Gathering Storm

First title of a duo is always hard having to introduce the different characters and locations featured but I thought the author did a fine job of it. Lots of information to be absorbed but you won't find yourself overwhelmed whilst reading. Some good actions scenes through this title but it really just sets up the following concluding title of the duo. Good read and makes you look forward to the finishing title.

Linaker does a very good job with this Stony Man entry. The story arc for both teams were very well done. It was tense to see Pheonix Force actually fail a mission and get captured and then try to escape. All the action sequences for both teams throughout the book were expertly well done. The plot is very interesting and complex, but with Linaker's style of writing it is very easy to follow. The bombing on the small Texas was very chilling and haunting. Overall, a good read, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second part.

The first part of a two-part story allows the author some breathing space. Phoenix Force is actually defeated more than once. Able Team screws up, kind of. Since there is another book coming, liberties can be taken. It’s not the battles, but the war. The locations are vast and varied, South America, Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Hong Kong, Korea, U.K., Israel, etc… Both teams end up splitting up their members to cover all of this ground, reducing their effectiveness, something that is observed, but never stated directly. Characterization is good. The action scenes are above average to standard issue. But the pace kept a good, thrilling momentum. I thought a MOAB stood for the Mother of All Bombs. Erika Dukas is apparently introduced in this title. She resurfaces again in an Executioner novel, “Deadly Contact” as the central character. Able Team also sees some international work, a rarity. The attack of Bucklow was haunting. I also mentioned this in the forums, but a little title trivia: This is the only Stony Man title (to date) to start with the letter G. No Executioner or SuperBolan title (to date) has ever started with a G.

For me to give a Stony Man novel a 10 is no small praise. I read the series, but usually I find them just ... okay. This one, however, was absolutely brilliant. I didn't realize what a Mike Linaker fan I am until I looked at the books among my favorites in the Executioner/SuperBolan line and found how many were his. Now I can add this Stony Man novel to the list. He's managed to keep the plot complex without making it difficult to follow. There are great action scenes, Able Team (my personal favorite of the two groups) gets to do some great arse-kicking, but even Phoenix Force has some wonderful moments ... particularly one in which their mission actually fails. I eagerly await the second part of this duology, and have to say, if you haven't checked it out already, www.cuttingaudio.com has some great audio-adaptations of these books--including this one. I know, I know, I'm supposed to be reviewing the *book*, but I just had to throw that in.

Vintage Linaker that has this plot ripped from the front page..of what could possibly happen in Iraq. Lyons and Co. have the best scenes, and a change of pace for Phoenix, failing in a part of their mission. Attack on small Texas town is extremely chilling, and I'm very interested in reading the second part of the dualogy to see what happens next.