What do you think?
Rate this book
Forging of Luke Stone #1
Primary Target
In the much-anticipated debut of a new series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, when elite Delta Force soldier Luke Stone, 29, joins a secretive government agency, he is dispatched on the mission of a lifetime: a whirlwind race across Europe and the Mid-East to save the President’s daughter before she is beheaded by terrorists.
In PRIMARY TARGET (Book #1), we see the forging of one of the world’s toughest—and most lethal—soldiers: Luke Stone. A 29 year old veteran who has seen enough battle to last a lifetime, Luke is tapped by the Special Response Team, a secretive new FBI agency (led by his mentor Don Morris) to tackle the most high-stake terrorism operations in the world.
Luke, still haunted by his wartime past and newly married to an expecting Becca, is dispatched on a mission to Iraq, with his new partner Ed Newsam, to bring in a rogue American contractor. But what begins as a routine mission mushrooms into something much, much bigger.
When the President’s teenage daughter, kidnapped in Europe, is ransomed by terrorists, Luke may be the only one in the world who can save her before it is too late.
In PRIMARY TARGET (Book #1), we see the forging of one of the world’s toughest—and most lethal—soldiers: Luke Stone. A 29 year old veteran who has seen enough battle to last a lifetime, Luke is tapped by the Special Response Team, a secretive new FBI agency (led by his mentor Don Morris) to tackle the most high-stake terrorism operations in the world.
Luke, still haunted by his wartime past and newly married to an expecting Becca, is dispatched on a mission to Iraq, with his new partner Ed Newsam, to bring in a rogue American contractor. But what begins as a routine mission mushrooms into something much, much bigger.
When the President’s teenage daughter, kidnapped in Europe, is ransomed by terrorists, Luke may be the only one in the world who can save her before it is too late.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2018
3817 people are currently reading
1818 people want to read
About the author
Jack Mars
242 books644 followersJack Mars is author of the bestselling LUKE STONE thriller series, which include the suspense thrillers ANY MEANS NECESSARY (book #1), OATH OF OFFICE (book #2) and SITUATION ROOM (book #3).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
June 3, 2024
Abandonado al 30%.
El libro, sin ser una obra maestra y aún con algunas cosas que chirrían, tenía potencial para haberme gustado, o darme un buen rato de lectura ligera por lo menos, pues es un género que me gusta. Pero la mala traducción me hace la lectura muy cuesta arriba. Si el libro ya tiene sus topicazos y sus cosas poco creíbles, con la "traducción de Google" ya se hace imposible de leer.
Iba a empezar con el autor con "Por todos los medios necesarios", pero tras ver varias reseñas que se quejaban de la traducción y de que me recomendasen empezar por este precisamente por ese motivo, me encuentro con la mala traducción de este. Así que creo que aquí se acaba mi aventura con Jack Mars. Una pena, pues le tenía ganas y no me apetece ponerme a leerlo en inglés con todo lo que tengo pendiente.
El libro, sin ser una obra maestra y aún con algunas cosas que chirrían, tenía potencial para haberme gustado, o darme un buen rato de lectura ligera por lo menos, pues es un género que me gusta. Pero la mala traducción me hace la lectura muy cuesta arriba. Si el libro ya tiene sus topicazos y sus cosas poco creíbles, con la "traducción de Google" ya se hace imposible de leer.
Iba a empezar con el autor con "Por todos los medios necesarios", pero tras ver varias reseñas que se quejaban de la traducción y de que me recomendasen empezar por este precisamente por ese motivo, me encuentro con la mala traducción de este. Así que creo que aquí se acaba mi aventura con Jack Mars. Una pena, pues le tenía ganas y no me apetece ponerme a leerlo en inglés con todo lo que tengo pendiente.
August 8, 2024
Lo dejo al 40%. No me gusta 😕 🤷
May 17, 2020
My first read from this author, and a great find in my favourite genre, action thriller.
In the much-anticipated debut of a new series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, when elite Delta Force soldier Luke Stone, 29, joins a secretive government agency, he is dispatched on the mission of a lifetime: a whirlwind race across Europe and the Mid-East to save the President’s daughter before she is beheaded by terrorists.
In PRIMARY TARGET (Book #1), we see the forging of one of the world’s toughest—and most lethal—soldiers: Luke Stone. A 29 year old veteran who has seen enough battle to last a lifetime, Luke is tapped by the Special Response Team, a secretive new FBI agency (led by his mentor Don Morris) to tackle the most high-stake terrorism operations in the world.
Luke, still haunted by his wartime past and newly married to an expecting Becca, is dispatched on a mission to Iraq, with his new partner Ed Newsam, to bring in a rogue American contractor. But what begins as a routine mission mushrooms into something much, much bigger.
When the President’s teenage daughter, kidnapped in Europe, is ransomed by terrorists, Luke may be the only one in the world who can save her before it is too late.
Things change quickly when his mentor, Don, taps him for a secret special response team, out of the FBI and run by Don. This is a very special group, and Don knows the type of person and soldier Luke is. He brings Luke in, introducing him to the new parts of the team. Immediately Luke and his team mate Ed are sent to take care of a problem in Iraq, which expands as grateful folks give him a map showing the site of foes. Suddenly, as Luke is excited to go home to Becca, there is astounding news-The President's Daughter Is Kidnapped!!
An exciting, action-filled story with incredible characters, especially with his new relationship with his new partner Ed, all 6ft 6" big, black and tough and plots that flow together with ease.
A lot of story in the 258 pages, never lets up for too long, back into the action.
An action thriller that is hard to put down, and ready to start on the next in the forging of Luke Stone.
Bad news another series to catch up with!!
Four stars
In the much-anticipated debut of a new series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, when elite Delta Force soldier Luke Stone, 29, joins a secretive government agency, he is dispatched on the mission of a lifetime: a whirlwind race across Europe and the Mid-East to save the President’s daughter before she is beheaded by terrorists.
In PRIMARY TARGET (Book #1), we see the forging of one of the world’s toughest—and most lethal—soldiers: Luke Stone. A 29 year old veteran who has seen enough battle to last a lifetime, Luke is tapped by the Special Response Team, a secretive new FBI agency (led by his mentor Don Morris) to tackle the most high-stake terrorism operations in the world.
Luke, still haunted by his wartime past and newly married to an expecting Becca, is dispatched on a mission to Iraq, with his new partner Ed Newsam, to bring in a rogue American contractor. But what begins as a routine mission mushrooms into something much, much bigger.
When the President’s teenage daughter, kidnapped in Europe, is ransomed by terrorists, Luke may be the only one in the world who can save her before it is too late.
Things change quickly when his mentor, Don, taps him for a secret special response team, out of the FBI and run by Don. This is a very special group, and Don knows the type of person and soldier Luke is. He brings Luke in, introducing him to the new parts of the team. Immediately Luke and his team mate Ed are sent to take care of a problem in Iraq, which expands as grateful folks give him a map showing the site of foes. Suddenly, as Luke is excited to go home to Becca, there is astounding news-The President's Daughter Is Kidnapped!!
An exciting, action-filled story with incredible characters, especially with his new relationship with his new partner Ed, all 6ft 6" big, black and tough and plots that flow together with ease.
A lot of story in the 258 pages, never lets up for too long, back into the action.
An action thriller that is hard to put down, and ready to start on the next in the forging of Luke Stone.
Bad news another series to catch up with!!
Four stars
October 19, 2018
What an excellent view of Luke Stone at the very beginning,a little confused, already at a point in the service where he has seen and done so much...His wife Becca is very pregnant, giving him something else to think of,a life taking care of his family not running off at a phone call...
Things change quickly when his mentor, Don, taps him for a secret special response team, out of the FBI and run by Don. This is a very special group, and Don knows the type of person and soldier Luke is. He brings Luke in, introducing him to the new parts of the team. Immediately Luke and his team mate Ed are sent to take care of a problem in Iraq, which expands as grateful folks give him a map showing the site of foes. Suddenly, as Luke is excited to go home to Becca, there is astounding news-The President's Daughter Is Kidnapped!!
The best team in the world has a new target, locate and save the young woman!!
An exciting,action-filled story with incredible characters and plots that flow together with ease. I read this book in one day, staying up late and breathing deeply as I see and feel what happens,unable to close my eyes until I finished this incredible adventure.
Explosive, interesting and fulfilling, a 5 STAR book , starting a new series into early Luke and there could not be a better start than this!!!
Things change quickly when his mentor, Don, taps him for a secret special response team, out of the FBI and run by Don. This is a very special group, and Don knows the type of person and soldier Luke is. He brings Luke in, introducing him to the new parts of the team. Immediately Luke and his team mate Ed are sent to take care of a problem in Iraq, which expands as grateful folks give him a map showing the site of foes. Suddenly, as Luke is excited to go home to Becca, there is astounding news-The President's Daughter Is Kidnapped!!
The best team in the world has a new target, locate and save the young woman!!
An exciting,action-filled story with incredible characters and plots that flow together with ease. I read this book in one day, staying up late and breathing deeply as I see and feel what happens,unable to close my eyes until I finished this incredible adventure.
Explosive, interesting and fulfilling, a 5 STAR book , starting a new series into early Luke and there could not be a better start than this!!!
July 5, 2020
Interesting
The story offers an interesting look in Luke Stone's life after he retired from the continuous battles taht he had faced in his life. He wants to stay with Becca who is in the family way.
In this backdrop, he is pulled back into another secret mission when the President's daughter is kidnapped.
The story is action packed and interesting from the word go.
The story offers an interesting look in Luke Stone's life after he retired from the continuous battles taht he had faced in his life. He wants to stay with Becca who is in the family way.
In this backdrop, he is pulled back into another secret mission when the President's daughter is kidnapped.
The story is action packed and interesting from the word go.
October 14, 2023
Jack Mars è l’autore bestseller di USA Today della serie di thriller LUKE STONE, che per ora comprende sette libri.
È anche autore della nuova serie prequel LE ORIGINI DI LUKE STONE, e della serie spy thriller AGENTE ZERO.
Recensione
Un libro forte ed intenso; ne è protagonista Luke Stone, un combattente delle Delta Forces, unità speciali dell'esercito degli Stati Uniti impiegate in Afghanistan, composte da militari altamente specializzati, dotati di tecnologie all'avanguardia e ben allenati per le operazioni a terra.
Questo libro descrive bene le modalità di attacco, gli spostamenti notturni a bordo di elicotteri, gli scenari imbevuti di sangue che ne conseguono e chi ne viene coinvolto, molto spesso anche le donne ed i bambini degli avversari.
Il libro esamina ed analizza anche gli effetti che quel tipo di guerra lascia nella mente di chi la fa e di chi la subisce.
Non è raro che al termine delle missioni i militari delle forze speciali finiscano in ricovero forzato negli ospedali psichiatrici con diagnosi di disordine mentale.
Un libro certamente avvincente; qua e là sono presenti difetti di editing che, per la verità, non mi hanno impedito di comprendere bene la narrazione e che perciò non mi hanno disturbato più di tanto.
È anche autore della nuova serie prequel LE ORIGINI DI LUKE STONE, e della serie spy thriller AGENTE ZERO.
Recensione
Un libro forte ed intenso; ne è protagonista Luke Stone, un combattente delle Delta Forces, unità speciali dell'esercito degli Stati Uniti impiegate in Afghanistan, composte da militari altamente specializzati, dotati di tecnologie all'avanguardia e ben allenati per le operazioni a terra.
Questo libro descrive bene le modalità di attacco, gli spostamenti notturni a bordo di elicotteri, gli scenari imbevuti di sangue che ne conseguono e chi ne viene coinvolto, molto spesso anche le donne ed i bambini degli avversari.
Il libro esamina ed analizza anche gli effetti che quel tipo di guerra lascia nella mente di chi la fa e di chi la subisce.
Non è raro che al termine delle missioni i militari delle forze speciali finiscano in ricovero forzato negli ospedali psichiatrici con diagnosi di disordine mentale.
Un libro certamente avvincente; qua e là sono presenti difetti di editing che, per la verità, non mi hanno impedito di comprendere bene la narrazione e che perciò non mi hanno disturbato più di tanto.
November 19, 2024
Aunque he tardado dos meses en acabarlo, el libro no tiene ninguna culpa. Es fácil de leer, ágil y entretenido, la transposición a la literatura de esas pelis de tiros que se ven fácil y te hacen pasar un buen rato.
El rollo es el típico de yanquis buenos/árabes malos/resto del mundo sitio pintoresco lleno de europeos, con los yanquis haciendo de John Wayne por esos desiertos asiáticos indefinidos, pero eso no le quita un ápice de diversión. Mars escribe rápido, directo y al grano, lo que se agradece enormemente en este tipo de relatos.
El único pero, asumiendo el resto de características del libro, es la traducción. En general es correcta, sin alardes, supongo que en parte por el estilo sencillo y directo del autor, pero de vez en cuando se descuelga con una frase absurda, fuera de contexto o mal resuelta. Me inclino a pensar en una traducción automática poco o nada repasada por humanos... Es chocante y a mi me saca un poco del relato, pero supongo que dependerá del lector.
Quitando ese pero, en general me parece muy recomendable si te gusta este tipo de narrativa, en la que Mars parece un gran experto.
El rollo es el típico de yanquis buenos/árabes malos/resto del mundo sitio pintoresco lleno de europeos, con los yanquis haciendo de John Wayne por esos desiertos asiáticos indefinidos, pero eso no le quita un ápice de diversión. Mars escribe rápido, directo y al grano, lo que se agradece enormemente en este tipo de relatos.
El único pero, asumiendo el resto de características del libro, es la traducción. En general es correcta, sin alardes, supongo que en parte por el estilo sencillo y directo del autor, pero de vez en cuando se descuelga con una frase absurda, fuera de contexto o mal resuelta. Me inclino a pensar en una traducción automática poco o nada repasada por humanos... Es chocante y a mi me saca un poco del relato, pero supongo que dependerá del lector.
Quitando ese pero, en general me parece muy recomendable si te gusta este tipo de narrativa, en la que Mars parece un gran experto.
December 25, 2020
Pretty basic shoot 'em up thriller dealing with government operatives. If a person has read the regular Luke Stone series, keep in mind this is a prequel.
March 16, 2022
I started with book #2 which was a mistake. Loved it so I decided to read book #1 and found that there was too much that led up to Book #2 that I was losing interest.
January 23, 2024
"Objetivo Principal" de Jack Mars es una novela que destaca por la fuerza de sus personajes, un elemento que sin duda hace que la lectura sea atractiva para mí. Me ha gustado la habilidad del escritor para dar vida a sus protagonistas y explorar sus motivaciones, le agrega profundidad a la trama y esto permite que como lector conecte emocionalmente con ellos la mayoría de las veces.
Sin embargo, a pesar del atractivo de los personajes, la trama sigue un camino que ya me resulta familiar y predecible. La trama recuerda a otros libros del género, lo que le resta originalidad y sorpresa a la experiencia de lectura. A pesar de este aspecto ya visto en la trama, es un libro que se lee con facilidad y esto ayuda la inmersión en la historia.
La puntuación de 3 sobre 5 que le he dado sugiere que, aunque he disfrutado de ciertos aspectos, hay margen para mejoras o innovaciones en la trama, pero el deseo de encontrar tramas más novedosas podría haber elevado la puntuación.
En resumen, "Objetivo Principal" ofrece personajes que me he creído y buena fluidez, los capítulos no son muy largos y le da agilidad, pero la trama podría beneficiarse de una mayor originalidad para destacar completamente. Aun con todo esto, leeré el siguiente, me da la sensación que es introductorio y puede dar paso a mejores novelas posteriores.
Sin embargo, a pesar del atractivo de los personajes, la trama sigue un camino que ya me resulta familiar y predecible. La trama recuerda a otros libros del género, lo que le resta originalidad y sorpresa a la experiencia de lectura. A pesar de este aspecto ya visto en la trama, es un libro que se lee con facilidad y esto ayuda la inmersión en la historia.
La puntuación de 3 sobre 5 que le he dado sugiere que, aunque he disfrutado de ciertos aspectos, hay margen para mejoras o innovaciones en la trama, pero el deseo de encontrar tramas más novedosas podría haber elevado la puntuación.
En resumen, "Objetivo Principal" ofrece personajes que me he creído y buena fluidez, los capítulos no son muy largos y le da agilidad, pero la trama podría beneficiarse de una mayor originalidad para destacar completamente. Aun con todo esto, leeré el siguiente, me da la sensación que es introductorio y puede dar paso a mejores novelas posteriores.
June 28, 2021
Me apetecía leer algo de acción militar y no tenia ningún libro de ese género, así que me metí en amazon y encontré este ebook que fue el que más me llamo la atención.
No me ha dado lo que buscaba, yo quería tiros, explosiones, mucho hablar de armas y testosterona rebosando. Ha tenido bastante poco de eso y se ha mezclado con el clásica thriller político.
No me ha dado lo que buscaba, yo quería tiros, explosiones, mucho hablar de armas y testosterona rebosando. Ha tenido bastante poco de eso y se ha mezclado con el clásica thriller político.
August 20, 2024
I picked this up not expecting much and found myself pleasantly surprised. I was looking for a cut/dry action thriller and was impressed to see a significant portion of the narrative focusing on the character’s reflection of the things he’s done for his country as well as those under his command. Conflicted puts it mildly. Not a vet myself but thought this may be more realistic.
I will continue to read more in the series.
I will continue to read more in the series.
August 22, 2019
In the description of the book Luke's age is put as 29, yet in the actual book he's 31. During the book Luke is working missions with Ed Newsman. In the book Any Means Necessary he just met the man for the first time. Way to many mistakes. Also needs better research on the other countries, so much in there is not true.
September 12, 2020
You do not need to have read the Luke Stone series first, this book stands on its own. An exciting story with two of the missions known to those who read the Luke Stone series. What was mentioned as history in the first series is now laid out in detail. This book kept my attention from word one.
January 7, 2021
Luke Stone is an agent for the USA. He is in constant danger trying to clean up the Middle East. While in the process, he attempts to rescue the President's kidnapped daughter.
The author's writing mechanics are good except for some time line justifications, and that may be my fault.
Thank you, Mr. Mars, for a good read.
The author's writing mechanics are good except for some time line justifications, and that may be my fault.
Thank you, Mr. Mars, for a good read.
October 18, 2018
Brilliant
This was an amazing read, well written with some of my favorite characters! Completely filled with action from start to finish. I enjoyed going back to the beginning where Stone started. Just brilliant
This was an amazing read, well written with some of my favorite characters! Completely filled with action from start to finish. I enjoyed going back to the beginning where Stone started. Just brilliant
February 6, 2020
I think there was never a book I read with more violent nonsense called action, stubborn soldiers and people dying in hundreds. Helicopters down, Apache sending missiles around like throwing popcorn, fights in the mountains of Afghanistan, Syria .... name it! They go from one disaster to the next, stay alive and rescue the presidents daughter on their way home. NONSENSE, but it is a novel, so what?
January 25, 2021
Exciting read. Lots of action. Luke Stone made headlines.
February 20, 2020
(2 1/2). Maybe I have read a few too many of these soldier of fortune type books lately but this one tries to cover too many bases in too few pages. A myriad of crises, combining the domestic and international stages, along with heartstring tugs and amazing violence? As the Beatles once said, “it’s all too much.” Reasonable stuff.
December 28, 2018
Apologies
The writing and story may be good but it is the wrong cup of tea kind of adventure for me. I enjoy sword fights ,spears and bows and arrows but the ak47 type of slaughter is not enjoyable
The writing and story may be good but it is the wrong cup of tea kind of adventure for me. I enjoy sword fights ,spears and bows and arrows but the ak47 type of slaughter is not enjoyable
October 30, 2019
Not bad but cod have been better
This was not a bad opening book in a new series; however, I hope the author invests in a new editor and fact checker for his next book in thos series. Various moments where information was presented incorrectly and/or with poor context.
This was not a bad opening book in a new series; however, I hope the author invests in a new editor and fact checker for his next book in thos series. Various moments where information was presented incorrectly and/or with poor context.
February 27, 2024
No se merece más nota un libro tan tremendamente MAL traducido. Me parece increíble que tengas que pagar para leer 300 páginas pasadas por el traductor de Google sin revisión.
September 1, 2021
There are seven books currently available for the Luke Stone series. The author has written a couple of prequels to this series with the subheading ‘The Forging of Luke Stone’, outlining the early days of the main character. Primary Target is book #1 in the prequel series. I was not familiar with the Luke Stone character and this is the first of the author’s work that I have read.
The story kicks off with Sergeant First Class Luke Stone and his Delta Force team in Bagram base, being sent on a mission to capture or terminate terrorist Abu Mustafa Faraj al-Jihadi, who was responsible for a Mumbai suicide attack and the bombing of USS Sarasota at Port of Aden. The mission turns perilous when a sandstorm causes zero ground and air visibility. However, the team’s ambitious leader Lt. Colonel Morgan Heath insists on completing the mission. Luke’s team captures the terrorist and shoots him dead but suffers heavy casualties on their end, including loss of Luke’s blood brother, Wayne.
Upon returning to the US, Luke, who is suffering from PTSD, seeks treatment at Fort Bragg. Retired Colonel Don Morris approaches and recruits Luke into a ‘civilian’ Delta Force, an intelligence agency within FBI. Luke meets his new teammates, tech expert Mark Swann, intel officer Trudy Wellington and field agent/partner Ed Newsam. The team’s first mission is to capture or terminate a former Marine Corps who has turned mercenary and massacred people in Fallujah. Meanwhile, the US President’s daughter, Elizabeth Barrett, who is studying in Switzerland, goes missing and believed to be kidnapped by terrorists. Luke’s mission unexpectedly unearths clues to who may have kidnapped the First Daughter.
Liking and relating to Luke as the main character was a bit of a challenge and roller coaster ride for me. I felt the character was superficially heroic. He always wins, regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. For example, during the Afghan mission, a stranded Luke and his men need to survive till daybreak for extraction with minimal ammunition in their possession. Taliban surrounded and attacked them, but Luke and his men were dropping them off like flies. This scene reminded me of a zombie apocalypse movie with the Taliban being portrayed as the zombies. It did not sound realistic, as I expect the Taliban would have better knowledge of their terrain and they had better ammunition anyway, in this scene. Perhaps, if Taliban captured Luke, it would have made me root for him, but there was no such plot twist as he constantly wins. However, Luke’s character evoked some sympathy from me in the scene where he had a fully loaded Glock on the table next to him while having dinner with his wife and he realizes he needs help (for his PTSD).
The story drags after the Afghan mission and Luke is in the US. Luke’s recruitment into the new intelligence agency and his first mission failed to hold my interest. The author then introduces Elizabeth Barrett's character. I found her character likeable despite her poor decisions, which I blame on the folly of her age. Her brief appearances made the otherwise draggy story more enjoyable. The story picks up again about 70% into the book when Luke’s team gets intelligence that may lead them to finding Elizabeth.
I am rating this book as 3 out of 5 stars. There were multiple times I wanted to DNF this book, but I persevered as it would feel like an unaccomplished task for me. I would suggest to try reading the main Luke Stone series first and then consider if it’s worth to go into the prequels. Perhaps this approach would help readers understand and form a better perception of Luke and his team.
The story kicks off with Sergeant First Class Luke Stone and his Delta Force team in Bagram base, being sent on a mission to capture or terminate terrorist Abu Mustafa Faraj al-Jihadi, who was responsible for a Mumbai suicide attack and the bombing of USS Sarasota at Port of Aden. The mission turns perilous when a sandstorm causes zero ground and air visibility. However, the team’s ambitious leader Lt. Colonel Morgan Heath insists on completing the mission. Luke’s team captures the terrorist and shoots him dead but suffers heavy casualties on their end, including loss of Luke’s blood brother, Wayne.
Upon returning to the US, Luke, who is suffering from PTSD, seeks treatment at Fort Bragg. Retired Colonel Don Morris approaches and recruits Luke into a ‘civilian’ Delta Force, an intelligence agency within FBI. Luke meets his new teammates, tech expert Mark Swann, intel officer Trudy Wellington and field agent/partner Ed Newsam. The team’s first mission is to capture or terminate a former Marine Corps who has turned mercenary and massacred people in Fallujah. Meanwhile, the US President’s daughter, Elizabeth Barrett, who is studying in Switzerland, goes missing and believed to be kidnapped by terrorists. Luke’s mission unexpectedly unearths clues to who may have kidnapped the First Daughter.
Liking and relating to Luke as the main character was a bit of a challenge and roller coaster ride for me. I felt the character was superficially heroic. He always wins, regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. For example, during the Afghan mission, a stranded Luke and his men need to survive till daybreak for extraction with minimal ammunition in their possession. Taliban surrounded and attacked them, but Luke and his men were dropping them off like flies. This scene reminded me of a zombie apocalypse movie with the Taliban being portrayed as the zombies. It did not sound realistic, as I expect the Taliban would have better knowledge of their terrain and they had better ammunition anyway, in this scene. Perhaps, if Taliban captured Luke, it would have made me root for him, but there was no such plot twist as he constantly wins. However, Luke’s character evoked some sympathy from me in the scene where he had a fully loaded Glock on the table next to him while having dinner with his wife and he realizes he needs help (for his PTSD).
The story drags after the Afghan mission and Luke is in the US. Luke’s recruitment into the new intelligence agency and his first mission failed to hold my interest. The author then introduces Elizabeth Barrett's character. I found her character likeable despite her poor decisions, which I blame on the folly of her age. Her brief appearances made the otherwise draggy story more enjoyable. The story picks up again about 70% into the book when Luke’s team gets intelligence that may lead them to finding Elizabeth.
I am rating this book as 3 out of 5 stars. There were multiple times I wanted to DNF this book, but I persevered as it would feel like an unaccomplished task for me. I would suggest to try reading the main Luke Stone series first and then consider if it’s worth to go into the prequels. Perhaps this approach would help readers understand and form a better perception of Luke and his team.
September 23, 2021
This is Pulse Pounding Action with a Believable Hero.
To give this book it’s full title you have to add the suffix “The Forging of Luke Stone – Book #1” which I think cheapens the effect of what is a gripping and breath-taking military action thriller with a believable and well rounded hero at its heart.
It’s hard hitting and violent, a proper 'blokey' read, but elevated to a much higher level of writing competence than you have any right to expect. I was thinking it might be along the lines of Matthew Reilly’s ‘Scarecrow’ or ‘Jack West’ series of pulp novels, action-packed and enjoyable but quite far-fetched and ridiculous, however I found Primary Target to be a book that had me turning page after page, revelling in how well the story was unfolding and being drawn deeper and deeper into Luke Stone’s world.
I can’t say the story conforms to any classic writing pattern as outlined in various ‘how to write a novel’ books. It feels much more like one of the Jack Bauer ‘24’ series where one thing happens after another and the pace builds relentlessly with the hero dealing with one shit-storm after another. When you’re still reading when you should be sleeping you know a book has really got you well and truly gripped.
Jack Mars writes action perfectly. It’s a masterclass. Firefights have you deafened and disoriented, the stink of cordite making you feel like coughing, hand to hand combat is brutal, helicopter attacks get adrenaline and fear pumping. All are written superbly. Then we have the moments of reflection and post battle torment. PTSD is addressed in a way that isn’t sentimentally overblown or played for the sake of being emotional. Sure, it touches you, and I think this is some of the best portrayal of what many soldiers have experienced. You get a real sense of how hard it is to cope with surviving violent encounters. The action may only take seconds but you have a lifetime to reflect afterwards. Survivor’s guilt is a terrible thing.
Aside from Luke Stone’s path, and all the attendant action, there is also a dash of political intrigue and back-room brinksmanship. It really does have that element of ‘24’ about it I mentioned, which is no bad thing. It’s another layer to the story adding to the experience rather than diluting it.
I reckon this book’s 'Primary Target' must have been someone like me, because I loved every page of it. It’s a brutal action thriller, and very much a military one, with superb characters, top notch writing and a page-turning pace like few other stories I’ve read. Yet it still has time for emotions to resonate and bring real depth to the events.
This is without doubt one of the most enjoyable reads I’ve had this year and the only reason I haven’t bought the next one in the series is because I’d read it straight away, and there are a lot of other books I really must read before then!
To give this book it’s full title you have to add the suffix “The Forging of Luke Stone – Book #1” which I think cheapens the effect of what is a gripping and breath-taking military action thriller with a believable and well rounded hero at its heart.
It’s hard hitting and violent, a proper 'blokey' read, but elevated to a much higher level of writing competence than you have any right to expect. I was thinking it might be along the lines of Matthew Reilly’s ‘Scarecrow’ or ‘Jack West’ series of pulp novels, action-packed and enjoyable but quite far-fetched and ridiculous, however I found Primary Target to be a book that had me turning page after page, revelling in how well the story was unfolding and being drawn deeper and deeper into Luke Stone’s world.
I can’t say the story conforms to any classic writing pattern as outlined in various ‘how to write a novel’ books. It feels much more like one of the Jack Bauer ‘24’ series where one thing happens after another and the pace builds relentlessly with the hero dealing with one shit-storm after another. When you’re still reading when you should be sleeping you know a book has really got you well and truly gripped.
Jack Mars writes action perfectly. It’s a masterclass. Firefights have you deafened and disoriented, the stink of cordite making you feel like coughing, hand to hand combat is brutal, helicopter attacks get adrenaline and fear pumping. All are written superbly. Then we have the moments of reflection and post battle torment. PTSD is addressed in a way that isn’t sentimentally overblown or played for the sake of being emotional. Sure, it touches you, and I think this is some of the best portrayal of what many soldiers have experienced. You get a real sense of how hard it is to cope with surviving violent encounters. The action may only take seconds but you have a lifetime to reflect afterwards. Survivor’s guilt is a terrible thing.
Aside from Luke Stone’s path, and all the attendant action, there is also a dash of political intrigue and back-room brinksmanship. It really does have that element of ‘24’ about it I mentioned, which is no bad thing. It’s another layer to the story adding to the experience rather than diluting it.
I reckon this book’s 'Primary Target' must have been someone like me, because I loved every page of it. It’s a brutal action thriller, and very much a military one, with superb characters, top notch writing and a page-turning pace like few other stories I’ve read. Yet it still has time for emotions to resonate and bring real depth to the events.
This is without doubt one of the most enjoyable reads I’ve had this year and the only reason I haven’t bought the next one in the series is because I’d read it straight away, and there are a lot of other books I really must read before then!
December 12, 2021
Primary Target: The Forging of Luke Stone — Book 1 by Jack Mars
Everybody writes books with a repeating element & a series name now-a-days, ‘Primary’ & ‘The Forging of Luke Stone’ in this case.
Ok, Luke is ex-Delta Force, big, rugged, married, part of another series of 7 books at this stage.
We first see him in a crew dragged by a superior officer into attacking an Afghan terrorist in a secure location, in a storm which takes out the other half of the team in a helicopter. The attack goes badly, head guy gets killed, almost the rest of the crew gets killed, only three survive. Luke, almost unharmed and two others, one missing legs, other head damaged.
So, Luke gets his team killed is the rumours.
Luke is recruited to the FBI-SRT which isn’t Search & Rescue it’s the FBI Special Response Team (he’s not military now). And for those of us outside the US, apparently FBI isn’t restricted to just inside America (any more?).
At some stage the President’s daughter gets abducted (again?) and a potential war develops.
The story has a good pace, no slow bits, no rushed bits, finished it pretty quickly given I didn’t touch it over the weekend. Only one track from one incident to another. The world is fairly straight forward, easy to imagine but not complicated. The characters, ok, Luke, I found him hard to endear to. Let’s face it, he gets his team killed once, nearly twice (falling helicopter). He’s very gung-ho, doesn’t listen to advice, even from superiors. Has a boss who is constantly referred to as ‘Big Daddy’ - outside America that’s a diminutive - very hard to take seriously. On the whole, all fairly one dimensional.
The tale is a classic military action book, probably make a good film, I figure it’s OK 2/5
…
Key: bad 1/5, ok 2/5, good 3/5, great 4/5, unusually outstanding 5/5
Everybody writes books with a repeating element & a series name now-a-days, ‘Primary’ & ‘The Forging of Luke Stone’ in this case.
Ok, Luke is ex-Delta Force, big, rugged, married, part of another series of 7 books at this stage.
We first see him in a crew dragged by a superior officer into attacking an Afghan terrorist in a secure location, in a storm which takes out the other half of the team in a helicopter. The attack goes badly, head guy gets killed, almost the rest of the crew gets killed, only three survive. Luke, almost unharmed and two others, one missing legs, other head damaged.
So, Luke gets his team killed is the rumours.
Luke is recruited to the FBI-SRT which isn’t Search & Rescue it’s the FBI Special Response Team (he’s not military now). And for those of us outside the US, apparently FBI isn’t restricted to just inside America (any more?).
At some stage the President’s daughter gets abducted (again?) and a potential war develops.
The story has a good pace, no slow bits, no rushed bits, finished it pretty quickly given I didn’t touch it over the weekend. Only one track from one incident to another. The world is fairly straight forward, easy to imagine but not complicated. The characters, ok, Luke, I found him hard to endear to. Let’s face it, he gets his team killed once, nearly twice (falling helicopter). He’s very gung-ho, doesn’t listen to advice, even from superiors. Has a boss who is constantly referred to as ‘Big Daddy’ - outside America that’s a diminutive - very hard to take seriously. On the whole, all fairly one dimensional.
The tale is a classic military action book, probably make a good film, I figure it’s OK 2/5
…
Key: bad 1/5, ok 2/5, good 3/5, great 4/5, unusually outstanding 5/5
March 5, 2020
Primary Target is the story of why action hero Luke Stone left the military and how the government Special Response Team was forged, set against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East and the kidnapping of the President's daughter.
Yes, the plot's probably quite similar to dozens of others. Presidents' daughters being kidnapped seems to happen a lot in fiction. But THIS is how you write an action thriller. Believable, pedal to the metal action. Good guys worth rooting for. Bad guys who you can almost sympathise with, and who don't twirl their collective moustaches. Twists and turns. Primary Target starts as it means to go on and hardly stops for breath (although it does breathe occasionally so you don't feel too exhausted reading it).
So why only four stars, not five? Well I do have a couple of small quibbles. Firstly the language; there is hardly any swearing. It may sound like an odd gripe, but it's actually very conspicuous by its absence in the midst of all the fighting, the pain and the loss - battled hardened soldiers calmly saying "dammit" when their friend dies, for example. Not that I'd want every other word to be F this and F that, but a little sprinkling would've helped to sell the realism.
Also I found it slightly disappointing that early on the book sways very close to exploring deep mental trauma in a meaningful way, only to chicken out, opting instead for Luke's constant internal monologue about longing to get home. We all know he's not going anywhere any time soon, and we all know he loves his job almost as much as his wife, so it does start to get annoying after a while.
But these really are minor problems. Don't let them put you off buying this book. Primary Target is a very good read for fans of the genre.
Yes, the plot's probably quite similar to dozens of others. Presidents' daughters being kidnapped seems to happen a lot in fiction. But THIS is how you write an action thriller. Believable, pedal to the metal action. Good guys worth rooting for. Bad guys who you can almost sympathise with, and who don't twirl their collective moustaches. Twists and turns. Primary Target starts as it means to go on and hardly stops for breath (although it does breathe occasionally so you don't feel too exhausted reading it).
So why only four stars, not five? Well I do have a couple of small quibbles. Firstly the language; there is hardly any swearing. It may sound like an odd gripe, but it's actually very conspicuous by its absence in the midst of all the fighting, the pain and the loss - battled hardened soldiers calmly saying "dammit" when their friend dies, for example. Not that I'd want every other word to be F this and F that, but a little sprinkling would've helped to sell the realism.
Also I found it slightly disappointing that early on the book sways very close to exploring deep mental trauma in a meaningful way, only to chicken out, opting instead for Luke's constant internal monologue about longing to get home. We all know he's not going anywhere any time soon, and we all know he loves his job almost as much as his wife, so it does start to get annoying after a while.
But these really are minor problems. Don't let them put you off buying this book. Primary Target is a very good read for fans of the genre.
October 22, 2023
No pido más a este tipo de libros y por eso, en su género, se lleva la nota máxima. Libro de soldado Delta que se lía en una misión de esas de pegarse con los malos allá por Afganistan.
Yihadistas, Delta, SAS ingleses, algún marine, FBI, CIA, el comitéde crisis del despacho oval, el general que quiere apretar el botón rojo, la hija del presidente de USA…
Acción sin parar en poco más de 300 pags. Un pasapáginas absoluto.
Le veo lo malo, se lo veo: clichés, personajes que cumplen, militarismo (aunque no descerebrado), todo vale para conseguir objetivos y qué buenos somos los yanquis…pero divierte.
Joder, tras leer el párrafo anterior me veo obligado a bajarle a 4 estrellas por vergüenza torera. Pero ya veis que mi intención era dárselas todas por lo que me ha divertido. Como que me pongo ya con el siguiente.
¡Qué guay!, igual he encontrado otro Baldacci.
Sinopsis
En OBJETIVO PRINCIPAL vemos la forja de uno de los soldados más duros y letales del mundo: Luke Stone. Un veterano de 29 años que ha visto suficientes batallas para toda su vida, Luke es reclutado por el Equipo de Respuesta Especial, una nueva agencia secreta del FBI (dirigida por su mentor, Don Morris) para abordar las operaciones de terrorismo de mayor riesgo en el mundo.
Luke, aún atormentado por su pasado en tiempos de guerra y recién casado con una embarazada Becca, es enviado a una misión en Irak, con su nuevo compañero Ed Newsam, para capturar a un contratista estadounidense deshonesto. Pero lo que comienza como una misión rutinaria se convierte en algo mucho más grande.
Cuando la hija adolescente del Presidente es secuestrada en Europa y mantenida como rehén por terroristas, Luke puede ser el único en el mundo que pueda salvarla antes de que sea demasiado tarde.
Yihadistas, Delta, SAS ingleses, algún marine, FBI, CIA, el comitéde crisis del despacho oval, el general que quiere apretar el botón rojo, la hija del presidente de USA…
Acción sin parar en poco más de 300 pags. Un pasapáginas absoluto.
Le veo lo malo, se lo veo: clichés, personajes que cumplen, militarismo (aunque no descerebrado), todo vale para conseguir objetivos y qué buenos somos los yanquis…pero divierte.
Joder, tras leer el párrafo anterior me veo obligado a bajarle a 4 estrellas por vergüenza torera. Pero ya veis que mi intención era dárselas todas por lo que me ha divertido. Como que me pongo ya con el siguiente.
¡Qué guay!, igual he encontrado otro Baldacci.
Sinopsis
En OBJETIVO PRINCIPAL vemos la forja de uno de los soldados más duros y letales del mundo: Luke Stone. Un veterano de 29 años que ha visto suficientes batallas para toda su vida, Luke es reclutado por el Equipo de Respuesta Especial, una nueva agencia secreta del FBI (dirigida por su mentor, Don Morris) para abordar las operaciones de terrorismo de mayor riesgo en el mundo.
Luke, aún atormentado por su pasado en tiempos de guerra y recién casado con una embarazada Becca, es enviado a una misión en Irak, con su nuevo compañero Ed Newsam, para capturar a un contratista estadounidense deshonesto. Pero lo que comienza como una misión rutinaria se convierte en algo mucho más grande.
Cuando la hija adolescente del Presidente es secuestrada en Europa y mantenida como rehén por terroristas, Luke puede ser el único en el mundo que pueda salvarla antes de que sea demasiado tarde.
October 29, 2018
Primary Target
I thought this was a great book. Luke with nowhere else to turn goes to work for his old commanding officer and father figure Don Morris. It's a new position run by the FBI called the Special Response Team.
Once Luke gets his first mission with his new partner Ed, who he does not like or trust, it all action. One mission turns into two, turns into three, and more. Luke is in his element. He is in the zone. Except when his mind wanders to his very pregnant wife at home in the states. Wil he make it home in time for the birth of his son?
On the flip side, the current president is having a breakdown over the kidnapping of his daughter. Underhanded things happen to unseat him. And, it turns out to be a big mistake.
While this suspenseful story is taking place, Luke is getting to know his team better, and we are getting a great flashback on how his team was formed. Seems only the best will do for the SRT.
With Luke and his team facing action all the time and the suspense of a couple side stories that eventually all mix together into the SRT's missions, it all make for a great read.
If you've read the Luke Stone Thrillers you'll enjoy this prequel. If you haven't you will enjoy thiis as a stand alone book or as a nice introduction into the Luke Stone Thrillers. I highly recommend it.
I thought this was a great book. Luke with nowhere else to turn goes to work for his old commanding officer and father figure Don Morris. It's a new position run by the FBI called the Special Response Team.
Once Luke gets his first mission with his new partner Ed, who he does not like or trust, it all action. One mission turns into two, turns into three, and more. Luke is in his element. He is in the zone. Except when his mind wanders to his very pregnant wife at home in the states. Wil he make it home in time for the birth of his son?
On the flip side, the current president is having a breakdown over the kidnapping of his daughter. Underhanded things happen to unseat him. And, it turns out to be a big mistake.
While this suspenseful story is taking place, Luke is getting to know his team better, and we are getting a great flashback on how his team was formed. Seems only the best will do for the SRT.
With Luke and his team facing action all the time and the suspense of a couple side stories that eventually all mix together into the SRT's missions, it all make for a great read.
If you've read the Luke Stone Thrillers you'll enjoy this prequel. If you haven't you will enjoy thiis as a stand alone book or as a nice introduction into the Luke Stone Thrillers. I highly recommend it.
April 16, 2020
I just finished Primary Target: The Forging of Luke Stone - Book 1 by Jack Mars. First, let’s talk about how I found the book. Recently, I’ve had time to read and last week one of the ads that popped up on the cover of my kindle before turning it on was a teaser about free books on the Kindle store. I haven’t looked at those in years so I thought, “what the heck” and clicked on the ad. I downloaded 4-5 books. I don’t necessarily expect any of them to be good. Based on my history of free Kindle books, you get what you pay for. It’s also not a great sign when this is book one in 78 book series.
The book jumped right into the action and I nearly jumped to delete the book. I felt like I was experiencing the love child of Michael Bay, a bloodthirsty GI Joe and a sociopath. And I don’t mean that in a good way. Yes, I love Armageddon and have seen it 30-50 times but I don’t need to read that style of story ramped up even further.
Luckily the book calmed down. The story found a steady pattern of action, spycraft and political intrigue and I was pulled through the book quickly. It’s cookie cutter, kill the bad guy, save the girl, uncover the traitor, save the world stuff. And you know what, I’m ok with that.
Thumbs up. Guilty Pleasure. Except for the mass death to start the story.
The book jumped right into the action and I nearly jumped to delete the book. I felt like I was experiencing the love child of Michael Bay, a bloodthirsty GI Joe and a sociopath. And I don’t mean that in a good way. Yes, I love Armageddon and have seen it 30-50 times but I don’t need to read that style of story ramped up even further.
Luckily the book calmed down. The story found a steady pattern of action, spycraft and political intrigue and I was pulled through the book quickly. It’s cookie cutter, kill the bad guy, save the girl, uncover the traitor, save the world stuff. And you know what, I’m ok with that.
Thumbs up. Guilty Pleasure. Except for the mass death to start the story.
Want to read
June 27, 2020I've not read this yet, I'm still reading the main series.
I did notice some continuity errors though:
1. Luke and Ed Newsam working together? But then what about this, from Any Means Necessary? -
I did notice some continuity errors though:
1. Luke and Ed Newsam working together? But then what about this, from Any Means Necessary? -
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews