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Paladin of Shadows #4
Unto the Breach
Sequel to Ghost , Kildar and Choosers of the Slain .
Michael Harmon has been there and done that. Rescued co-eds, killed major terrorists, stopped nuclear assaults. Now he'd just like to kick back and relax with his harem of lovelies. Unfortunately, the world keeps turning. Mike and the Keldara are back tracking down terrorists, rogue Russian bio-scientists and the doomsday weapon to end all doomsday weapons. It's going to take some very tough, hard and nasty people to stop the end of the world. Fortunately, there's Mike Harmon. The Hero of Ghost , Kildar and Choosers of the Slain , along with his company of elite mountain fighters, is sent on a mission to stop an advanced smallpox plague from being turned over to terrorists. But that will only be the beginning as the Kildar and his Keldara rush to stop a host of WMD attacks, coordinated to take out the very heartland of terrorism's enemies. It's a battle for culture, and this time the terrorists aren't aiming at just one building. . . .
Michael Harmon has been there and done that. Rescued co-eds, killed major terrorists, stopped nuclear assaults. Now he'd just like to kick back and relax with his harem of lovelies. Unfortunately, the world keeps turning. Mike and the Keldara are back tracking down terrorists, rogue Russian bio-scientists and the doomsday weapon to end all doomsday weapons. It's going to take some very tough, hard and nasty people to stop the end of the world. Fortunately, there's Mike Harmon. The Hero of Ghost , Kildar and Choosers of the Slain , along with his company of elite mountain fighters, is sent on a mission to stop an advanced smallpox plague from being turned over to terrorists. But that will only be the beginning as the Kildar and his Keldara rush to stop a host of WMD attacks, coordinated to take out the very heartland of terrorism's enemies. It's a battle for culture, and this time the terrorists aren't aiming at just one building. . . .
624 pages, Hardcover
First published November 28, 2006
116 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
John Ringo
97 books1,834 followersJohn Ringo is a prolific author who has written in a wide variety of genres. His early life included a great deal of travel. He visited 23 foreign countries, and attended fourteen different schools. After graduation Ringo enlisted in the US military for four years, after which he studied marine biology.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 25, 2021
7/3/17 3rd reread. Best of the series so far.
February 3, 2017
Mike and the Keldara are tasked by the US government to help recover WMD stolen from the Russians and destined for Chechnya. This is the most difficult mission the Keldara have faced and the mission is made more difficult by the Russians withholding vital information. The Keldara kick butt and take significant casualties. The description of the tactics and battle are excellent but the whole Gretchen story line is distracting from the story and totally unnecessary.
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April 26, 2021This is the fourth book in Ringo's series that started with Ghost. The title, of course, comes from the oft misquoted line from Henry V. Ex-special forces soldier, Mike Harmon, has once again been tasked with a deadly mission to stop biological weapons from falling into the hands of Chechen terrorists, and he and his Kildara warriors are up for the challenge.
I think that these books fall into a wish fulfillment category for Ringo, and probably many of his fans. Just things we'd like to see happen, rather than the total foul up that results from bureaucracy and normal human stupidity in the Global War on Terror these days. For example, there's a great sequence where Al Jazeera is doing an interview with a Chechen terrorist general, being broadcast live on CNN as the terrorists are claiming they're going to wipe out Mike's forces, with the usual accompaniment of jihadist bragging. Suddenly, the general's body explodes in a splash of gore, as one of the Kildara snipers uses his high powered rifle to spectacular effect, seen worldwide on tv.
Of course, there's some more obvious wish fulfillment stuff, showing how Mike deals with having a harem full of young nubiles, exercising his droit du seigneur in his fiefdom, and playing with a vast assortment of high tech weaponry. Oh, and don't forget the awesome beer they brew in the village!
This one has plenty of action, suspense, and a few good plot twists. If you haven't already, pick up the earlier books in the series and enjoy the ride!
I think that these books fall into a wish fulfillment category for Ringo, and probably many of his fans. Just things we'd like to see happen, rather than the total foul up that results from bureaucracy and normal human stupidity in the Global War on Terror these days. For example, there's a great sequence where Al Jazeera is doing an interview with a Chechen terrorist general, being broadcast live on CNN as the terrorists are claiming they're going to wipe out Mike's forces, with the usual accompaniment of jihadist bragging. Suddenly, the general's body explodes in a splash of gore, as one of the Kildara snipers uses his high powered rifle to spectacular effect, seen worldwide on tv.
Of course, there's some more obvious wish fulfillment stuff, showing how Mike deals with having a harem full of young nubiles, exercising his droit du seigneur in his fiefdom, and playing with a vast assortment of high tech weaponry. Oh, and don't forget the awesome beer they brew in the village!
This one has plenty of action, suspense, and a few good plot twists. If you haven't already, pick up the earlier books in the series and enjoy the ride!
July 4, 2011
This is the 4th in a fun, tongue-in-cheek series with enough military crunch to give it grit and enough silliness to make you read on "spew alert" status. This book, however, is by far HANDS DOWN the single-best book John Ringo has ever written--of any kind or flavor. The plotting and characterization and world-building and ... all of it has just come together with such perfect pitch, it's stunning to read.
I don't actually LIKE most of Ringo's other work--his SF'nal outer space wars and alien invader series and all of the fantasy stuff and I don't find the world-building in particular to be particularly believeable in those space alien series of his (don't even get me started on his paranormal demon stuff b/c I loathe all of that crap or as Jim called it, barf on a stick)
In fact, in the first 3 books of this Ghost/Kildar series, various typos and internal discrepancies--like changing a character's name 3 times on the same page or from one page or chapter to the next--drove me nuts, but in THIS book, in this one entry of the series, it's all just... perfect. Really, really well-done. Okay, there are typos. That's more the fault of Baen Books' copyediting department than it is Ringo's (though he could've read and redlined Galley's for gossake!) Then again, it is what it is and seeing obvious typos in a NYT Best Selling Author's printed hardcover book really pisses me off but I can't bring myself to do harm to this book even for the inexcusable failures of the copyediting.
The story itself here is just too good to care about the mechanics of how it was published. I really wish whatever it was that Ringo tapped into in order to get this book out of his head could get tapped again, but so far, those other series just don't cut it. Not even close. This is an easy 5 stars. I'd give it more than 5 if there were anymore stars available.
Edited to add what specifically I liked so much: there are 2 major things that distinguish this book from the others of the series (and others of Ringo's in the fantasy genre/space alien wars):
1) He kills off major characters--plural. That took guts. I was positive these people were not really going to die, just be seriously injured, but nope. They're dead. And others are seriously injured
2) Ringo borrowed (with permission from Col. Grossman) verbatim descriptions from Col. Dave Grossman's On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace to give serious authenticity to the big battle scene when Mike "Ghost" Harmon is walking across the battlefield--and survives. It's still a little "fantastic" to believe but then, aren't real heroes--that is, our real-life military personnel--kind of fantastic? The military crunch Ringo infused into this book is superior to the his normal crunchiness. He's always got a good military crunch, being former 82nd Airborne himself and having lots of good former/current military experts with whom he consults. This book, however, was "extra crunchy goodness" thanks to Col. Grossman's incredible inputs viz a viz On Combat. If you're interested in non-fiction reading at all, I also highly recommend Grossman's book. It's a little dry/boring during some of the lecturing narrative, but the content is so rich in information, it's worth it!
I don't actually LIKE most of Ringo's other work--his SF'nal outer space wars and alien invader series and all of the fantasy stuff and I don't find the world-building in particular to be particularly believeable in those space alien series of his (don't even get me started on his paranormal demon stuff b/c I loathe all of that crap or as Jim called it, barf on a stick)
In fact, in the first 3 books of this Ghost/Kildar series, various typos and internal discrepancies--like changing a character's name 3 times on the same page or from one page or chapter to the next--drove me nuts, but in THIS book, in this one entry of the series, it's all just... perfect. Really, really well-done. Okay, there are typos. That's more the fault of Baen Books' copyediting department than it is Ringo's (though he could've read and redlined Galley's for gossake!) Then again, it is what it is and seeing obvious typos in a NYT Best Selling Author's printed hardcover book really pisses me off but I can't bring myself to do harm to this book even for the inexcusable failures of the copyediting.
The story itself here is just too good to care about the mechanics of how it was published. I really wish whatever it was that Ringo tapped into in order to get this book out of his head could get tapped again, but so far, those other series just don't cut it. Not even close. This is an easy 5 stars. I'd give it more than 5 if there were anymore stars available.
Edited to add what specifically I liked so much: there are 2 major things that distinguish this book from the others of the series (and others of Ringo's in the fantasy genre/space alien wars):
1) He kills off major characters--plural. That took guts. I was positive these people were not really going to die, just be seriously injured, but nope. They're dead. And others are seriously injured
2) Ringo borrowed (with permission from Col. Grossman) verbatim descriptions from Col. Dave Grossman's On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace to give serious authenticity to the big battle scene when Mike "Ghost" Harmon is walking across the battlefield--and survives. It's still a little "fantastic" to believe but then, aren't real heroes--that is, our real-life military personnel--kind of fantastic? The military crunch Ringo infused into this book is superior to the his normal crunchiness. He's always got a good military crunch, being former 82nd Airborne himself and having lots of good former/current military experts with whom he consults. This book, however, was "extra crunchy goodness" thanks to Col. Grossman's incredible inputs viz a viz On Combat. If you're interested in non-fiction reading at all, I also highly recommend Grossman's book. It's a little dry/boring during some of the lecturing narrative, but the content is so rich in information, it's worth it!
February 3, 2015
I'm not sure why I read these. It has been about a year since I finished the last one, and while I don't remember everything, I think this one was much better. After the book got passed the first 10-20% it pretty much dropped all the creepy shit that Ringo has in these stories, and was a very decent mil-fic novel.
I don't think I would ever recommend this series to anybody that I know personally, because I wouldn't want to know anybody who would read this.
tl;dr: much better than previous ones... once you get passed the creepy beginning.
Also, I ended up getting a lot of John Ringo books for very cheap (free) recently, so I may be reading some of them do see the trainwreck continue.
I don't think I would ever recommend this series to anybody that I know personally, because I wouldn't want to know anybody who would read this.
tl;dr: much better than previous ones... once you get passed the creepy beginning.
Also, I ended up getting a lot of John Ringo books for very cheap (free) recently, so I may be reading some of them do see the trainwreck continue.
November 16, 2019
It should be a warning sign when the acknowledgements say, “I’d like to thank my daughters, Jennifer and Lindy, for accepting 'Daddy’s under deadline' as a reason for…”
This book feels like it was written under deadline and paid for by the word. Seriously, the finale is a 200-page running battle scene. The editing and proofreading are also subpar, presumably because they were rushed. This is not up to Ringo’s usual standards, even for this series, which is lightweight, cheeky mil-fic. This is the weakest book of the series so far, but it easily could have been better if it hadn’t been hurried.
Ringo is an incredibly prolific author, but that is no excuse for cranking out books that are below his usual standards. It is disrespectful to his audience. John, step away from the keyboard, tell your publisher the deadline is unrealistic and go play with your kids.
This book feels like it was written under deadline and paid for by the word. Seriously, the finale is a 200-page running battle scene. The editing and proofreading are also subpar, presumably because they were rushed. This is not up to Ringo’s usual standards, even for this series, which is lightweight, cheeky mil-fic. This is the weakest book of the series so far, but it easily could have been better if it hadn’t been hurried.
Ringo is an incredibly prolific author, but that is no excuse for cranking out books that are below his usual standards. It is disrespectful to his audience. John, step away from the keyboard, tell your publisher the deadline is unrealistic and go play with your kids.
September 23, 2019
I really liked this book. It was a bit different from what I expected, and much better than a typical military story. There were good side-tales to entertain, and the historical background added to the story. The writer is very well versed in military hardware, tactics and lingo, which enlivens the book.
December 23, 2023
One of the best
May be the best in the series. The culture clash and humor just places it above the other books. Dozens of times I almost had coffee blowing out my nose. And if the battle in the pass ever made it to the big screen, it would receive the same reaction as the beach landing in saving private Ryan.
May be the best in the series. The culture clash and humor just places it above the other books. Dozens of times I almost had coffee blowing out my nose. And if the battle in the pass ever made it to the big screen, it would receive the same reaction as the beach landing in saving private Ryan.
August 16, 2024
Great series
My favorite series. Action packed. Not for the faint hearted. Got some pretty hard core sex too. Enjoy and be thankful that rough men are still out there watching over us.
My favorite series. Action packed. Not for the faint hearted. Got some pretty hard core sex too. Enjoy and be thankful that rough men are still out there watching over us.
March 14, 2017
One of his best
I have read this series over and over and every time fall more in love. This one is probably the best of this series. Every character comes alive.
I have read this series over and over and every time fall more in love. This one is probably the best of this series. Every character comes alive.
July 16, 2017
Longest of the series and it takes a long time to get to the action. It's ok, not great. MilSciFi porn with lots of deadly somewhat believable weapons at the end.
June 29, 2018
Great action, but a little sad towards the end of the novel.
May 9, 2024
An amazing book and an amazing series! OH JOHN RINGO YES!
March 8, 2025
Let’s be real, “romance” novel for men just like his others. Pretty sure reading this at such a young age is why I love BDSM lol! Yet again John kills it.
April 4, 2008
The fourth book of the Paladin of Shadows book is the best yet. There is little sex, and most of the book is lead up to the action or action. The last 200 pages are the climactic battle, and you don't want to put it down.
In this book, some rogue Russians are trying to sell a deadly version of the smallbox virus to jihadists. The president asks Mike and his Keldara to retrieve it. The Keldara have to enter hostile Chechen territory to do so and face odds they never have faced before. The tension in this story is unbelievable. I kept thinking of the Charge of the Light Brigade when I read this book for some reason.
Anyways, it's a good read more along the lines of his Posleen books except the genre is adventure rather than SF. Good solid description of the tactics and equipment. I couldn't put it down really (I read it in less than a day--610 pages).
In this book, some rogue Russians are trying to sell a deadly version of the smallbox virus to jihadists. The president asks Mike and his Keldara to retrieve it. The Keldara have to enter hostile Chechen territory to do so and face odds they never have faced before. The tension in this story is unbelievable. I kept thinking of the Charge of the Light Brigade when I read this book for some reason.
Anyways, it's a good read more along the lines of his Posleen books except the genre is adventure rather than SF. Good solid description of the tactics and equipment. I couldn't put it down really (I read it in less than a day--610 pages).
December 28, 2010
Unto The Breach by John Ringo
The Kildar and the Keldara are back. Another WMD needs corralled and Mike Harmon and his Keldara are just the people who can prevent Armageddon. Action and battle scenes galore characterize the book.
Ringo has the ability to create an astoundingly vivid image with his prose. Although some books in this series seemed preoccupied with the darker side of sex, this book was a down and gritty battle book. The action is superb, the descriptive aspects of Ringo’s Warrior Creed are emotionally moving. Books that exalt loyalty, courage, honor and respect seem all too rare in today’s fiction.
I like how each book in this series revels a little more in the background and ethos of the Keldara.
I highly recommend this book.
The Kildar and the Keldara are back. Another WMD needs corralled and Mike Harmon and his Keldara are just the people who can prevent Armageddon. Action and battle scenes galore characterize the book.
Ringo has the ability to create an astoundingly vivid image with his prose. Although some books in this series seemed preoccupied with the darker side of sex, this book was a down and gritty battle book. The action is superb, the descriptive aspects of Ringo’s Warrior Creed are emotionally moving. Books that exalt loyalty, courage, honor and respect seem all too rare in today’s fiction.
I like how each book in this series revels a little more in the background and ethos of the Keldara.
I highly recommend this book.
October 31, 2022
John Ringo brings the The Kildar and the Keldara back. We've got another WMD to corral and Mike Harmon and his Keldara are just the people who can prevent Armageddon.
This is one of the better descriptive books in this series so far. John manages to create an astoundingly vivid image with his prose. Although some books in this series seemed preoccupied with the darker side of sex, this book was a down and gritty battle book. And the descriptive aspects of Ringo’s Warrior Creed are emotionally moving. Books that exalt loyalty, courage, honor and respect seem all too rare in today’s fiction.
This is one of the better descriptive books in this series so far. John manages to create an astoundingly vivid image with his prose. Although some books in this series seemed preoccupied with the darker side of sex, this book was a down and gritty battle book. And the descriptive aspects of Ringo’s Warrior Creed are emotionally moving. Books that exalt loyalty, courage, honor and respect seem all too rare in today’s fiction.
February 3, 2017
Mike and the Keldara are back in action at the behest of the US president to intercept what they are told are nuclear weapons that are being sold to Jihadist. It turns out the Russians are prone to lie and that what is being pursued is some world killing biological agent. Mike and the Keldara kick a lot of ass at the cost of many of their friends. There is a really dumb side story about the Kildar falling for one of the Keldara girls, which ends the same way as when any woman fell for one of the Cartwright clan. The Keldara women also pull an "I am woman hear me roar" surprise and kick some terrorist ass of their own.
August 21, 2015
OK. This is a very good book which stands out against the others in the series. Ringo really comes through with this. There is less kinky sex and the sex that is in here is in the service of the story. (pun intended). The mayhem and violence aspect is very well written and really makes you feel for the characters.
Speaking of characters, the super-solider hero is even much better characterized in this volume. We see him as more human. More vulnerable. I know, right? Very unexpected.
PLUS: fuck you, John Ringo! You made me cry during the epilogue.
Speaking of characters, the super-solider hero is even much better characterized in this volume. We see him as more human. More vulnerable. I know, right? Very unexpected.
PLUS: fuck you, John Ringo! You made me cry during the epilogue.
September 29, 2011
The fourth book of the series has Mike and the Mountain Tigers has them recovering a WMD from nearby Chechnya.
This is arguably the best in the series. It starts a bit slow, but the last 150 pages or so are one long battle with more excitement and fast moving twists than you can shake a Keldara axe at. At the end, some secrets are revealed. And Mike is broken psychologically. Very nice.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1178
This is arguably the best in the series. It starts a bit slow, but the last 150 pages or so are one long battle with more excitement and fast moving twists than you can shake a Keldara axe at. At the end, some secrets are revealed. And Mike is broken psychologically. Very nice.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1178
July 4, 2014
This is part of a story line that has a crew of characters that you get to know and root for. Reminds me of those movies that we watched as kids each Saturday at the theatre. The adventure continues with Mike and the Kildare as they do what they do best, fight as warriors. No spoilers here. Story telling is what John does. I'm going to grab another book and enjoy the tale. Write on Mr. Ringo write on...
February 23, 2014
The series gets better and better. I'm thinking I'm really going to miss this series when it's over. The characters become more and more real and I feel for their losses as they occur; this is a mark of a truly good story. This book had a couple sub plots, but mainly focused on the Keldara vs. the Chechens in preparation and climax of one glorious battle. Our hero Mike learns some valuable lessons as well which add to and advance his changing attitudes. Great writing.
January 26, 2016
Michael Jenkins, the Kildar of the Paladin of Shadows series, is ready to relax for a change. That's not going to happen. What kind of John Ringo book would that be? Islamic terrorists have kidnapped a Russian scientist along with his daughter and what appear to be some small nuclear bombs, all being held for ransom. A call from the President brings the Kildar and his militia warriors, the Tigers of the Mountains into action.
June 27, 2008
This was another good book in the series. I had a hard time getting into it at first but by the last battle I couldn't put it down. Still would like more story about Mike's "hobbies", it's a nice change from the fighting. Also, maybe a glossary for those of us who just have a passing knowledge of military lingo and get lost sometimes in the jargon.
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January 9, 2010baen ebook
June 3, 2010
My favorite so far in the series.
The 200 page battle at the end was absolutely spectacular.
Warning, graphic sex and violence.
The 200 page battle at the end was absolutely spectacular.
Warning, graphic sex and violence.
January 5, 2011
See Ghost for review
August 16, 2011
Too much kinky sex.
June 15, 2015
Arc closer. Don't read this if you haven't read books 2 and 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews