Format: Kindle EditionChange
Price:$3.99
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on December 22, 2011
All the other reviewers are correct it is fast paced with lots of action and action/thriller fans will be satisfied and to a large degree it was what I expected.
My criticisms are this, there were parts of the book that I found confusing and I think this is probably an editing fault and I felt it needed to be done better especially as there were several characters from the various covert agencies FBI, CIA, DOD.
Alot of authors (Baldacci, Thor, Flynn) have done this similar type of plot "secret agency within an agency or some other Clandestine small team that does "the job" that other agencies cannot do because of oversight.
The thing that I cannot get past (for me) is that we all want to cheer for these guys and do a mental fist pump when the bad guy gets whats coming to him and nearly 100% of the time our "hero" has a code of ethics/morality that cannot be broken or compromised, to name a few "Dont kill womwen & children, dont kill innocents/non-combatants, always do the right thing no matter what" etc etc.
We grow to like and respect these guys (David Baldacci's "Oliver Stone", Vince Flynn's "Mitch Rapp", Brad Thor's "Scott Harvath" even less likely anti-Heroes like Barry Eisler's Assassin "John Rain" is a good guy and Yes, it may not be "real-Life" but hey its a work of fiction to begin with!
and so our protagonist here Daniel Petrovich **Mini Spolier Alert** kills a Female police detective out doing her grocery shopping (to be fair he didn't know this at the time) after he puts a gun in her back and uses her to escape a situation.
It is this reason alone that I have a reluctance to like our "hero" and am conflicted about the book like I say its just my opinion.
My criticisms are this, there were parts of the book that I found confusing and I think this is probably an editing fault and I felt it needed to be done better especially as there were several characters from the various covert agencies FBI, CIA, DOD.
Alot of authors (Baldacci, Thor, Flynn) have done this similar type of plot "secret agency within an agency or some other Clandestine small team that does "the job" that other agencies cannot do because of oversight.
The thing that I cannot get past (for me) is that we all want to cheer for these guys and do a mental fist pump when the bad guy gets whats coming to him and nearly 100% of the time our "hero" has a code of ethics/morality that cannot be broken or compromised, to name a few "Dont kill womwen & children, dont kill innocents/non-combatants, always do the right thing no matter what" etc etc.
We grow to like and respect these guys (David Baldacci's "Oliver Stone", Vince Flynn's "Mitch Rapp", Brad Thor's "Scott Harvath" even less likely anti-Heroes like Barry Eisler's Assassin "John Rain" is a good guy and Yes, it may not be "real-Life" but hey its a work of fiction to begin with!
and so our protagonist here Daniel Petrovich **Mini Spolier Alert** kills a Female police detective out doing her grocery shopping (to be fair he didn't know this at the time) after he puts a gun in her back and uses her to escape a situation.
It is this reason alone that I have a reluctance to like our "hero" and am conflicted about the book like I say its just my opinion.
Tight Little Thriller with a large cast and a lot of twists and subplots (and body count) with plenty of shades of gray
on January 5, 2016
Steven Konkoly's Black Flagged Alpha is one of those thrillers that's better constructed than most, as there are layers within layers in the plot, and you never quite know what's the good guys and who's the bad guys, or is it all shades of grey? The plot got rolling when a former spec ops operative was called back for "one last job"... which obviously didn't turn out that way. It was legitimate... take out a known terrorist financier in the US. What he didn't know is that's only one of EIGHT hits... all happened in one night and investigators got enough clues to pull out some really secret files... to search for suspects, as it's clearly ex-spec-ops. When one of them was captured, and chose to cooperate, the rest are in danger, as FBI and other agencies closed in along with "contractors" (mercenaries) while other investigators tried to apply pressure to the wife of this former killer. The "good guys" soon realize they are in WAY over their heads, and the whole thing is not as they seem... For people who are supposedly dead are not, people who are supposedly caught are not, and people who are supposedly loyal are not, and the overall objective of the 8 deaths... is but a smokescreen for something bigger. And in the end, a devil's bargain must be made, and alliances will shift.
The plot is tight and the surprises aren't really as clues have been left from before, and you can no longer tell who's good, and who's bad, and who's in between, and you will not only be cheering for the hero's survival, but also his success in his pursuit. The only problem I have is there are a long list of cast members, and it got a little hard to keeping track who is doing what and why is s/he important for what part of the story, but it is a fun read, better than most thrillers. I look forward to read the rest.
The plot is tight and the surprises aren't really as clues have been left from before, and you can no longer tell who's good, and who's bad, and who's in between, and you will not only be cheering for the hero's survival, but also his success in his pursuit. The only problem I have is there are a long list of cast members, and it got a little hard to keeping track who is doing what and why is s/he important for what part of the story, but it is a fun read, better than most thrillers. I look forward to read the rest.
on May 13, 2017
Daniel considered one of the best black ops assassins the US ever had. He's now living his life in peace with his wife of five years OR so he thought. Brought out of retirement by a US General and teamed up with eight other assassins. They are given the task of taking out eight Middle Eastern men who are believed by the FBI to be funding terrorist activities. Now he's the target. The General sanctioned these hits without permission and without anyone else knowing. So now Daniel has to try and evade capture while the plot thickens as to why the General went rogue.
I love this story, It was hard to follow at first because the characters are so complex. As you read it becomes easier to follow once you learn that these characters have two and sometimes three alias. With almost non-stop action you don't know who to root for. Daniel, The FBI, or the General. Who is the hero? Who is the villain? Who is neutral? I haven't been able to decide yet. I'm looking forward to continuing to read this story line!
I love this story, It was hard to follow at first because the characters are so complex. As you read it becomes easier to follow once you learn that these characters have two and sometimes three alias. With almost non-stop action you don't know who to root for. Daniel, The FBI, or the General. Who is the hero? Who is the villain? Who is neutral? I haven't been able to decide yet. I'm looking forward to continuing to read this story line!
on March 18, 2017
My enjoyment of reading is credited to the likes of Lee Child, Patrick Robinson, Jack Coughlin, L T Ryan, Leo J Maloney, Chris Allen, Russell Blake and so many more of the covert ops genre. And then comes Steven Konkoly whose "Alpha" I just finished. What a wild ride. A journey that took me into a maze of entanglements between all of the Organizations and Operations and Operators we've come to know if counterterrorism is the underlying plot. For some of the book, I didn't know if I was heading into a new development or lost in the maze. Then my confusion becomes crystal. I won't be a spoiler and give up any of this plot. I will just say it would be a big mistake if you didn't read "Alpha", because it's the best writing of this genre I have read. Buying the next book of the series right now.
TOP 500 REVIEWERon March 31, 2017
Thrill ride and a half! Lots of players to track. Action and intrigue a plenty. Complex plot that constantly surprises the deeper you read. Superbly written with gripping passages like "They would have to do this the hard way, which was Petrovich's specialty" , "Daniel guessed that he wasn't the only program graduate with secrets that the general would rather see buried in an unmarked grave" and "He also thinks this one twisted the knife around more than necessary. I wouldn't want to run into the person that pulled this off..." Definitely made for the movies, have to satisfy myself with reading the next four sequels for now. Immediately adding this author to my favorites once I end this review. Excellent!
on October 17, 2016
I've had this series on my Kindle for quite a while, picked it as my vacation read a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely loved it. A cross between Vince Flynn and Jason Bourne (to mix authors and characters), it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I love the technical details described throughout the books, those interested in weapons details will be thrilled. It's similar to another favorite author, M L Buchman, who writes a different genre with detailed descriptions. I also enjoyed the international history and conflicts described, they really add depth to the stories.
The characters are well-developed, especially as you move through the series. They each have their flaws and demonstrate that reality is mostly a gray area, especially when you have to weight life and death. In the first book, it's a bit difficult to figure out who's the bad guy and who's the good guy and if you really like the main protagonist or not. It does become more clear as you read through the series although you may not agree on the moral compromises made. I do appreciate the author's attempts to remain politically neutral.
I'm just starting Book 4 and will be sorry to reach the end, although the new series sounds pretty good too.
I love the technical details described throughout the books, those interested in weapons details will be thrilled. It's similar to another favorite author, M L Buchman, who writes a different genre with detailed descriptions. I also enjoyed the international history and conflicts described, they really add depth to the stories.
The characters are well-developed, especially as you move through the series. They each have their flaws and demonstrate that reality is mostly a gray area, especially when you have to weight life and death. In the first book, it's a bit difficult to figure out who's the bad guy and who's the good guy and if you really like the main protagonist or not. It does become more clear as you read through the series although you may not agree on the moral compromises made. I do appreciate the author's attempts to remain politically neutral.
I'm just starting Book 4 and will be sorry to reach the end, although the new series sounds pretty good too.
on May 23, 2016
I understand that I just have to keep reading books like this and it will eventually all make sense. Well this one didn't. Too many people, too many groups, who are the good guys, who are the bad guys. At some point this should resolve. If anything this one got more confusing setting you up for the next book.
on October 7, 2014
I was concerned when I saw a typo in the Cast of Characters section and another within the first few pages of the book, but the rest of the book had minimal issues. There was plenty of action, but also sufficient character development and story line explanation. I think the only thing that prevented me from liking the story more was that as a veteran the concept of multiple soldiers described as "patriots" willing to kill American citizens with little more explanation than following orders or self preservation was personally abhorrent.
on April 18, 2016
Took a chance on Black Flagged book #1... new author and all that... one of my better decisions. This is excellent. Sort of mid-way between Lee Child and Tom Clancy, but without Clancy's proclivity to indulge in his favorite party trick of Let's-See-How-Many-Plot-Points-I-Can-Juggle-At-The-Same-Time.
I have subsequently read Black Flagged books #2 & #3. I can tell you that this series is well worth reading. Very gritty and some interesting twists; Mr. Konkoly can certainly write. If I had to sum up his style in just one word it would be... immersive. Purely as an aside, I love how there are subtle popular culture references occasionally sprinkled in - but I hasten to add, not too many; they're used with restraint.
Just bought #4 today and looking forward to that! This is a crowded field, but when Russell Blake - writer of the great 'Jet' series - happily praises Konkoly, you know it's something exceptional. There is a great future for this author.
I have subsequently read Black Flagged books #2 & #3. I can tell you that this series is well worth reading. Very gritty and some interesting twists; Mr. Konkoly can certainly write. If I had to sum up his style in just one word it would be... immersive. Purely as an aside, I love how there are subtle popular culture references occasionally sprinkled in - but I hasten to add, not too many; they're used with restraint.
Just bought #4 today and looking forward to that! This is a crowded field, but when Russell Blake - writer of the great 'Jet' series - happily praises Konkoly, you know it's something exceptional. There is a great future for this author.
