Command Force

I actually wasn't overly impressed with the plot in this one and the first 30-40 pages didn't really do much for me either but I am reviewing it at 9 stars why? Simply it is a brilliant read where.... Mack doesn't exist in any way in this title. EVERYONE else from the Farm does. Able Team actually get EQUAL billing in this with Phoenix Force. So many good scenes between the Farm and the Teams where the ongoing storyline is progressing explaining what and why and how things are happening and the inserting of some of the characters (excellent). And I have said it before folks but we read these books for the action scenes hopefully raising the pulse rate and the flicking to the next page phase and the author delivers in spades here. FANTASTIC scenes from both Teams where the standout for me was Able Team's taking of the research ship with some of the BEST action scenes going around in this series. Highly recommended reading here.

The idea of a genetically programmeable bioweapon isn't a new one to me -- the Syphon Filter series on PlayStation, anyone? -- but it's certainly a creepy idea that there are people around who can come up with something like that. As is said in Able Team's final battle, you can defeat human adversaries with bullets and explosives, but how does one tackle an invisible microorganism? No thanks. Give me a bullet in the brain over something like that any day. No surprise, really, to find one strong leader who virtually brainwashes people into doing his will. That's happened before; take a look at Hitler. But one thing I love about idiots like that is the way they never seem to realize that sooner or later someone will stand up to them, and they will take a fall. I also loved the way David, Gary, Rafe, and the Sarge wouldn't give up on finding TJ and Cal. But hey, that's typical Phoenix Force fare -- they don't ever give up. Neither do Able Team. Hey, look at Gadgets. His guns knocked out of his hands, he uses a blade to lethal effect. As Barbara Price says at the end of the story: "Thank God for the good guys." Amen to that.

Command Force is another command performance from one of my all-time favorite writers, the inimitable and phenomenally talented Mike Linaker. Everything Mr. Linaker writes is as good as gold in my book. Command Force has great action and suspense, interesting villains, and superb charcterization of all the series' regulars, icluding some sterling moments for Grimaldi and superb banter and interaction from Able Team. Mr. Linaker writes fantastic dialogue that is a joy to read. What more could you ask for? Read it, y'all.

An eerie read in light of recent events, what with all the tension evolving around the select virus plot. The overall story got to be a little convoluted in places, but ultimately this ranks as a solid thriller far better crafted than many of its predecessors in the STONY MAN series.

WOW...GREAT READ

The best Mike Linaker book that I have ever read. No over the top bad guys, no fantastically unbelivable plot, but real terrorists in a real situation. Loved it. And no Bolan, not even mentioned! Great! The only point that I would pick up is the selective virus story, it has ben done before in Stony Man 23, but there was not mention of it, not even Able Team saying, something like "It's not the first time we've encountered something like this." Also the book didn't just finish, there was an end briefing. Keep it up, Mike!

Although I was not crazy about the plotline, this had a lot of action. I also liked the two teams working without Bolan. This is the way the StonyMan books should be.

When I first heard of this book being advertised, I was less than interested. Finally, they got around to Kosovo. Probably another Bolan/Phoenix Force air drop into a foreign country while Able Team runs around some city until they do something like push their adversary off a ladder. (Hell, their last enemy was done in by a pothole.) Then I fanned through it. No Bolan. None mentioned whatsoever. Not a single mention of the Executioner. My grin increased, my palms grew sweaty. Had the Gods finally deemed that Phoenix Force and Able Team could kick tail on their own once more? Indeed they had. Linnaker did an outstanding job where each and every member of the Stony Man Farm crew got to shine and show that they had a personality, instead of those random, card-board flavored conversations that cropped up whenever we had Stony Man Farm as the locale of a scene. Oh, and let's see what happened that I loved so much: -The return of the Phoenix Force Barnett crossbow. Sure, Manning was doing the sniper work, but hey, McCarter's in charge. He doesn't have to do sentry removal. :) -Gadgets and Pol and Grimaldi just giving Lyons their old school usual hell. Blancanales and Schwartz were up to their old antics giving their junior partner (and leader) Ironman annoying banter. Grimaldi in on the show was icing on the cake. -Grimaldi romancing and getting an action scene ALL BY HIMSELF! Finally Jack gets to save the girl! (Of course, there was no Mack around for the girl to schmooze on.) -Phoenix Force debating politics, showing they actually have a half-way decent comprehension of the situation they're going into, as well as political opinions. -McCarter drinking Coke (well, not stated as Coke, but he's popping pop-can lids). -The acknowledgement of McCarter's relationship with Katz, and an observation of David's growth as a leader. -Manning's John Woo moment, flying through the air avoiding a lethal hail, and coming up shooting. -Able Team in the biggest keg of whoopass they've been in since the Storm Trilogy. Usually Able's portion of a Stony Man ends on a sleeper note... this time they showed that the three hardcore tourists from hell still remember which end of the boot goes up a bad guy's ass. Out of a possible 10, I give this book a 20. Great job!

Further proof that Able Team and Phoenix Force can kick ass perfectly fine without Mack's leadership -- and that the guys have personalities. This is going on my keeper list. Tension, humor, and action...love, love, love it!!!