Argentine Deadline

7 stars out of 10. This is my first actual stand alone PF book. Sure ,I've read PF in the Stonyman series, but I've put off getting into reading PF until I purchased an ebay lot starting with this debut novel. It was just OK, maybe I shouldn't have compared it to the first Executioner and first Able Team, both of which rocked. The best part was chapter 2, where we see Bolan congratulate the PF crew for being being selected for the team, weirdly enough, it seems they didn't seem to know they were applying for PF. We find out they are named "PHOENIX" after Col. John Phoenix, since they are his extension of Stonyman farm. After chapter 2 though, it's tame fare, individual PF members do their own recce into the bad guys,Katz gets captured, the final chapter is the short assault to rescue the hostages. Not a bad action sequence, but it ends abruptly, no epilouge at all. You can read this entry to be a completist, but I'm sure the subsequent books get better. Also, this seems to be a prototype of Tom Clancys Rainbow Six in a few ways.

Wow!! I used to read these books as a kid so it was with great trepidation that I picked up the first 10 on Amazon. However, after powering through the first 3 books in 3 days I am not disappointed. The characters are like old friends and while the books are written to be mass produced and short the author(s) do a great job of balancing action and character development. I will continue these for sure. Wish they were avail on kindle

PHOENIX FORCE! This is my absolute Favorite series in the Gold Eagle Stable. I've been reading this series for 31 years ever since I picked up # 13 Harvest Hell. The characters are like old friends to me and I'm glad to be going thru the series from the start again. All that said the first entry in the series didnt exactly blow my skirt up. But it was a good start The scene at the farm when were introduced to the team members was good writing. David sure knows how to put his foot in his mouth. Like I said I love these characters and I'm going to relish reading this series again. Good 7 star effort.

The first entry in the Phoenix Force saga is a special one. Unlike other new series Able Team, each of the five characters are brand new. To date, we had seen Carl, Pol and Gadgets at work. This time around, we cut loose with five new, interesting and well developed characters; each quickly gravitating towards their place on the team. Yakov has an excellent introduction as the seasoned old veteran who can still kick butt and take names on a physical level. Readers get a feel for the respect that the others have for this man; especially Keio. Keio quickly fills the spot of the eager to please rookie. Great in class and perfect on paper, but very new to the field. As other reviews mention, it is difficult to believe that Bolan would choose someone so green for the team, but Ohara is such a likeable character that the reader will let that slide. At least I did, in any event. After Katz, Raph seems to be the next oldest. He projects a hard, world weary man who has seen a lot in his life. The time spent on his side adventure is well written and entertaining. The reader also learns that taking a life is nothing new or difficult for Encizo. Like Mack, killing "animal man" is a job that needs to be done to protect the weaker, goodly folks. Gary joins the team on a one shot only agreement, as his business venture is too profitible to leave on a full time basis. Of course, his attitude changes. He takes on a Gadgets type role; although he doesn't invent things himself, his employees do and Manning certainly "field tests" them! Finally, in the role of tough guy anti hero is SAS vet David. Armed with a big chip on his shoulder, he is the man many fans end up liking best. Even when he is getting taught a humiliating lesson, or failing a mission to learn intel, the reader cannot help but admire his verve and bravado. Plus he is humble enough at the same time to admit his faults and take away experience from mistake. As a huge Phoenix Force fan, I tend to judge these harshly ..otherwise, it would be a fan boy list of all 10's! Therefore, although this book is good on its own, it pales in comparison to later entries. The introduction of five new heroes of the Bolan-verse could and should have dealt with more background and past details of each team member before getting to the mission (which is fairly bland; not bad, just bland). Give this book a read mainly to learn about the team and stick with them as the best is yet to come.

This was a great intro to the Phoenix Force series. The first 45 pages were tremendous at laying out the chartacters, providing background into each, and transitioning for Bolan's single war to the purpose and goal of P.F. Yes, the War Room scene at Stony Man was awesome. Great job! The story was simple and not too complex. A kidnapping for ransom to generate cash for a terrorist organization. P.F., working together for the first time, begins to learn of one another, and we see the formation of a team. There were two things that really stuck out in Argentine Deadline! First, we see some of the historical background of Yak due to the German Otto. This provided some nice detail into Yak's past. Secondly, we see the young K.O. come of age in the daring rescue of Yak. This was a great, enjoyable novel that did a solid job of starting the series.

An average start to a pretty cool series as Phoenix Force assembles for the first time to rescue American Hostages held for ransom in Argentina. I would have liked the book much better with more details on the backgrounds of each individual character and them meeting maybe near the end of the book. For me they were all too quick to say yes. I also thought... the character of Keio Ohara did'nt really fit into the team; he had never even killed anyone before. This did however provide some morbid suspense in the scene where Yakov is rescued from the germans. Ironicaly for me, it was the highlight of the book. also... David Mc Carter and Rafael are definitaly cool characters! I liked the authors style alot as well as his use of dialog and improvised weapons. Other than that the book was mediocre and the real plot, the rescue of the hostages, was no big deal. The main villian was also not very menacing. Nevertheless, I look forward to more Phoenix Force. 5.4 stars for this Action-Adventure.

First up book of the series and it delivers. As all of the different members of the team have to be introduced I guessed that the start of the title would be a bit slow and so it is but I thought the inclusion of what happens between McCarter and Katz was beautiful. Good plot with a lot of interesting characters introduced the story just seems to slide along, very interesting to read the sections where the relationships between the different members of the team are developing. Keio seemed an odd choice to me as one of five out of 60,000 I think it was perhaps his character blossoms in future titles. Anyway recommended reading in this series.

Here is a great story that is full of wonderful characters and incredible action. There are many parts to this book that are truly memorable. One favorite is when Gary makes an improvised weapon when he is without a gun. But my all time favorite scene is when Mack explains how good they all are. Great stuff.

I realy liked this book even though there were some slow moments at he beginnig. McCarter has always been a hot head and when he first meet Yakov well let's just put it this way. It is just amazing how fast Father Time can move when prodded.

I give this one 7 stars even though the action isn't much, because the author did a good job of introducing us to the new guys. It was entertaining to see them meet together for the first time, it was well written and a good start for the series.

i give this book 10 stars out of 10 stars i loved it

The Phoenix Force has been assembled and immediately sets off for Argentina to locate and rescue seven American hostages. They use some old contacts and open up the season on the terrorist group. Lots of action as the guys split up to bring destruction to several areas of the countryside. The opening scene action isn't as good as what comes later and doesn't actually lead anywhere. There is some detective work going on, mainly by the Argentine government contacts of the Force, but in the end the hostages are located by the oldest and best police method: somebody tells. The search was mainly just an excuse for McCarter, Manning and Encizo to take out some bad guys; it doesn't matter much that it fails. Likewise the subplot involving an old enemy of one team member really only exists to provide yet another chance for a lethal assault to rescue him. But the action that comes from these plot contrivances is pretty good and enjoyable enough that I don't care how the team gets from point A to point B. Still, it would be nice to see the team perform well at something other than whacking people. Maybe as the series moves on. The characters seem interesting and I liked them all. They're different ehough that they may all work out to make me care what happens in the same way I've come to care about what happens to Mack Bolan. This one was a good action yarn and I'm willing to cut the author some slack because he delivered the goods. I think I had a solid 7 stars worth of reading enjoyment.

A mediocre start to my favorite series. Things moved along at a very slow pace. Glad they didn't stay like this.

I'm glad I read this one long after I'd decided I like Phoenix Force. If I'd read this one to start with, I probably would've never bought another book in the series. The scene in the War Room where the commandos meet for the first time, however, is worth the rest of the book.