The Viper Factor

I liked this book. David got more of the spotlight in this one. I like it when the force goes on missions without any official sanction. I liked when the Force arrives in England and are waiting for David to pick them up. I guess those punks picked the wrong "tourist's" to try and mug. I liked the assault on the Embassy and the escape. Also liked the short story about Keio. Thought it gave a good closure to his character. I really like Fieldhouse's writing. 8 stars

Enjoyable entry. Not much happens except for the final battle. Luckily I found the mystery aspect of how they would get in and out of the embassy unnoticed interesting enough to forget about the lack of action. Not a horrible entry, but not very remarkable. The KO short story to fill out the book didn't really do much for me. I have to say I've been a little let down by the PF series so far. Sure, there have been some fun books, but nothing that has particularly blown me away. After hearing how highly Fieldhouse was regarded in the community, I was excited to start the series, but his writing isn't particularly brilliant and I find the quality not quite as high as the Executioners series. Sure that series can be hit or miss, but the strength of writing seems much more consistent. However, I'm not trying to be picky, I suspect a lot of this might come down to a heavy workload with Fieldhouse writing most of the books at this point in time.

This title has an absolutely brilliant cover one of the best unfortunately the same cannot be said for what is between the covers. Basically everything said in the review by Doug previously I can just say ditto. This is boring to read as simply nothing happens it is actually page 120 bearing in mind the title only goes 160 odd pages where anything actually starts, disregarding the ridiculous scene with the street punks when 4 of the team are waiting for McCarter to pick them up. I was personally quite surprised with this scene firstly it had nothing to do with the storyline but had obviously been included as ummm nothing is happening we have to include some action stuff and what happens? Some clowns approach the four members of the team and Katz says "take one more step forward and I will kill you." Predictably the hidden one shot in the prosthesis does the job but I am wondering to myself are these guys the best anti terrorism team going around or a bunch of vigilante's on the prowl. This scene had absolutely no right to be included in this title. I also am surprised how many times the team drops their weapon after a kick/punch/shot etc. it just goes on and on unfortunately with this author. Very disappointing entry in the series for me and not one to be recommended for reading.

“The Viper Factor” would be the first, but not last unsanctioned mission for Phoenix Force. The action is standard stuff. There are a couple of skirmishes, but this novel basically has only one huge battle. The battle is sandwiched between two compelling mysteries, how would they get in undetected and how would they leave? “Viper” also gives a glimpse of the home life and background of McCarter. The novel was short, even with the padding. That includes a random street gang who attempt to mug a group of tourists answering to the general description of Phoenix Force. Now that’s pushing it.

The Viper Factor is an uneven entry in the Phoenix Force series. There is some faux action early on when Phoenix plays a war game, a Phoenix takedown of 9 street punks unrelated to the plot, and the final big battle at an embassy. Also included is some decent action not involving Phoenix after a chase on a London street. The action is OK, nothing special, and the guys of Phoenix Force still seem strangely unable to keep hold of their firearms in a gunfight. And I'm still wondering if they shouldn't call this series "The Butterfinger Boys". This story is only 161 pages long and far too many pages are devoted to the reactions of heads of state to the problem and the Phoenix response. That leaves not a lot for action and it seems light here. The scene with McCarter and his girlfriend is a good bit but his teaching gig at the butler school was just filler. Too much filler here. And a couple instances of sloppy prose that the editor should have caught: "...portly old man who politely, yet dogmatically slithered past..." Surely he must have doggedly slithered past? And one instance of somebody using a pistol and adopting "a weaver's stance". What exactly he was going to weave was not made clear. The volume is filled out with a 14 page story about Keio Ohara taking on a personal enemy. Not bad but Keio's opponents are even more inept than the usual bad guys Phoenix faces. Would it be so bad to have the hero attacked by half as many bad guys that are twice as dangerous? All things considered this one is too far out on the credibility axis and not high enough on the excitement axis. 5 stars for this average effort.

Was this book just dashed off? Good action, nice cover, but it remains the most simplistic adventure the team ever tackled.

This is David McCarter at his best. This book was well written to bring some of David's past to light without letting it overpower the book. Phoenix's illegal ops are always fun to read but this was packed full of action from the get go. A Great trilling read for new readers or old fans alike.

Viper Factor was a very engaging chapter in the Phoenix Force saga, Mainly I liked this one because it showed that the team has a light hearted side and enjoys poking fun when they can. Also this edition didn't trudge through, it starts out well and simply continues to accelerate in action. One part that I enjoyed about this book was when they went into McCarter's personal life and showing that he has a love interest. The added piece on Kieo's past was very interesting and helped you to understand his samarui life-style.

A nice quickie that really moves, and the extra story on Keio O'Hara was good too.

Once again one of those episodes where the guys are on their own without sanctioning. Boy do they get chewed out for books to come. Very fast paced and light hearted. Also gives some interesting glimpses into McCarters world of leisure.