Threshold

Chess Team Adventure #3

by Jeremy Robinson

After a terrorist attack on a reservation in Oregon leaves thousands dead, Jack Sigler, call sign King and his Chess Team — Queen, Rook, Bishop and Knight — must protect the only survivor, thirteen year-old Fiona Lane. When a death in the family pulls King away, and the rest of the team is sent on a mission, Fort Bragg is attacked by a strange and overwhelming force. When the dust settles, Fiona is gone.

But the attack is part of a larger offensive. Around the world the last speakers of ancient languages are being systematically exterminated. As they fight to find the mastermind behind the killings, and Fiona, the team is hunted by strange creatures that defy explanation — living statues, genetically modified monsters and walking megaliths — sent by an enemy from their past. If not stopped, he will be able to remake himself, and the world.

Calling on help from old friends and ancient heroes, the team fights their most desperate battle yet, not just to save the world as we know it, but to rescue a little girl who wants nothing more than to call King Dad.

An ancient tower holds the key to unlocking a horrifying secret hidden within mankind’s most antiquated languages. If unlocked, the world as we know it will cease to exist.

Jeremy Robinson’s third book in the Jack Sigler series is a rocket-powered thriller, combining high adrenaline action, smart science, ancient legends, and stunning locations.

Genres: Thriller, Adventure, Fiction, Action, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Military Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2011

About the author

Jeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas, including Apocalypse Machine, Island 731, and SecondWorld, as well as the Jack Sigler thriller series and Project Nemesis, the highest selling, original (non-licensed) kaiju novel of all time. He’s known for mixing elements of science, history and mythology, which has earned him the #1 spot in Science Fiction and Action-Adventure, and secured him as the top creature feature author. Many of his novels have been adapted into comic books, optioned for film and TV, and translated into thirteen languages. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three children. Visit him at www.bewareofmonsters.com.

Reviews

[Freda Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great sequel of the Chess Team. So much is going on in each book, it is hard to write a review, but I'd rather have an action packed novel, with a wide variety of information than a boring story with a bad review.

King has become a foster father. Nice! However, his foster daughter is anything but ordinary and I'm not sure I like her character very much. A lot of 'weird' and 'way out there' stuff in this book, and a child who is inserted into the fray? Nahhh, not my cup of tea. Much of Alexander (Hercules like character - The Hydra) is the focus of this book along with the Chess Team. I like him, I think. Bishop is cured, Queen is becoming the 'Mother Hen' and Rook is lost, literally MIA. As long as there is a 'next' book, I don't mind the big cliffhangers.

Just another fantastic Jeremy Robinson novel of the Chess Team.

[Jonathan Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

[Julie Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I revisited this story by listening to the audio book and I enjoyed it so much! This story has Jack as officially becoming a foster father for Fiona. I thought this brought out an interesting side of Jack and the way he approached things. These books are all so amazing-you need to read them all!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, when I started this I didn't even read what it was about. I just assumed it was another military action book of the genre I enjoy. A little into it, I realized it had Hercules and golems and regenerating people in it. So for a few pages I struggled on with that thought in my head. But then, the story really took me in. I couldn't put it down. I'm hooked on the Chess Team adventures now and I'll have to go back and read the first books in the series. It reminded me very much of Highlander, except not as hokey and with better writing and weapons. Very glad I strayed from my norm and stuck with this one.

[Guillermo Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

excelente historia

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the monsters here better than the last book. Something about horny Neanderthal ape women just seemed icky to me. This was good but ended without everything resolved.

[Karsyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Chess Team book. I love the Chess Team, they are so great. These books are taking a little time to get use to, since they have quite a bit of crazy and out there stuff in them, but they are enjoyable non the less.

[D.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rating. It was a good story, but the author felt he had to continuously remind readers that the Check Team was the best of the best by pointing out their extraordinary skills as soldiers. It was my only real complaint, but it occurred often enough to distract me from the story.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another round of over the top insane action. Looking forward to reading #3!

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

King & the Chess team get involved with a Greek God. Adam of the Bible & throw in some Russian spies to keep things interesting!

[Jordan Encee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nemesis Saga: I'm finally over with this trilogy. This is not to say it's terrible by any stretch of the means. The character utilized in the book was good. Herculis was actually a lot more intimating than I thought. Ridley was an excellent antagonist with a new fun ability. Poor Bishop is healed; whether that's for the better or the worst, I'm not sure. I will not continue the Chess Team Adventure just because I only read it for the Nemesis connections or lack thereof. Even then, the Chess Team has even MORE BOOK that connects to its own climax! I don't want to get into another one of these side adventures.
I feel bad that I'm giving this trilogy a bad rap because it is not bad. I'm just burnt out from all these connections. Or what is meant to be connected. I honestly can not tell anymore. At least in the MCU, there was a built-up with the other side story to make the Endgame worthwhile. These side stories do not. From Xom-B to the Chess Team and The Last Hunter, there have been no talks of the multiverse or the alien race that conquers dimensions or even Nemesis herself. I wish it were better connected to judge this book better. But it is not, and I don't want people to turn away from these books. I'm just speaking about how I feel at the moment. If you like Jeremy Robinson, then you will most likely like this book.

[Jeph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently it only took me 5 days to get through. Maybe it's because it's SO dense and packed with info/action, or maybe it's because I jumped on this one right after finishing the prior book, but it felt like a lot longer than 5 days!

I feel like there's some "intense feelings" between some of the characters (I love this person, I think I love that person), buuuuuut we're not really seeing how or why. There's almost no real personal interactions between characters other than when they're out in all the action scenes.

It's also hard to track the progression of time in these books. It's all happening so fast, and then when they're not deep in the action, it just jumps ahead in time. This could make a good movie on the big screen where viewers want tons of action, but the interplay between the characters is just that they know they can trust each other from the "before times" - all their history together.

[James Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chess team are an elite force, each one a complete individual and they all have their own special ability and I love them all. Although 'Threshold' is once again a story full of surprising monsters and super villains and also death and destruction of an enormous scale, for me the excitement is not quite up to par as before. The story features King's (the leader of the Chess team) adopted young daughter who seems to be the catalyst between life on earth as we know it and a new life under a new 'God'. She is abducted by the man who wants to change the world and it is up to the team to save her but there are many monstrous and deadly obstacles in their way.
For me this isn't as good as the previous books in the series, the plot seems to get lost in a couple of places and it seemed to take me ages to read it. Hey Ho, shit happens but it will not put me off reading the next instalment, so here's looking forward to that.
Sorry Jeremy, this one I can only give a mark of 3/5.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another action packed Chess Team adventure. This one moves at a torrid pace, and I thought about 5 stars, there are just a few problems that keep it from being an amazing read. First, with the super powers and unbelievable monsters this reads like a super hero comic book. I mean giant golems? What's next the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man?

Next, there are the unrealistic motives and actions of some of the characters. I mean rook purposely taking a break, when his team needs him? How about Deep Blue, the President resigning? Another example would be the older Russian woman who just sacrifices herself for a stranger? I could go on, oh don't forget Jack's parents.

I point these out as minor problems, but enough to keep me from giving it 5 stars. However, I still liked it a lot and plan on reading the next installment of the Chess Team.

[Dave Stone · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was introduced to Jeremy Robinson with Nemesis. a fun and sometimes funny book about giant monsters attacking New England. a funny premise well executed. I started the chessmen series looking for more of the same. but Threshold has defeated me, I can not go on.
everything I liked about Pulse has been overshadowed by what I disliked about Instinct. although far fewer scenes of women being tortured(1 star) I give up.
you can have a premise this ridiculous if it's light and funny. but if you get grim and gritty, if you get serious the comedy origins of the series seem offensively childish.
Jeremy, the identity of Deep Blue,that just ticks me off it's so stupid. what were you thinking? oh never mind, I give up.

[Brandon Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Threshold, the third entry in Jeremy Robinson's Jack Sigler/Chess Team series. The violence has been toned down significantly (for better or worse) but the adventure level has increased, rivaling that of the first book, Pulse. What distinguishes this from that first entry, however, is the author's dedication to character development. We're finally getting to know the Chess Team members, especially King/Sigler. Robinson understands that no matter how unrealistic the action may seem, so long as the characters and their reactions *are* realistic, readers like me will enjoy it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was a good book, there were a few things about it that I didn't like as much as some of the past in the series. On several occasions, I think the character's motivations were not where they would be in a real setting. This is particularly true with King's daughter. To think that the team would abandon a world threatening situation in order to rescue the girl, even with King left behind, doesn't make sense to me. I'm also uncertain about some of the elements of the cliffhangers that are left at the end of the book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling tale of the Chess Team! Action and suspense abound. I didn't care for the politics aspect but what else could the author do once he revealed who Big Blue really is? The monsters are improbable as usual but quite scary. There are still a couple of things I don't understand but what the heck. It's an action book and as far as I'm concerned not every little thing has to make sense. A couple of loose ends will have me reaching for the sequel sooner rather than later.

[Gio C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this installment. It was fast paced and really kept you interested. The plot and premise were really great. The author really connects the concept behind the story into something that may have been feasible. The problem that I had with the book was that I felt that the ending was rushed. All this build up and these great scenes and then poof its over. Either way I will definitely be reading the next one.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the original directions that Robinson takes in his books so far. It's not the same old rehashed myths and I can appreciate that. He's finding his stride here with the third one of the series which is also good to see.

This particular one had the Chess team squaring off against an old enemy with a new twist and new threats. I'm not as familiar with Golems in general as I am some other myths so it was interesting to see Robinson's take on them.

Will continue reading the series!

[Bud Catobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Siglers chess club

This is the second time I have read this book. I am rereading all the Jack Sigler and the chess club books. I was supremely disappointed to hear you no longer would continue the series. I believe them to be very entertaining and just plain fun to read. The chess club came alive under your writing. I wish you would reconsider your decision

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been around several years. I started following the Chess Team and this is a good read. It brings back a very serious villain with very serious henchmen. Well worth the read if you enjoy Jeremy Robinson.

[juana hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother Tongue...

The story is action packed from beginning to end. We meet Fiona, Kings new foster daughter. Riddley shows up again. Bad weed doesn't die. We see Hercules and we learn more about him.

[Maggie Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good vs. Evil...

But at the conclusion, the reader is left wondering which is which... and is the individual Delta's Chess Team considers their ally really yet another enemy? Solid action adventure adventure read!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the chess team series.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Robinson's. This one felt a little more like a slog than a sprint. I didn't *really* care about the main conflict and the best "climax" happened 2/3 of the way through.

[Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The push of myths

If read many novels but threw push the boundaries of history and myth so close to bring a new world of ever changing belifes in what the reader thinks will happen.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a style of writing that intrigues mey

[Christopher Ogden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid military thriller with mystical elements

Worth reading. It takes itself a little too seriously for how ridiculous the plots are. They have soap opera level twists.

[Kendell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars