Red Heat

If this book was intended to be a spoof, satire, a comedy, then I would have rated it higher. While all the basic aspects of this author’s typical storytelling are here: suspenseful and tense chases and escapes in an undercover role in dangerous territory, with helpful allies assisting Bolan when needed, there is an underlying problem that gets worse as the novel goes along, and before long, moments that rip the reader out of the narrative, setting the book down wondering what the heck?, become the norm rather than the exception. Somehow I don’t think this story is meant to be a spoof, but with some polish with that in mind it would have made a good one. There are far too many only-in-the-movies events, questionable plot developments, and general weirdness, to take this book seriously. What one one hand is the typical fast paced action thriller this author has produced prior to this book, there just seemed to be too much of making stuff up as you go along thing going on here both in action scenes and transitions from one plot point to another. Too many to bother mentioning here, but I was just not impressed with the writing overall. There was enough remnants of the writer’s usual storytelling prowess to make certain portions of this book really shine. I liked the suspense of Bolan going into the North Korean country and its capitol, with communist troops posing a danger anywhere and everywhere, plenty of good allies aid Bolan in this story, the Russian villain was very nasty, and despite what some reviewers have opined, there is plenty of nonstop action in this story. The super Bolan titles VanCook has penned prior to this have been nothing short of outstanding, but Red Heat is not a good representative of that group, I would consider it as a lower priority if you are looking to read through a stack of this author’s work in the series.

Well seems that reviewers are split here with many earlier reviewers slating this title while later reviewers enjoyed the read and I certainly am in the latter I loved it from start to finish. America's top missile scientist has taken off and with some help from a former KGB operative defected to North Korea and the Big Guy's job is to either bring him back or terminate him to stop him giving information to the North Koreans. On arrival in South Korea he teams up with a South Korean undercover operative who is the first in a string of excellent characters you will meet in this title if you choose to do so and off they go into North Korea. Now this mission is very different than most as the Big Guy has not only entered a communist state where people are rewarded for supplying information to the authorities on strangers but also well he stands out like the proverbial dogs b...'s so he has to try and stay concealed as much as possible. The plan is to contact a deep undercover South Korean agent who has a brilliant other side when it is first mentioned it took me by surprise but it is certainly original and what is wrong with that and through him locate where the scientist is being held and get him. Some very good action scenes featuring a couple of very god car chases and escapes which is maintained throughout this title will keep you interested. Toss in a good ending featuring an excellent chase scene and even a good epilogue and this is a worthy title in this series. Loved it recommended reading from me.

This book had me hooked right away. The begining really draws you in and avoids several of the cliches and pitfalls that plauged many of the early SuperBolan titles. However, as the novel progresses it gets worse and worse. As soon as Bolan crosses the DMZ into North Korea the book begins to go downhill. The ammount of research taht went into this book is on par with a Fodor's travel guide. As the story progresses it gets more and more unbelievable and I thik it is probably the only Bolan title where cross dressing is a plot element. I gave the book 6 stars because, while it was disjointed toward the end, it was still well written. I was never confused about what was happening during the action and it was engaging enough to keep my interest through the entire book. It is just what is happening becomes so silly and unbeleivable that I could not give the book a higher rating.

I enjoyed seeing Bolan on the run in a Stalinist police state. From the other reviews I can see some liked it, some didn't. What this tale has to offer is lots of tension as Bolan struggles to evade capture. It was an interesting peek behind the Bamboo Curtain.

I don't know what book some of the 1-star people were reading. While this wasn't Bolan wiping out entire armies with a single 20 round mag from his Beretta 93R, it was much more realistic, and much more tense a game of hide and seek than I've seen in many a year. Plus, the addition of Katz, who did have some experience in the Korean AO, and quite simply, is one of my favorite characters in fiction, was icing on the cake. Who cares about a Beretta 93R or Desert Eagle, or the paintings on the cover matching anything in the book? The only books I buy for the cover involve cleavage or naked redheads with hair long enough to cover the goodies. This Superbolan was a good change of pace from the standard invulnerable Bolan rakes in an enormous bodycount trash.

After reading bad reviews about this book I still read it. I did not think it was that bad. Infact I liked it. But this was only my fourth Super Bolan, and my last book was about a year ago. I've read better, But I liked this one.

NOT THE BEST IN THE SERIES BY A LONG SHOT.

Where do I begin? This book was horrible! The pictures on the cover never occured in the book, and the representation of Mack Bolan on the cover with a rifle that he NEVER USED in the book was absurd. The plot was different, but the way it was expressed was horrible. I would not expect this from Jerry VanCook. There was too much torture, and not enough action. The character of Rhee was ridiculous. Even scarier fact is that I bought it for full price. On a scale of 1-10 I give it a ONE.

This was my first Superbolan, and I'll have to say that it didn't have the same kick to it that I find in the Executioner novels. The action can get a bit long-winded, but you do get to see more of the villian's point of view. I didn't like Mack being seperated in this one from his standard weapons (Beretta, DEagle and mini uzis), but it was O.K. On a scale from 1-10, it rates a 6.

I have to agree with Gunslinger. This is one of the worst SuperBolan I've ever read. There aren't that many action scenes. And most of the story line is featured around the defect. I didn't like this one. Usually when you look at the pictures on the back you could relate to some scenes. But I couldn't even remember which scenes.

Major, major loser!!!! For once, I couldn't even finish this one. I would have been very disappointed if I'd bought this one. Luckily I got it from a cheapie booksale.