The Pusshy

Almost agree with the previous reviews but I actually found the book quite fulfilling. Was refreshing to see a book being written that set up the scenario and introduced some major characters and their back stories way before bringing Mack into the fray, really made the "already done" plot seem new to me. The characterization and interaction was well presented. You feel for the good guys and want to know more about them as well as the bad guys and why they came to be "bad" in the first place. Jack and Able make awesome cameos and it wraps up somewhat abruptly but not unsatisfactorily. Only MAJOR FLAW (which should have gotten someone at Gold Eagle fired) is the cover. Why the hell they would have the blatant Tokyo Mauri Airsoft brand side of the Mp5 showing and no one caught that is beyond reprehension.

Old school cold war Phoenix at it's best. The team and banter are classic. Every notable enemy in every firefight has a different weapon requiring a paragraph of detail to describe(which was quite fun after reading to look some of them up and a great way to fill space in my opinion). Half of the team lit up a smoke at one point or another, ah the old days.... The hand to hand combat is written in awesome detail and I found myself cringing more than once. In it's day it may have been realistic but after reading some of the similar kidnap scenarios in the more recent entries I did feel somewhat jaded. I'm thinking that the castle kidnap would never have worked the way it did nowadays or that so many of the leaders closest guardians could be infiltrated so easily (maybe why we rarely see the Prez getting kidnapped in the books currently). And the terrorist demands for the arming of Iraq to invade Iran does stir the imagination considering all that has occurred in the 20+ years since this was written. The Karl Hahn death was very over the top as well. If yer gonna take 3 pages to describe him getting shot then at least have a moving funeral epilogue or something, he'd been around for ages! However all in all it is a quite a satisfying read that flows very nicely.

This book was excellent. (SPOILER ALERT) It plunges you into action from page one and the story is laced with deceit, corruption and emotion. Kissinger and Grimaldi tag along for this one as well as a new Blacksuit who come with his own personality and actually does not get killed off! The action is at a fine pace but some may frown and say the book is lacking. There is not much variety in the armaments carried, (in fact I dont recall the 93-R being used at all). But that did not take away from the story for me at all. I was wondering more about what was coming next over what Bolan was going to be shooting with. There is some wonderful characterization and use of environment, (in fact chapter 42 had me in bloody stitches! I had to reread it to make sure I hadn't imagined it). And not a dry conversation anywhere, many characters are built up no doubt for use in future entries. Bolan comes with a very interesting personality in this one. Expressing frustration and even guilt that seems a bit strange in the middle of the book because it's rare to read him in such a way. However the book ties up with an excellent epilogue, bringing all the pieces together and tying off the loose ends. I had to take a deep breath and exhale with a head shake and a "Wow!" That made the book (for me) perfect. Great work, thank you Mr. Renauld!

My first read of Mr. Pollotta's work and DAMN what a thrill ride and a half! Very refreshing writing style with great action and characterization. The initial concept of the suitcase nukes and their abduction is the beginning of a most impressive story with some ruthless and brilliantly deceptive bastards introduced! Mack is having to wade through the mess they leave behind whilst trying to get a step in front. Action scenes are outta the ballpark!! Descriptive, detailed and I have to say the Cessna vs. C130 is up in my top ten of all time. I cannot imagine anyone disliking this book. Highly, highly recommended reading! (Thank you Mr Polotta! Please give us a Dillard - kicking sequel!!)

Another slice of Chuck Rogers genius this be. EXCELLENT action and interaction with Bolan having to put on an Oscar worthy performance to infiltrate an ex special forces group of mercs that have crossed the line. This was so well written that it was like having a movie playing in my head the whole time, even funnier is that Iceman (depicted on the front cover) looks all the world like a young version of actor Tobin Bell (of Saw fame). Its slightly similar to Blood Tide in that Bolan has to infiltrate and prove himself, knocking off common enemies before the the targets start to get close to home and Bolan really has to pull out ALL the stops to protect his cover. Inevitably he's found out and is....interred (seriously the Graveyard....wonderfully nightmare-ish brrrr!) But the small nuances are what make this different. Weapons, tactics and some of the BEST interactions between characters all of whom are three dimensional and believable. The plot is an amazing thrill ride that concludes with a perfect epilogue that seals it all up nicely. One of the most fulfilling reads ever, I'd actually save it til last if you are going through the series because it sets a standard that very few entries can touch.

Quite the ass kicking yarn that is only let down (slightly) by a couple factors. The plot has kind of been done so the only way to keep it fresh is with characters and action and this title does deliver in both aspects. Mack is kinda bland off and on throughout when it describes his encounters with others (I mean describing himself as a government "Flyswatter" made me roll my eyes so hard it hurt) but it is tolerable. The bad guys are absolute bastards in this too, oh will you feel the anger. And it even gets emotional. I do appreciate when the author can take some time to detail the effect on the populace. There were a couple scenes where Mack catches up with the aftermath of some terrorist action and describing the passing of an innocent person who was just in the way at the time was equally touching and incensing. Great throughout with action and an awesome cameo with Grimaldi. Unfortunately, and as with most entries, no epilogue, and the last couple pages take you on a up and down rollercoaster that just completely and utterly STOPS with no warning.....ONLY reason I didn't give this a 10.

Quite a well balanced yarn that involves some serious hypothetical (and believable) tech. It does not take away from the action with pages of specific scientific explanation. In fact you get a serious sense of respect for the Zero device as its capabilities are revealed during the plot progression. Starting with the prologue immediately you are thrust into a desperate individual's flight from danger, being hunted by enemies both foreign and domestic with Mack starting from the end of the trail. The story is a great blend of black ops and political scandal with brilliant characters that are written so well and it has one of the most satisfactory (and goosebumpy) conclusions written.

I believe this is Chuck Rogers first entry in the series and he sets a standard that is equaled by a only a handful of the other writers (nearly ALL of his books are in the top 100 on this website alone!) As soon as I read this one, I hit a second hand book site and ordered every other title that this man has written, very glad I did! Starting with this title, he creates Bolan with a lot more personality and HUMAN interaction with other characters. From incredible fire fights (and I LOVE an author that does not feel the need to explain EVERY acronym, y'all should know the equipment by now!) to moments of Bolan trying to survive against overwhelming odds, using limited equipment and vicious terrain whilst protecting a civilian (and we all know how much Bolan LOVES that). PLUS Phoenix comes along for the ride WITH Grimaldi YES! Great plot, great action and interaction (AND characters that will recur in later books. Highly recommended start to the Chuck Rogers/Mack Bolan universe.

Wonderful story with a mix of martial arts and swashbuckling. Bolan's initial training includes some of Mr Rodgers most excellent character development and interaction (especially getting "schooled" by Ming), in fact the character interaction is awesome throughout the whole book. His insertion and trial on the island against the four pirates was a brilliantly written part showing Mack's initiative and hand to hand skill. Indeed all the action sequences are great, the whole book delves into melee weapons, firearms and even armored vehicle combat.....on a boat! The plot changes well, the beginning prospect being a regional problem that expands into a possible global catastrophe. However, as with many Bolan books, unless you get an EPILOGUE, the ending usually disappoints as is with this one. Characters get killed off very unconvincingly after being built up to be almost invulnerable and the book comes to a halt like someone switching off a TV right in the middle of a good scene without any detail of repercussions. 9 outta 10, only the end lets this one down.