What do you think?
Rate this book
Terminal List #3
Savage Son
In this third high-octane thriller in the “seriously good” (Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Past Tense) Terminal List series, former Navy SEAL James Reece must infiltrate the Russian mafia and turn the hunters into the hunted.
Deep in the wilds of Siberia, a woman is on the run, pursued by a man harboring secrets—a man intent on killing her.
A traitorous CIA officer has found refuge with the Russian mafia with designs on ensuring a certain former Navy SEAL sniper is put in the ground.
Half a world away, James Reece is recovering from brain surgery in the Montana wilderness, slowly putting his life back together with the help of investigative journalist Katie Buranek and his longtime friend and SEAL teammate Raife Hastings. Unbeknownst to them, the Russian mafia has set their sights on Reece in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
In his most visceral and heart-pounding thriller yet, Jack Carr explores the darkest instincts of humanity through the eyes of a man who has seen both the best and the worst of it.
Deep in the wilds of Siberia, a woman is on the run, pursued by a man harboring secrets—a man intent on killing her.
A traitorous CIA officer has found refuge with the Russian mafia with designs on ensuring a certain former Navy SEAL sniper is put in the ground.
Half a world away, James Reece is recovering from brain surgery in the Montana wilderness, slowly putting his life back together with the help of investigative journalist Katie Buranek and his longtime friend and SEAL teammate Raife Hastings. Unbeknownst to them, the Russian mafia has set their sights on Reece in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
In his most visceral and heart-pounding thriller yet, Jack Carr explores the darkest instincts of humanity through the eyes of a man who has seen both the best and the worst of it.
13 pages, Audio CD
First published April 14, 2020
5170 people are currently reading
11015 people want to read
About the author
Jack Carr
20 books7,195 followersJack Carr is a former Navy SEAL who led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander and Task Unit Commander. Over his 20 years in Naval Special Warfare he transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper specializing in communications and intelligence, to a junior officer leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operations Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. Forces. Jack retired from active duty in 2016. He lives with his wife and three children in Park City, Utah. He is the author of The Terminal List, True Believer, and Savage Son.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,561 reviews
December 14, 2022
This is the best book so far in the James Reece series by James Carr, and that is saying a lot as Terminal List is one of the all time great books. The theme of the book is all about hunting and brings out the different types of hunters there are in the world, which I loved about it as I am also a hunter. Carr's attention to detail in everything and his knowledge about it is what takes this book to another level yet again and has come to be expected from him. The main characters also gets developed more and the new characters are also great yet again, he really brings out the worst in his bad guys!! The ending is also very good and it won't take me long to get into the next Reece adventure. Excellent book and highly recommended!!
May 28, 2022
Jack Carr main character James Recee is back in the awesome explosive third book in the series. I couldn't stop reading and Jack Carr knows how to keep you reading. The plot was really good and Ioved the turncoat CIA agent and the Russia gangster. He's one of my fav authors and awesome storyteller
November 15, 2020
”The platforms that hosted illicit activity on the Dark Web changed as international consortiums of law enforcement built cases on a virtual battlefield. Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Hansa were but a few of the cyber auction houses whose specialities catered to the dark side of man. Weapons, child pornography, human trafficking, and illicit drugs were the mainstays of the realm, trading with bitcoin cryptocurrency, moving people and destroying lives at 50 megabits a second. The Dark Web was where Aleksandr offered a specific service to the discerning and niche customer. It was where Aleksandr offered the hunt of a lifetime.
To those who had adorned their walls with most every species the planet had to offer, a few longed for one more trophy, one they wouldn’t be able to brag about at cocktail parties in polite society. They yearned to experience the hunting of man.”
Many positive things have come from the advent of the internet, but as we acquire more data, we are learning that there are very negative aspects to the internet, and one of those is the ability of psychopaths and those with deviant desires to find one another. In the past, these people felt alone and knew they would have to control their darkest cravings, but now they can easily find others with the same urgings, and they encourage and facilitate each other’s most aberrant behavior.
Aleksandr Zharkov has risen through the ranks of the SVR, a Russian intelligence organization John le Carré (from the glossary in the back of the book) describes as the “KGB in drag” .
The rest of my review can be found at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re.... You'll enjoy popping around their website checking out their book editorials, reviews, and interviews. Let me know what you think about my review, but also about your experience naviagating around the site. Thanks to everyone for your continued support of my writing.
To those who had adorned their walls with most every species the planet had to offer, a few longed for one more trophy, one they wouldn’t be able to brag about at cocktail parties in polite society. They yearned to experience the hunting of man.”
Many positive things have come from the advent of the internet, but as we acquire more data, we are learning that there are very negative aspects to the internet, and one of those is the ability of psychopaths and those with deviant desires to find one another. In the past, these people felt alone and knew they would have to control their darkest cravings, but now they can easily find others with the same urgings, and they encourage and facilitate each other’s most aberrant behavior.
Aleksandr Zharkov has risen through the ranks of the SVR, a Russian intelligence organization John le Carré (from the glossary in the back of the book) describes as the “KGB in drag” .
The rest of my review can be found at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re.... You'll enjoy popping around their website checking out their book editorials, reviews, and interviews. Let me know what you think about my review, but also about your experience naviagating around the site. Thanks to everyone for your continued support of my writing.
June 6, 2020
Jack Carr returns with his third instalment in the James Reece series, which has just as much action as the previous novels. While he coalesces after brain surgery, James Reece has plans to rest up in a Montana cabin. On the other side of the world, Oliver Gray, who was responsible for killing Reece’s father, has his targets set on finishing the job, knowing that it will be a case of strike before being targeted by Reece himself. Gray works with members of the Russian Bratva to secure the attack, one that will require stealth, as Reece was once a SEAL and now has been working for the CIA. When Reece and his new belle settle in the cabin, a strike team inches forward. No one could have predicted that Reece’s long-time friend and fellow SEAL, Rafe Hastings, will also be in the area. After the strike goes awry, Reece knows that he is in big trouble and will not be able to hide for much longer. Even worse, the Russians are able to nab Hastings’ little sister in Europe, only adding pressure to an already jarring situation. It will not be enough that Reece knows the Russians are after him. He must annihilate them and find Gray for a final standoff, while a man who hunts humans for fun arrives to play a little game. A well-paced novel that is full of plot twists and wonderful storytelling. Recommended to those who love a good thriller, as well as the reader who finds an interest in military-type novels, full of gun technology and scouting tactics.
I stumbled upon the first book in this series after a friend recommended it to me. While I am not as keen on military thrillers, I do love the espionage stories that Carr has been able to create. James Reece is an interesting character who continues to grow before the reader’s eyes. Now on the defensive, after a few novels where he was hunting his enemies, Reece must show how sharp he can be without being prepared with everything he might need. He appears to have moved on from the murder of his wife and unborn child, letting the walls down so that he can be happy. There is no lack of action when it comes to Reece or those around him. Other characters do a wonderful job of complementing the protagonist and adding their own added flavour to an action-filled read. The numerous plot lines kept the story interesting and the perspectives of all the characters did well to keep the story on point. The novel itself was quite well paced, even as the reader must leap over some of the redaction pits placed throughout by the US Department of Defence. Carr knows his stuff and does not write in too inflated a manner, but is able to get to the root of the plot without issue and keeps the reader right there with them. Full of military and gun talk, this helps to add depth to the plot rather than lose the reader from the get-go. Carr brings his experiences to the entire novel and the read can bask in the attention to detail. The mix of chapter lengths pull the reader in and sustain their interest in equal measure. There’s little time to catch one’s breath, as the story is so full of action and locales that it will be a fast ride throughout. I hope to see more from Carr, as there always seems to be a thread that is left hanging for Reece to tug upon.
Kudos, Mr. Carr, for another winner. I hope others find your series and enjoy it as much as I have been to this point.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I stumbled upon the first book in this series after a friend recommended it to me. While I am not as keen on military thrillers, I do love the espionage stories that Carr has been able to create. James Reece is an interesting character who continues to grow before the reader’s eyes. Now on the defensive, after a few novels where he was hunting his enemies, Reece must show how sharp he can be without being prepared with everything he might need. He appears to have moved on from the murder of his wife and unborn child, letting the walls down so that he can be happy. There is no lack of action when it comes to Reece or those around him. Other characters do a wonderful job of complementing the protagonist and adding their own added flavour to an action-filled read. The numerous plot lines kept the story interesting and the perspectives of all the characters did well to keep the story on point. The novel itself was quite well paced, even as the reader must leap over some of the redaction pits placed throughout by the US Department of Defence. Carr knows his stuff and does not write in too inflated a manner, but is able to get to the root of the plot without issue and keeps the reader right there with them. Full of military and gun talk, this helps to add depth to the plot rather than lose the reader from the get-go. Carr brings his experiences to the entire novel and the read can bask in the attention to detail. The mix of chapter lengths pull the reader in and sustain their interest in equal measure. There’s little time to catch one’s breath, as the story is so full of action and locales that it will be a fast ride throughout. I hope to see more from Carr, as there always seems to be a thread that is left hanging for Reece to tug upon.
Kudos, Mr. Carr, for another winner. I hope others find your series and enjoy it as much as I have been to this point.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
April 7, 2020
This is the third book by Jack Carr starring protagonist James Reece. After THE TERMINAL LIST, which was nominated for many awards, both in print and audio, Carr knocked it out of the park with his follow up novel, TRUE BELIEVER.
Now comes SAVAGE SON - first, I would highly recommend reading the first two books of the series if you haven't yet. It truly sets up for this third book. SAVAGE SON is a brilliant piece of writing. The plot is nonstop and riveting, with Reece developing more and more with each book. Carr's writing continues to get better and better - creating vivid scenes, his in-depth knowledge of weaponry, knives, and combat. It's obvious how well his books are researched. The fiber of details from these locations is woven so well into each scene, if truly feels as if you're standing there. I won't go too deep into the plot, as you can read many reviews which talk about it. My main focus is how good of a novel this is overall.
A lot of authors get solidified in history from one or two books which seem to encapsulate their career. For authors like Vince Flynn, it was TRANSFER OF POWER and CONSENT TO KILL. For Tom Clancy, it was THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and WITHOUT REMORSE. Stephen Hunter, it was POINT OF IMPACT. I think that this novel, SAVAGE SON, will go down as one of Jack Carr's greatest novels, and I truly believe that this, without a doubt, will propel Carr to the hallways of thriller fame and emblazon him into the thriller Mount Rushmore.
With the details of Clancy, guns of Hunter, writing and characters of Flynn, depth and realism of Morrell, field knowledge and research of Thor, and poetical writing style of Silva, it's easy to say that Jack Carr has written one of the finest novels of the modern era.
Now comes SAVAGE SON - first, I would highly recommend reading the first two books of the series if you haven't yet. It truly sets up for this third book. SAVAGE SON is a brilliant piece of writing. The plot is nonstop and riveting, with Reece developing more and more with each book. Carr's writing continues to get better and better - creating vivid scenes, his in-depth knowledge of weaponry, knives, and combat. It's obvious how well his books are researched. The fiber of details from these locations is woven so well into each scene, if truly feels as if you're standing there. I won't go too deep into the plot, as you can read many reviews which talk about it. My main focus is how good of a novel this is overall.
A lot of authors get solidified in history from one or two books which seem to encapsulate their career. For authors like Vince Flynn, it was TRANSFER OF POWER and CONSENT TO KILL. For Tom Clancy, it was THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and WITHOUT REMORSE. Stephen Hunter, it was POINT OF IMPACT. I think that this novel, SAVAGE SON, will go down as one of Jack Carr's greatest novels, and I truly believe that this, without a doubt, will propel Carr to the hallways of thriller fame and emblazon him into the thriller Mount Rushmore.
With the details of Clancy, guns of Hunter, writing and characters of Flynn, depth and realism of Morrell, field knowledge and research of Thor, and poetical writing style of Silva, it's easy to say that Jack Carr has written one of the finest novels of the modern era.
August 25, 2021
I care neither for the cadence of this story or plots. The lack of an interesting worthy character is likely the reason. 1 of 10 stars
July 18, 2022
Savage Son Jack Carr A fictional military action story. 3rd instalment with more great action, weapon descriptions, chaotic fights, cool technology. Story line as in previous stories, continues with the theme of dirty sneaky backstabbers from your own side. We now have a treacherous, cunning, turncoat scumbag CIA agent and an absolutely killer crazy psychotic Russian gangster who join forces and want James dead for obvious reasons, James is cool and they suck eggs. After a botched attempt to kill James at home. They regroup, manage to kidnap a bestie's friend's sister to be the mad Russians plaything in his own sick version of the Hunger games. Anyway what follows is some serious planning with a few good time boys actually competent war buddies and the "A team" goes to the rescue, but this A team kills you dead. Repeat myself all the technology, gadgets are here with more, EMP pulses, halo jumps, scanners, miscellaneous mystery machines, scobby would be proud, they're all here, it's like James Bond on steroids, over the top, extreme prejudice, ragier and heartier, lovely.
April 30, 2020
Third book in James Reece series and continues to be sooo good! Praise to Jack Carr as he proves to be a fabulous story teller. If you like Scot Harvath and haven't checked out James Reece, you are missing out.
April 17, 2024
The third book in Jack Carr's James Reece series has been bit of sticky wicket for me. I actually finished this a couple weeks ago but I've had a hard time trying to write a review of it.
This would be due to the fact I am of two minds regarding the story. When the story sticks to the main plot, things move along swimmingly. James Reece is recovering from brain surgery to remove the brain tumor that kicked off the series in THE TERMINAL LIST and followed with TRUE BELIEVER.
Unbeknownst to Reece and his various allies, he's a hunted man. While recovering, a psychopathic Russian government official who likes to hunt the world's most dangerous animal (re: man) is baiting a trap in order to draw Reece to him and hunt him down in a far more challenging "hunt" than the Russian is typically enjoying.
The trap is baited with something guaranteed to draw out Reece and his allies, a "bait" that can't be resisted. But before that trap is sprung, Reece is still looking to track down an ex-CIA spy who turned traitor for the Russians. He's protected but that doesn't mean Reece won't try to get to him.
This is where the story excels. The action set pieces ring with an air of authenticity. No surprise there since the author is a former SEAL himself. Those action pieces are so visually described that you feel a part of the action yourself. The slower bits of the story where Reece is recovering and just living a slower paced life are richly detailed as well. His interactions with others enrich his life and the story for the reader. The growing relationship with his new girlfriend seems very realistic.
As the story moves forward, everything comes together nicely especially as the tale moves towards a final resolution where the implacable determination of Reece comes to the forefront.
With all that said, you may wonder why I wasn't completely sold on the book as a whole. The reason I felt that way was the level of technical information given about various situations and weapons employed throughout the story. I'm not any kind of expert on guns and the like so there's always going to be stuff that just goes over my head. But moreso than in the first two books of the series, there seemed to be an overabundance of information given about damn near every gun used by every character. It basically pulls you out of the story as the author goes on and on about how and when a weapon came into existence and how and why a particular weapon is used.
There is always a need for exposition about weapons used in military thrillers but it was relied on a bit too heavily in the story. I'm sure those who are keenly interested in that stuff might feel it a great addition to the story. However, I just thought there was so much to absorb that it takes the reader out of the narrative. I don't know what would be the happy medium between story and tech talk but since I do love the series and the characters, I hope the next book to feature James Reece is a little less reliant on the tech.
SAVAGE SON is a good book but it would've been even better if it had been less of a primer manual on the weapons of war.
This would be due to the fact I am of two minds regarding the story. When the story sticks to the main plot, things move along swimmingly. James Reece is recovering from brain surgery to remove the brain tumor that kicked off the series in THE TERMINAL LIST and followed with TRUE BELIEVER.
Unbeknownst to Reece and his various allies, he's a hunted man. While recovering, a psychopathic Russian government official who likes to hunt the world's most dangerous animal (re: man) is baiting a trap in order to draw Reece to him and hunt him down in a far more challenging "hunt" than the Russian is typically enjoying.
The trap is baited with something guaranteed to draw out Reece and his allies, a "bait" that can't be resisted. But before that trap is sprung, Reece is still looking to track down an ex-CIA spy who turned traitor for the Russians. He's protected but that doesn't mean Reece won't try to get to him.
This is where the story excels. The action set pieces ring with an air of authenticity. No surprise there since the author is a former SEAL himself. Those action pieces are so visually described that you feel a part of the action yourself. The slower bits of the story where Reece is recovering and just living a slower paced life are richly detailed as well. His interactions with others enrich his life and the story for the reader. The growing relationship with his new girlfriend seems very realistic.
As the story moves forward, everything comes together nicely especially as the tale moves towards a final resolution where the implacable determination of Reece comes to the forefront.
With all that said, you may wonder why I wasn't completely sold on the book as a whole. The reason I felt that way was the level of technical information given about various situations and weapons employed throughout the story. I'm not any kind of expert on guns and the like so there's always going to be stuff that just goes over my head. But moreso than in the first two books of the series, there seemed to be an overabundance of information given about damn near every gun used by every character. It basically pulls you out of the story as the author goes on and on about how and when a weapon came into existence and how and why a particular weapon is used.
There is always a need for exposition about weapons used in military thrillers but it was relied on a bit too heavily in the story. I'm sure those who are keenly interested in that stuff might feel it a great addition to the story. However, I just thought there was so much to absorb that it takes the reader out of the narrative. I don't know what would be the happy medium between story and tech talk but since I do love the series and the characters, I hope the next book to feature James Reece is a little less reliant on the tech.
SAVAGE SON is a good book but it would've been even better if it had been less of a primer manual on the weapons of war.
April 22, 2020
Magnificent care to detail in describing weapons, ballistics, and battle. Great build-up and release of tension in the plot. I loved the strategic point-of-view! I know my share of rifles and hunting, but the main characters showed such skill and patience: in stalking a mortal enemy or a bull deer. This was a fascinating read.
The main characters, Reece and Raife, are well-rounded ex-SEALS, brothers in arms, with a broad set of combat and hunting skills. Both know that staying on guard at all times is a necessity.
The minor characters: too much background info dumped onto the pages to my liking, but I'm an impatient reader, like a rodent on amphetamine. I removed a half star for that. Otherwise, this book is worth five stars on any day.
You can tell the writer was a professional soldier in the special forces and Jack Carr moves among the operators of the different intelligence communities like a shark in the ocean. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect. As a writer of spy thrillers, I learned a lot, once again from a great writer.
The villain, Alexandr Zharkov is a psychopath with interesting hobbies, like hunting humans and strangling women in bed. The beginning of the book starts with him, and what a start! His background in both organized crime and at the Russian SVR makes him a prominent opponent. I wouldn't want to bounce into this beast in a dark alley.
This book is smooth action, the political assassinations, and black ops believable to the last red dot from a laser sight centering on the forehead of a president. The passages in the heart of darkness, Africa, haunted me a long time after I finished reading. I have a new respect for ants and chili peppers.
I recommend this book to any lover of thrillers. If you like military thrillers, go for Savage Son (a clever title).
The main characters, Reece and Raife, are well-rounded ex-SEALS, brothers in arms, with a broad set of combat and hunting skills. Both know that staying on guard at all times is a necessity.
The minor characters: too much background info dumped onto the pages to my liking, but I'm an impatient reader, like a rodent on amphetamine. I removed a half star for that. Otherwise, this book is worth five stars on any day.
You can tell the writer was a professional soldier in the special forces and Jack Carr moves among the operators of the different intelligence communities like a shark in the ocean. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect. As a writer of spy thrillers, I learned a lot, once again from a great writer.
The villain, Alexandr Zharkov is a psychopath with interesting hobbies, like hunting humans and strangling women in bed. The beginning of the book starts with him, and what a start! His background in both organized crime and at the Russian SVR makes him a prominent opponent. I wouldn't want to bounce into this beast in a dark alley.
This book is smooth action, the political assassinations, and black ops believable to the last red dot from a laser sight centering on the forehead of a president. The passages in the heart of darkness, Africa, haunted me a long time after I finished reading. I have a new respect for ants and chili peppers.
I recommend this book to any lover of thrillers. If you like military thrillers, go for Savage Son (a clever title).
January 6, 2021
Freaking great! Reece is, in just three books, one of the best characters I’ve read. Carr is incredible. And to know that Amazon is making this into a show rounds things out perfectly.
The entire series has been about the hunt but this was the best one yet, a little more satisfying even than the first two. The evil guys got what they deserved. Where does Reece go from here? Can’t wait to find out.
The entire series has been about the hunt but this was the best one yet, a little more satisfying even than the first two. The evil guys got what they deserved. Where does Reece go from here? Can’t wait to find out.
May 20, 2020
From the first chapter of Savage Son, it becomes crystal clear this is no ordinary action thriller. Savage Son is a gritty and brutal action thriller fueled not just by a superbly evolving protagonist, cinematic and tactically beautiful action sequences, but also by strong and overpowering emotions that drive the story forward.
Savage Son picks up after the intense and action-packed events of True Believer, with James Reece finally being home among his friends, pondering whether it is truly time to let go of his past and focus on his present. Consequences of his actions in True Believer bring the wrath of Russians, in the form of both proxy Bratva gang members as well as a twisted and demented adversary who hunts people for sport. The narrative is cranked up from the very first sentence, each page invoking a sense of dread of what is to come next.
No thread from Terminal List or True Believer is left unraveled, with Jack Carr brilliantly tying up readers’ burning questions in the best possible manner, all the while setting up more intriguing plot threads to be pulled on in the future books, particularly related to Reece’s father.
The action, as impossible as it may seem, is even better than in Terminal List and True Believer. Each shootout fantastically syncs up every gunshot with the right tactical information pertaining to weapons and bullets, along with providing cinematic action sequences that will sit with readers long after they have finished the book. A hand-to-hand combat sequence in the end between Reece and a Russian giant is a work of pure art, in which every melee weapon from fists to tomahawks is utilized in an ultimate battle to the death. Every sentence is written with the intention of putting readers in the front seat of the entire experience.
James Reece feels like a real-life character, undoubtedly due to Jack Carr’s own experiences as a highly skilled student of war. Each thought and each action of Reece feels insightful and relatable in ways that may not have been possible if not for Jack Carr’s brilliant writing. As said before, this thriller is greatly motivated by emotions.
With such a dark and violent thriller, there are a multitude of emotions in this narrative including sheer loyalty to brothers in arms, love for family, and a burning desire to exact vengeance on behalf of those wronged by the wicked. Savage Son mixes all these emotions to drive the story to great new heights. The story ends with Reece making a new discovery that gives him a new purpose in life, as with each previous James Reece thriller ending with Reece finding a new reason to keep on fighting the good fight.
I highly recommend this action thriller read, that is the best James Reece book yet.
Savage Son picks up after the intense and action-packed events of True Believer, with James Reece finally being home among his friends, pondering whether it is truly time to let go of his past and focus on his present. Consequences of his actions in True Believer bring the wrath of Russians, in the form of both proxy Bratva gang members as well as a twisted and demented adversary who hunts people for sport. The narrative is cranked up from the very first sentence, each page invoking a sense of dread of what is to come next.
No thread from Terminal List or True Believer is left unraveled, with Jack Carr brilliantly tying up readers’ burning questions in the best possible manner, all the while setting up more intriguing plot threads to be pulled on in the future books, particularly related to Reece’s father.
The action, as impossible as it may seem, is even better than in Terminal List and True Believer. Each shootout fantastically syncs up every gunshot with the right tactical information pertaining to weapons and bullets, along with providing cinematic action sequences that will sit with readers long after they have finished the book. A hand-to-hand combat sequence in the end between Reece and a Russian giant is a work of pure art, in which every melee weapon from fists to tomahawks is utilized in an ultimate battle to the death. Every sentence is written with the intention of putting readers in the front seat of the entire experience.
James Reece feels like a real-life character, undoubtedly due to Jack Carr’s own experiences as a highly skilled student of war. Each thought and each action of Reece feels insightful and relatable in ways that may not have been possible if not for Jack Carr’s brilliant writing. As said before, this thriller is greatly motivated by emotions.
With such a dark and violent thriller, there are a multitude of emotions in this narrative including sheer loyalty to brothers in arms, love for family, and a burning desire to exact vengeance on behalf of those wronged by the wicked. Savage Son mixes all these emotions to drive the story to great new heights. The story ends with Reece making a new discovery that gives him a new purpose in life, as with each previous James Reece thriller ending with Reece finding a new reason to keep on fighting the good fight.
I highly recommend this action thriller read, that is the best James Reece book yet.
February 27, 2021
James Reece vs the Russians, again. Decent plot but I found way too much"skip over" material. Carr added it to make up the story, but it really didn't enhance the plot. As I wrote in a review of one of the other novels, this was written for his fellow SEALs. No other reason to be so specific as to types of weapons. Just fluff.
For me, the peak of Carr's work was book one of this series.
For me, the peak of Carr's work was book one of this series.
July 4, 2022
I bought this book on Audible as I enjoy thrillers and it was supposed to be like the Jack Reacher books. It isn't. I only listened to about a third as I really wanted to be sure about my response. I found it morally reprehensible. I stopped reading when Carr justifies torture as long as the 'bad' guy is 'really bad' and also supports the US politically agreeing not to use torture, but continuing by training other nationalities how to torture effectively as watching and teaching, is not really 'breaking the law'. So ok, I really don't like Carr now, and I think he is a really bad guy for writing this kind of book, so if I attach a cattle prod to his testicles, no problem. I mean, why shouldn't I be judge and jury, just like his 'hero'? And Carr is an ex-SEAL. So is this what the US military do and believe? Considering the US has supported the most right wing and evil governments this planet has seen in the past couple centuries, who exactly were they teaching these tricks to? Lets not forget that fundamental Islamists including Al-Qaeda were once fully supported by the US.
I can romanticise the warrior and the hunter as well as anyone, but behind that romanticization are truths. I fully support my country's troops and have worked with them. In my experience, real troops are simply honest family men doing the best job they can. And yes, at times they are unbelievably heroic, but they aren't supermen. Yet I enjoy reading about the Grey Man and Orphan X, love the books. But there is an underlying morality to them I can buy into. I just couldn't buy into the morals of Carr's heroes.
As for the romanticization of the hunter, it is time he mugged up on his anthropology. Most modern anthropologists accept that humans have, on the whole, been gatherer hunters. One reason the hunt is so venerated and celebrated is that is so rarely succeeds. Lions are successful ten percent of the time. Anyone really think humans are much better once you take away their AK45s? Carr should take a walk along his own Florida coastline, it is his country after all, and was inhabited by some of man's most successful hunters ever. He will find massive hills that the original North Americans left behind. Made of oyster shells. Gathering brought in the daily essential protein, hunting was the bonus. Let's celebrate those gatherer's, hey, who kept mankind alive while the hunters did their best.
I will go back to my Joe Pickett books by CJ Box, where I fell in love with the idea of living where people called, 'Got your elk yet?', and all of my other thriller writers who have a love of their fellow humans with all their foibles, even as they bash and kill the 'baddies'.
I can romanticise the warrior and the hunter as well as anyone, but behind that romanticization are truths. I fully support my country's troops and have worked with them. In my experience, real troops are simply honest family men doing the best job they can. And yes, at times they are unbelievably heroic, but they aren't supermen. Yet I enjoy reading about the Grey Man and Orphan X, love the books. But there is an underlying morality to them I can buy into. I just couldn't buy into the morals of Carr's heroes.
As for the romanticization of the hunter, it is time he mugged up on his anthropology. Most modern anthropologists accept that humans have, on the whole, been gatherer hunters. One reason the hunt is so venerated and celebrated is that is so rarely succeeds. Lions are successful ten percent of the time. Anyone really think humans are much better once you take away their AK45s? Carr should take a walk along his own Florida coastline, it is his country after all, and was inhabited by some of man's most successful hunters ever. He will find massive hills that the original North Americans left behind. Made of oyster shells. Gathering brought in the daily essential protein, hunting was the bonus. Let's celebrate those gatherer's, hey, who kept mankind alive while the hunters did their best.
I will go back to my Joe Pickett books by CJ Box, where I fell in love with the idea of living where people called, 'Got your elk yet?', and all of my other thriller writers who have a love of their fellow humans with all their foibles, even as they bash and kill the 'baddies'.
June 6, 2020
Felt very much like a fantasy book to me. Which would be fine, if the genre was fantasy. But it isn't.
Almost everything is tuned to eleven and makes no sense. Russian high-level intelligence officer can somehow hunt people without anyone noticing. Family of US senator is so wonderful that it has to be the TOP 1 family in entire continent, if not entire world. The stupidly idyllic scenes go on and on and on... and here I am, thinking I'm reading a thriller. Also, they're somehow super tactical and heavily armed, if situation requires it, because... they're constantly hunting cow thieves of the Wild West Montana when they're not busy being rich or something? I don't even know...
Like in other books, super special forces friends are just a phone call away, because why write a gripping story of a struggle of a man in serious situation if you can just call 1-800-SEALS? There were also head scratching moments, like dog detecting land mines, and team just forgetting about them a moment later, chasing after enemy, or Reece becoming a mystical wandering Siberian Rambo for 6... months(?) if I remember it right... Instead of... you know... buying a train ticket or paying a truck driver or something with all the money and equipment he could loot from ten dead, kitted-out soldiers. He sure had time to go hunting for mines in the snow... Also book ridicules Russian tech, while Russian electronic warfare technology is one of their main elements of current doctrine and pretty advanced even without resorting to mysterious sci-fi-tasting EMP's.
Third act reminded me of The Guns of Navarone a bit, but generally, entire thing felt pretty weak. Also, I'm sure mr. Carr loves hunting and is super thankful to all the people who helped with writing and researching for this book, but writing pages of odes to those people, third novel straight, is getting sort of annoying. And I mean in the novel itself, not the foreword/thanks thing. It's super visible.
I would probably read another novel, but feels like bag of tricks is emptying up quick and there's very little meat for all the potatoes.
Almost everything is tuned to eleven and makes no sense. Russian high-level intelligence officer can somehow hunt people without anyone noticing. Family of US senator is so wonderful that it has to be the TOP 1 family in entire continent, if not entire world. The stupidly idyllic scenes go on and on and on... and here I am, thinking I'm reading a thriller. Also, they're somehow super tactical and heavily armed, if situation requires it, because... they're constantly hunting cow thieves of the Wild West Montana when they're not busy being rich or something? I don't even know...
Like in other books, super special forces friends are just a phone call away, because why write a gripping story of a struggle of a man in serious situation if you can just call 1-800-SEALS? There were also head scratching moments, like dog detecting land mines, and team just forgetting about them a moment later, chasing after enemy, or Reece becoming a mystical wandering Siberian Rambo for 6... months(?) if I remember it right... Instead of... you know... buying a train ticket or paying a truck driver or something with all the money and equipment he could loot from ten dead, kitted-out soldiers. He sure had time to go hunting for mines in the snow... Also book ridicules Russian tech, while Russian electronic warfare technology is one of their main elements of current doctrine and pretty advanced even without resorting to mysterious sci-fi-tasting EMP's.
Third act reminded me of The Guns of Navarone a bit, but generally, entire thing felt pretty weak. Also, I'm sure mr. Carr loves hunting and is super thankful to all the people who helped with writing and researching for this book, but writing pages of odes to those people, third novel straight, is getting sort of annoying. And I mean in the novel itself, not the foreword/thanks thing. It's super visible.
I would probably read another novel, but feels like bag of tricks is emptying up quick and there's very little meat for all the potatoes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2023
Diminishing returns on this series, and I'm really debating on whether to continue.
As mentioned in the review of the second book in this series, Carr drizzles his own politics all over the main characters. It's fine in low doses, but Carr worries at it like a dog with a bone. He just won't let it lie. A little is okay. A lot—whether I agree with it or not (and I complained about the politics in Gwendy's Final Task too, and I agreed with them)—is unwelcome in my fiction.
The second is all the damn redactions. Come on, Carr...if something's redacted, you're a bloody author...make something up instead of leaving it in there to show how verisimilitudey you are. I'd rather read a fake place name rather than a redaction notice. Carr acts all upset about the redactions, but with such an easy fix at hand—and not utilized—one begins to suspect that he actually digs them, and likely puts stuff in just so it can be redacted. Whatever. Put on your big author pants and write something.
Finally, I'm beginning to see how one-dimensional the characters are. There's no shades of gray in Carr's world. The soldiers are almost uniformly incredibly good at their jobs, incredibly noble, and have a wealth of hidden skills, such as master gun builders, or archers, or wine experts, or whatever.
The women are both really hot and badass. Always. Even when they work for the enemy.
And the men that are on the bad side? They're REMFs, they're doughy and paunchy and they all seem to have some deviancy (either to do with sex or torture, more than likely both). And they're rich.
It's getting tiresome.
As mentioned in the review of the second book in this series, Carr drizzles his own politics all over the main characters. It's fine in low doses, but Carr worries at it like a dog with a bone. He just won't let it lie. A little is okay. A lot—whether I agree with it or not (and I complained about the politics in Gwendy's Final Task too, and I agreed with them)—is unwelcome in my fiction.
The second is all the damn redactions. Come on, Carr...if something's redacted, you're a bloody author...make something up instead of leaving it in there to show how verisimilitudey you are. I'd rather read a fake place name rather than a redaction notice. Carr acts all upset about the redactions, but with such an easy fix at hand—and not utilized—one begins to suspect that he actually digs them, and likely puts stuff in just so it can be redacted. Whatever. Put on your big author pants and write something.
Finally, I'm beginning to see how one-dimensional the characters are. There's no shades of gray in Carr's world. The soldiers are almost uniformly incredibly good at their jobs, incredibly noble, and have a wealth of hidden skills, such as master gun builders, or archers, or wine experts, or whatever.
The women are both really hot and badass. Always. Even when they work for the enemy.
And the men that are on the bad side? They're REMFs, they're doughy and paunchy and they all seem to have some deviancy (either to do with sex or torture, more than likely both). And they're rich.
It's getting tiresome.
May 23, 2024
Hopefully, many fans like myself, have watched the great series The Terminal List, a great start to the compulsive, gripping action series of books, here with have number three in the series.
Deep in the wilds of Siberia, a woman is on the run, pursued by a man harboring secrets – a man intent on killing her.
Half a world away, James Reece is recovering from brain surgery in the Montana wilderness, slowly putting his life back together with the help of investigative journalist Katie Buranek and his longtime friend and SEAL teammate Raife Hastings.
Unbeknown to them, the Russian mafia has set their sights on Reece in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
In his most visceral and heart-pounding thriller yet, Jack Carr explores the darkest instincts of humanity through the eyes of a man who has seen both the best and the worst of it.
Jack Carr takes you on a full journey of a story, travelling around the world, filled with great heroes and great villains.
Well paced, good strong characters, fast paced.
A clear four stars.
Deep in the wilds of Siberia, a woman is on the run, pursued by a man harboring secrets – a man intent on killing her.
Half a world away, James Reece is recovering from brain surgery in the Montana wilderness, slowly putting his life back together with the help of investigative journalist Katie Buranek and his longtime friend and SEAL teammate Raife Hastings.
Unbeknown to them, the Russian mafia has set their sights on Reece in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
In his most visceral and heart-pounding thriller yet, Jack Carr explores the darkest instincts of humanity through the eyes of a man who has seen both the best and the worst of it.
Jack Carr takes you on a full journey of a story, travelling around the world, filled with great heroes and great villains.
Well paced, good strong characters, fast paced.
A clear four stars.
June 17, 2020
Couldn't even be bothered to finish it. Utterly predictable, and about as cliche as you can possibly get. Every good guy is a pantheon of virtue and ability, living dream-like lives with no downsides, and all the bad guys are powerful evildoers that seem to have arrived at their positions by pure happenstance... since they're completely inept and fall apart at the merest whiff of opposition. It's young adult level storytelling with themes too dark for young adults.
And the endless prattling about gear; good lord... I'm into gear as much as the next guy but seriously, descriptions of the exact brand of wine, pocketknife, shirt, bottle opener, and wine glass just detract from the story. Not that there's much of one here anyway.
And the endless prattling about gear; good lord... I'm into gear as much as the next guy but seriously, descriptions of the exact brand of wine, pocketknife, shirt, bottle opener, and wine glass just detract from the story. Not that there's much of one here anyway.
October 23, 2020
Good third installment in Carr's Terminal List series. Could have been five stars if the military technology references were a bit less detailed.
November 10, 2020
Reading a Jack Carr novel is like indulging in a fine wine or aged brandy. It is to be savored. Carr is analogous to the Masters of old with each stroke of the brush creating a masterpiece. Carr paints the canvas of human action, with each sentence or paragraph creating a visualization of what is to come. Each of the novels has the reader asking of oneself, to what degree would you protect your family?
SAVAGE SON’s protagonist, James Reece,is first introduced in TERMINAL LIST, a story of scapegoating of a Navy SEAL to cover up a hideous medical experiment gone wrong. It’s a conspiracy that leads to the centers of power for this nation. It culminates in the assassination of Reece’s family and friends, thus unleashing a revenge-minded warrior who summarily executes all involved. He leaves the battlefield, licking his wounds, ready to die.
TRUE BELIEVER sets the scene in Africa where Reece finds peace in the daily rhythms of life on the veldt. His success at countering poaching on a game preserve brings him to the attention of authorities, especially those stateside, namely the CIA. The US Government offers dispensation to Reece and abetting friends in exchange for his hunting and eliminating an international terrorist causing havoc with US Allies. He encounters assassination, WMD, and the loss of more family. What was redemption for taking revenge comes full circle. Reece is now on the hunt. He has devolved into the ultimate hunter, the hunter of man.
In reading the Preface to SAVAGE SON, the author makes clear that those who have evolved to become warriors are also world class hunters. Whether they hunt to provide for and protect family, or hunt to protect a nation and way of life is irrelevant. It is one and the same. The question remains- is it all civilized behavior, or is it civilized primal behavior, exposing the dark side of man’s psyche, his soul.
Reece antagonized the Russian Mafia and threatens the existence of a treasonous CIA defector mole. They both go after him and family, the Hastings,and transgress boundaries. The question remains who is the hunter and who the hunted. It also raises the question of what would you personally do, what are you capable of doing if forced.
As I read this book, I ponder what has the author seen, or heard, or even action performed that is like this? What do we as a civilized society ask of our warriors? A piece of their soul? As you read the battle scenes, hand-to hand combat to the death with knives and tomahawks, yes I said tomahawk consider what the author has experienced to write so brutal, so vicious, so graphic a series of battle situations.
Jack Carr gives you a glimpse into his former world of using the same skills and weapons as the ancient warriors. The hand to hand combat is breathe arresting, stunning, in its complexity and execution. You realize why he has a weapon in front of him as he writes. He is visualizing the scene. Carr has a fine appreciation and knowledge of weaponry, be it guns or bow and arrow. He uses his novels to educate less experienced hunters on excellent equipment that will give the hunter an edge in preparation for the ultimate hunt, be it for beast or man. This book is a hunter’s dream-the study of the psychological aspects of a warrior, an intellectual’s dream.
There is a reason for the opening chapter to finish with the prey, escaping the hunter, choosing her own time to die, and not rendering victory to the hunter. This novel is an action, battle-packed series of fights from start to finish. It relates the basic tenets of warfare. Carr is a master at the psychological study of the more primordial, the darker side of man.
What a superb piece of literature! It stamps Carr as creator of the new protagonist of the 21st century - James Reece. This is not a book you put down and come back to later. The action is so visceral and stunning , it leaves you gasping and reading rapidly to seek a conclusion. It is a fist pumping scream of “YESSS!” It is breathtaking in its presentation of warriors engaged in the ultimate battle. It is a tapestry of emotions found on the battlefield.
Thrillerists, do not wait to pre-order this book. Do not wait to buy this book on release date of 4/14/20. Do it NOW or you will regret it! This exceeds beyond anything I could imagine. Jack Carr, this is indeed your Masterpiece. I like the sound of Pulitzer in writing. KUDOS!
SAVAGE SON’s protagonist, James Reece,is first introduced in TERMINAL LIST, a story of scapegoating of a Navy SEAL to cover up a hideous medical experiment gone wrong. It’s a conspiracy that leads to the centers of power for this nation. It culminates in the assassination of Reece’s family and friends, thus unleashing a revenge-minded warrior who summarily executes all involved. He leaves the battlefield, licking his wounds, ready to die.
TRUE BELIEVER sets the scene in Africa where Reece finds peace in the daily rhythms of life on the veldt. His success at countering poaching on a game preserve brings him to the attention of authorities, especially those stateside, namely the CIA. The US Government offers dispensation to Reece and abetting friends in exchange for his hunting and eliminating an international terrorist causing havoc with US Allies. He encounters assassination, WMD, and the loss of more family. What was redemption for taking revenge comes full circle. Reece is now on the hunt. He has devolved into the ultimate hunter, the hunter of man.
In reading the Preface to SAVAGE SON, the author makes clear that those who have evolved to become warriors are also world class hunters. Whether they hunt to provide for and protect family, or hunt to protect a nation and way of life is irrelevant. It is one and the same. The question remains- is it all civilized behavior, or is it civilized primal behavior, exposing the dark side of man’s psyche, his soul.
Reece antagonized the Russian Mafia and threatens the existence of a treasonous CIA defector mole. They both go after him and family, the Hastings,and transgress boundaries. The question remains who is the hunter and who the hunted. It also raises the question of what would you personally do, what are you capable of doing if forced.
As I read this book, I ponder what has the author seen, or heard, or even action performed that is like this? What do we as a civilized society ask of our warriors? A piece of their soul? As you read the battle scenes, hand-to hand combat to the death with knives and tomahawks, yes I said tomahawk consider what the author has experienced to write so brutal, so vicious, so graphic a series of battle situations.
Jack Carr gives you a glimpse into his former world of using the same skills and weapons as the ancient warriors. The hand to hand combat is breathe arresting, stunning, in its complexity and execution. You realize why he has a weapon in front of him as he writes. He is visualizing the scene. Carr has a fine appreciation and knowledge of weaponry, be it guns or bow and arrow. He uses his novels to educate less experienced hunters on excellent equipment that will give the hunter an edge in preparation for the ultimate hunt, be it for beast or man. This book is a hunter’s dream-the study of the psychological aspects of a warrior, an intellectual’s dream.
There is a reason for the opening chapter to finish with the prey, escaping the hunter, choosing her own time to die, and not rendering victory to the hunter. This novel is an action, battle-packed series of fights from start to finish. It relates the basic tenets of warfare. Carr is a master at the psychological study of the more primordial, the darker side of man.
What a superb piece of literature! It stamps Carr as creator of the new protagonist of the 21st century - James Reece. This is not a book you put down and come back to later. The action is so visceral and stunning , it leaves you gasping and reading rapidly to seek a conclusion. It is a fist pumping scream of “YESSS!” It is breathtaking in its presentation of warriors engaged in the ultimate battle. It is a tapestry of emotions found on the battlefield.
Thrillerists, do not wait to pre-order this book. Do not wait to buy this book on release date of 4/14/20. Do it NOW or you will regret it! This exceeds beyond anything I could imagine. Jack Carr, this is indeed your Masterpiece. I like the sound of Pulitzer in writing. KUDOS!
February 21, 2024
As a fan of the first two books, this one felt like Jack Carr succumbed to his worst instincts or thought he could bend a few too many rules of good fiction. There are plenty of 5-star reviews that focus on what works. So, I’ll focus on what doesn’t.
The first half of the book is filled with self-indulgent character backstories. Everyone is an attractive, athletic, rich veteran with a heart of gold. It makes me wonder how many people Carr knows outside of the veteran community. The heroes and villains are verging on cartoonish at this point. I’m not a hardcore fan of this genre. So maybe this is the norm. But I’d love at least one complex, conflicted character.
This would be forgivable if it moved the story forward and was woven into action or conversation. But instead, it’s written as straight-up exposition and has no relevance to the story. It doesn’t matter what high school a character attended or what their favorite carbine round is. As a gun enthusiast, I understand how caliber choice could serve as characterization. But 5.56 vs 7.62, who cares?
The second half gets better and turns into a genuine page-turner. But I can’t help but feel like Carr didn’t want to write the best scenes. Plots and tensions that have built over three books resolve “off-screen” in a single sentence or over chapter breaks, which makes the veteran-backed company plugs, belabored coffee descriptions (am I the only one that thinks light roast+cream and honey makes Reece seem lame? Even if it’s supposed to serve as a humorous contrast to his badassery, I don’t need To be reminded in every chapter), and brand name drops that much more unforgivable.
Even the book's climax happens between chapter breaks as deus ex machina. At points, it feels like Carr intentionally breaks all the rules just because it’s the third book, and he can. I enjoy the series, but this one made me stop and wonder if I even like James Reece as a character. He’s starting to take the audience’s goodwill for granted. I want to love Jack Carr so much, but I really hope that the 4th book rediscovers the magic is the first.
The first half of the book is filled with self-indulgent character backstories. Everyone is an attractive, athletic, rich veteran with a heart of gold. It makes me wonder how many people Carr knows outside of the veteran community. The heroes and villains are verging on cartoonish at this point. I’m not a hardcore fan of this genre. So maybe this is the norm. But I’d love at least one complex, conflicted character.
This would be forgivable if it moved the story forward and was woven into action or conversation. But instead, it’s written as straight-up exposition and has no relevance to the story. It doesn’t matter what high school a character attended or what their favorite carbine round is. As a gun enthusiast, I understand how caliber choice could serve as characterization. But 5.56 vs 7.62, who cares?
The second half gets better and turns into a genuine page-turner. But I can’t help but feel like Carr didn’t want to write the best scenes. Plots and tensions that have built over three books resolve “off-screen” in a single sentence or over chapter breaks, which makes the veteran-backed company plugs, belabored coffee descriptions (am I the only one that thinks light roast+cream and honey makes Reece seem lame? Even if it’s supposed to serve as a humorous contrast to his badassery, I don’t need To be reminded in every chapter), and brand name drops that much more unforgivable.
Even the book's climax happens between chapter breaks as deus ex machina. At points, it feels like Carr intentionally breaks all the rules just because it’s the third book, and he can. I enjoy the series, but this one made me stop and wonder if I even like James Reece as a character. He’s starting to take the audience’s goodwill for granted. I want to love Jack Carr so much, but I really hope that the 4th book rediscovers the magic is the first.
November 11, 2020
This is the third book by Jack Carr starring protagonist James Reece. After THE TERMINAL LIST, which was nominated for many awards, both in print and audio, Carr knocked it out of the park with his follow up novel, TRUE BELIEVER.
Now comes SAVAGE SON - first, I would highly recommend reading the first two books of the series if you haven't yet. It truly sets up for this third book. SAVAGE SON is a brilliant piece of writing. The plot is nonstop and riveting, with Reece developing more and more with each book. Carr's writing continues to get better and better - creating vivid scenes, his in-depth knowledge of weaponry, knives, and combat. It's obvious how well his books are researched. The fiber of details from these locations is woven so well into each scene, if truly feels as if you're standing there. I won't go too deep into the plot, as you can read many reviews which talk about it. My main focus is how good of a novel this is overall.
A lot of authors get solidified in history from one or two books which seem to encapsulate their career. For authors like Vince Flynn, it was TRANSFER OF POWER and CONSENT TO KILL. For Tom Clancy, it was THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and WITHOUT REMORSE. Stephen Hunter, it was POINT OF IMPACT. I think that this novel, SAVAGE SON, will go down as one of Jack Carr's greatest novels, and I truly believe that this, without a doubt, will propel Carr to the hallways of thriller fame and emblazon him into the thriller Mount Rushmore.
With the details of Clancy, guns of Hunter, writing and characters of Flynn, depth and realism of Morrell, field knowledge and research of Thor, and poetical writing style of Silva, it's easy to say that Jack Carr has written one of the finest novels of the modern era.
Now comes SAVAGE SON - first, I would highly recommend reading the first two books of the series if you haven't yet. It truly sets up for this third book. SAVAGE SON is a brilliant piece of writing. The plot is nonstop and riveting, with Reece developing more and more with each book. Carr's writing continues to get better and better - creating vivid scenes, his in-depth knowledge of weaponry, knives, and combat. It's obvious how well his books are researched. The fiber of details from these locations is woven so well into each scene, if truly feels as if you're standing there. I won't go too deep into the plot, as you can read many reviews which talk about it. My main focus is how good of a novel this is overall.
A lot of authors get solidified in history from one or two books which seem to encapsulate their career. For authors like Vince Flynn, it was TRANSFER OF POWER and CONSENT TO KILL. For Tom Clancy, it was THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and WITHOUT REMORSE. Stephen Hunter, it was POINT OF IMPACT. I think that this novel, SAVAGE SON, will go down as one of Jack Carr's greatest novels, and I truly believe that this, without a doubt, will propel Carr to the hallways of thriller fame and emblazon him into the thriller Mount Rushmore.
With the details of Clancy, guns of Hunter, writing and characters of Flynn, depth and realism of Morrell, field knowledge and research of Thor, and poetical writing style of Silva, it's easy to say that Jack Carr has written one of the finest novels of the modern era.
March 11, 2023
I gave up at 28%. The story just wasn't working for me and I couldn't stand the violence or in depth inner monologue of the bad guy. Book 1 is the best and the rest of the series, not so much. I'm not going to continue reading the series but if the show has a 2nd season I'll give it a try.
April 4, 2021
I was talked into reading this by some people on Reddit - they assured me that THIS ONE will change my mind.
I will concede one point - Carr's QAnon level extremism has been tempered from the first book. Maybe it's the Amazon deal. Can't rail too hard against the left-wing coastal elites when Bezos is paying your rent.
Anyway. This book is bad. He drops brand names like a thirsty teenage wannabe influencer. Nothing really happens in the first 160 pages. The bad guys are either literal monsters or sexually compromised. There is some serious but subtle racism.
Then things pick up. The baddies get badder, the story get more detail-oriented (do I really need to know why this rifle scope isn't as good as another one? Or where the government guy worked in college? Or why the same government guy has 2 wristwatches, what brands they are and why? Come on!).
Eventually what you think will happen happens in an incredibly quick and unsatisfying way, and the setup for the sequel is complete. Mission accomplished. It's like a Michael Bay movie, but worse.
I read a quote from Jordan Peterson from years ago, when he told a journalist proudly, "I figured out how to monetize social justice warriors."
Take a look at Carr's website and social media - he's in on the grift as well.
As for the redactions? Surely just catnip for the cosplayers. The fact that one in the glossary is blacked out but defined as 'a classic 1986 film starring Chuck Norris'. Come on now.
I will concede one point - Carr's QAnon level extremism has been tempered from the first book. Maybe it's the Amazon deal. Can't rail too hard against the left-wing coastal elites when Bezos is paying your rent.
Anyway. This book is bad. He drops brand names like a thirsty teenage wannabe influencer. Nothing really happens in the first 160 pages. The bad guys are either literal monsters or sexually compromised. There is some serious but subtle racism.
Then things pick up. The baddies get badder, the story get more detail-oriented (do I really need to know why this rifle scope isn't as good as another one? Or where the government guy worked in college? Or why the same government guy has 2 wristwatches, what brands they are and why? Come on!).
Eventually what you think will happen happens in an incredibly quick and unsatisfying way, and the setup for the sequel is complete. Mission accomplished. It's like a Michael Bay movie, but worse.
I read a quote from Jordan Peterson from years ago, when he told a journalist proudly, "I figured out how to monetize social justice warriors."
Take a look at Carr's website and social media - he's in on the grift as well.
As for the redactions? Surely just catnip for the cosplayers. The fact that one in the glossary is blacked out but defined as 'a classic 1986 film starring Chuck Norris'. Come on now.
March 8, 2020
If you haven’t read The Terminal List and True Believer yet, I highly suggest you read both especially before getting into Savage Son! Jack’s first two thrillers are absolutely incredible stories, but this one blows them both out of the water. Definitely his best one yet!
This one starts off with Reece recovering after surgery and trying to move on with his life after the events of the past two years. There’s always something lurking though. This problem more troubling than others. You won’t be able to turn away.
One of my favorite things about the book was the friendship and banter between James and Raife. Their friendship never lost a beat. It was also fantastic to see some of the awesome characters from The Terminal List back strong in this one, along with all the new characters introduced! These relationships are tested to the max, but come away even better.
Thank you Jack and David for sending me an advanced reader’s copy. I can’t wait for others to read it and see what’s in store! 4-14-2020
This one starts off with Reece recovering after surgery and trying to move on with his life after the events of the past two years. There’s always something lurking though. This problem more troubling than others. You won’t be able to turn away.
One of my favorite things about the book was the friendship and banter between James and Raife. Their friendship never lost a beat. It was also fantastic to see some of the awesome characters from The Terminal List back strong in this one, along with all the new characters introduced! These relationships are tested to the max, but come away even better.
Thank you Jack and David for sending me an advanced reader’s copy. I can’t wait for others to read it and see what’s in store! 4-14-2020
April 29, 2020
Gripping and engaging at the beginning, though a little heavy on the product placement.
Was enjoying it immensely until the real story started.
Too easy for the good guys. Bad guys like cliched villains from a bad 80s movie, dropping like flies, reminiscent of Commando or Rambo. But at least in Rambo, not everything went his way - in fact nothing did at the beginning. Not so, here.
On the plus side, Carr's knowledge of weaponry and his description of terrain are great at disguising a predictable story.
As for the narrator (audio version) - fantastic at the European Men's accents, South African accent dropped in and out from Scotch to Aussie to SouthAf.
But THE NARRATOR'S FEMALE VOICES ARE THE WORST FEATURE, totally taking the reader out of the created world, breaking the illusion. So distracting.
Not sure about all the 5star ratings. Perhaps the 80's fans of Commando miss the cheese and have taken to reading.
Was enjoying it immensely until the real story started.
Too easy for the good guys. Bad guys like cliched villains from a bad 80s movie, dropping like flies, reminiscent of Commando or Rambo. But at least in Rambo, not everything went his way - in fact nothing did at the beginning. Not so, here.
On the plus side, Carr's knowledge of weaponry and his description of terrain are great at disguising a predictable story.
As for the narrator (audio version) - fantastic at the European Men's accents, South African accent dropped in and out from Scotch to Aussie to SouthAf.
But THE NARRATOR'S FEMALE VOICES ARE THE WORST FEATURE, totally taking the reader out of the created world, breaking the illusion. So distracting.
Not sure about all the 5star ratings. Perhaps the 80's fans of Commando miss the cheese and have taken to reading.
July 1, 2020
I really enjoyed Jack Carr’s latest. Some of the most authentic action scenes in military fiction. Looking forward to James Reece’s further adventures. I listened to the audible version and thought it was very well done.
January 13, 2022
A good action packed thriller with a great cast but nothing new in the way of getting the job done. Several of the scenes have been there done that in reading.
Read
July 8, 2022I keep looking for other books to start rather than continue this one. Just not grabbing my attention so I'll put it aside for now (and maybe for longer?)
September 14, 2022
Jack Carr is an excellent storyteller and I am looking forward to the next installment. However, this wasn’t 5 stars like the other two. I enjoyed this book and was thoroughly engrossed but I didn’t have the emotional connection like I did with the first two. There were also some plot lines that just felt way over the top.
Savage Son is certainly savage and there are some serious bad guys in this book. I understand that when reading a book based on a fictional Ex Navy Seal, I mean Superman, that things are going to get gory but whoa, there were some icky cringe moments when it came to blood, guts, brain matter and bodily excrements. Take note, anyone who is sitting on the fence with this series…The books are violent!
Side notes:
*I have a 77 Grand Wagoneer, just saying.
*I keep forgetting to mention this but the narrator who is excellent at James Reece just annihilates the women’s voices. Like bad. 🙈
Triggers: mega gore, sexual extremism
Savage Son is certainly savage and there are some serious bad guys in this book. I understand that when reading a book based on a fictional Ex Navy Seal, I mean Superman, that things are going to get gory but whoa, there were some icky cringe moments when it came to blood, guts, brain matter and bodily excrements. Take note, anyone who is sitting on the fence with this series…The books are violent!
Side notes:
*I have a 77 Grand Wagoneer, just saying.
*I keep forgetting to mention this but the narrator who is excellent at James Reece just annihilates the women’s voices. Like bad. 🙈
Triggers: mega gore, sexual extremism
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,561 reviews