Customer Reviews

Sovereign Rule

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The most extraordinary thing about this book is the claim in "About the Author" that "readers agree that Robert's books are among the best they've ever read." This book is disastrously bad. There is no character development, and the twisted conspiracy is never explained or resolved. The plot, to the extent the book can be said to have one, is nothing more but series of location changes that link together sparsely described action scenes and revelations that each character is not what he/she seems to be. Perhaps this is a post-modern style of writing that I don't appreciate, since the book seems to follow the TV genre of conspiracy shows -- like La Femme Nikita and Alias-- which unashamedly move from one inconsistent plot line to another, and seem to be based on the premise that a constant series of betrayals and twists can substitute for logical development of a plot or story.

Stanek is a skillful writer of action scenes but the plot is absent. It is like Brownian motion or minimalist music: you can stop or start at any point and the ceaseless movement will carry you forward to, what? For good plots read the "old-fashioned writers" like Le Carre and Robert Barnard or newer ones like Robert Wilson. At least you will care what happens to the hero or heroine.

Let's get straight to the point -- this book is awful. Save your money, and more importantly, your precious time. This author has no ability to develop characters, and the plot disappears 10 pages into the book. By page 20, the reader is left to look for continuity -- and behold, there is none. This is an amateurish book at best!

And puh-leeze, there is absolutely no comparison between this author and his work and Dan Brown, Patterson, etc. ....and anybody who is giving favorable praise to this book was probably paid by the author.

I put down "Davinci Code" in favor of "Sovereign Rule" Stanek has an excellent writing style, the pages fly by fast and so much is happening you scarcely have time to breathe. I finished it and then went back to read it again! Highly recommended to any mystery or thriller fan.

I'm a suspense junkie, I love good, fast reads with solid dialogue and interesting plot. This definitely was a great read. As far as a previous reviewer saying this is like Alias or La Femme Nikita, I say MOST definitely, but MUCH MUCH better. A lot more sophisticated, definitely better than anything James Patterson has written and I loved most of Patterson's book. Solid 5 stars and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED reading.

I rarely review other writers works but decided to make an exception for this well-written, fast-paced novel from Robert Stanek. 1) It was mentioned to me that VMP was looking to pick up the option for film production 2) Someone told me about the puzzle at the center of plot and the character ("Glen") with a God-complex 3) I read and loved the book. It is simple, suspenseful, and fascinating.

In the tradition of Ludlams "The Bourne Identity Series", Sovereign Rule is a complex, smart novel that still manages to move at a lightning pace. Much like Pattersons novels, the book features short chapters, switches between the protagonist and the antagonist in rapid succession, and leaves you wanting more with every turn of the page. It's complete with eye-opening twists and turns, and an exciting central puzzle that's sure to spark great "could-this-really-happen" discussions.

I'm looking for the next Scott Evers-thriller and hope this is the first of many successful novels for the author. If anyone out there still has any doubts, overall I thought this was better than anything else I've read so far this year. A bit of Patterson, a bit of Ludlum, a true gem.

Robert Stanek's latest book, Sovereign Rule, is a triumph. It has completely unanticipated plot twists, fascinating characters and a great story. You will not want to stop reading this book for ANY reason but every now and then you may wish to pause to let your mind caught up with your racing heart. This is a book that should appeal to anyone looking for a thrilling page-turner.

I was very skeptical when I picked this book up. Sovereign Rule, yeah righ. I let it sit on my night stand for a week befire I finaly picked it up. I read the book straight through. I could not put it down. One of the things that made this book even better that this could really happen and we'd never know. It will make you question what is true and why it is true!

This book was such a page-turner I could not put it down. I read it in a matter of days. If you like a very good thriller, with lots of twists and turns, puzzles and adventure, Sovereign Rule is it!

I have read everything Robert Stanek has written. He is such an interesting author that I couldn't pass this one by. I've now read the book three times since getting it--the last read in a single sitting. I simply couldn't put the book down even on the third read. It is an exciting page turner and probaby his best to date. It's certainly NOT literature, but who cares. The writing is tight, the plot twisted and fast, and the storyline is timely. I was left with the feeling this could've happened right now today even though it is obviously taken place a few years from now. Buy it, gulp it down like a slurpee!

After finishing this novel, I immediaely looked for the sequel. It was disappointing to find there wasn't one yet but what was surprising for me is how much I liked the book, considering I don't normally care for spy novels - I've tried to read Ludlam but have never actually managed to finish one of his. I guess that's some sort of bar as to whether the novel is any good or not.

Stanek is a skilled storyteller who predominantly tells the story from Scott Evers's perspective, yet intersperses just enough clandestine meetings and intrigue to keep the story crisp. Although the plot is simple at first, it grows more complicated as the twists and turns continue.

The main character, Scott Evers is in trouble at the start. He's waiting for an ambush and certain he's going to end up dead. He's not without his gifts, though, so even though he is ready for the worst he is able to handle things smoothly. It's a stunning opening for a plot that builds and builds and doesn't let you down.

Of course, there is the standard fair share of shooting and running and all-round suspense. At every turn, there's something forcing Scoot to keep his wits about him and make impulse decisions. It all makes for a great read.