Critical Space [Paperback]

GREG RUCKA (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Bantam Books (2001)
• ISBN-10: 0553581791
• ISBN-13: 978-0553581799
• ASIN: B000WL9C9M
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,728,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The author of four novels about professional bodyguard Atticus Kodiak -- Keeper (nominated for a Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America), Finder, Smoker, and Shooting at Midnight, Greg Rucka has been writing since he was eight years old, and hopefully is improving with age. A longtime comics fan, his first graphic novel series was the suspense thriller Whiteout, published by Oni Press and nominated for three Eisner Awards in 1999. Since that time he has been a contributing writer for DC Comics and an active participant in the Batman series of titles.
Born and raised in California, he earned his undergraduate degree at Vassar College and his MFA at the University of Southern California. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Rucka has two tattoos, and rides a motorcycle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in the Series, November 11, 2001

By 

Mary Jo Paine (Laureldale, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Critical Space (Hardcover)

Every book featuring Atticus Kodiak gets better and better and it's hard to imagine Mr Rucka could write another book any better than this one. I couldn't put this book down but at the same time that I was staying up late into the night reading, didn't want the adventure to end. This installment puts the reader on a roller coaster of emotions . . . alternately cheering for Atticus and agonizing over some of the decisions he is making that appear to be turning him into the type of person he is usually hired to protect against! I strongly suggest that a person read the previous books in the Atticus Kodiak series to truly appreciate the characters that surround Atticus.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 stars, October 23, 2001

By 

Konrad Kern (OFallon, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Critical Space (Hardcover)

Atticus Kodiak, a name you wont soon forget after reading this fast moving thriller from the mind of Greg Rucka.

The pursuer becomes the pursued and the assassin becomes the target. Drama is the code name of one of the top assassins in the world belonging to a group known as The Ten. Atticus Kodiak is the only man alive that has bested her. Now Drama is being targeted by another dangerous assassin known as Oxford, and would like Atticus to protect her. Her scheme to get Atticuss help is no less than genius. Once he relents and decides to help, she trains him and teaches him everything she knows about survival in the world of assassins. Training he will need to survive.

I really liked this book. It was fast paced with adventures in international locales. It had likeable characters with depth. The story gave you a good idea about the job of bodyguard as well as some secrets of the assassins. A thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Atticus Kodiak Continued: Critcal Space by Greg Rucka, March 14, 2004

By 

Kevin Tipple (Plano, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Critical Space (Hardcover)

Greg Rucka is one of those special authors that weaves intriguing characters, witty dialogue and plenty of action into a first rate story. If you have not had the pleasure of reading him, then you are in for a real treat. However, this is one of those series that it is vital to read them in order and this review will unfortunately, by necessity, give away some details. The characters change tremendously in this series and this particular novel ties up quite a lot from the proceeding books. The earlier novels are Keeper, Finder, Smoker and Shooting at Midnight and should be available at almost any bookstore and of course, your local library, either in its collection or through the Inter-Library Loan Program.

Atticus is virtually at the top of success in the professional bodyguard world. His company, KTMH Security, is doing very well especially after the success of stopping Drama in his last book. (See, I told you to read the others.) Drama, a world-renowned assassin in intelligence circles as well as the underworld had a violent encounter with Atticus and both were very lucky to escape with their respective lives. After a year and no retaliation by Drama, Atticus believes the threat has lessened and that one and all should breath easy. He believes that even though she was thwarted in her assignment at great personal cost, she has moved on to other targets.

But, a book has been released, featuring reporting on the incident and there has been a resultant wave of publicity. While that has been good for business, it has brought the shallow celebrity style clients that Atticus does not want. But, there are clients that he does want and adores, such as Lady Ainsley-Hunter from England. Atticus agrees to protect her while her ladyship is in the United States and soon things begin to go wrong.

Lady Ainsley-Hunter is in definite danger and it may all trace back to Drama. Drama has her own problems and is not through with either KTMH or its most famous owner and employee, Atticus Kodiak. She violently makes her presence known and with so much at stake, both professionally and personally, Atticus has no choice but to accede to her demands.

This is a tough, action filled and well written book that will keep you turning the page. In writing there is an old axiom that admonishes writers to "show, don't tell." Greg Rucka is one of the best at that and uses dialogue wonderfully to paint a picture. The pictures he paints through words are complicated and multi layered and full of emotion. Simply put, his books are very good and I would strongly recommend him to anyone.