Customer Reviews

Avalon

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

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was, it really does make you want to keep reading to the end. I've given copies of this book to several people including one who doesn't like the action/adventure genre and all have enjoyed it. I am a sailor in the locale it is set in so thought my opinion might be overly influenced by my personal interests. Sailboats, sailing and Catalina Island are essential elements to the story but not to the detriment of readers who neither know or care about either. It's subject and story line are timely and thought provoking, it's premise is entirely realistic and mirrors events currently headlining our nightly national news. The Kindle version is a good deal and after reading the sample I believe most readers will recognize the quality of the writing and want more.

I really enjoyed the book. It is a suspenseful story filled with the nitty-gritty of sailing drama and reflections on what makes America great, along with a touch of good natured humor. The plot begins with riveting intrigue that immediately grabs your interest, builds with a series of personal struggles intertwined with several surprises, and ends with a powerful climax. It leaves you with the realization that we Americans must always be on alert and be aware that evil people exist who want nothing less than taking our country from us.

I loved this book! It truly captures what it means to be an American regardless of original heritage. I especially enjoyed the charactor build-up that made the ending that much more satisfying. To anyone who holds the traditions and virtues of America with any level of esteem and is looking for sailing/island adventure(complete with riveting action) then this book will be enjoyed. To the "Blame America" first crowd, the book will be hard to swallow, but that is due to their ignorance of our founding history.

It started out a little slow but it catches your interest. When it gets to Catalina the action begins. I couldn't put it down being a boater and very familiar with Avalon and Catalina Island. Its been a year since I read it and I think its time to read it again while sitting on the back of my boat in Avalon.

I love Catalina and am fortunate to be able to spend days there a few times a year. My familiarity with the island made the book even more fun to read as each place mentioned on the island is actually there. The book, and I did enjoy it, certainly didn't progress as I thought it would. Beginning in Cuba, I thought I had found a James Michener, generational type story, when lo and behold, it becomes a Tom Clancy shoot `em up. Probably more a "guys" book (my category), although my wife read it first and said she "liked it" (not heavy with emphasis). It was quick and fun for me.

Having grown up in Avalon, I really enjoyed reading this book, as have the numerous other Islanders who have read it & told me that it was a "must read". The attention to detail regarding the place names, streets, residents quirks (yes, the Vets are real!), maritime knowledge, etc. was fantastic & well-researched. We all loved the book, but found the possibilities horrifying, just as Jeffrey West wanted us to!

WOW! I was on the edge of my seat more than once when reading this book. As a long-time boatowner and sealover, I was immediately attracted to it. However, I was unprepared for the depth of the character development and technical detail presented by the author. I was also unprepared for the reality of it all, especially in our current environment. I view it as a wake-up call as well as a good read.

Jeffrey West's knowledge and experience with boating, fire arms and police work combine to make Avalon an exciting read. In Avalon, he develops a plot-line that embodies enough fiction & creativity and blending real events - that it, sometimes, is too near reality in today's world. My familiarity with two of the three main locales made for double enjoyment.

The author works from the fascinating premise that individuals, when presented with an extraordinary set of circumstances can impact the world to an extent they never imagined. The story is woven across the Southern Pacific and Atlantic oceans and finally reaches its exciting climax on Catalina Island as the author weaves his obvious love of "all things sailing" into his character's adventure. This is a worthy first book for the author and is especially relevant in a time when catastrophic events are becoming almost commonplace and our level of helplessness in affecting change continues to increase.

Poorly written, sloppily edited ("...nerves of steal."), turgid prose, and a ridiculous plot add up to a waste of the reader's attention.