John Sestak

The Gang Back Together

Revisado: 04-09-25

It's nice to see the gang get back together!! Court goes off the deep end, more or less, because Zoya is now in Russian prison. Everyone tells him that she is dead, but he knows better - and I believed him!! They have this connection! But lo and behold - it's a trap to bolster the career or an FRU Colonel and his agency. He should have been aware of the fact that sometimes you get what you asked for!!!! That doesn't always turn out good!!!
We get to see Matt Hanley, Zach, Zoya, Court, Lacey - they are all back and the getting is good!! If you have read the first 13 books in the series, then you need to read this one!! It is a very good continuation of the series and well worth the read!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Hard To Follow

Revisado: 03-24-25

The transition from Book 1 to Book 2 was difficult. Book 1 was a backstory on Wraith through an interview with his first mento/mentor's daughter. I would have thought that Book 2 would have neem a continuation, but it was not. It continued with Chhun in his Adjudicator role, which was expected - but he took a back seat in this story. A WAY BACK seat. I recognized some of the names, but not all of them. I recognized the parts that were current and those that were backstory - and the way that it ended brought back one of the Major Characters from the earlier stories - Andene Broxson - excuse my spelling. The ending definitely created a cliffhanger and some motivation to continue the series - which I will.
It's not a bad story, in fact it is quite good - it just seems to be off the rails.
This is not the first time since the beginning of the series that an ENTIRE book seems to have gone off the rails with a story that fit into the overall puzzle a way down the road. I am guessing that the same will occur with this book - and I am sure that I will find out because I will keep reading/listening to this series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great Continuation

Revisado: 03-03-25

I have a tendency to put what I would do into my listening to the story. The problem with that is that I did not write the book. I am learning to be patient, not judge what the characters do, and just follow along with the plot. It becomes more enjoyable that way. LOL I am not going to lie and tell you that I did not get frustrated with this series, BUT I have come to understand that the new, younger Messenger is still a kid. He does not have the life experience that Dash Sawyer, the original Messenger had - and it was rough for him. I love the characters, I love the plot, I love the circumstances, BUT I just can't help but be frustrated when a human being can out program/outthink two extremely advanced AI's. I have some issues believing that!! Other than that part of the story - I REALLY like it!! It's a very good continuation of the original Messenger series and it separates it in a very believable way!! I would highly recommend this series - and I am planning on continuing to purchase the books that continue to be written!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another Good Series

Revisado: 02-19-25

When Maggert & Chaney write a book, you can usually depend on it being a very good, if not great story!! That is true with the first book of this series! The interesting thing here is the combination of fantasy and sci fi!! You have a mage/wizard that is working hard jobs on a backwater planet that is rescued by a childhood friend - for selfish reasons. The childhood friend is with the space fleet battling another murderous invasion of an alien species - of course, many sci fi titles use this premise, BUT what the writers do with it! In this case, Maggert & Chaney do a really good job with it! The story line is believable within the confines of the premise! The characters are well defined - and there is some loss throughout the book. They don't play it safe with all of their characters!! I would highly recommend this book - and I am planning on buying the other two books in the series!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Concise, Complete Story

Revisado: 02-04-25

Even though this "book" was only just short of an hour and a half, it was very complete! The characters were good, well thought out! The plot was believable, except for possibly getting the protagonist into the exact prison he needed to be in - but, who am I to question how Russia works!!! The political ramifications and motivations were very believable! I would recommend spending two bucks to hear this story!! I am hoping that Lee Childs expands this to a full novel or develops the character into his own line of stories!! I could see this character becoming part of the Gray Man series!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING

Revisado: 01-24-25

I listened to this book because of a news headline I had read. Tony Dokoupil had been called out on his interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates and critics were raking him over the coals. This was in the midst of all of the anti-semitic claims being thrown around the USA - which I was pretty tired of. Well, it took me awhile to check out the news reports, but when I did read them I was skeptical. News has not been unbiased, has not been accurate, and has not done its intended purpose in quite some time. Before I could get to the news report, I saw that Jon Stewart had interviewed the author. I trust Jon Stewart, so I watched that interview first. Great interview. Good questions. Good give and take. Good discussion - and Jon Stewart is Jewish and was not offended. Then I went to the Dokoupil interview. It wasn't as harsh as it was made out to be, but it was VERY inaccurate, very pointed, and made every intent to paint the book as supporting terrorism. So, I decided to read the book - actually listen to it.
I was almost brought to tears throughout the book. I knew most of the top level history, the things most people know if they pay attention - BUT I was not aware of the many intimate details both in the journeys in this country, to Africa, and to Israel/Palestine. I was aghast at the history, the hypocrisy, the continued apartheid/genocide, and the historical relationship between Christian Nationalists and Germany's Nazi Party. Just a slight mention but important nonetheless.
This book provided a much deeper insight into the history I only knew at an overview level. It painted a disgusting picture of how religion plays such an ugly part in the world as a whole. And how evil man can be to his brothers.
If you want to learn, then read/listen to this book. If you want your eyes open, do the same. If you are happy not knowing, God Blee You.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great Continuation

Revisado: 01-03-25

I sometimes feel lost when a series comes to an end. I was very pleased when Craig Alanson decided to add three more books - and he hasn't disappointed!! You have an older Joe Bishop, who is now a family man, but you still have the same family of characters you have been used to!!! The story is really good - the same type of challenges and tribulations but much more extreme!!! If you have read the original books of the series - keep going with the continuation!! You will NOT be disappointed!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great Side Story

Revisado: 01-03-25

I truly enjoy Brandon Sanderson's writing!! He does an amazing job with his Cosmere - all aspects!! If you are looking for a great author to follow, you can do much worse!! This is a great novella to read where it fits - between Books 3 & 4 in The Stormlight Archive. I am about 2/3 of the way through Book 4 and have just hit mention of the characters in this book - but you can tell they will be important. Obviously, I would not start with this book - but I would start reading Brandon Sanderson at a better starting point!! This is a great read when you hit this point in your reading!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Next Generation

Revisado: 12-20-24

When I first saw this book hanging out in Audible, I thought let's see what the synopsis says. Well, it made me curious! I have listened to extensions of original series that I have really enjoyed, and they have usually not disappointed me!! This book is no different!! The characters are all new - although there are similarities to the original series characters! That was not too surprising considering that the originals were considered legends with all that they accomplished - and there would need to be some justification for the main character to take control of the Archetype! The basis for this new continuation of the original series hits home - political corruption!! The original altruistic founders of a movement, country, company usually have a vision - BUT somewhere down the line that vision becomes corrupted. And that's where we are at with this story - and it just feels good where Chaney, Maggert, and Seguin take us!!!
If you enjoyed the original series, then purchase this book and continue your enjoyment - you will not be disappointed!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Great Overlooked President

Revisado: 12-06-24

I had heard some very good things about Dwight Eisenhower. But since he was before my time, I really had not paid too much attention to him. But then, in the current political atmosphere, I had read a few things that Eisenhower had done during his 8 years as President - and I was impressed!! I decided I needed to know more - and so I chose to listen to this book!!
Was Eisenhower perfect - no! Did he aim to improve life for all Americans - yes, to a degree! Did he start a majority of programs that are now a central part of American life - yes!! Would I have voted for him - without a doubt!!!!
I believe today's politicians are a very weak group of imbeciles compared to Eisenhower - especially ALL of the Republicans!!! They are a disgrace to Eisenhower's memory!!
Take some time to listen to the Presidency of a great, great President!!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña