Customer Reviews

24 Declassified: Cat's Claw

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a bit skeptical about the "Expanded Universe"-type fiction from TV series. Much of it is glorified fan fiction, with the stellar stories being few and far between. Fortunately, "Cat's Claw" falls into the latter category. I was super-impressed how well Whitman kept the flavor, format, and series continuity, all the while adding a worthy tale in the CTUniverse.

Before reading these books, keep in mind they happen between the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and Day 1 of the series. So don't expect Chloe or Morris, who were introduced later on. This is the prequel days, when Jack worked under Chris Henderson (I'd love to see more of him in these books), and the CTU was run by Chappelle--remember him?

Although I liked this book, it contains one mistake, one inside joke, and one flaw. The mistake is that the disease comes from lusophonic Brazil, but it is called "Uña de Gato" which is Spanish. This is a common mistake, but an eyesore for a lusophile.

The joke is the page 240 reference to "Alias," the series main rival in the early days. Since she is out of work, maybe Jennifer Garner can swing a position on the "24" movie. Hey--it worked for Robocop.

The flaw of the book is twofold knot. First, the format. It attempts to follow the manner of the TV series by chopping the chapters in to the small time-fractions. For a teleplay this is quite effective; for a book, this is like riding on fifty miles of potholes. Thus this format kills the flow and continuity.

Second, the structure. Although the plot works in crescendo, the chapters run diminuendo--as I read, I was treated to smaller and smaller chapters. Of course this is necessary, due to using space to set up the situation and non-cannon characters. But it was done overmuch: chapter 1 is 14 pages long, while chapter 24 is a measly 3 pages. In a sense, this approach enhances the actions, as we rush roller-coaster to the end. But it blurs the increasing action and tension. Coupling this with the pervious problem, the time-fraction, the read is even bumpier. It was hard on the eyes, and therefore, a dagger to the mind.

I'm not sure that the format can be changed--this is, after all, "24." The structure, however, can be tweaked, so that we roll, and do not jerk, to a stop.

Despite these flaws, I recommend this book for the entre-season fix, and when the reruns won't do. Whitman, keep on writing!

Cat's Claw is the 4th book in the 24: Declassified series and is starting to close in on season 1 in the 24 timeline. The story starts with Jack and his now-teenage daughter, Kim, at a protest of the G8 summit being held in LA. Christopher Henderson, notorious villain of season 5, is one of the main CTU personnel in this story, and still Jack's friend. So, it's pretty cool to see their working relation in a time before Henderson's turn to the dark side. The story shows plenty of foreshadowing in good subtle ways. We see more of Jack and Teri's marriage troubles and the fleshing out of Jack's personal troubles. There are some great Jack Bauer moments in the story, and there are some great plot twists, too. 24 fans should enjoy the new prequel story. I still can't wait for the rest of the series to be released. Jack Bauer still rules!

You know, I was really into this book for a while. For the first half I was enjoying it- the writing was not great- but it was decent enuff. But then something happened. Something I can only describe as the author getting bored writing the story. All the cool things that could've happened and SHOULD have happened were just ended abruptly. It's been a while since I've read this but I believe in one part Jack is being held at CTU and is not allowed to leave. We then cut to some other scene and then in the next chaper, Jack is driving away from CTU and the only explination we get is, "escaping from CTU was easy enough." THAT'S IT! I wouldn't reccomend this book.

This was the first 24 Declassified book I've read, and although I enjoyed it to an extent, it was a typical holiday read for me, and not particularly special. There is not much of great interest here and those who don't read it aren't missing anything important. That said, there was a decent amount of action, although the descriptions were often too long and meandering - particularly when we cut to the bad guys. Just like in Season 6 and 7 where Jack's scenes seem to be rationed, we get limited time with the main character when he is the main reason people like 24 in the first place.

Despite the cover art being taken from Season 6, this 24 novel is in fact set before the very first season, and includes many characters who have since left the series. Of course, our hero Jack Bauer remains, along with Series 1 regulars and Counter Terrorist Unit colleagues Tony Almeida and Nina Myers, plus daughter Kim, who - typical of the misfortunes befalling the character - gets injected with a lethal chemical poison. If Jack wants his daughter to be given the vaccine, he must do everything the bad guy wants.

And after a lot of tedious preamble, only appreciated once the ending is read, 24 Declassified: Cat's Claw begins. We are introduced to several non-canon characters, most significantly Detective Mercy Bennett, who just happens to have a "history" with Jack. The story is pretty much balanced between Mercy and Jack. It could have easily have been a potential flaw in having a non-cannon character taking up some much of the book, but in this case the character of Mercy Bennett is ultimately successful, and is just as interesting as Jack Bauer.

There are a few flaws with the book, such as too many pages focusing on what the bad guys are doing; more mystery would have been welcome, but instead we're told from the outset who the enemies are and the general attitude is bordering on racial stereotyping. Another down side is one of the weakest characters in the series, Terri Bauer, Jack's wife. Although thankfully she isn't seen much, her role here is typically poor; generally, all she does is stay at home wondering where Jack is and what he's doing, and speak to him coldly over the phone. Another weak character is Kim Bauer. 24 fans have often voiced their dislike for the character, with the improbable and dangerous situations she finds herself in; they often resemble a corny teen drama than a prime time action thriller. As I've mentioned, she is in danger once again, and as always, it's up to Jack to save her.

The major plot of bio-chemical poisoning was used in Season 3 and once again in Season 7 (which hadn't been made when this book was written) so it does feel a little like retreading over old ground.

Another flaw is the time scale. At the beginning, the chapters last for around twenty - thirty pages each, as we're taken through an entire hour, but by the end they're only three or four pages long.

Pretty much all the 24 characters here apart from Jack have left the series for one reason or another, and many of them were in seperate seasons and it's strange having them interact. George Mason, Ryan Chappelle, Christopher Henderson - they're all here, and at times the whole thing resembles a curtain call of past characters.

One of the advantages of writing a book about 24 instead of just seeing it is we get to go inside Jack Bauer's head and find out what he's thinking. Many of his thoughts aren't surprising, however, and focus on his various moral choices which he voices in the series.

It would be nice if the 24 Declassified books moved past Day 1 and show us what happened between seasons, but typically, the whole series is focused on CTU in days gone by and looks incredibly dated to those who are used to later series with Bill, Curtis or even Larry. It also suffered from the major problem of many prequels: we know the characters survive: we've seem them afterward.

At times, the book was hard to put down, and at others, it was rather pedestrian, but, ultimately, you know what you're going in for and it doesn't strain your intellect too much.

Jack, being the tortured beast he is, entertains as usual and although I wouldn't rush out and by another Declassified book, it was enjoyable while it lasted.

If you're a 24 (the tv show) fan, you will like any title of those series: 24 Declassified.
I've already read three of them and they are amazing

This book sets out to cover a terrorist attack on a high-profile global event by two different groups simultaneously. At times it seems like the author bit off more than he cuold chew, but then, at other times, it seems he has been able to make it work.

The story kind of meanders between the two situations, but overall, a good addition to the 24 universe.

Without revealing much of the plot, IMHO the twists and turns here are pretty much regular 24 stuff (not the best out there, but certainly far from worst!).

Typical 24 fashion, lots of action, had to keep reading.. enjoyed the book immensely.. looking forward to reading the other Declassified books!

This book from start to finish was fluidly written. It keeps your interest with something that might make people put down the book (eco-terrorism). The author spins that aspect of the book to make it compelling to read about. I always loved in the TV show and books when they tie in more of Jack's personal life and this book really does that. Overall, I gave this book four stars because it wasn't a gripping as some of the previous books in the series, but it's still a fun read!!!

This book along with the others is a great book to read about Jack Bauer before and durring seasons of 24.

A fast read. You could get through it in a few hours. I shared it with my father and brother.