Pulse (A Jack Sigler Thriller) [Hardcover]

Jeremy Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Chess Team Adventure | Publication Date: May 26, 2009

HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD YOU KILL TO LIVE FOREVER?

Imagine a world where soldiers regenerate and continue fighting without pause, where suicide bombers live to strike again and again. This is the dream of Richard Ridley, founder of Manifold Genetics, and he has just discovered the key to eternal life: an ancient artifact buried beneath a Greek-inscribed stone in the Peruvian desert.

When Manifold steals the artifact and abducts archeologist Dr. George Pierce, United States Special Forces Delta operator Jack Sigler, call sign King, and his “Chess Team” —Queen, Knight, Rook, Bishop, and their handler, Deep Blue—give chase. Formed under special order from President Duncan, they are the best of America’s Special Forces, tasked with antiterrorism missions that take them around the world against any threat, ancient, modern, and at times, inhuman. With cutting-edge weapons, tough-as-nails tactics, and keen intellects, they stand alone on the brink, facing the world’s most dangerous threats.

Ridley’s plan to create unstoppable soldiers has just made him threat number one. Tension soars along with the body count as the team faces high-tech security forces, hordes of “regens,” the horrific results of Manifold’s experiments, and a resurrected mythological predator complete with regenerative abilities, seven heads, and a savage appetite. The Chess Team races to save Pierce and stop Manifold before they change the face of genetics—and human history—forever.

Heart-pounding action combines with adrenaline-charged suspense in the first of Jeremy Robinson’s smart, sharp series featuring the Chess Team.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Greek myth and biotechnology collide in Robinson's first in a new thriller series to feature the Chess Team, an elite Delta Force unit whose members each use a chess piece—king, bishop, knight, etc.—as a call sign. When the legendary Hydra, whose slaying was the second of Hercules' 12 labors, turns up in Peru alive (albeit in dormant form), Richard Ridley, the head of Manifold, a company renowned in the world of genetics, seeks to revive the beast. Ridley, who plans to use the Hydra's DNA to make humans immortal, transports the creature to the South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the Chess Team winds up blasting away at semireptilean regens, people infected with Hydra serum who can regrow damaged or missing body parts almost instantly. Robinson (Antarktos Rising) will have readers turning the pages, but the resolution, which pulls many punches, will surprise no one. (May 26)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Robinson’s latest reads like a video game with tons of action and lots of carnage. The CEO of a genetics lab uses ruthless methods to achieve his goals. When he uncovers research that could make eternal life a reality, he swings into high gear, abducting an archaeologist who can help find the key. In the process, however, he sets off a chain of events that could destroy the world. Called in to rescue the archaeologist, a Delta Forces team consisting of members nicknamed after chess pieces tries to stop the madman. The combination of mythology, technology, and high-octane action proves irresistible. The heroes could have been fleshed out a bit better, but perhaps that will come in the expected sequel. For the moment, the action is enough. Gruesome and nasty in a good way, this will appeal to readers of Matthew Reilly. --Jeff Ayers

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; First Edition edition (May 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312540280
• ISBN-13: 978-0312540289
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #969,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JEREMY ROBINSON is the author of numerous novels including PULSE, INSTINCT, and THRESHOLD the first three books in his exciting Jack Sigler series, which is also the focus of and expanding series of co-authored novellas deemed the Chesspocalypse. Robinson also known as the #1 Amazon.com horror writer, Jeremy Bishop, author of THE SENTINEL and the controversial novel, TORMENT. His novels have been translated into ten languages. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three children. For more visit Jeremy at: www.jeremyrobinsononline.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Pulse is any indication, I can hardly wait for the Chess Team's next adventure, June 8, 2009

By 

Jeff Edwards "RadioJeff" (Twin Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Pulse (A Jack Sigler Thriller) (Hardcover)

Like many Jeremy Robinson fans, I was introduced to his writing through his first, self-published time traveling novel, 'The Didymus Contingency' and LOVED it. The idea of creating an action/adventure tale set around time travel that also happens to feature the Son of God?? Who could have conceived the success that followed? I have known that 'Pulse' has been in the works for quite some time now, and after finishing 'Kronos' I was really chompin' at the bit for this one.

Guess what? Jeremy Robinson does NOT disappoint. With each successive story you literally can SEE the improvements happening to his immense storytelling creativity and talent...and they are on FULL display here, I assure you. Who could map out even a semi-believable story featuring Greek Mythology and modern genetics and weave them together in such a way that doesn't make it sound silly? I'll tell you who: Jeremy Robinson. While I am NOT a geneticist, the obvious research that went into this novel is quite apparent and I am sure someone who knows far more than I do about the possibility of genetic organ regeneration can spot (if any) some flaws--but I certainly couldn't. It was hard to say where actual technology left off and wild imagination began in some places.

Oh, and the action?? Well 'Pulse' has been compared to Matthew Reilly's books as of late, and although I don't believe Jeremy came too close to the all-out adrenaline/steroid rush of Reilly, he certainly comes within throwing distance...and for someone like me, that is really great news.

Action, suspense and a great deal of 'What If' seems to play a central role here in 'Pulse'...in fact, if I were to compare this to anything else available, I'd say it's a cross between X-Files, Indiana Jones and Rainbow Six. I simply LOVED 'Pulse' from the first page and for those out there looking for the next Action King to spend some time with, you would be making a smart move to get to know Jeremy Robinson NOW--oh yeah, and go pick up his earlier stuff, too...you won't be wasting a single penny.

Kudos to Jeremy...now, enough playing around--get back to work on that sequel!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pulse Pounding Page Peeling Publication, July 24, 2009

By 

R.W. Ridley (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pulse (A Jack Sigler Thriller) (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a book that will give you heart palpitations and reads with the pace and energy of an edge of your seat video game, Jeremy Robinson's Pulse is the book for you. Simply put, it is a good time read. An evil billionaire sets out to discover the key to immortality and manages to unleash the wrath of the mythical beast, Hydra. A Delta Force team of soldiers is called in to fight various badies that include humans who can regenerate body parts thanks to their modified DNA that includes Hydra juice. Gun battles, hand to hand combat, monster mauling, it's all here. I can't recommend this book enough.

I've read and enjoyed a number of Robinson's novels and I think this is his best. He is firing on all cylinders here, providing a page turner to the nth degree. If you combined the DNA from some of the best authors in this genre (Rollins, Crichton, Reilly, etc.) and created some mad scientist concoction, you would end up with Jeremy Robinson clacking away on his computer keyboard churning out action-packed prose. Pulse is the perfect summer read.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting premise but mediocre writing, January 14, 2011

By 

BH (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pulse (Chess Team) (Kindle Edition)

Pulse is a mix between Herodotus, Jurassic Park, 28 Days Later, and a sub-par Tom Clancy. The premise is interesting but Mr. Robinson needs to develop as a writer because as of now his prose is hackneyed and it would be overgenerous to say that his characters are cardboard cutouts lifted out of any cr*ppy video game or C movie. I had flashes of the A-Team (TV show not movie) running through my head as thousands of rounds are fired at our protagonists and not one is hit whilst they run amok and kill dozens of their foes. As to the villain, well, considering he is bald all that is needed for him to be Dr. Evil is a Nehru jacket and degree from Evil Medical School...I mean seriously, right down to the freakin' lair in a Volcano.

Again, the premise of the novel is very interesting and a lot of fun could have been had with it. The best parts are when Mr. Robinson exposes bits of the ancient back story and lets our imaginations run with it, the part regarding the ancient landing in Peru was easily the best in the book. The worst are the dialogue, character development, and, well, everything else.

Cool idea, crappy execution. Keep plugging at it.