Customer Reviews

City of War

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

 

 

Mark this one down. A sensational read. Smart and sexy, with a multi-layered plot that breathlessly races along to a spectacular ending at once both shocking and utterly satisfying. Without risking any spoilers, suffice to say, the novel's last moments deftly manage to be simultaneously cathartic and poignant. As noted, the story's complex but never confusing, no small feat considering the relentless pace, the broad canvas of opulent & exotic locales and the parade of quirky, ruthless, courageous, treacherous, seductive characters...be they lovers, friends, enemies or any combination thereof (think Who's Who of international power players and Rogue's Gallery of greedy villains and sadistic assassins).
The novel's hero, Rail Black, is like no other. With a fresh, wry voice that's instantly accessible, like listening to a new best friend. From his physical make-up to his lineage to his uncanny ability to be equally at home in an historic Beverly Hills mansion, a back alley shootout, a Buckingham Palace reception, a rat-infested combat zone, Wall Street boardroom or out alone, swimming in the Pacific, miles from shore. He's a man with a heart and a code, the one can be broken, the other never will...at any cost.
CITY OF WAR is a rare find...the first in what one can only hope will be a long running series. Rail Black is soon to rank high in that very select group of thriller heroes...up there with Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher. And Neil Russell (incredibly, a first time author) is sure to join Robert Ludlum and Nelson De Mille as masters of the craft.

This was a purchase of the moment after reading the first two pages...

For a first novel this is very good. I like the folks Russell introduced in this book, clearly aiming at a series, but closed the story well. I will buy his next book. There were several nice surprises which to me add a bit of realism (qualified of course by this type of book in the first place).

As an action tale it did ebb and flow at times (first novel remember), but it kept me engaged from start to finish. I liked the way he did his main character development by going back in time for different scenes which he linked to what was occurring currently in the book.

This is the first book I've read by this author - and it will be the last. The lack of plot is made up for by the excess vulgarity. There are so many under-developed characters, I couldn't keep up with who's who. I'll stick with better-known authors from now on.

Neil Russell has certainly hit a grand-slam home run with his first novel. The action grabs you very quickly. Page 3: "Suddenly one rear cargo door of the van burst open, and a tall, stark-naked woman leaped out." The hero is an over-the-top Brit who is something like James Bond on steroids. There are only brief allusions to a military past as a US Army Delta-force operator, but this explains his dexterity with weapons and artful dealings with murderers and international terrorists. The characters are well developed and the action is fast-paced. It was hard to put the book down when I had to go to bed.

I could not put this book down! I finished it in 26 hours -- with time out for a 4 hour nap and a couple of snacks. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Lots of twists and turns. Rail Black is an over-the-top character -- who has unlimited money, opulent taste in food, wine and women. Everything he does extravagant, but his intentions and the outcomes of his actions are always for right reasons, even though his methods are unorthodox, to say the least. This first time author is now one of my favorites and I can not wait for the second book to come out. Also waiting for the movie, which I hear is in pre-production.

Can't wait for the next addition. The hero is unique and the action is tense. A real page turner. Loved it... Hurry with the next installment...

I had Amazon pick a random page for me. Read 8 lines and it had the F-word 4 times. Wow. The story sounded intriguing, but I don't need that kind of trashy talk in my life.