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Javelin Rain
Shadow Ops #2
Myke Cole

Ace Books
March 29, 2016 / ISBN: 9780425269657
Fantasy

Reviewed by Jan Fields

 

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

Reviewed 2015
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