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Angel Seven
A group of scientists who, fed up with the post-Hiroshima world, set themselves up with the resources to produce a phenomenally fast stealth plane which can intercept missiles. Can the hero, recruited as a test pilot, stop the world from sliding into total chaos?
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 2, 2023
Review 27. Angel Seven by Mike Lunnon-Wood, narrated by John Telfer
Duration : 17 hours 45 minutes
This book has always been one of my favourites as I have read it previously as a physical book and also listened to it as an audio book previously.
I never get bored of reading it or listening to it.
I love the description on the Audible book cover image that says this book is like Firefox meets The Hunt For Red October, both of which are favourite books of mine and that if you like Tom Clancy's books, you will love this.
Well they were right, I am the perfect audience for this book.
This book is all about a hypersonic aircraft which has been developed in complete secrecy and for the purpose of forcing nuclear disarmament by Russia and the United States of America.
The narrator (John Telfer) does a fantastic job especially with the number of different accents he has to perform (American, Russian, British, Polish, Spanish....all sorts).
I will definitely listen to this book in the future and will read the book again as well.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
5*
*****
Duration : 17 hours 45 minutes
This book has always been one of my favourites as I have read it previously as a physical book and also listened to it as an audio book previously.
I never get bored of reading it or listening to it.
I love the description on the Audible book cover image that says this book is like Firefox meets The Hunt For Red October, both of which are favourite books of mine and that if you like Tom Clancy's books, you will love this.
Well they were right, I am the perfect audience for this book.
This book is all about a hypersonic aircraft which has been developed in complete secrecy and for the purpose of forcing nuclear disarmament by Russia and the United States of America.
The narrator (John Telfer) does a fantastic job especially with the number of different accents he has to perform (American, Russian, British, Polish, Spanish....all sorts).
I will definitely listen to this book in the future and will read the book again as well.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
5*
*****
June 10, 2020
Fantastic..as were all his other books. A good long with read with large amount of detail in the story that makes you think that this could actually happen in real life. A bit of a different ending though as it leaves somethings not entirely clearly resolved. Almost leads to to believe he may have planned follow up. Truly enjoyed this book as I have all his others. Very sorry he is no longer with us. RIP
September 27, 2021
Although this book was a bit dated (The scenes were before modern avionics were that common) but the story was truly great. I could only wish it could be history, not near-future SF. This does NOT detract from the story, however. Add in a bit of politics, romance, and a good story becomes, in my humble opinion, great reading. It is fairly long, but it really couldn't be shortened and be as good. Recommend it highly.
October 11, 2019
If you liked Tom Clancy..... says the cover
It's in the style of Tom Clancy but this guy is still in the apprentice stage compared to Clancy. Good but predictable. He's trying hard but not quite getting there. That said it is still an entertaining read. One to keep an eye on. I'd still pick up anything with his name on if I was going on holiday and needed some backup reading.
It's in the style of Tom Clancy but this guy is still in the apprentice stage compared to Clancy. Good but predictable. He's trying hard but not quite getting there. That said it is still an entertaining read. One to keep an eye on. I'd still pick up anything with his name on if I was going on holiday and needed some backup reading.
April 13, 2021
Having enjoyed the first ML-W book I read, I decided to take a punt on a couple of others, and this is my second. I was possibly overly influenced by the headline review of “Firefox meets The Hunt for Red October” – I’ve read and enjoyed some of Rowland White’s works, but this clickbait review is utterly ridiculous.
The book is written in classic technothriller style, with several strands slowly being pulled together. A Pentagon analyst whose theory about a mysterious new aircraft is ignored. A group of ideologically pure power brokers intent on saving the world from itself. A slightly (very slightly) damaged, but brilliant ex-military man is recruited by a secret organisation. A few assorted intelligence types who are unaware of each other’s activity. The requisite crisis develops…
It starts well. The character introductions are well done, especially Carson the main protagonist, and even the secret organisation, which reminded me a little of Iain Banks’ titular organisation in “The Business”, which I liked.
There is then a real lull in the second quarter, which feels a bit like filler. It’s not that the writing is bad, just that nothing happens. I realise the setup is required, but I wonder if it could have been condensed. Then, at almost exactly half way (according to Kindle) the action starts, and that is fine. However, the ‘politics’ is where the book falls short for me. If you can suspend belief for the entire second half, you’ll be OK – I just found it a bit too much as the scope of the organisation is so fantastic as to become slightly farcical.
I certainly like ML-W’s writing – evocatively descriptive, a well-crafted plot and some characters you can like and dislike. There are a few technical quibbles: there is no geosync orbit above the North pole! I believe there is a way to have something orbit the North Pole, but it’s certainly not a GSO. The technology descriptions are a bit of a mix – a slightly odd 80’s/sci-fi hybrid. That said I think this was originally written in the 90’s so predicting how tech evolves is something of a fool’s game to be fair.
The book is written in classic technothriller style, with several strands slowly being pulled together. A Pentagon analyst whose theory about a mysterious new aircraft is ignored. A group of ideologically pure power brokers intent on saving the world from itself. A slightly (very slightly) damaged, but brilliant ex-military man is recruited by a secret organisation. A few assorted intelligence types who are unaware of each other’s activity. The requisite crisis develops…
It starts well. The character introductions are well done, especially Carson the main protagonist, and even the secret organisation, which reminded me a little of Iain Banks’ titular organisation in “The Business”, which I liked.
There is then a real lull in the second quarter, which feels a bit like filler. It’s not that the writing is bad, just that nothing happens. I realise the setup is required, but I wonder if it could have been condensed. Then, at almost exactly half way (according to Kindle) the action starts, and that is fine. However, the ‘politics’ is where the book falls short for me. If you can suspend belief for the entire second half, you’ll be OK – I just found it a bit too much as the scope of the organisation is so fantastic as to become slightly farcical.
I certainly like ML-W’s writing – evocatively descriptive, a well-crafted plot and some characters you can like and dislike. There are a few technical quibbles: there is no geosync orbit above the North pole! I believe there is a way to have something orbit the North Pole, but it’s certainly not a GSO. The technology descriptions are a bit of a mix – a slightly odd 80’s/sci-fi hybrid. That said I think this was originally written in the 90’s so predicting how tech evolves is something of a fool’s game to be fair.
July 15, 2019
Difficult one to review this. I was very sad when Mike Lunnon-Wood passed away far too early, a talented author who wrote some great books. Go read the Military Quartet now, you won’t regret it.
As with any author it takes time to find their niche and their rhythm, my personal view was that for Mike L-W it was the British military adventure. Angel Seven is an odd one, glad I got to finally read it due to the e-book release of most of the author’s work but it felt like he was still seeking that sweet spot of writing.
Remember, this was written over 20 years ago so much has changed in terms of technology and geo-politics. Anyway…
A world-wide secret organisation has evolved. Incredibly well off and with influence everywhere. Sounds like the typical sinister bad guy type of thing, but no! These are nuclear pacifists. Their dream, having seen the devastation of atomic bombs (remember in the time this was set in, some of the WW2 scientists would have still been alive) is to de-nuke the planet. This might be achieved by the building of an aeroplane so advanced that it can target almost anything on the planet with little fear of retribution. So, the US and Russian are held to ransom while a campaign is generated to influence world populations to see that better things can be done with the money currently spent on nukes. A grumpy Australian pilot is brought on board to fly the plane and to scare the world into giving up their nukes.
It is slightly long and a little dated now and the author has done much better. But it remains in the canon of a talented author and part of his publication journey so worth reading for that alone.
As with any author it takes time to find their niche and their rhythm, my personal view was that for Mike L-W it was the British military adventure. Angel Seven is an odd one, glad I got to finally read it due to the e-book release of most of the author’s work but it felt like he was still seeking that sweet spot of writing.
Remember, this was written over 20 years ago so much has changed in terms of technology and geo-politics. Anyway…
A world-wide secret organisation has evolved. Incredibly well off and with influence everywhere. Sounds like the typical sinister bad guy type of thing, but no! These are nuclear pacifists. Their dream, having seen the devastation of atomic bombs (remember in the time this was set in, some of the WW2 scientists would have still been alive) is to de-nuke the planet. This might be achieved by the building of an aeroplane so advanced that it can target almost anything on the planet with little fear of retribution. So, the US and Russian are held to ransom while a campaign is generated to influence world populations to see that better things can be done with the money currently spent on nukes. A grumpy Australian pilot is brought on board to fly the plane and to scare the world into giving up their nukes.
It is slightly long and a little dated now and the author has done much better. But it remains in the canon of a talented author and part of his publication journey so worth reading for that alone.
April 28, 2020
Fiction or not
The storyline was good and I enjoyed reading about the pro's and con's of having a nuclear capability and what difference it would make to the world if there was a group of people who would be able to change the minds of the world's super powers.
I was disappointed with the ending to the book as having such a great storyline from the start it seemed that the ending was very abrupt.
The storyline was good and I enjoyed reading about the pro's and con's of having a nuclear capability and what difference it would make to the world if there was a group of people who would be able to change the minds of the world's super powers.
I was disappointed with the ending to the book as having such a great storyline from the start it seemed that the ending was very abrupt.
June 7, 2021
Interesting story, if you can let your imagination run wild. Build, and test, a hypersonic jet that no one knows about. Develop, and test, an X-ray laser that no one knows about. What will the Oslo Group do with these devices? How do a couple of "lost" Russian nuclear warheads figure into the situation? This is sort of a "what if" type of story, with a lot of action and international intrigue. There are some loose ends at the end, but maybe your imagination can fill in the blanks.
July 24, 2023
Terrible premise. I discovered MLW early in the year. Thankfully I read the better ones, Congo Blue, first.
I notice another review, clearly knowing the subject of airbases, really slagged it off.
Anyway, it's not going to put me off his other books.
I reiterate this is not typical of the man's work.
I notice another review, clearly knowing the subject of airbases, really slagged it off.
Anyway, it's not going to put me off his other books.
I reiterate this is not typical of the man's work.
December 30, 2019
Fantastic reading
Totally believable story .once I started reading I couldnt stop .From start to finish action and totally entertaining.one of the best cookbooks I have read for some time .brilliant
Totally believable story .once I started reading I couldnt stop .From start to finish action and totally entertaining.one of the best cookbooks I have read for some time .brilliant
June 15, 2020
Outstanding Story
This has been a truly outstanding read & audio book. A 10 out of 10 story. Beautifully written. Rich in detail. Believable, filled with humanity & emotion. I wish there were more. An author of the highest caliber. Superb!!! I will wait a while & read again.
This has been a truly outstanding read & audio book. A 10 out of 10 story. Beautifully written. Rich in detail. Believable, filled with humanity & emotion. I wish there were more. An author of the highest caliber. Superb!!! I will wait a while & read again.
August 22, 2020
Riveting!
I would love to think that this book could come true! Exciting, enthralling and with a cracking idea as it's backbone. I read this in one sitting and having finished it and all of the other books by Mike Lunnon-Wood, I feel sad that there can be no others.
I would love to think that this book could come true! Exciting, enthralling and with a cracking idea as it's backbone. I read this in one sitting and having finished it and all of the other books by Mike Lunnon-Wood, I feel sad that there can be no others.
June 11, 2021
Very dated (cathode ray tubes etc) some spelling and grammar errors. This novel was hyped up way too far. Naive tactical errors.
No Principal would be allowed to enter a building without “Security” checking it out first
No Principal would be allowed to enter a building without “Security” checking it out first
August 9, 2019
A Fun Read!
It's an alternate-history tale, well-crafted and written, with plenty of action. Some twists, a few edge-of-the-seat moments. You'll enjoy it.
It's an alternate-history tale, well-crafted and written, with plenty of action. Some twists, a few edge-of-the-seat moments. You'll enjoy it.
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February 24, 2021fantastic read couldn't put it down really true to life
April 3, 2025
Unexpected and disappointing ending but still a great read.
August 17, 2020
Overall a good plot but the writing style from prior novels, but different than other things he has written.
December 24, 2019
Another great thriller from Mike just a pity we've lost another great storyteller.
This is a fantastic page turner i couldn't get to the end fast enough but at the same time I wanted it to go on.
This is a fantastic page turner i couldn't get to the end fast enough but at the same time I wanted it to go on.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews