clothing, money, food, water, phones or weapons they must find their way back to the States, chased by corrupt and violent Mexican police armed with guns and knives and ready to execute them in broad daylight.
This was a very good BOOKSHOT with a fast-moving narrative, well described characters and a satisfying conclusion. Agreed it has what some would call the old “good against evil” theme in which all ends well, but it was still what it purports to be, a short, engrossing and entertaining read.
Some BOOKSHOTS work for me and some don’t. This is one that did.
Collins uses intel from “Fat Man”, a single anonymous source who often leads her to a prize, but is also someone she doesn’t trust. After her last foray with her team she returns home to find Diego’s long cruel arm has reached out to strike in her own home, an event so horrific she leaves the marines and returns to the States. She lives in the small town of Archer Texas where she and her two best friends from her former team, Rita Ramirez her former assistant team leader and Kyra Holmes a sniper, continue their lives outside the military.
Although no longer in the forces, Amanda still has her contact with Fat Man and continues her work with Rita and Kyra carrying out covert activities against Carrera, using illegal means to interrupt his shipment of drugs into the States. But their activities are interrupted by a visit from the DEA. They are led by Warren Wright, a cocky, confident man who breezes into town and leaves after confiscating all the weaponry, ammunition and the explosives they bought on the black market.
This strike to the heart of their fight against the drug lord mobilizes Collins and the other members of her trio to wage an all-out war against Carrera with a mission designed to take out his Mexican crop fields and meth factories. The raid meets with partial success but the ill-advised, ill conceived, illegal mission leaves the women caught, taken into custody, questioned and abandoned in a run-down barrio in Mexica City. Left without clothing, money, food, water, phones or weapons they must find their way back to the States, chased by corrupt and violent Mexican police armed with guns and knives and ready to execute them in broad daylight.
This was a very good BOOKSHOT with a fast-moving narrative, well described characters and a satisfying conclusion. Agreed it has what some would call the old “good against evil” theme in which all ends well, but it was still what it purports to be, a short, engrossing and entertaining read.
Some BOOKSHOTS work for me and some don’t. This is one that did.
April 13, 2019
The Women's War
by James Patterson (Goodreads Author), Shan Serafin (Goodreads Author)
I like these really quick and easy "book shots" that you can read in an afternoon.
This one was pretty good but one thing I didn't like is making your main character inept simply to advance the story. Colonel Amanda Collins, a former Marine that has been in many of the world's hotspots before her family was killed. In just about every scene she makes rookie mistakes that almost get her or her team injured or killed. It's insulting to the reader that she never makes the right choice/move. I get not having the main character always make the right call, you need tension and action in a story, but making the wrong call every single time is insulting to the reader and the story.
I know that Patterson teams up with youngish writers for these stories. I doubt he contributes anything other than his name, so I hope Shan Serafin gets better with every new book written. This could be a decent series if Serafin stays away from easy cliches about women warriors like other authors (looking at you, Brad Thor) have done.
by James Patterson (Goodreads Author), Shan Serafin (Goodreads Author)
I like these really quick and easy "book shots" that you can read in an afternoon.
This one was pretty good but one thing I didn't like is making your main character inept simply to advance the story. Colonel Amanda Collins, a former Marine that has been in many of the world's hotspots before her family was killed. In just about every scene she makes rookie mistakes that almost get her or her team injured or killed. It's insulting to the reader that she never makes the right choice/move. I get not having the main character always make the right call, you need tension and action in a story, but making the wrong call every single time is insulting to the reader and the story.
I know that Patterson teams up with youngish writers for these stories. I doubt he contributes anything other than his name, so I hope Shan Serafin gets better with every new book written. This could be a decent series if Serafin stays away from easy cliches about women warriors like other authors (looking at you, Brad Thor) have done.
September 19, 2022
As thrilling, fast-paced stories go, James Patterson has claimed the throne, sometimes at the risk of being bland. So is The Women's War, a story about a retired Marines (female) Colonel whose family is murdered, and she goes out for revenge.
Former Marine Corps colonel Amanda Collins and her lethal team of women warriors have vowed to avenge her family's murder. The violence is delivered equal to the anger she feels, and her characterisation is on point for a marine. She gives male characters a run for their money as warrior characters go. It is worth a read (or a listen).
Former Marine Corps colonel Amanda Collins and her lethal team of women warriors have vowed to avenge her family's murder. The violence is delivered equal to the anger she feels, and her characterisation is on point for a marine. She gives male characters a run for their money as warrior characters go. It is worth a read (or a listen).
December 29, 2017
The storyline is excellent. If what happened to her happened to me, I’d certainly be tempted to do what she did, even though I lack her skills. The plot is well thought out, the characters are realistic and sympathetic, the setting supportive of the story, and the action appropriate. I would love to see more books with these characters moving past the trauma of the first book. Well done, Mr. Patterson! Another winner.
May 12, 2020
This was a quick read (or listen, in my case). I wish it had been longer, with the characters and their backgrounds more fleshed out, but I know this is a novella and not meant to be super detailed.
I enjoyed this, as I enjoy all stories of military/soldier/warrior women, and I liked Amanda’s snark and sarcastic wit in her narration. Her story is an exciting, albeit tragic, one, with a lot of action packed into a short story.
I recommend the audiobook. The narrator was awesome.
I enjoyed this, as I enjoy all stories of military/soldier/warrior women, and I liked Amanda’s snark and sarcastic wit in her narration. Her story is an exciting, albeit tragic, one, with a lot of action packed into a short story.
I recommend the audiobook. The narrator was awesome.
April 11, 2025
"The Women’s War" (2016, 2017) by James Patterson and Shan Serafin is an enthralling, action-packed novella about former Marine colonel Amanda Collins and her band of deadly female military veterans, committed to taking out the ruthless Mexican drug lord who murdered Collins’ family. The story is fast-paced, a little too generous with the quips at times, but very entertaining. Robin Miles’s narrator is spot on. Solidly recommended.
May 15, 2017
Marine Colonel Amanda Collins and team have suffered a devastating mission failure. She is given a message that she doesn't understand until she arrives home to find her family murdered. She sets out on a mission to once and for all get her revenge. Her team of tough as nails women have her back and they work to take this drug lord down. Robin Miles narrates this quick, entertaining Bookshot.
May 27, 2017
Bland, unrealistic, full of characters with barely a single dimension, and some fairly strange word choices in places. Despite there being 5 (!) authors listed for this book, the whole thing feels like something written for a piece of high-school creative writing. I doubt this would ever have been published if James Patterson hadn't put his name on it.
The only saving grace? It is very short.
The only saving grace? It is very short.
July 19, 2017
Amanda Collins returns home from a mission to find her husband and daughters murdered by a drug lord she had been pursuing. Now the hunt is on for revenge.
Several reviews on goodreads slammed it for being unrealistic. However when I read these types of stories I'm looking to be entertained not for realism. As entertainment, It's a good little story that kept me engaged.
Several reviews on goodreads slammed it for being unrealistic. However when I read these types of stories I'm looking to be entertained not for realism. As entertainment, It's a good little story that kept me engaged.
January 27, 2018
What would you do if your husband and daughters were killed by a ruthless, Mexican drug lord? If you’re a former colonel you would enlist your best friends to help you hunt the man down and destroy his evil empire. An engaging story about a military woman desperate for revenge.
February 2, 2018
I like BookShots because they are quick reads. Amanda Collins experienced one of the most horrific things imaginable. She is a bad-ass looking for revenge with the help of her fellow soldiers. A good short thriller!
April 24, 2018
Amanda is a former Marine colonel out to avenge her family's death. A wanted drug lord killed her husband and children, now Amanda and her friends take him on.
Badass women ready to rumble. Short book. Fast read.
Badass women ready to rumble. Short book. Fast read.
July 10, 2020
In real life, the narcotics cartel is a deadly organization that threatens the health& welfare of our nation. This book captures just a hint of the dangers our military & police confront on a daily basis. Great read.
February 28, 2021
A different book for James.
A captivating story of a woman who seeks to flush out a criminal who is causing problems.
As one of a trio of fighting women Amanda goes through much to achieve her goal and pays the price for doing it.
A captivating story of a woman who seeks to flush out a criminal who is causing problems.
As one of a trio of fighting women Amanda goes through much to achieve her goal and pays the price for doing it.
April 11, 2024
Marine Corps Colonel Amanda Collins is targeted by a Mexican drug criminal and her husband and two children are murdered in their sleep. She is a civilian noe, and teams up with other women to destroy the Mexican criminal.
June 28, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. This is a group of three best friends who were all in the forces together and when they retired stayed friends and comrades. They worked as mercenaries. This is a very short book but I devoured it in one sitting.
January 16, 2017
This unlikely action story follows a group of unauthorized soldiers in their quest to hunt down a Mexican drug lord. The characters are 2 dimensional, and the plot is far fetched.
December 26, 2016
Bookshots: A female colonel and her BFFs hunt down a Mexican drug supplier who murdered thousands and her family.
February 28, 2017
Second winner in"Kill or be Killed" Bookshots multi-story volume. Tidy, neat, wrapped up but open door for further adventures (unlike the last one, "Heist", which was definitely closed-end!).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews