Four years after a tragic mission decimated his career and his team, Cole “Tox” Russell is persona non grata to the United States. And that’s fine–he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed, Tox is lured back into action.
Partnered with FBI agent Kasey Cortes, Tox has to pull together a team to begin a globe-spanning search for answers–and a cure. As their quest leads them from continent to continent, it slowly becomes clear they’re not just fighting a plague–but battling against an ancient secret society whose true goals remain hidden.
With time running out and opposition growing on every side, the key to everything may rest in an antique codex, the Crown of Jerusalem–but will Tox and his team be able to trust each other enough to break this century-spanning conspiracy of silence?
Review
Ronie Kendig for me is another hit and miss author. It isn’t that her writing is bad or that the story isn’t interesting, it’s just that, for me, it can be a bit difficult for her to balance relationships vs action in her book. I am a reader who relies heavily upon relationship and too much action makes me skim. That said, when she finds the balance, her books are amazing. However, this one for me, just didn’t work.
What I liked:
The setup. This new series appears to focus on literal spiritual warfare. It’s almost like Indiana Jones but with the military. I got the impression that the author did a lot of research and it showed. It’s a bit fantastical and you have to suspend your disbelief at moments, but overall it works.
Military knowledge. I come from a military family and I always enjoy when an author respects the institution. Kendig respects the institution and she knows her stuff.
What I didn’t like:
Too many characters. There was so much going on and by adding multiple povs, I found myself skimming several main characters. It was just too much.
Not enough relationship. There are two relationships going on here: Tox’s relationship with his team and his relationship with his lady. His team doesn’t trust him in the beginning of the novel and they let him know…and then suddenly, they just do. If they talked it out, I missed it. And this is sad, because I was looking forward to seeing them all become friends again. Then there was Tox and his lady. I have no idea when they fell in love. They were too busy surviving and barely talking to each other and, quite frankly, knew very little about each other at the end of the book. I was so disappointed.
Tox. He was called Tox because his presence was considered toxic to those around him. He whined about this…and then surrounded himself with those he cared about. I wanted to say, choose another name buddy.
Romantic scale: 6.5
Overall, not a bad book if you’re reading for action. But if you’re reading for relationships, you might want to pass.
**I received a copy from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**
remaininhislove 