The latest installment of the Wayson Harris series takes place six months after the end of the previous book. Harris is struggling with newfound fears from his time as a captive who was subjected to torture and systematic brainwashing. It's interesting to see our Liberator in this light, he's always been very self-aware. Perhaps when you're surrounded by men who are programmed to be anything but self-aware, introspection becomes a priority. Harris understands that he's now capable of committing suicide, something that is programmed out of the Liberator line. He has a phobia of the ocean that on an intellectual level he knows must have come from his time as a captive, but KNOWING it doesn't change the reality of what he feels.
Assassin begins with great action that we've come to expect from Steven Kent. A massive coordinated attack on the Enlisted Man's Empire by the remnants of the Unified Authority leaves the clones without a leader, and questioning their place as a benevolent occupying force.
Harris is incapacitated, forcing Ray Freeman to step in to take care of business. We spend some time in Freeman's head this time around. Not surprising, his thoughts are as direct and concise as his actions, though we do get to see a vulnerable side of the giant. He's not warm and fuzzy, but he's a man who is reaching the end of his prime and he knows it. The action with Freeman is impressive, because it's just as bad ass when he's pulling off wild acts of violence knowing exactly how he's doing it, as when you see it from Harris' perspective.
This book brings some of the classic Navy Army Marine rivalry into play, with a clone twist of course. The difference in branches seems to highlight the fact that while all clones may be created equal, they grow up and mature into distinct individuals. Enter army General MacAvoy, when the fighting starts and he's in charge, the tactics used are entirely different than the Marine tactics we're use to from Harris. And it's FUN. There isn't a scene with MacAvoy where you're not enjoying the moment.
There are times when Assassin doesn't feel like science fiction. It takes place on Earth, there are no aliens, there isn't much in the way of space. As with all his books, and something I personally appreciate, Kent doesn't get bogged down giving us technical manuals worth of pros on every weapon, vehicle, gadget, etc, that the future military uses. Some of that in this book may have made it feel more sic-fi-y, but more likely it would have just slowed it down. This time around, the sic-fi element is really about the clones, what makes them tick, programming and reprogramming causing glitches, errors, unexpected new lines of reasoning. I'm a geek for the more subtle sic-fi and the psychological element in this book was very interesting to me.
Overall another solid book in the series, though it probably won't stand out in the Harris saga, it will leave you dying to know what is going to happen next.
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