Customer Reviews

The First Commandment

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

President Jack Rutledge authorizes a deal with terrorists. Although the American government leaders always insist they will never negotiate with terrorists even for the release of hostages, he secretly releases five hardcore known terrorists locked away at Guantomino as part of a deal to protect at risk children. In fairness his advisors told them they can keep this quintet under control with monitoring of the isotope they put in the blood of these killers.

The President's advisors missed another slammed dunk when they lose sight of the fearsome five. Just under six months later, an assassin shoots Homeland Security agent Scot Harvath's girlfriend Tracy Hastings (see TAKEDOWN), leaving her comatose and he furious as isotopic blood is found at the crime scene. Soon afterward, his mother is attacked by locusts and some friends of Harvath murdered. He knows someone is coming for him, through his loved ones. Harvath begins to make inquiries, but is told to stay out of it. Even before these incidents he knew the leadership saw him as an expendable renegade so he ignores the order to take no action against the person methodically destroying his loved ones.

TAKEDOWN is an exciting action-packed frightening thriller; THE FIRST COMMANDMENT is as exhilarating and action-packed, but even more frightening as the plausibility of the plot will not be questioned. Harvath is at his anguished best in this often violent tale as he is ordered to do nothing although his counter terrorist instincts are screaming to go on the offense. The return of several characters from previous books enhances the feel of the long term concept of the war against terrorism as Brad Thor raises the adrenalin with this terrific thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Brad Thor is one of the best. Right up there with Vince Flynn for writing topical thrillers that entertain and educate, this may be the most tightly written of his six novels that it has been my pleasure to read. The protagonist of these books is Scot Harvath a former Navy SEAL and Homeland Scurity operative.

This book picks up where the last one, "Takedown" leaves off. At the end of that book, Scot Harvath's girlfriend Tracy steps out on the porch of his home and is felled by an assassin's bullet which is just enough off target to spare her life, but serious enough to put her in a coma and on a ventilator.

Harvath does not realize it at the time, but that attack on Tracy is the first of several that are planned for people close to Harvath. Who is carrying out the attacks, who is planning them and why consumes not only Harvath, but the reader as events unfold. Someone appears bent on revenge, but for what?

It is a large onion that Harvath must peel his way through to get to the answers and telling you more than that could spoil the masterful writing effort that Thor has offered for our reading enjoyment.

Do not pass this one by.

Anyone looking for a decent intelligence-agent thriller should check out some of Brad Thor's books, but I'm not sure this would be his best. I think Lions of Lucerne was better. The ideas were solid, but not overally original, and it's hard not to get the feeling that a lot of the action is loaded with political messages shoved down reader's throats.

I have long been a fan of Vince Flynn and Lee Child, when a friend said I should read Brad Thor. I was not disappointed....I do wish I started in the order, but that is what I intend to do now.....Very similar to Vince Flynn in plot lines, but a good, fun, quick and exciting read....

The Troll emerges again and provides a good foil for Harvath. I enjoyed his presence. I also enjoyed Harvath's tendency to go rogue after.. uh.. um... the president's betrayal. As with all of Thor's books, the development of the characters is a little low, but dang there's a lot of really great action. I like his books as a really good quick hit, not too long, not too complex, but really fun. I recommend putting Thor's books in between much more serious and complex books. It makes a really great way to break up heavy reading with something fun.

Though I didn't enjoy this latest chapter in the Scot Harvath series as much as Thor's last novel(Takedown) it was still a really entertaining read. Brad Thor's writing seems to be getting better with every new novel he churns out. In The First Commandment, ex-Navy Seal Scot Harvath's friends and family are being targeted by a sinister Islamic terrorist who was just mysteriously released from Guantonimo Bay. The terrorist unleashes some grousome attacks on those closest to Harvath and a classic cat-and-mouse chase ensues. Harvath enlists the help of some old friends(as well as an old enemy) to try and stay one step ahead of the terrorist and prevent anymore loved ones from being targeted. Overall this book is a solid, quick, entertaining read. It should not be missed by fans of the genre. Can't wait for the next installment.

So first I read the book. On the plus side: nice pace and good action with breaks so you can read awhile, get to a "mini conclusion" and put it down to come back later. Scot Harvath is a believable character in anguish over the mortally-wounded, beloved Tracy and with a seething rage over her shooting. And after getting even in the end, he comes back to her coming out of a deep coma to squeeze his hand.

I like to read the reviews, and almost unanimously everyone gives this five stars! Then unbelievably they all say the plot is unbelieveable and no way is a President of the United States going to order a hit on an American hero just to protect a terrorist, etc. etc. etc. Pequegnat gives it five stars and then tears apart the entire book at its ridiculous implausible plot.

So in the end, I'm not sure who is more unbelievable: all these reviewers that give it 5 stars and then say its unbelievable, or the unbelievable plot? To say its an enjoyable read for an idle plane flight or a rainy weekend day is believable.

Pierce Scranton
author, Death on the Learning curve

This was my first book by Brad Thor and I am very happy that I "found" him! I love books that are fast paced and action packed and this one had it. This book had me from the opening quote! This is a very well written political, miliary, real-world thriller by a very talented author. Brad's other books have just jumped on my "to read" list. Extremely highly recommended!!!!

Okay, the plot is implausible. Many of the characters are stereotypes and the ones who aren't are not necessarily developed to any great depth. Further, those who believe that the world is really a place where evil exists only because the United States exists will find this novel reprehensible because the hero, Scot [sic] Harvath is a patriot who tries to protect the US. Worse yet, so do his friends.

Scot Harvath has nebulous job in the US government, ostensibly with the Department of Homeland Security. But he reports to the President, whom he also regularly saves from the plots of evildoers. (In other Thor novels, Harvath has rescued the kidnapped President and saved New York from an al-Queda attack.)

If you don't like overblown heroes and plots that go beyond plausibility, you probably won't like Brad Thor's work. For example, Mitch Rapp, the creation of Vince Flynn, is far more believable than Scot Harvath. And Fynn's plotting has more substance than Thor's.

But when it comes to rip-roaring, old-fashioned patriotism, Thor goes over the top - which adds to the entertainment value of "The First Commandment".

The story begins with five major terrorists being released from Guantanamo. There's a murky backstory behind the release of these five men which I will not reveal here. Suffice it to say that the backstory, as it is disclosed in the novel, has more holes than a Swiss Cheese. But that's not really important now or ever. What counts is President Rutledge telling his one-man army, Scot Harvath, to keep his nose out of the matter.

This, of course, offends Harvath who promptly disobeys the President because he and his girlfriend have been attacked by person or persons unknown. The girlfriend, Tracy, is in a coma as a result of an assasination attempt. Harvath sets out to find the shooter.

Harvath stops at nothing. Torture - which is meticulously described - is simply a tool to Harvath. Harvath's mother is attacked. Harvath gets angrier and more determined to find the attacker(s). He calls upon powerful friends with tremendous intelligence resources. He also calls upon the Troll, an unlikely dwarf (really) who has played a part in another novel. The Troll is a lonely dwarf who deals in information to anyone with a check that won't bounce. It is an unlikely pairing.

The key element in a Thor novel is action. Unremitting action in the name of America, truth, justice and good guys everywhere. Thor writes breast pounding heroic stuff. It is not for the weak or squeamish. It is for those who like their action two-fisted, unforgiving and patriotic.

Brad Thor treats plot and characters much as Clive Cussler does. Both are frequently unbelievable, but because both men are such phenomenal storytellers, the reader simply doesn't care.

This is just plain great thriller action.

I have one tiny bone to pick. I do wish Brad Thor and other authors would realize that some in their audience really do understand computer technology and when they try to fool the knowledgeable reader, it is immediately apparent. I'm not going to say where Thor makes a big mistake with the technology because only an expert would spot it. But it is jarring to those who recognize the error.

Aside from that, Brad Thor has written another powerhouse, page turner, rip-roaring "I Love America" thriller. For those who appreciate such qualities, it's a great book.

Jerry

Like Cussler's Brad Pitt and his Doxa watches - Thor's Scot Horvath features Kobold watches for his protagonist. As a watch collector - I admire both - but only own a Doxa 750 GMT Divingstar.

Make no mistake - this is a crowded, well worn venue - kept alive by our 8-9 year old war on terror. I got just a bit of the 'been there - done that' feeling. I get many mental links to USA Network's "Burn Notice" and a host of other thriller characters by various authors. Most of us know that the alphbet soup of government special agents fail to play nice with each other as budget and power issues often trump doing the right thing. The 'lone wolf' who ignores all interagency rivalry is also a well trod path.

Thor likes Horvath to play with toys - pistols, assault rifles and shotguns; tasers and even pepper gas shoved in the ear to give the tangos a memorable experience - a Thor 'standard' or trademark. Thor's DHS experiences come into play - giving us a writers tease or a peek into black ops. Why am I thinking that Thor is somewhat frustrated in what actually happens at DHS vs what he'd LIKE to see done?

As a summer read in paperback - its a fast moving ride - as Horvath cuts a mighty swath through bad guys and girls, good guys and all those inbetween. He befriends ladies, dogs and dwarfs. Not quite predictable - used a few twists and turns to keep me going - but falls short of 'WOW' as some earlier story lines have done.

As a retired intelligence soldier who works as an Army contractor - I share an environment with returning combat OIF and OEF veterans - some of whom exhibit various stages of PTSD. I think Thor captures this 'syndrome' fairly well as his character exhibits 'compact' twinges of dysfunction - but not enough to jeapordize the mission.

Many reviewers here are 'functional disbelievers' to quote a Hillary comment on an Army General ... and suspending this - perhaps is necessary to overlook some of the impossible situations and just enjoy the romping stomping bodycount.

Reaction to Thor's writing is more a function of the readers background and attitude than anything Thor puts in print and you can almost predetermine how a certain personality will react to the writing and storyline.. While not his best novel - not all can be 'above average' ...