Customer Reviews

Black Ghosts

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

 

 

If you want a peek into the world of espionage, agents, counter-agents and the pursuit of power, than this is the book for you. Fast paced, twists and turns, but with the thread of reality that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. Hopefully this is just the first in a series by this author who was an insider and former Mossad agent. A great read that keeps you thinking long after the book is finished.

This is the fourth literary effort from the New York Times #1 Bestselling Author Victor Ostrovsky. "Black Ghosts" is an exiting forray into the "wilderness of mirrors" called espionage. This talented author and artist leads the reader through an exciting story which is filled with technical terms to prove Ostrovsky's "insider" status, but also reads easily for us simple civilians. This is a must read for any fan of thrilling spy novels.

Ostrovsky blends strong, but fallible characters in a fast-paced story that runs along the edge of plausibility. Unlike the many serial heroes in the action/thriller/spy categories, you never really feel like any one of the characters is a sure thing to make it to the end.

Initially missed when it was first published in 2001, I was pleased to find Black Ghosts ten years later on its re-release. Given the author's former career in the Mossad it is no surprise that the book has a Cold War feeling. In fact, the bad guys within are trying to usher in a new Cold War. A reestablished Russia would please the ultra-nationalists while delighting the shadowy military-industrial complex as war is good business. There is bit too much going on some of which unnecessary like the mini spy dramas. However, when the action kicks in, it is solid comic book fun. And as a Ukrainian Canadian, how could I not enjoy the inclusion of fictional alumni of the Canadian Airborne Regiment AND Ukrainian troops who perform heroically.

I have to agree with a previous reviewer about how predictable this novel is. However, most egregious is the fact that the Kindle edition for the Mac I purchased is only an unedited version -- a draft -- of the manuscript, with many, many typos and even question marks bordering names of places and streets, signaling where supposed editors needed to do further research. All in all, I felt cheated by Amazon, which knowingly or unknowingly sold me an unfinished product.

I was quite surprised to find that this is at best a draft manuscript of a book. There are typographical and word substitution errors on almost every other page and many details like places etc. are replaced with "???" and "xxx" which leads me to conclude that I was sold an unedited draft.

The story itself is quite cliche and predictable. I loved the author's "By way of Deception" but for a novel the recent works of Daniel Silva are of much better quality.

I am tempted to ask for a refund and see what happens. Paying for a "book" and getting a poorly written, unfinished draft is quite disappointing.

I have read all Victor Ostrovsky books. However, both "deception" books which were non-fiction (both books are about the time that Mr. Ostrovsky was with MOSSAD and after that) were quite different from Mr. Ostrovsky's last two novels, "The Lion of Judah" and "Black Ghosts". In my opinion, the theme of none of his novels were original. The story of "Black Ghosts" is very similar to several books written earlier on by others about the renegade elements with Russian military and intelligence who are opposed to any sort of democracy in Russia. Everything in this book is so predicatable that after reading the first few chapters the reader can easily predict and guess what will happen next.

Knowing the author was an actual Case Officer for the Israeli Intelligence Agency makes this adventure more exciting and believable. There is an authenticity that cannot be contrived by Hollywood so to speak. I felt as though I were privy to the journels of Ostrovsky's real life experiences. I couldn't put it down until the exciting conclusion!! For all of you thrill seekers and spy lovers, this is a must read!

This is the most riveting and exciting books I have ever read! Victor Ostrovsky might again hit the best sellers list with this excellent creation. His energetic, exuberant imagination, his ability to make familiar plots yield an endless supply of new twists- all are joyously undiminished.

this is for sure the worst book from mr. ostrovsky.his is better telling the stories from mossad.