The First Hostage

J. B. Collins, Book 2

By: Joel C. Rosenberg

Narrated by: David deVries

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"The president of the United States...is missing."

With these words, New York Times journalist J. B. Collins, reporting from the scene of a devastating attack by ISIS terrorists in Amman, Jordan, puts the entire world on high alert. The leaders of Israel and Palestine are critically injured, Jordan's king is fighting for his life, and the U.S. president is missing and presumed captured.

As the U.S. government faces a constitutional crisis and Jordan battles for its very existence, Collins must do his best to keep the world informed while working to convince the FBI that his stories are not responsible for the terror attack on the Jordanian capital. And ISIS still has chemical weapons....

Struggling to clear his name, Collins and the Secret Service try frantically to locate and rescue the leader of the free world before ISIS's threats become a catastrophic reality.

©2015 Joel C. Rosenberg (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Wow!! A must read thriller!

As unlikely as it seems NYT reporter J. B. Collins is the protagonist of this must read solid 5 star espionage/suspense thriller.

Note: The First Hostage ends in a cliffhanger situation. The good news is that Book 3 and the final novel of the trilogy, Without Warning, will be released in 2 weeks and is now available for pre-order.

Note: Some people object to Joel C Rosenberg novels because of books tend to be very religious (Christian) and deal in Biblical prophecy. That does not change with this novel, but it is rather mild.

This is a great novel for those who like lots of action and intense suspense. David de Vires does a superb job of narration. I highly recommend this novel and the J. B. Collins trilogy.

Good story!

If you like action, thrills, and warriors, you'll like this. The lead character is a journalist who tangles with ISIS, gets in their crosshairs, and has to save the President from them. Worth a credit.

That said, there is a small downside. Rosenberg wanted to weave in Christianity, which as a Christian myself I have no problem with. However, it was clunky, feeling more like an afterthought than a story element. Every time the story veered into Bible and faith talk, the story slowed and the passage felt stilted. It never actually moved the story forward. I like the instinct but the execution could use some work.

The best book Joel has written and I have read them all well all but the kids books

Best yet Joel and I have read them all but the kids books thanks for all your booksi

Intense!

Great book, very suspenseful! Very well read!
We listened as we traveled from MN to TN

Patriotism Personified

The Story was almost too realistic. I found that listening to it being told was probably more intensifying than reading the book, making it even more stimulating and captivating. I still plan to read the book though. It's a message to our leaders, especially the president, to know the enemy and act to defend our country before it is too late.

WOW! Amazing book!

I have read all of Joel's books and he continues to amaze me. His stories are timely and thought-provoking... and The First Hostage is no exception!
I do recommend reading The Third Target first, as this is the second book in a series. If you like action-packed geopolitical thrillers, then listen to this series!
The First Hostage fast-paced, gripping, totally entertaining and will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Rosenberg is excellent

As usual, his writing is excellent. But equally, as usual, is the mispronunciation of Biblical words and names. It's too bad.

I Had to Buy the Next Book Before I Finished!!!!!

If you could sum up The First Hostage in three words, what would they be?

Frightening, action and adventure

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Absolutely! Terrorists have taken the president hostage and somehow JB Collins, journalist, is right in the thick of things. An unlikely hero, Collins somehow seems to know everything about military maneuvers, handling any sort of weapon, etc.

Which scene was your favorite?

I cannot reveal that without giving away the ending. I will save the worst scene is what JB finds in caves and cages near the end of the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

USA President Taken Hostage - Time Is Running Out

Any additional comments?

There are some pretty gruesome scenes and descriptions. A lot of violence, as well.

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Another great book by Joel Rosenberg

If you could sum up The First Hostage in three words, what would they be?

Suspenseful, captivating, entertaining

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was very hard to put down, but would be too long for one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I didn't think I would enjoy this book subject, but it was referred by many friends. They were right! I'm really looking forward to his next book!

Edge of my seat book just like the first..

I had no idea there was going to be or is another book out there about this.. being book 3? I'm so very ready to learn what is going to happen. I loved this book as did I loved the first .