Customer Reviews

Attack on the Queen

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

 

 

Despite some exciting moments, overall this is one of the most ridiculous and contrived books I've ever read (or listened to on tape in this case). Time after time, the author sets up situations only to have the characters act in the most absurd manner imaginable. A perfect example of this comes from the several times in which the protagonists have a gun trained on a terrorist but do not fire, instead allowing the terrorists to raise their own guns and open fire. I don't know about you, but if I was facing terrorists that had already killed several people I would shoot first and ask questions later.

Lets not forget the completly obvious way in which the terrorists infiltrate the boat; right under the noses of the so-called security personnel that are supposed to be protecting the VIPs. Again, even a certifiable moron would have supsected terrorists were afoot. This book just isn't believable.

Finally, the first half of the book is comprised of mindless backstory that feels completly unecessary to the rest of the story. What shlock. Don't waste your time.

the last 100 pages were good, a little rushed but good, the first half of the book was drawn out and rather boring, if you like these kind of adventure novels you will like this one.

I liked this novel, in spite of the often contrived martial arts scenes that were most likely written w/ film in mind. The book was extensively researched, and I found myself learning much about China and of course, the QE2. The Kellogg brothers made interesting heroes, and I'm reading more about them in NIGHTWATCH. I would of liked Mr. Henrick to get the action moved to the QE2 sooner. The last of the great ocean liners is the real star of this book, and I couldn't get enough of this great ship.

The submarine action was a real surprise, and fit in well w/ the story. Of course, what would you expect from the author of one of my favorite movies, CRIMSON TIDE. If you find yourself w/ some spare time on your hands, pick up this book and give it a try. I guarantee you that it will take you to several places that you've never been before, that being one of my definitions of a good read.

At last an old fashioned adventure story with plenty of breathtaking action, believable good guys, and a worthy enemy. This novel proves one needn't have profanity to tell a good tale. Liked the background of the QE2 so much, that I just booked a spring crossing for me and my wife to check Henrick's authenticity.

ATTACK ON THE QUEEN is a light entertaining one-time-read action novel for a lazy afternoon. To read the whole thing in one afternoon requires skipping every other page, but fortunately, that in no way detracts from the experience. The Clancyesque details are annoyingly excessive, such as the fact that an ordinary, totally insignificant, sheet of typing paper measures 8 ½ by 11 inches. Innumerable plot elements are highly improbable. I doubt that interior passageway walls within the QE2 are concrete. The descriptions of macho military types being seasick on the QE2 in calm weather is completely unnecessary to the plot, and is ludicrous. Parachuting an individual soldier onto the QE2, while the ship is making 25 knots, at night, in bad weather, in the middle of the North Atlantic, against a hostile force is absurd---especially when there is already a free agent on board, in radio contact with the authorities, who is perfectly capable of the proposed mission (and in fact, ultimately accomplishes the mission). A submarine dawdling at periscope depth in 30' waves in a hurricane without the slightest roll or pitching seems improbable. To be able to see a 100' rouge wave a couple of miles away through a periscope in 30' waves is simply impossible. And the list of absurdities goes on and on and on. With remarkable candor, a character describes the action as reminiscent of a TV "movie of the week".

A flaw of most novels in this genre is a "cast of thousands" which prevents the reader from identifying with ANY of the characters-ATTACK ON THE QUEEN being an excellent example. Someone probably brought this to Mr. Henrick's attention, with the unfortunate result that much space is devoted to adding depth to a half-dozen characters. The attempt inevitably (and unavoidably) fails, but Mr. Henrick's attempt is particularly inept. The "details" are generic and potentially interchangeable among the characters, and thus, in no way helps to define them.

Not surprisingly, one of the leading characters (in his 20s) is a "grizzled veteran" (Mr. Henrick's own actual words) of the Grenada Invasion. In fact, quite a few characters are described as "grizzled veterans." Mr. Henrick clearly overused his thesaurus hunting for hackneyed adjectives. The advice of a minimally competent editor could have, and should have, corrected these flaws. With more judicious character development, greater attention to descriptive passages (LESS adjectives), and abridgement to about 1/3 of its length, ATTACK ON THE QUEEN could be a notable novel in the genre. There is no sex, little gore, no controversial opinions are expressed, and even the profanity is restrained. A paperback copy would be a good gift for a teenage boy

I liked this book regardless of several contrived action scenes. Something tells me that Mr. Henrick was writing for the camera, especially when describing the martial arts battles. I sense that there were others advising him where to go in this book, as his usual instinctive story telling abilities are a bit stretched in this one. All in all an interesting read, with fascinating descriptions of the QE2. It should indeed make a hit movie.

Picked up this novel in the QE2 bookstore during a recent trans-Atlantic crossing, and must say that it was fascinating. It's filled with detailed information on the ship itself, and I found it incredibly fun to walk the ship in the footsteps of the novel's characters. I'm certain that the story was penned with film in mind, and I do hope the filmakers cast Sean Connery and Michael Caine to represent the UK.

I've always been fascinated w/ the QE2, and Henrick's book only made me more interested in this last of the great ocean liners. I certainly see a movie in this fast paced story, that captures all the class and ambiance of a real live ocean crossing. And even if I can't afford a real sea going voyage, at least I have this marvelous book to read once again.

Once i started, i found myself difficult to put it down. The plot recalls some movie scenes from Jackie Chan's, Speed 2, and The Hunt for Red October, but it's believable and well-thought out. Henrick did his sound analysis on China's accession to the status of a world power. One thing from the book-- Chinese subs have successfully infiltrated the US Kitty Hawk's Carrier battle group in the Pacific Ocean...wow!

The premise sounded exciting enough, but ultimately the novel proved to be a huge disappointment. The ship doesn't even set sail until Chapter 9, and by then the book is half over! The chapters leading up to that are filled with long, dull set-up and a subplot that goes nowhere. And while the action in the remaining chapters is adequate, the ending feels very rushed. In addition, there are many boring technical descriptions that sound like the author trying to prove he did his homework, and some of the dialogue comes off as nothing more than the author giving the reader some background through the characters, rather than in the narrative. "Air Force One" is certainly is not!