Customer Reviews

Recoil (Nick Stone 09)

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

 

 

The in depth detail of artillery weapons deployment and technical prowess is the least appealing aspect of an otherwise fascinating & often poignantly heart-wrenching insight into the rape of Zairian children's very childhood & souls.

The characters were very well-developed and the appeal of Sam & Crucial is palpable. Silke - the romantic link - however was for me very one-dimensional despite the fact that the whole goal was her "rescue".

There are many graphic & gory details that are certainly not for the faint-hearted yet really serve as proof of the realism that can only be achieved by an author who is sharing true experience.

Overall - & given that I am writing this from a female perspective - this is a very informative thriller which will not disappoint.

RECOIL, the latest of 9 or so books about the adventures of ex-SAS soldier Nick Stone against bad guys around the world is, I think, one of the weakest. Maybe I'm just getting tired of the same-old-same-old formula that McNab has been using to move Nick from one tight situation to the next from book to book. This time Nick leaves the comfort of Switzerland to fly to Africa following the trail of his girlfriend, Silky, who up and left him for who knows what reason. He eventually learns that she is in The Democratic Republic of the Congo. Why did she go?

I wasn't interested in Nick's efforts to locate her, primarily because Silky wasn't really a well-developed character and not at all likeable. Why would he bother in the first place? The usual stumbling blocks and shady characters are thrown in the way of his quest to find her and win her back. As Nick says, "I didn't have a home, not even a camper van or a tent. I had nothing in the world except a cheap ring and a beautiful German girl, and maybe I didn't even have her any more." Is this the stuff true love is made of? Does he really love her? I never got the feeling that he did. She certainly didn't seem to love him if she left for no reason and didn't even bother to leave a "Dear Nick" note.

The earlier books in the series (REMOTE CONTROL, CRISIS FOUR, and FIREWALL) were better written and held my attention. I genuinely liked the early Nick Stone and his relationship with the young girl Kelly whom he took under his wing after her family was murdered. There was the need for Nick and Kelly to get away from the evil guys who wanted to kill the people we cared about that's missing from this and the later novels. Too, there didn't seem to be the tiresome in-depth description of all the weapons used. McNab generally fills his books with technical jargon that gets in the way of the story, I think.

Some of McNab's fans will be less than pleased with this review, I know. It seems that people like to read glowing reviews and then rate them favorably. When a reviewer writes something other than what they expect, they give it a "thumbs down" and may even add a comment about how the reviewer probably "didn't even bother to read the book." Well, I did read the whole book (all 447 pages) and was not impressed. That's why I gave it a 3 star (C grade) rating. I'll stick with well-written thrillers by British novelist Stephen Leather from now on and skip Andy McNab, thank you.

The only McNab I had read before this was his first biographical book which I enjoyed as the story of a very brave if not an attractive man. Stone, Mcnab's hero has his unattractive side too but beneath the tough soldier's exterior it seems there is a soft heart too. I think what you get with McNab is very much a reflection of the author himself. You sense he has used all these weapons.he is an expert in the field not in mere theory. he is not though an expert in personal relationships, except for soldier to soldier.

It is a gripping read set in the darkest heart of Africa. It is one long battle to survive against the odds and not many do. There is much blood and more use of the f word than I like to read but I guess that is the language of the ex-S.A.S. and their ilk. A happy if unrealistic ending. The romantic comes out in the author in the end.

This was my first Andy McNab read, and has not been my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its pacing, setting, themes and characters.

I can't give this 4 stars, however, as this strikes me as just a solid book but not terrific. Probably more like 3.5 stars. One of the complaints I did have with this was the 1 page chapters, which only served to break the text up rather than move the scene. Aside from that I appreciated the realism and action packed nature of the book.

I have read all of the Nick Stone books (in order) and I have to say I like this one the best. The first person narrative really puts me inside Nick's head and gives him a distinct personality. I find his descriptions of what he sees to be very entertaining. Probably it's the British military slant. Also, his description of weapons and tactics feels natural and nevers seems to veer military over-description.

As others have written, the story is pretty good and all of the characters are fairly well developed. I agree that Silke could have been more detailed. Unfortunately, much of the detail was a previous book.

It's a little faster read than some of the previous books. To me that means he didn't stretch it out just to add more pages.

So, below is the biggest reason I liked the book. I'm sorry to say that I have to insert a

SPOILER ALERT!!!

It seems like in all the previous books, main characters that I developed an affection for all died in the end. Comrades-in-arms, both military and para-military, the daughter of his best friend, the list goes on. It seemed like each book had to have Nick alone (again).

In recoil, none of the main characters die. It felt right when I was done and didn't cast a pall on the rest of the story.

Probably the best Mcnab fiction I have ever read. Lots of military action, which is Mcnab's forte as compared with espionage. Very detailed and authentic technical descriptions that other authors can only dream about. No unnecessary exaggeration or bragging as far as the main character is concerned in an attempt to convince the reader of his background (like some others do to make it look real). The most captivating thing about Mcnab's book is that one never knows whether he is writing his own experience or fiction!

Kept me on the edge of my seat. This guy takes nuclear sub on unbelievable adventures. Great characters developed, good plot. Enjoyed the heck out of this.