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The Black Tsar: A Thriller
Jack Bonafide thought being a founding member of Delta Force would be the most important thing he ever did - but he was dead wrong.
Now the Soviets have a gun to America's head and only he can stop them from pulling the trigger!
Even within the intelligence community, the Black Tsar was considered to be a myth - the most powerful hydrogen bomb in human history, secretly constructed by the Soviets and capable of near-Biblical levels of human destruction.
Only, the Black Tsar was never a myth - and twenty years after the weapon went missing from a darkened warehouse in Sarov, Russia, it's now been tracked to somewhere within the United States.
It's 1981 - the height of the Cold War - and two rival factions of the KGB are each trying to find the legendary Black Tsar and seize control of this "gun to America's head" before the other.
Only Sergeant Jack Bonafide stands in their way.
But Jack would be the first to admit he's not the man he used to be. He's already skating on thin ice in his new assignment with the CIA, and the only man he can trust is his deeply troubled brother, Mac.
The stakes have never been higher, the future of the free world is in question, and the buck stops with the Bonafide boys.
...yet, meanwhile - somewhere out there - the Black Tsar's countdown has started ticking.
The Black Tsar is the first full-length novel featuring Jack Bonafide, written by the critically acclaimed talent behind the Jericho Black and Jacob Mitzak series of taut, historical thrillers.
What Readers Are Saying:
★★★★★ "All I can say is WOW! This book rocks. The action starts right at the get-go and doesn't let up until the end. Jack Bonafide is at the point of going rogue and taking care of business his own way. He is let go from the Delta Force and CIA and ordered to stand down. Do you think he'll do that? Hell no." -David/ Goodreads Review
★★★★★ "Anyone who likes Tom Clancy will love Jordan Vezina. He hits you right between the eyes and leaves you wanting more." -David Bates/ Amazon Review
★★★★★ "Jack Bonafide is one of the very few 'heroes' I’ve read who seem more real than fiction. Personal issues and habits are real, something that could stop anyone, but he pushes through them to get the job done. Constant action and twists to keep you guessing what’s going to be the outcome of his assignment. I’m ready for the next book please!" -Larry Taylor/ Goodreads Review
478 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2019
243 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Vezina
48 books44 followersJordan Vezina is a writer of historical fiction living in Palo Alto California. In a past life Jordan was an infantry Marine serving in an anti/ counter-terror unit, a bodyguard, and a personal trainer. And a website designer. And a combatives teacher. And a corporate manager. And a singer and guitar player in a blues-metal band. And then an IT guy. And then blah blah blah I'm so cool. That's right. It's me writing this.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 29, 2020
Quality read / listen. Pact, action and well written
October 22, 2019
Action-packed thrills. Nuclear threats. Shoot outs. Russians. Personal vendettas. What more could you possibly want?
Vezina has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I'm a huge fan of his Jericho Black books and thought he could not top the character of Will. Jack Bonafide may have just proved me wrong.
While this is Vezina's longest book to date, there is not an ounce of fluff. Expertly plotted and faced paced, this book is a must read for any fans of the Red Scare era. The anticipated sequel promises to amp the action up even more... It can't come soon enough.
Copy given my author in exchange for my honest review.
Vezina has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I'm a huge fan of his Jericho Black books and thought he could not top the character of Will. Jack Bonafide may have just proved me wrong.
While this is Vezina's longest book to date, there is not an ounce of fluff. Expertly plotted and faced paced, this book is a must read for any fans of the Red Scare era. The anticipated sequel promises to amp the action up even more... It can't come soon enough.
Copy given my author in exchange for my honest review.
November 20, 2020
Upfront, I don't like dissing authors. I have never written a book and I doubt I am inventive enough to do so, BUT this book feels like it was written by a 13 year old. From the first few chapters I wanted to stop reading it but I thought to be fair I have to read the whole book, some, in the past, have improved.
Not this one, sorry, I can't recommend it, as much on the writing style as the ridiculousness of the plot and especially the characters.
Best way to describe it is it was like reading a Marvel comic without any superheroes.
I guess you can guess I won't be purchasing Book 2.
Not this one, sorry, I can't recommend it, as much on the writing style as the ridiculousness of the plot and especially the characters.
Best way to describe it is it was like reading a Marvel comic without any superheroes.
I guess you can guess I won't be purchasing Book 2.
May 27, 2020
The United States has always been on other countries’ radar in terms of targeting its government and in some way, its people, for a very long time. It would amaze anyone to wonder why can’t the world work together in peace and harmony, in knowing that there are other greater threats to focus on. Maybe it’s due to jealousy and hatred towards the way a county is running or the exposer of all that could be desired. From an outsider looking in standpoint, they only believe what is shown out in the open and if they knew just what goes on within a country’s borders, they would think differently. After everything the U.S. does for its fellow countries, they will forever be disliked and in harm’s way.
In “The Black Tsar: A Thriller (Jack Bonafide Book 1),” author Jordan Vezina introduces his readers to Jack Bonafide, a First Sergeant with the Army and a Special Forces Operative with Delta, who became the only man suitable for a special job as an Assistant Director for CIA’s Ghost Operatives. Trying to understand why he was the only chosen out of many, he’ll soon later uncover that reasoning that once was indescribable. Discovering that the Soviets have been creating mass destruction weapons for centuries, one particularly stood out the most, The Black Tsar. A bomb so powerful it’s incomparable to any other man-made weapon in world history. This by far is nothing to play with as it’s leveled at 60-megaton yield that Hiroshima only reached twenty-five percent of that yield. To make things even scarier, the bomb has been lost for several decades and is believed to be somewhere on the United States soil. Jack is on the dangerous mission to locate The Black Tsar before someone with an evil intent does.
This book has been full of action from the beginning pages and kept me at the edge of my seat while reading. I felt as if I was watching a spy movie that involved one man who was tasked to save the entire world. It makes one think about the possibility of an actual weapon being made and held somewhere waiting to be used. No one should want to worry about the future of their country and world, but we do live amongst some evil people. Who knows what we’re all up against. Overall, this was an exciting book to read and I highly recommend this to everyone who enjoys a great mission impossible with a hint of thriller twists. I’m looking forward to the next book to uncover what happens next.
In “The Black Tsar: A Thriller (Jack Bonafide Book 1),” author Jordan Vezina introduces his readers to Jack Bonafide, a First Sergeant with the Army and a Special Forces Operative with Delta, who became the only man suitable for a special job as an Assistant Director for CIA’s Ghost Operatives. Trying to understand why he was the only chosen out of many, he’ll soon later uncover that reasoning that once was indescribable. Discovering that the Soviets have been creating mass destruction weapons for centuries, one particularly stood out the most, The Black Tsar. A bomb so powerful it’s incomparable to any other man-made weapon in world history. This by far is nothing to play with as it’s leveled at 60-megaton yield that Hiroshima only reached twenty-five percent of that yield. To make things even scarier, the bomb has been lost for several decades and is believed to be somewhere on the United States soil. Jack is on the dangerous mission to locate The Black Tsar before someone with an evil intent does.
This book has been full of action from the beginning pages and kept me at the edge of my seat while reading. I felt as if I was watching a spy movie that involved one man who was tasked to save the entire world. It makes one think about the possibility of an actual weapon being made and held somewhere waiting to be used. No one should want to worry about the future of their country and world, but we do live amongst some evil people. Who knows what we’re all up against. Overall, this was an exciting book to read and I highly recommend this to everyone who enjoys a great mission impossible with a hint of thriller twists. I’m looking forward to the next book to uncover what happens next.
December 31, 2021
‘Old’ style military / crime thriller.
First note - I have been a little bored by some of the current stock of military thrillers and didn’t know why.
Got a chance to read The Black Tsar and had a thoroughly good read and a writing ‘education’. This book is what was missing from this genre.
The story here is a ‘basic’ cover of the good guys v bad guys’ type story. The difference here is that this story doesn’t get bogged down in technical detail - far from it - it’s a visceral tale where the bad guys are really bad and the good guys are good - if not flawed.
So - picture this. 1980’s US and the scariest enemy is on the streets and he has a gun - a BIG gun. So who are you going to call ? Of course you’re going to call the patriot with the mostest. Jack Bonafide.
And what a character he is - a cross between John Wick and Jack Reacher with a heart and a lot of problems.
This story leaves it up to you with regard to what is going on outside the basic storyline and this is good because it allows the reader to focus on the story itself - rather than try to keep up with ‘everything’ that “could” be going on.
So - it’s a simple story told well and with engaging characters who are well thought out and more than a little believable.
Good tale and I think most who like a good action tale will enjoy.
First note - I have been a little bored by some of the current stock of military thrillers and didn’t know why.
Got a chance to read The Black Tsar and had a thoroughly good read and a writing ‘education’. This book is what was missing from this genre.
The story here is a ‘basic’ cover of the good guys v bad guys’ type story. The difference here is that this story doesn’t get bogged down in technical detail - far from it - it’s a visceral tale where the bad guys are really bad and the good guys are good - if not flawed.
So - picture this. 1980’s US and the scariest enemy is on the streets and he has a gun - a BIG gun. So who are you going to call ? Of course you’re going to call the patriot with the mostest. Jack Bonafide.
And what a character he is - a cross between John Wick and Jack Reacher with a heart and a lot of problems.
This story leaves it up to you with regard to what is going on outside the basic storyline and this is good because it allows the reader to focus on the story itself - rather than try to keep up with ‘everything’ that “could” be going on.
So - it’s a simple story told well and with engaging characters who are well thought out and more than a little believable.
Good tale and I think most who like a good action tale will enjoy.
June 8, 2020
This isn't the usual type of book that I read, but I loved every minute of reading it. I have a great love of the military, mostly Army and Marines, but this book absolutely grabbed me from the very beginning and I could not put it down. I like the backstory of the main character, Jack, telling us a little of what his father was like and where, in a nutshell, Jack got his sense of right and wrong. It seems he worked hard in the military to get where he was, and since his father served in the military, some of which being the 2nd World War and Korean War, it seemed that it was inevitable that Jack would follow in his footsteps. He learned multiple languages also while being in the military. He joined Delta Force, probably in honor of his father (just my opinion looking into the character). I have some knowledge of military, since my ex-husband was in the Army as an Medic, so some of the conversations and military-type speak rubbed off on me and I learned a little of. I loved this book from start to finish and could not put it down until I was done.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves to read about military-type stuff in books. I really wanted to give it more than 5 stars. :)
I highly recommend to anyone who loves to read about military-type stuff in books. I really wanted to give it more than 5 stars. :)
February 23, 2020
Revenge!
This is a great book! I don’t normally like military stories but this one had some romance and a plot that kept your attention through the whole book. I enjoyed all the characters in this book, each one bringing a certain element to the story. Jack is a fierce soldier and is asked to retire when he has some medical incidents occur, he is then approached about a job that is not in the know of anybody other than the person who hired Jack. Just so happens that he gets into a situation where he needs help and calls in his brother and another agent, they must stop a secret weapon that the Soviets had smuggled into the country over the course of many years from being activated. They have to locate the weapon and it’s handlers and make sure that it doesn’t make it to the detonation site otherwise the death toll will astronomical. There is a couple of Soviet agents that are hunting for the weapon as well and are either one step ahead or one step behind the Americans. There is a lot of blood shed and betrayal, but also friendships are built and trust displayed for the best outcome of the situation. You will be on a roller coaster ride trying to figure out the next move from both side, the ending is a bit of a cliff hanger and reading the next book will be an absolute must! I would recommend this book to everyone, it’s easy and fun to read.
This is a great book! I don’t normally like military stories but this one had some romance and a plot that kept your attention through the whole book. I enjoyed all the characters in this book, each one bringing a certain element to the story. Jack is a fierce soldier and is asked to retire when he has some medical incidents occur, he is then approached about a job that is not in the know of anybody other than the person who hired Jack. Just so happens that he gets into a situation where he needs help and calls in his brother and another agent, they must stop a secret weapon that the Soviets had smuggled into the country over the course of many years from being activated. They have to locate the weapon and it’s handlers and make sure that it doesn’t make it to the detonation site otherwise the death toll will astronomical. There is a couple of Soviet agents that are hunting for the weapon as well and are either one step ahead or one step behind the Americans. There is a lot of blood shed and betrayal, but also friendships are built and trust displayed for the best outcome of the situation. You will be on a roller coaster ride trying to figure out the next move from both side, the ending is a bit of a cliff hanger and reading the next book will be an absolute must! I would recommend this book to everyone, it’s easy and fun to read.
July 15, 2020
I loved this audiobook. Which is strange because normally I pass on the spy novels. But this one was fantastic. It was so funny, dramatic (in a good way), action packed, and left the reader wanting more. Now I'm really hoping I can find the next book! And the narrator did an amazing job. All of the voices and accents were very well done! I want to say more but I don't want to give anything away, and there are some many things in this book that happen that you would never expect. So I will just say that I am a big fan! And if you want something fun and exciting, you definitely should pick up this audiobook.
*This book was given to me at my request. I am providing a voluntary and honest review
*This book was given to me at my request. I am providing a voluntary and honest review
November 25, 2021
Gripping storyline.
The characters that the author introduces in this book are very believable and the way they are portrayed is first class.
The storyline itself leads the reader to understand what the world would be like if the storyline was not fictional as it leads you into the murky world of spies and counter espionage,with the fate of the world in the hands of patriots who are willing to give their lives to save others. I am now going to start on the next adventure in this series.
The characters that the author introduces in this book are very believable and the way they are portrayed is first class.
The storyline itself leads the reader to understand what the world would be like if the storyline was not fictional as it leads you into the murky world of spies and counter espionage,with the fate of the world in the hands of patriots who are willing to give their lives to save others. I am now going to start on the next adventure in this series.
June 26, 2020
I must admit that I was left rather disappointed by this book. After you read over 450 pages you expect an ending to the story and not to have to buy the next book in the series to get it. I get that the story had plenty of action and rolled along at a good pace but I felt that as it was titled “The Black Tsar” this would feature a lot more than it did. If this was how the CIA worked how did they solve anything?
March 18, 2020
Roller coaster ride
From beginning to end a great read! I can’t wait to read the ne next book in this series. Characters are believable and the plot is awesome. Fit right in as a what if to fill in the blanks as to why Gorbachev relaxed Russian domination.
From beginning to end a great read! I can’t wait to read the ne next book in this series. Characters are believable and the plot is awesome. Fit right in as a what if to fill in the blanks as to why Gorbachev relaxed Russian domination.
October 3, 2020
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book, although it seemed a little unrealistic. At least, I hope so! It's a well written story with a few remarkable coincidences that seemed a bit contrived and some of the characters seemed a tad cliched, but overall I did like it.
I enjoyed reading this book, although it seemed a little unrealistic. At least, I hope so! It's a well written story with a few remarkable coincidences that seemed a bit contrived and some of the characters seemed a tad cliched, but overall I did like it.
October 4, 2020
Awesome !
Fast paced,mystery with twists you just don’t see coming ! Spies in plain sight,car chase that kills Jacks wife,a motel hit that kills his brother Mac...and a Whole lot more ! This book is so good- GREAT JOB Mr.Vezina !! 👏👏👏❤️❤️😍
Fast paced,mystery with twists you just don’t see coming ! Spies in plain sight,car chase that kills Jacks wife,a motel hit that kills his brother Mac...and a Whole lot more ! This book is so good- GREAT JOB Mr.Vezina !! 👏👏👏❤️❤️😍
September 8, 2024
Wow!!
Now that is how you write a book!! The plot was great! It was like being on a rollercoaster without brakes. Just non-stop action. Stayed up late and read it in1 day. Keep books like this coming!
Now that is how you write a book!! The plot was great! It was like being on a rollercoaster without brakes. Just non-stop action. Stayed up late and read it in1 day. Keep books like this coming!
March 15, 2020
Enjoyed this book, different from other thrillers as main character has problems of his own and storyline is sound.
July 28, 2020
This is a brilliant book to read.
If you love intrigue, adventure, betrayal then this is for you!
The characters are ver well defined as is the storyline.
I look forward to the 2nd instalment!
If you love intrigue, adventure, betrayal then this is for you!
The characters are ver well defined as is the storyline.
I look forward to the 2nd instalment!
July 28, 2020
I am not usually into American special forced Macho stuff, but it was a decent read, may read the sequal
July 31, 2020
A cracking read, fast paced with great character development.
April 12, 2021
Good Read
Very good story. Plenty of action. I liked the characters. Starting book two now which is the continuation of the story line from book one.
Very good story. Plenty of action. I liked the characters. Starting book two now which is the continuation of the story line from book one.
July 31, 2021
Interesting Story!?!
Hard to disbelieve something like this could have happened. Good read, but many more books to read to discover the ending!!!
Hard to disbelieve something like this could have happened. Good read, but many more books to read to discover the ending!!!
Read
December 7, 2021Plenty of action!
Strong plot with plenty of action and suspense to keep the pages turning. Will definitely look into book two of the series.
Strong plot with plenty of action and suspense to keep the pages turning. Will definitely look into book two of the series.
Read
May 10, 2024DNF - Could not get into this author's writing style. Felt a bit sophomoric and a bit unrealistic.
February 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. Great read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. And a new author for me. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
January 24, 2020
I quite enjoyed this book, it was written at a fast pace, and the characters were honest and likeable
A lot of suspense, you never know what's going to happen in the next few pages.
I’m looking forward to read the next book and get on with the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A lot of suspense, you never know what's going to happen in the next few pages.
I’m looking forward to read the next book and get on with the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2020
Jack Bonafide served five tours of duty in Vietnam and then joined an elite special forces group called the Delta Force. While working on the Delta Force he learned about a potential attempt by the Soviet Union to smuggle a 100 megaton atomic bomb to the United States. He is then recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency to help find the rumored bomb or otherwise acquire it before the KGB is able to reassemble it.
His adventure starts in his hometown of Texarkana, Texas where his father and uncle once served as Texas Rangers. He gains access to a military base that is believed to be the central hub for smuggling the bomb in piecemeal over the last 20 or so years. From that point on, it is Jack Bonafide against the the forces of the Soviet Union.
This is a great action-adventure spy novel. Jack is a genuinely interesting character and I am excited to read the next book. Mr. Vezina moves the plot along at a great pace and places the characters in interesting scenarios that make for a great story.
If you enjoy spy novels, this is a great one to pick up. You may as well pick up book 2 while you’re at it because you will want to move from reading this one straight into the next one. If you just love a good novel this is also a great bet. This is a really fun story that I think just about anyone could enjoy.
His adventure starts in his hometown of Texarkana, Texas where his father and uncle once served as Texas Rangers. He gains access to a military base that is believed to be the central hub for smuggling the bomb in piecemeal over the last 20 or so years. From that point on, it is Jack Bonafide against the the forces of the Soviet Union.
This is a great action-adventure spy novel. Jack is a genuinely interesting character and I am excited to read the next book. Mr. Vezina moves the plot along at a great pace and places the characters in interesting scenarios that make for a great story.
If you enjoy spy novels, this is a great one to pick up. You may as well pick up book 2 while you’re at it because you will want to move from reading this one straight into the next one. If you just love a good novel this is also a great bet. This is a really fun story that I think just about anyone could enjoy.
December 15, 2019
For "all intents and purposes," an outstanding read!
I have read a lot of intrigue/spy/military novels. This is one of the best I have ever read. The plot is global from Texarkana, TX to middle-of-nowhere-desert Jordan.
The tools of the trade range from a barstool to a morphine ampule to an anti-aircraft gun firing to earth from a rising jet.
The characters are well-fleshed out until Jack and Mac feel like your own big brothers. We meet the brightest, the best, the bravest, and the ones longing to be. There are double-crossing Russian spies and high ranking American traitors. What more could you want?
My favorite exchange is when someone asks who the Russians are most afraid of, and our hero quips, "John Wayne, apparently.". Just wait for it. You will be wondering if the story is actually true...
Read the book. It's a keeper. Oh, and note to the author. -. how many times does one book need the phrase "intents and purposes"? You might want to have a talk with your editor.
I have read a lot of intrigue/spy/military novels. This is one of the best I have ever read. The plot is global from Texarkana, TX to middle-of-nowhere-desert Jordan.
The tools of the trade range from a barstool to a morphine ampule to an anti-aircraft gun firing to earth from a rising jet.
The characters are well-fleshed out until Jack and Mac feel like your own big brothers. We meet the brightest, the best, the bravest, and the ones longing to be. There are double-crossing Russian spies and high ranking American traitors. What more could you want?
My favorite exchange is when someone asks who the Russians are most afraid of, and our hero quips, "John Wayne, apparently.". Just wait for it. You will be wondering if the story is actually true...
Read the book. It's a keeper. Oh, and note to the author. -. how many times does one book need the phrase "intents and purposes"? You might want to have a talk with your editor.
October 10, 2019
All I can say is WOW! This book rocks. The actions starts right at the get-go and doesn't let up until the end. Jack Bonafide is at the point of going rogue and taking care of business his own way. He is let go from the Delta Force and CIA and ordered to stand down. Do you think he'll do that? Hell no. That wouldn't be Jack's style. When people close to him begin dying, Jack takes it upon himself to get justice. At the same time, a group of Soviet sleeper agents are about to set off a hydrogen bomb somewhere in the US. The hits just keep on coming.
I have this hope that there are real people like Jack Bonafide out there keeping us safe. He is right up there with a couple of other famous Jacks, namely Ryan and Reacher. Jordan Vezina knows how to spin a yarn and there will definitely be more of this series to look forward to.
I have this hope that there are real people like Jack Bonafide out there keeping us safe. He is right up there with a couple of other famous Jacks, namely Ryan and Reacher. Jordan Vezina knows how to spin a yarn and there will definitely be more of this series to look forward to.
October 16, 2019
The Black Tsar. Jordon Vezina
Jack Bonafide, ex delta operative. A hard charger. Gets the job done. Impossible as some of his assignments may be. Soviet sleeper agents have assimilated into America for years since the cold war. A hydrogen bomb has been hidden in one of the sleepers houses. The plan to activate it on one of the underground subways in New York. The endgame? WWIII. America will obviously retaliate. Non stop action, from first to last page. Jack Bonafide will suffer personally and emotionally from the personal losses he will incur. Magnificent read. Enjoyed immensely!
Jack Bonafide, ex delta operative. A hard charger. Gets the job done. Impossible as some of his assignments may be. Soviet sleeper agents have assimilated into America for years since the cold war. A hydrogen bomb has been hidden in one of the sleepers houses. The plan to activate it on one of the underground subways in New York. The endgame? WWIII. America will obviously retaliate. Non stop action, from first to last page. Jack Bonafide will suffer personally and emotionally from the personal losses he will incur. Magnificent read. Enjoyed immensely!
October 17, 2019
Every new book in the series raises the bar. The Black Tsar checks all my boxes: Strong plot, ticking clock, impending doom, strong hero, and rich character development. This is not a dialogue driven book, but the dialogue is natural and relevant. This book takes place in Reagan America, so I can easily related to the locations and cultural references. I've read all of the Jericho Black series, and can't wait to read the next in this new series. Jericho Black readers will appreciate the cross-references.
October 12, 2019
Jack Bonafide is one of the very few 'heroes' I’ve read who seem more real than fiction. Personal issues and habits are real, something that could stop anyone, but he pushes through them to get the job done. Constant action and twists to keep you guessing what’s going to be the outcome of his assignment. I’m ready for the next book please!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews