Old Soldier

I like Newton's work. He has done some great BOLAN books. The whole time I was reading this one, something kept nagging at me. The feeling I had read something like it before. Then about halfway through I remembered an old Charles Bronson movie, TELEFON, about sleeper Russian moles being activated, and I realized why the plot seemed so familiar. Not that I'm saying that was his inspiration or anything. Let me make that clear. Like they say, there's nothing new under the sun, just variations on a theme. Newton doesn't disappoint. He keeps the pace flowing. Since he's done so many of these, he 'knows' Bolan as well as anyone, and his stories are always right on the mark.

I agree with the previous reviewers. This one was a great read. Some SuperBolans tend to lag in spots but this puppy keeps you turning the pages from beginning to end. I particularly liked how the author delved into the vicious mindset of the terrorists. The first line set the stage: 'Malik Sharek enjoyed killing Americans'. Reminded me of how Pendleton always began a book with a great line. The chase aspect has been done to death, so when I first saw the back cover, I wondered if the writer could pull it off. He sure did. The tension builds and builds until you can't wait to get to the end. That, to me, is what a good BOLAN, or any book, is all about.

I had been told that Mike Newton, when he's on the mark, writes some of the best Bolan books around. This is the first one of his I've read, and I must say Newton is a gifted storyteller. The plot, admittedly, is old hat. It's been done many times. Newton's saving grace is that he writes so well, the reader becomes caught up in the suspense. Bolan, the ultimate predator, matches wits and skill in the ultimate hunt. Tired of the Mafia, fascist foes, and government types run amok? Then this is the book for you.

This is yet another example of the writer taking the latest scientific developments and turning one into a great book. He did the same in WAR LOAD. This time around, he's taken current research into nanotechnology and carried it to the next logical level. I don't know if all his books have this 'touch of Crichton' about them, but I find it a refreshing change from the stale sameness of some of entries in the series. I was also impressed by his attention to geographic detail. He doesn't give us 'generic' locations like some do. As for his portrayal of Bolan, he writes one of the most realistic Warriors we've seen. This is a Bolan who sweats and feels pain, not a one-dimensional character who wades through hailstorms as if they don't exist. I look forward to collecting all the books this guy has done.

Another riveting book by this writer, with strong attention to detail and outstanding characterization. I read this after I read WAR LOAD, and had no idea that WAR LOAD was actually Kerri Tanaka's second appearance. EVIL ALLIANCE is her first, and it sets up a lot of the emotional interplay that takes place in WAR LOAD. Wish I hadn't missed this the first time around. Bolan is as lethal as ever. As usual, this author has a knack for including killer scenes where Bolan is up against formidable odds or a particularly vicious bad guy. In this case, it's a North Korean engine of destruction. Their climatic fight is great. I also liked how the North Koreans and the Mafia were linked. That's a unique touch we haven't seen before. Some SuperBolans tend to drag a bit but this guy's never do.

An exciting entry in the series. The author used the latest developments in plasma technology to create a credible threat. (The U.S. is working on exactly the type of missile described.) Realistic from start to finish, with a slam-bang ending that will knock your socks off. And the island sequence where Bolan is up against a horde of baddies is one of the most sensational scenes ever. If they ever make a Bolan movie, they should base it on this one. This writer always does a better than average job. He has a knack for presenting Bolan as a real person. You have a sense that Bolan is in real danger. And the other characters are just as vividily drawn. No cardboard cutouts, no moronic stereotypes. Some writers do better jobs than others; this guy is one of the best.