Warriors Requiem

WOW number 300 in a series I wonder how many series of books could boast this achievement and to celebrate this major milestone who would the publishers select to write this title. Any number of contributing authors would have given anything to be given the privilege of writing this one and would have slaved over the keyboards for many an hour to present something special in the series to celebrate number 300. Instead Mr. favourite was given the nod and well he just wasn't in the mood yet again so we are presented with yet another by the numbers title done so many times by this author. I am not going to rave about how let down I felt upon finishing this one but I was sorry that such a milestone title should have been one of the stand outs of the series not what this one is. As usual if you have read little or none of this authors work you will no doubt enjoy the read for the rest of us well we can sit and dream of what could have been.

*disclaimer* I am rather new to Bolan, so my review may undoubtedly read different then everyone elses *disclaimer* As far as the story itself was concerned, I thought it was cool. I enjoyed the tale, found the characters to be colorful. Since I am not a long time fan I really didn't care that Katz died (sorry) as it has been the first novel I have read with him. I have decided to continue forward from here (to be more current) so it may be a while before I get to one with him. So I give this one a seven out of ten. Lots of action, and suspense, just as I would expect from an executioner novel.

Haven’t I read this somewhere before? Oh, that’s right, SuperBolan #93: Retaliation. This book failed on so many levels I’m not sure I can list them all here and get across my full point. Past reviews have stated pretty clearly why this book fails but I will put my own spin on it. Newton wrote this one before and has written it sense. He takes the same damned scenes and sticks them at random into his other books. The sniper scene is one that any Newton regular will recognize. The prisoner rattling the bars to make an escape attempt. You get the point. I’m not sure about other Newton books but this one really stood out in these two. Bolan, McCarter and Mindel come across a villain stronghold/camp/facility/whatever and split up to attack from three sides. This, of course sends the villains into disarray and the commandos have no trouble doing their job... wait. Is it just me or is that kinda stupid? I bought it the first time they did it in Retaliation but they did it a further billion times and then in this one they are doing it again, and gain, and again. Apparently these villains have no clue how to respond to a multiple pronged attack. They don’t fall to battle stations or fortify or anything. I won’t get into the improperly handled characters because then I’d be going off for even longer. If you are either a new reader never experiencing Newton before, a completist who has to read Katz’ death or a masochist then read Warrior’s Requiem. Otherwise, avoid it and just know that Katz is dead. He died fighting as is befitting of such a man but it’s probably better that you don’t get into the details.

I'll divide this book into two parts. It makes it easier to review. Part one: The general story is the standard Mike Newton template. There is absolutely no difference between this story and most other novels that he has written. Read the one and you have read them all, with a few notable exceptions. But considering that this is book 300 Mike Newton really blew his chance to write something different. Is there the usual mix of terrorists, all joining together? Check: Arabs, Chinese, Greeks and corrupt Americans. Does Mack go around various targets rattling cages (shoot first ask questions later)? Check. Does Mack shoot up an office to scare a villain, using a snipers rifle? Check. Does the girl get captured and Mack launches a full assault to get her back? Check. And so on and so forth. Really nothing new. I think that it is a real shame that Newton was offered number 300 only because of a 'tradition' of writing 100 and 200. I hope that when 400 rolls around another author is offered the chance to do something different. Part Two. I learnt that a major Stony Man character was going to bite the dust six or eight months before the book was released. I wasn't told which character it would be, but I knew that it would be Katz, simply because he was the most expendable. Since his 'retirement’ in another Mike Newton novel Katz had little or nothing to do, so it was really obvious to me that Katz would go. Katz had been around since 1982, and considering that he was a vintage character you would expect him to go out with a bang. I have never been a Katz fan, but I would have expected that. Did it happen? No. Mike Newton was asked to write 300, he used his standard template and tacked the Katz sub-story onto it. The premise that we are given is that Katz was on vacation in Israel, when he spots a terrorist meeting with an American oil exec. Rather than pass the info on to Mossad via his niece or Stony Man he goes of to investigate on his own, just to prove that at the grand old age of 70+ he can still fight Arab terrorists. He gets captured and Stony Man launch a rescue mission. Enter Mack and David. Or at least two very wooden impersonators. Do they care that Katz is being tortured? Not really. They are more concerned with Katz spilling the beans about Stony Man (a real possibility) and obeying orders, because if you can't obey orders then you should be terminated, which is what they discuss doing to Katz and several stages in the book. How many times has Mack been captured? Or one of the other characters? Dozens, and yet I cannot recall a single instance of a discussion where it is suggested that the captured pal be executed. It didn't happen in Able Team: Ironman and it hasn't happened since. But here it seems to be SOP. Let's shoot Katz! And why not? The guy is over the hill. He seems to think that he is invincible. He seems to think that he can take on an army of terrorists all by himself. He ignores orders (but he has done that dozens of times in various books). And why does he take this mission so personally that it becomes an obsession? There is nobody out of his past, so revenge isn't a motive. These are just regular Arab terrorists that Stony Man or Mossad could easily handle. Katz's motives are not clarified. So lets shoot him. Perhaps Mack will do it. Bolan shoots anything that gets in his way, including two security guards who get it whilst he is sniping the office of one of the villains. Why? Just because the oil exec is dirty, does that mean that everybody who works for that company need to die? Would Bolan shoot everybody in Enron just because a few top men are bad guys? Mike Newton implies that he would. But then this is wooden Bolan and not Mack Bolan who gets angry at the worlds injustices. Then there is Rebecca Mindel, the newly introduced incompetent niece of Katz. We have never heard of her or her father before but her she is at the end of Katz's life. And she does fumble and bumble her way around, allowing Katz to escape and getting herself captured. Then there is Katz's death. Out of his league and off his trolley, Katz allows himself to get shot by a henchman. He has a final rattle of words to Bolan and then he bites the dust. And does Bolan care? Does McCarter? Where are the rest of the Stony Man teams? Why can't we have a reaction from them? Basically because the story of Katz is an add on to a template and doesn't allow room for expansion. So the death of Katz is wasted. Completely and utterly. As a final note, Katz daughter (established in Jerry van Cook's Retribution) is mentioned twice, but is done in such a way that I suspect an editor tacked the two lines on. A standard template and a wasted opportunity. I really am not looking forward to reading Retribution. There will be little Retribution and the standard 'rattling of cages'.

I knew that #300 was suppose to a major book and Stony Man was going to lose a member. I even knew who it was ahead of time. That said, I was extremely disappointed by the entire novel itself. There was no reason for him to die. The only person to blame for his death (besides the writer, but it's his story) is Katz himself. 1) He was not at 100% mentally and physically (what's normal for Katz anyway) after being tortured and had no right to go back out in the field. 2) He put the Farm, Able Team, Phoenix Force, the whole Stony Man concept, and Mack in jeopardy (physically, politically, etc). 3) If he had talked, the US could have faced tremendous hatred, embarressment, and backlash from other countries. 4) The entire US political structure would collapse, causing former Presidents and the current President to face charges for interfering in the affairs of other countries. 5) The whole US political system would be in ruins. 6) Hal might be forced to follow/or know of a Presidential order to 'eliminate' the problem, which would drive a wedge between him and the rest of Stony Man. 7) Any Stony Man member might be injured/killed in the attempt to re-rescue him. 1) Katz failed to admit/acknowledge that he couldn't handle it in the field anymore. That's why he took the 'deskjob' at the Farm to begin with. 2) He failed to recognize that his injuries from being tortured put him at greater risk, despite his age. 3) He failed to follow the advice of learned and concerned comrades after his rescue. 4) He failed to 'step back' and 'see the big picture', given his condition. 5) He failed to realize he was a liability. He could have remained as advisor for some time, but... Whether or not Hal ordered him to return is a moot point. Katz didn't step back and realize he was in no position to do anything until he was safe and checked for injuries. For a former commander who told Cal to "keep his mind on the mission, not on the women", his actions were not vintage/appropriate Katz behavior. By showing us, the readers who know his history and what his character is all about, his several obvious lapses in judgement, we all can see that Katz had absolutely no place being on the battlefield. He has lost his mental edge, with his body battered by many years of commando-ing (?). And because of that he's dead. This book was a travesty, a mockery, and a direct slap in the face to a man who (and for Pete sakes, I know this is just fiction) was at the top of his game. He was the glue that held Phoenix Force together. This was a man who kicked ass in a hospital room, blind, with nothing but a cane and a bedpan. This book could have been better. I've liked the author's other efforts, but this was not his defining moment. Katz deserved better. He deserved a better death. Might as well have been a random drive-by while waiting for his Happy Meal, the way it happened. #300 should have been a SuperBolan, not crammed into a little Executioner. At least both parts should have been SuperBolans.

At beginig of this revie I have to state that I never was any great fan of PF but Katz was the most interesting character from that bunch so it is shame that this was opportunity lost. This could have been great storyline about struggle against evil spawned by greed and loss of comrade in arms but instead it was again drifting from location to location and shootting down goons that can not handle weapons they are armed with and in the end Katz dies in stupid shoot out with second rate goon. Katz was some what off his character. Palestinians as whole was pictured in not very favorable light in this entry. Wasim Jabbar was interesting villain pity that we never have change to read how he met his maker since he dies between storylines of this novel and Retaliation.

I've been reading a bunch of my old Bolan and PF books in the last six months,after too many years of being away from them. I hadn't yet bought a new book so found it strange when the little voice in my head was telling me to go to the book store a get the latest Bolan. Wow #300. When I started reading these books #100 had just come out. Also reading the back and finding out Katz was going to leave us was kind of a blow. Anyway I thought that the book was pretty good. Not the best ever written but still good. I found that Katz was not the Katz I've come to know again over the last few months, but I guess you can say maybe he wasn't totally in his right mind having just been tortured and all. I understand what the writer was doing but it just didn't seem like Katz. I think that the other members of PF should have been involved. It would have made for great drama at the end. Anway I've got to go now and start Retaliation and see how it all turns out.

Like #200, and #100 before this one, I found this to be an enjoyable book. It was standard Newton, with his "hit-list" type of action. As far as the character of Katz went, I did find him a bit off, but once I thought about it, I figured he was not accepting of the fact that he was getting older and wanted to prove that he could still work in the field. He went out in an honorable fashion.

There's no excuse for the poor quality of this book. No, pardon me, not poor quality, that's too kind. Utter absence of quality would be a more honest description. In the past, Mike Newton has written some excellent installments in the Executioner series, but this book just really and truly sucks shit. I'll admit it, I'm a Katz fan. A big Katz fan. But the pathetic, anti-climactic handling of Katz's death is not the only problem with Warrior's Requiem. No, it's just the saddest and most glaring problem. Take Katz's death out of the equation and this book is just a big fucking snooze from beginning to end. I could barely make myself finish reading it. There is very little plot here, mostly just bland action scenes extended to ridiculous extremes to fill out the page count. The book's villains are also limp, lifeless, stereotypical non-entities that truly pose little threat to our favorite heroes and offer absolutely nothing of interest to this loyal reader. Then there was the total lack of characterization. Mack Bolan was about as interesting as toothpaste in Warrior's Requiem. David McCarter displayed all the personality of an overripe turnip. And Katz was treated like a disheveled, senile escapee from the No Longer Considered Relevant Or Hip By Gold Eagle Retirement Home. His behavior was ridiculous, embarrassing, and totally out of character---as was the way he was treated by Bolan and McCarter, who, in the past, never thought they were Katz's fucking nannies. Indeed, in the past, both Bolan and McCarter had great respect for Katz, for his military skills, for his uncanny leadership abilities, and for his overall brilliance. In fact, I'd say McCarter looked up to Katz more than any other person in the world and Bolan respected Katz more than any other warrior he's ever known. And what was all this self-righteous indignation displayed by Bolan and McCarter over Katz disobeying orders from Hal? Good God, how many times have Bolan, Able Team, and Phoenix Force disobeyed orders from the Farm? How many fucking times have they gone behind Hal's back? A hell of a lot of times. And you know what? They're almost always fucking proud of themselves for doing it! But in this sack of shit book, we're led to believe that Mack and McCarter would be willing to gun down Katz if he gets in their way---I mean, shit, the daft old bugger had the audacity to cross that fucking uncrossable line and disobey Hal, hell, might as well kill the senile old coot. I'm disgusted. This book makes me ill and I can't write about it anymore...One star is far more than this soulless piece of shit deserves. Don't believe this piece of trash, people! KATZ LIVES!!!!!!

I was highly disappointed with this book. They (Mack and David) treated Yakov as though he was a small child instead of someone that could take care of himself in any situation. I like Mike Newton's stories but I did not like this one at all. But what got me most of all was the fact that the rest of the Teams such as Phoenix Force and Able Team were also not involved, now that was just wrong. The only reason why I gave this book a 4 rating is because Yakov was in it, and also there were so many mistakes in the novel that it was just pitaful.

Frankly, I'm surprised at some of the reviews toward this novel. I think Mike has written a fine, rousing tale full of courage, and that he handled the denouement with a style and tact not easily accomplished for a character like Katz. The rarity is in the fact that another writer in the series would find it difficult to put down, which in unabashed spirit I admit was my case. The scenes were quick and sharp, the dialogue realistic, and the humor was poignant. And it all drove the reader toward an end that would surely taste bittersweet. Mike kept the faith. If I had any criticism, it is in the involvement of Katz's niece or McCarter; I would have loved to see this involve only Mack Bolan on a lonewolf crusade to help his friend. Still, Warrior's Requiem clearly proves why Mike Newton remains the master storyteller in this series.

This is typical Mike Newton stuff, which I usually like, but this could've been way better. The characters were too interchangeable with someone else, and I didn't buy Mack and David's attitudes towards Katz. Heck, I didn't buy Katz as Katz! Mr. Newton did better with the same trio of characters in the Red Dragon Trilogy, did them better justice. I felt cheated by the way the story ended, even knowing it was to be continued in the SuperBolan, "Retaliation". The good: Mr. Newton still knows how to write an action sequence and keep the pace going. The bad: I could and did put the book down a few times; I was far more excited by reading Andy Boot's MB#299 than this book.

I was looking forward to this installment of the series. I was expecting an emotionally charge, crackling tale of courage and loss. Instead, I am left insulted. This was not Yakov Katzenelenbogen who Mike Newton inserted into this story. This was an alien pod person. A shade posing as the real thing, and not even getting that impersonation correct. We had a man who assaulted an innocent bystander in an airport restroom just for disguising clothing - a bystander who also by sheer coincidence happened to be dressed as the flashiest drag queen short of Nathan Lane in banana pants. Katz wouldn't have done that. We had a man who murdered unarmed, helpless, even naked human beings. Katz is the kind of man who was genuinely apologetic for ripping the testicles off an armed Yakuza murderer with his prosthesis. Not that Mack Bolan fared any better, being ordered around by Hal Brognola, instead of keeping Katz on the scene and "in sight" for use as an intelligence resource and a third member of his strike team. The conclusion of the novel could have been reached the same way without Katz becoming a cold-blooded murdering shadow of what he once was, or being treated as a doddering old man. This was also a Bolan who I seriously doubted. He shot security guards - rent a cops for an Oil Company - who Bolan had no idea if they were involved in the terrorist conspiracy. He killed two men who were responding to an illegal, potentially homicidal attack, as part of their duty as security officers protecting the lives of people working in an office building. This wasn't like the armed hit crew in the limousene packing submachine guns, hired killers sought for a job. These were guys wearing bad fitting uniforms whose only crime was needing a paycheck to make sure their children ate or at least get a case of beer on Friday night. I thought it would be a minor abberation, but then came the murder of the sailor on the yacht. Here was a man trying to prevent the violent, armed hijacking of a ship and the potential murder of his shipmates. This man as well wasn't a part of some hateful, slaughtering conspiracy. He was a chump on a boat. And Bolan shot him through the heart without concern. I also find it hard to fathom that David McCarter, the still volatile under the surface leader of Phoenix Force, the man who became almost like a surrogate, rebellious son to Yakov Katzenelenbogen, would pack Katz off to the old folk's shelter, rather than giving Brognola, Bolan, or both men, a loud, down-home Cockney "SOD OFF, YOU FUCKING WANKER!" in support of his former commander. Do not get me started about the way the rest of Phoenix Force seemed to drag their feet at the concept of Katz' disappearance. This was not an Executioner novel. This was not a novel about Yakov Katzenelenbogen. This was not a novel that featured David McCarter and his relationship with Yakov Katzenelenbogen. This was a novel that saddened and disappointed me because it held none of the comraderie of the men of Phoenix held for each other.

WARNING: This review contains SPOILERS for key elements of this book! I was both looking forward to, and dreading reading this book. Unfortunately, when Gold Eagle let slip the identity of the long rumored member of the Stony Man team who would be meeting his demise in the "coming attractions" blurbs many months before the books hit the public, the final fate of Yakov Katzenelenbogen was all ready known to me. Katz had long been my favorite member of Phoenix Force and I enjoyed his continued participation in the series as an advisor at the farm, which was a logical move considering his advanced age. When you have been reading, and, in a sense, living with, a character for over twenty years, it can be hard to see them go. It would be easy to instead of actually reviewing the book as a work per se, to instead review the idea of eliminating such a strong character as Katz. Katz was indeed an original character, far different from the often cookie-cutter type characters found in action-adventure literature. An older, more mature warrior...from another country...with a "handicap" so to speak, a "handicap" which served to make him a stronger character, making him both more real, and yet more fantastic at the same time. In other words...a true original. But I'll skip that and instead focus on the book as a whole. To have Mike Newton, the true "elder statesman" of the cadre of Bolan authors handle this tale is apropo. Mr. Newton has been there since the early days...working with Don Pendleton himself. Mr. Newton has written many of the essential episodes in the series such as 'The Trail' and 'Eternal Triangle', so he is a natural for this, the 300th (!!!) edition of The Executioner. He does an increduble job on this one, crafting a book that even if you realize the inevitable fate of the battle-hardened Israeli hero, is impossible to put down! Not there are not a few points I have to quibble with. At times the settings seem a little generic, places the avid Bolan reader has been to hundreds of times before. Also, a little more introspection on the part of Katz, in this, his final appearance would have been appreciated. McCarter, who is a very welcome and most appropriate addition to this book, while well handled, seems almost a little too cold and detached in relating to his longtime friend and comrade-in-arms from Phoenix. A little more insight into his thoughts and even memories of Katz would have been a real treat for the long time fans of the Stony Man mythos. Also some reaction from the Stony Man warriors not involved would have been a good idea. It seems out of character for the men of Phoenix, not to mention Able Team or Jack Grimaldi, not to be chomping at the bit to head east and aid in the search for Katz. And the payback that is sure to follow...orders or no orders...going rogue is nothing new to these men when the situation is warranted. But these are all minor nits. The book is strong, even outstanding, in many other aspects...especially the introduction of Rebecca MIndel, an incredible character in her own right. I sincerely hope to see more of her in the future. She has the potential to carry on in a manner befitting Katz's legacy and would be a welcome, and overdue female, addition to the Stony Man strike teams. So in conclusion, I'll say read this book! It is a testament to the strength of these characters, as well as the skill of the author, when you care about a character enough to feel genuine emotion when one is gone. RIP Yakov Katzenelenbogen! He will not be forgotten...

This book is sad and action packed. Its very well writen and like the books premise of warrior dieing honorible. It was prefect end to the old warrior. I will miss him alot.

Goodbye Katz,you will be sorely missed. This story had it all,from completely insane bad guys to the leeches behind the scenes who turned them loose.Mack and the whole Stony Man team will all be the poorer for Katz's loss. Shalom old friend!!!!!