The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
Historical Group Reads
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Jan/Feb Group Read - JET
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I'm going to try to get my hands on a copy of this one this week!
I'm probably a third into the book. Wonderful opening scene, definitely an attention getter.
I just searched Kobo books for this book and to my surprise found it to be a free download so I guess I'll give it a go.
Hi, Jeanie, Sharon & Laurie :) Laurie - you're right, I do believe the author has the book on sale right now. Jeanie, hurry and get your copy soon! Sharon, I'm so glad you're enjoying it. It does start with a bang, doesn't it? That's one of the things I really liked about it - it grabs you right from the start.
I had some difficulty through the first half of the book with the 'backstory' being inserted, plus not seeing any link with the introductory scene with the storyline. It took until halfway through the book, but the author did start bringing all the threads together at that point.
It was a fast fun read. There's a Saturday Matinee feel to it. That's a good thing to me. When I'm not writing, I want to be entertained and this book did that. Russell Blake says that it's over the top and it is. Even though there were several times when my inner story teller said "No Way!" - I couldn't have stopped if I wanted to. I'm not sure yet if I'll go further with the series. I'm a fan of Russell Blake's other works and have a few more of those to read first.
Finished, good read and entertaining. Has everything I like in an A/A book, fast action, good characters and no long 'reflective' passages.However, I'm probably not going to go on with the series, for reasons I specify in my review (but might be a spoiler for those that haven't finished the book as yet.
Strictly personal, but I suspect the series is going to go in directions that I'm not enthusiastic about. This is one that, in hardback, I would go on with if the books could be checked out at the library.
Hello!Just got a copy of Jet, looking forward to reading a new author and seeing other's comments.
was pretty excited to find this group because I love mysteries. i just found a free download of "Jet" on my Nook so i am starting this right away
Katie wrote: "was pretty excited to find this group because I love mysteries. i just found a free download of "Jet" on my Nook so i am starting this right away" Welcome, Katie, I've enjoyed this group because I've found some great authors and series not known to me. They've expanded my horizons greatly.
@Sharon and Lynne - So glad you enjoyed the book :) @Mike - I'm looking forward to hearing how you thought the author did. I agree with Sharon and Lynne, fast action, good characters and fun to read!!!
@Katie - Welcome to the group, Katie. This is a really engaging group of readers. It's introduced a LOT of great books to read I probably never would have picked up. Hope you enjoy JET.
So far it's been an action packed read. I always have 2 books on the go, one on my ereader and one paper, so I can always have a book with me. If not for this group I probably would have missed this book so I want to thank everyone for taking time to suggest the books and review them.
Just about everything Russell writes is high octane, pedal-to-the-metal action. In the Jet sereies, I particularly like the fact that the protagonist is a kick-ass woman. You go, Jet. I'm going to start #3 soon.
Laurie - It's great to be a part of this wonderful group. I've found more new authors this way. My Kindle is loaded with books waiting to be opened :)Mona - Nice that you're a Russell Blake fan. He surely delivers. I haven't gotten to #3 yet but I have that and #4 on my Kindle. Once I pick one of his books up, I can't close it until the last page is turned so I'm waiting for a clear weekend to savor and enjoy :)
I'm about half done. It DOES remind me of a Saturday matinee - it's a fun read!
This one is still free on the Nook if anyone is wondering!!! whoo hoo!!!
Suzanne - it is a fun and exciting read. I found that sometimes the first book of the series is the best but Jet II continues to deliver. Glad you're enjoying it :) Linda - yes, the author is being very generous right now. He really cares for his readers :))
I appreciate that, I downloaded the book and I hope to read it soon!
Just finished, pretty good read. Especially liked interaction and dialogue between Jet and David/Jet and Samuel, will have to check on Jet II.
I finished the book and it was an exciting read. There was so much action that it seemed to go on too long for me. I would still recommend this book because it was still a good read.
Laurie - Thank you. Makes my day you and others are enjoying it as much as I did. Mike - I don't think you'll be disappointed in Jet II At All! In fact, I couldn't tell you which book I liked more - both were so equal in the storytelling. The JET Series is one of Russell Blakes most popular series of all he's written.
I went to get this book for my kindle & was happy to find it free. Going to start it today.
Finished Jet yeaterday. It was fun, fast read - pure escapism for me. Kinda Jason Bourne in drag! Thanks for the recommendation (and love that it was free for Kindle)!
I'm about a third of the way through Jet and have mixed feelings. The story has yet to really gel. The opening scene effectively set the pace and let the reader know what was in store. A little far-fetched but that's what you get when you take a stroll down the testosterone aisle.The following scenes were just that. Completely unrelated scenes that supposedly serve to establish some backstory but they seem like to have been written solely for the gratuitous violence. A lot of the violence is not believable in that her victims die almost instantly after being inflicted with wounds that allow the victim to linger for several minutes and call for help. Of course, the brain splattering shot to the head or through the eye has ample opportunity for inserting adjectives.
Not really complaining. This type of fiction, like the Bourne books, have their place and are a nice piece of escapism featuring the old ultra-violence.
BTW, a magazine and a clip are not interchangeable items. An M1 rifle uses a clip, a semi-automatic pistol uses a magazine.
This was about as close to watching an action movies as reading can get =). I'm glad to hear the sequels are also fun! Thanks for getting me going on this!
Ken wrote: "BTW, a magazine and a clip are not interchangeable items. An M1 rifle uses a clip, a semi-automatic pistol uses a magazine. "I have a former Marine who beta reads for me just so my supposedly knowledgeable characters get it right. He prefers that the only time I use the word clip in a book is with the word paper in front of it. LOL
Lynne wrote: "Ken wrote: "BTW, a magazine and a clip are not interchangeable items. An M1 rifle uses a clip, a semi-automatic pistol uses a magazine. "I have a former Marine who beta reads for me just so my sup..."
My ex was a career law enforcement officer both military and civilian and a competition shooter and he used to go balistic over some of the things that were published.
I'm the same way about horses.
So I'm cruising along in JET and a scene appears where the heroine and the hero succumb to their raging lust (what, you thought that was a spoiler?). My first impression is Blake must have been inspired by a Harlequin bodice ripper, e.g., "her full lips parting as she kissed his mouth, her tongue finding his.." or"Her pulse quickened as a rush of familiar sensations flooded her awareness...and she was plunging into a warm sea.."
I asked myself if Blake wasn't trying to appeal to female readers what is this stuff doing in a testosterone theater. Then it dawned on me. Jet and the whole genre of Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, Clive Cussler are essentially the male equivalent of the Harlequin or other romance genres. This is gun porn. These are alter-ego escapism for men. Prior to this epiphany, I had always considered them as literature.
The other thing I noticed is the foreign characters seem to have an affinity for American idioms. Do Mossad agents think in terms of "game changer" events or are Russian billionaires "gung-ho". Not a biggie as Americans are the readers but its a bit like a Colombian cartel leader shouting out "Semper fi, Hoo-Rah".
You know, if I hadn't needed to complete my international studies degree I would have joined the Navy and probably become a member of SEAL Team Six and then become a covert operative with deadly skills. Funny how little things change the course of life, huh? I coulda been somebody. I coulda been a Jason Jack Mitch Rapp Bourne Reacher.
Ken wrote: "Then it dawned on me. Jet and the whole genre of Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, Clive Cussler are essentially the male equivalent of the Harlequin or other romance genres. This is gun porn. These are alter-ego escapism for men. "You mean male readers are just now getting this? Gee, I figured that out in my 20s when I was reading James Bond and Travis McGee ... along with Georgette Heyer and Barbara Michaels.
@ Ken - Now you see why I called it a Saturday afternoon matinee. It even has the feel of an old fashioned serial in the way it ends. (No spoiler here) I loved your "gun porn" comment. I treat certain books like a nice sorbet. You spend a little time with them between courses. A great book leaves you with the characters stuck in your head, and it's hard to go to the next book with all that great intrigue still there. Jet is like a nice sorbet. I read it, enjoyed it for what it was, and I'm moving on to the next course.
As for the idioms... (sigh) I keep reminding myself that it's hard to get this stuff right when you're writing. I'm always miffed when I see someone getting the military stuff wrong. The AF doesn't say "ooh-rah" they say "huu-ah" just like the Army, and the Marines call their cammies "utilities" and their hats "covers." We can all overlook the little stuff for a quick bite of sorbet, but enough of those little things usually lead me to question the veracity and quality of everything else.
Sometimes sorbet leads to an ice cream headache.And as for Sharon tossing off James Bond as anything but the pinnacle of English literature; well, I'll just accept that as girl talk.
Seriously, look at the Hornblower series by C S Forester
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower. While the books are male oriented escapism, they brush up against literature and give it a squeeze on the bottom occasionally.
Ken wrote: "Seriously, look at the Hornblower series by C S Forester"Hmmm, I read all the Hornblower novels when I was still in grade school I think. Loved them. Maybe that's one reason I tend to gravitate to series like Honor Harrington and Miles Vorkosigan.
I absolutely loved this book. Cant wait to read Jet II
Totally enjoyed the book, now having fun reading the discussion! I also thought it was action packed and interesting from the start, and can't wait to read Jet II. Thanks for introducing another great author to my list, as this is the first Russell Blake book I have read and I will now be reading the rest of his books soon.
I guess, I'm a minority... It was just an ok read for me. Story was kind of predictable, bad guy was cliche. I find to many similarities with:Tv show Nikita(Peta Wilson version), but Michael was way more complex character than David,
Tarantino's Kill Bill- same plot device
Stephanie Patrick from Mark Burnell series, but less cerebral...
I liked the book. There was a lot of action which kept me entertained. (3 1/2 stars)This was a free kindle book. I would not pay much for other books in the series.
As we go into another round of Group Reads, I wanted to thank everyone who commented. It was a pleasure reading with you all :)
I nominate The Transylvania Flying Squad of Detectives I absolutely loved it. Best Thriller ever. Take a look and see why this novel is like nothing ever before it.
Quoting from the description of JET off of Amazon: "Twenty-eight year old Jet was once the Mossad's most lethal operative before faking her own death and burying that identity forever. But the past doesn't give up on its secrets easily.
When her new life on a tranquil island is shattered by a brutal attack, Jet must return to a clandestine existence of savagery and deception to save herself and those she loves. A gritty, unflinching roller-coaster of high-stakes twists and shocking turns, JET features a new breed of protagonist that breaks the mold.
Fans of Lisbeth Salander, SALT, and the Bourne trilogy will find themselves carried along at Lamborghini speed to a conclusion as jarring and surprising as the story's heroine is unconventional."
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Russell Blake has published quite a number of books, however JET is the first work I've read by him and I was really impressed.
I'm looking forward to your comments :)