In this
sequel to Gemini Cell, reanimated super solder, Jim Schweitzer,
has escaped from the program and is on the run with his wife
and son. His recapture has been declared a "Javelin Rain,"
an operation where they stop at nothing to succeed -- and
the bad guys certainly take that status to heart.
Though
he has the super strength of the undead, Schweitzer terrifies
his young son and is filled with anguish at the realization
that a living woman and a scary-looking dead guy just aren't
ever going to work out romantically. Though Schweitzer's escape
may be the biggest problem that the reanimated-dead-soldiers
program is having, it isn't the only one, and the other problems
could ultimately have devastating results for everyone. I
won't spoil the surprises by going into details, but there
are some big surprises about the higher-ups in the book.
Though
the plot of the dead-guy-on-the-run half of the book would
have been almost wearying (run, fight, angst, run, fight,
angst, run, fight...) and depressingly hopeless, the machinations
going on with the program were interesting and horrific, with
surprising twists and turns. The magic that underlies the
series and the jinn mechanics were extremely grim, but definitely
a new way to look at death and the soul. And the book checks
all the boxes for politicians and military higher ups as heartless
evil, willing to do anything (without exception) to meet their
goals (though, to be fair, there are a LOT of emotionally
damaged people in the book. If the real military depends upon
this high a percentage of serious mental damage, we should
all be very afraid.) The book is fast paced with plenty of
action mixed into the angst, and if you like military fantasy,
it's sure to be riveting. The world building is unusual. Though
this is the second book in the series, the plot is straightforward
enough that you have no trouble with immersing in the action,
even if you haven't read the first book. Not my favorite book
this year, but I can honestly say I wasn't bored for a second
while reading it.
Reviews of other titles in this series
Javelin
Rain #2
Siege
Line #3
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