Customer Reviews

Betrayal in the Ashes

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4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is yet another installment of the well witten, but not always well-edited (not the author's fault) of the Ashes series. I personally think that Mr. Johnstone has developed some of the best characters in recent fiction. Bear in mind that there are now 20+ titile in the series and I wait on pins and needles for each one. Not many authors can keep a series going this long. Till Martians wipe out the Rebels, Make mine Ashes!

"Betrayal" is less strident than Mr. Johnstone's work, but it is still difficult to read. Rather than draw interesting characters, Mr. Johnstone resorts to trite stereotypes. The protaganist, Ben Raines, offers the only shred of interest in the book. Apparently, he is a brilliant military leader who enjoys risking his life in commando-style warfare behind enemy lines. Anyone who has actual combat experience knows that even the most skilled soldier can have an unluckly day (and greatly shortened life). Given the number of "Ashes" books on the shelf, Mr. Raines has a career only found in comic books. Overall, "Betrayal" was a bit better than "Hunted" or "Breakdown." My only thought is that Mr. Johnstone has found a group of people who will buy his books... no matter what he writes. If so, he is a good salesman, but I cannot possibly describe him as a good writer.