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Michael G Kurilla

Japanese pre WWII delusions of global domination

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2016

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The Patriot Attack is the latest offering in Robert Ludlum's Covet One series. This series typically concentrates on bio themed plots with a bit of nanotech thrown in for good measure. This volume is written by Kyle Mills and suggests a hard line nationalistic cabal within Japan that is intent on challenging China and willing to rumble with anyone who gets in their way for global domination. Perennial Covet One agents, Jonathan Smith and Randi Russell go toe to toe with the Japanese military, Chinese intelligence, and even mobsters to avert global catastrophe and armageddon.

As a straightforward espionage novel, this offering is a bit lacking and almost borders on fantasy as despite over 20 years of a pitiful economy in Japan, the reader is told that in fact, Japan has been engaging on technological wizardry in material science (fantastic armor), incredible offensive military weapons (super torpedoes), next generation cyber capabilities (besting the NSA), and sci-fi nanotech (critters that eat any man-made material). If even a fraction of this had actually been possible, Japan could have been dominating the global economy, relegating China to 2nd class status. At the same time, Smith is injured right at the beginning and never gets back to 100%. Meanwhile, Randi, suborns a bunch of civilians and gets them killed. Overall, the plot was a too contrived and strained credulity. Tradecraft was afforded inadequate attention with Covert one operatives simply calling on friends and random "experts" for advice. The eventual denouement over China had a made for TV movie quality affair. It would seem that Covert One is running out of steam and creative concepts. Perhaps a new administration will retire Klein and mothball the group or maybe outsource them to a contract service.

Though Not Ludlum Quality, a Good Introduction to the Next Generation of Suspense, Action-Adventure Espionage Thrillers

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2015

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Length: 528 pages.

I bought this book for two primary reasons. I loved Robert Ludlum's many varied novels and characters. The first novel I listened to, on cassette tape, was back during the late 1980's, I think. Possibly even before that. Point is, Ludlum was good at suspense and intrigue, plus excelled at developing characters.

Which brings us to The Patriot Attack, ostensibly a Jason Bourne novel. Be forewarned, this is not a Bourne continuation. Not even remotely a Bourne novel. Strike one.

Another reason I purchased this book was due to my pleasure from a just-released novel concerning Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp. Terrific stand alone that, I surmised, if Kyle Mills could replicate Rapp so well, yet produce a terrific stand alone sequel such as The Survivor, well, maybe I had better read the latest installment of Covert One. What Mills did so well with Rapp, he, uh, fell far short of the mark with The Patriot Attack. Why?

The premise, Japan and China, is a brilliant stroke. What hurt was the initial setting of our heroine, Randi Russell, in Egypt pursuing American-born, Charles Hashem, who is of Iranian descent, At first take, this seemed plausible. Well, except that he is a Muslim named Charles, of Iranian descent, not Arab, set in Egypt.

Despite its implausibility, for me, having lived in Egypt some 15 years and in Libya for another two, plus having spent time in Israel, Palestine and in the Gulf the setting of an Persian in Arabian Egypt was not well executed. But, then, I excused that as just an obligatory initial, get-the-feel sort of transition point to get us set to depart from, to go to the Orient.

And, since I spent a good deal of time in nuclear energy (as a welding inspector) I found it a great idea to base this novel on the aftermath of Japan's quake and tsunami. Brilliant stroke, thought I.

That premise was smart. Remains so. And, the novel actually is well-written so long as one forgets about Jason Bourne and Robert Ludlum and an Iranian terrorist in Egypt.

A bigger mistake, it seems to me, is that Kyle Mills ended it with a stunning twist that may, or may not be, a cliffhanger. It seems to have been written with an eye to a sequel, but not necessarily so. Sort of a teaser ending reminding me of the lady and the tiger...

Having ranted about what I did not enjoy, or at least, what I had to meander through at a snail's pace, my wriggling was actually well worth the effort, as will be seen by the balance of this review.

Randi Russell is an interesting heroine that, I am sure, may become sort of a female Mitch Rapp, if there are actually more Covert One or Jason Bourne novels forthcoming. Perhaps Mills will sedgeway Rapp into a joint venture with Russell and, thereby, put a nail in the coffin, so to speak, in the Ludlum franchise.

And, let's be honest here, Ludlum has been gone so long that it is time to create a fresh legacy in the line, rather than merely milk the legacy for a few dollars more.

Except that The Patriot Attack is a bit fluffier than the story line justifies, and aside from the above noted strikes, this tome is not a strike out. Nor is it a home run. It is something in between these to points. It is worth reading and, I am sure, in time I will buy the audible.com version and enjoy listening to it.

By all means, I do recommend reading this good novel. Bear in mind, though, it is clearly not Ludlum. Nor does it measure up to Ludlum's best work. If you do keep that in mind, I am betting you will find great pleasure in reading Robert Ludlum's The Patriot Attack.

Note: I originally rated this at five stars. After a couple hours thinking it over, I raised the rating to five stars. Why? I think I was a bit too hard on Mills. In part, because Ludlum set such a high standard and, in part, because I was so delighted with his work with Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp that I thought he had done as well replicating one of my other favorite characters, Jason Bourne.

In other words, I wasn't fairly grading Mills's writing of this book.

DavidJ

and this had some good twists and turns to keep you engaged

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2016

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Colonel Smith and Randi Russell have faced many a challenge as Covert-One operatives, and this had some good twists and turns to keep you engaged. Initially, the books starts slow but the pace and flow increases. It is fascinating the way author is able to take a far-fetched storyline and make it plausible.

Cecey

Disapointing End

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2015

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I have all of these books series in hardcover. I love the characters since one of my brothers gifted me The Cassandra Compact and got hooked
Hated to have Jon left an almost invalid and Randi taking off for parts unknown again. About time they find out they really care for each other. Is there another book coming anytime (hopefully) soon?

Charles R. Dooley

Slow and Lazy Plotting

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015

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Had hard time staying with this book. First two thirds of book were boring. Too many books in this genre today have a problem with bringing enough reality into the story to make it plausible. To be sure, these tales always require an element of belief suspension for the story to work. This book failed completely. Sending a bunch of college students to a foreign country to use an untried nuclear boring tool to pierce the side of a lunatic-controlled mountain and not anticipate you'll be observed is beyond the pale.

Peter Carlin

Kyle mills is awesome

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2017

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Always loved his stand alone works and greatly enjoyed his newest under the covert one banner. He's always been adept at melding technology and science into his books and he does so here with highly advanced weaponry. Love the imagination! He works well with the covert one concept and created a page turner I finished in 48 hours. Look forward to his next contribution to either the series or his own work.

chili

Not very good

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2015

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Very disappointing. Jon was not in the story that much and was injured most of the time. Randi had most of the action such as it was. Too much dialog about Japan. Marty had a brief appearance and Peter had none. Of course, with Jon out of commission, Peter wouldn't have much of a part anyway. Since this is probably the last of the 10 book collection (number 12 of 10 - go figure) don't waste your money on it.

Amazon Customer

Scary scenarios

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2020

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With all of the technology at our fingertips, it's not hard to imagine this type of threat. Making global peace so important

Top reviews from other countries

bowser

Excellent

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2019

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Excellent read, more twists than a rural road

James Fitzpatrick-Ellis

Another superb read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2018

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This is another fantastic book in the Covert One series, following Jon Smith and his team in an exciting secret mission to investigate a strange and shocking event.

David Edwards

Always Good Ludlam

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2020

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The book lived up to the rest of the covert 1 series---had to keep reading till I finished it.

Amazon Customer

Great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2019

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Good read