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47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 1/2 Stars...Waiting for a Second Wind, March 15, 2008
This review is from: The Ghost War (A John Wells Novel) (Hardcover)
I grew up on the espionage fiction of John Le Carre, Len Deighton, and Frederick Forsyth. In more recent years, I've become a fan of Daniel Silva and others who capture the nuances of modern politics and intrigue. When I came across Berenson's "The Faithful Spy," I felt like I'd discovered a new novelist to follow along this genre's tenuous path, so I was excited to see his second book hit the shelves.
"The Ghost War" starts with some interesting scenarios by delving into the areas of North Korea and China. He raises questions that demand answers, and gives a cautionary tale of sorts. Again, we follow the career of John Wells, a steadfast, pragmatic loner, who now plays the uncomfortable role of American hero. Wells is in a relationship that could add depth for continued books, but that fails to do much here. In fact, I felt that Berenson set up a number of elements for the series' continuation, while never quite giving us the focus of his debut thriller. He brushes up against Vince Flynn stereotypes, then pokes at Le Carre themes, and never really establishes his own identity.
I'm not worried, though. I have no doubt that Berenson is on the verge of creating a strong line of Wells' novels. "The Faithful Spy" was a breath of fresh air, "The Ghost War" is an author catching his breath, and I expect from here he'll be running with a second wind. I'll certainly pick up the next book, but I can only hope it builds on the promise. Until then, I'll be waiting for Silva's "Moscow Rules."
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33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a thought-provoking page-turner, March 9, 2008
This review is from: The Ghost War (A John Wells Novel) (Hardcover)
Berenson's first book, The Faithful Spy, was amazing - crisp writing, well-thought-out action, fine character development. The loss that John Wells incurred by serving as the secret servant of the US for many years was staggeringly portrayed: the deaths of his parents, the loss of contact with his child, the sense of being out-of-step with what he thought of as his own culture, all of this should have made even the most cynical readers think about what deep-cover agents agree to give up. It's hard to imagine how Berenson could have upped the stakes in a second novel.
And he doesn't. He simply provides a compelling and realistic continuation of the narrative. What can Wells do to top saving the world in Times Square? Not much. But Berenson gives us another tale well worth reading, as well as a number if political zingers to wonder over.
The John Wells character continues to develop in The Ghost War, and unsurprisingly he is beset by doubts about how he can sustain the life he has fallen into back in the States. Berenson, realizing that his readers expect action, doesn't let this introspection go on too long, but it is a necessary preface to the main events of the novel; without that we would just have James Bond walking in the door and greeting Moneypenny, ready for the next adventure.
Jennifer Exley, the CIA handler who saves Wells in the first book, is back, but we see less of her than I had hoped. There are some passages about her choice of a professional life over the young children she has, but these all have a slightly formulaic ring. Yes, Exley avoids stereotypes, but that's about the best that we can say for her in this book. Even her out-of-the-box solution for getting Wells back is given only the briefest brush of ink. More next time?
The other important characters - Li, Cao, and the mole - are believable, but the American character's motivation is given much, much more ink, something of a problem, I think. Cao's thinking is at least as important, but we don't get enough of it.
These are quibbles. The settings - the coast of North Korea, Afghanistan, China -- are vividly described, the action is practically non-stop, and the day is saved by human cleverness and perseverance, not by techno-interventions. The DC in-fighting has the sad ring of truth, while the recognition of China as a threat moves beyond head-line ripping and into political commentary. This is a terrific read.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A solid, though not an exceptional, sequel, March 12, 2008
This review is from: The Ghost War (A John Wells Novel) (Hardcover)
Alex Berenson's premiere thriller, THE FAITHFUL SPY, introduced CIA agent John Wells, a character who truly stood out among fictional spies. He had been under cover for ten years, infiltrating Al Qaeda. Embedded, he became a practicing Muslim in deed and, intriguingly, thought.
THE GHOST WAR picks up Wells' story after he has been back in the U.S. for some time. Insomnia plagues his restless mind and body, so he speeds along largely empty interstates in the dead of night on his black Honda motorcycle, taking "joyless joyrides." He's become a re-Americanized guy, a guy who no longer prays five times a day, who is no longer Muslim (or "Moslem," the alternate spelling) and therein lies a loss of distinction. Suddenly, Alex Berenson's hero tends to blend into the crowd of fellow super-spies whose tales line the bookstore adventure shelves.
Once one has accustomed oneself to Wells' more generic identity, THE GHOST WAR is a solid (but not exceptional) read. He is a hero at loose ends, a man in need of a new mission, his loyal and loving girlfriend (and boss), Jennifer Exley, is sure. And since the world is never a static, uncomplicated place, one comes his way in short order.
The basic geopolitical premises the fuel the plot are credible. Certainly, China and the U.S. could flirt dangerously with war. Certainly, North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, and other "hot spots" could play parts in exacerbating tensions between the current superpower and, according to some predictions, its presumed successor. And it goes without saying that the CIA sends spies to gather vital intelligence and extract foreign nationals who are vital assets. So, THE GHOST WAR is, in many ways, a believable techno-thriller. Perhaps, the machinations and motivations amongst the Chinese rulers are over-simplified, but overall, Berenson maintains a good pace, introduces characters skillfully, and pumps up the suspense level several times to fine effect.
John Wells is an American spy and man of action worth following through further adventures, but he would stand out in the genre better if he regained some of the unique outlook with which he was originally introduced.
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