Reviewedbyluke

Join me on my quest of reading books and writing honest reviews.

[reviewedbyluke-blog]

Getting lost again 📙 #book #reading #iampilgrim #terryhayes #corgibooks #review #bookreview #reviewedbyluke #thriller #dontjudgeabookbyitscover #lost https://www.instagram.com/p/B2m3-AUH-eb/?igshid=gmfnulag1pun

[reviewedbyluke-blog]

Review of Andy McNabs Immediate Action is now online An insight story into the British Army and the history and life of one of the most highly decorated soldiers, Andy McNab. An insight story into the British Army and the history and life of one of the most highly decorated soldiers, Andy McNab. McNab is one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the British Army, and is probably most famous for his account of call-sign ‘Bravo Two Zero’, where an eight man SAS team was deployed into Iraq for the first Gulf War (1991). There are discrepancies in the retelling of what ‘Bravo Two Zero’ was tasked to do, but as per McNabs account, the mission was to find and destroy Iraqi Scud Missiles. Quickly into the operation, the team was compromised and were forced to evade, on foot, to Syria. McNab was captured and held captive for six weeks. Immediate Action is an autobiography about McNabs youth as a thief and a delinquent, through to the anticipation of a call to go to Kuwait. We learn about his career, the hidden secrets and insider insights into the Green Jackets and the SAS, as well as McNab being totally devout to the Army. Each chapter is a breakdown into McNabs life, thus, each chapter is a story on its own. In the first, McNab witnesses death at an early age at being only eight years old. We’re lead to believe that this changes him, stating that he’d had ‘a very ordinary childhood up until then’. And also to admitting to being in a very poor family with his parents being ‘unemployed for most of the time’. As said earlier, McNab was a delinquent and had run-ins with the law and was involved in a gang where petty crimes were committed. McNab thought that the Army was the chance to get away from this, and it was. McNab wanted ‘to fly helicopters’, but was swiftly put in his place and was placed into the Royal Green Jackets – part of the Infantry Division; much to his dads displeasure. From here on, we learn about the training and information that is usually kept secret. McNab isn’t shy about the missions that he was on and what he undertook during his time, this is an extremely honest account – including the time he found himself in a gay-bar and also writing down that he failed the gruelling Selection process into the SAS first time round. In Immediate Action, there are a lot of personal references, including a number of failed marriages and we can see how much of McNabs life was totally Army-focused. Nothing came before the Army, it was as if it was his drug, his fix; up until his child came along. I will be reviewing Bravo Two Zero. Although Immediate Action doesn’t go into this, it does touch on it briefly at the end. McNab tells us that he is going to get the call to Kuwait, but doesn’t want to worry his wife. I was left confused, and rather underwhelmed by Immediate Action. I expected more, more… action. Although the accounts are extremely detailed, it feels as if most of Immediate Action was quickly written and parts were easily overlooked, which is a great shame. My favourite part of the book is when McNab talks about his experiences in the Selection process, he isn’t shy about the fact that he failed. He describes how tough it is and how a high level of fitness, stamina and, ultimately, determination was needed – and is still needed to this day as the process hasn’t changed. There are 3 big missions that are included in Immediate Action, and these are well written and paint a true picture. At times, it’s hard to believe that this actually happened and it is a true story. Immediate Action has me scratching my head, it is a good read, but it needs time and patience. I have read this book cover to cover, and as I am writing this review, I am struggling to remember what happened – even when I made notes as I went. Despite this, I would read this book again and I do recommend it. It is very interesting and you do learn a lot about the Army in the seventies, as well as how it hasn’t changed for years. I will come back to this book again to see if my feelings and thoughts change. #andymcnab #andymcnabbook #immediateaction #blog #review #reviewedbyluke

[reviewedbyluke-blog]

Hard-hitting, hard reading, gritty story written by an elite SAS veteran, Chris Ryan, who has lived the lives of the characters he has portrayed in The Kill Zone. Hold on for graphic, global and a rather clever turn of events. Hard-hitting, hard reading, gritty story written by an elite SAS veteran, Chris Ryan, who has lived the lives of the characters he has portrayed in The Kill Zone. Hold on for graphic, global and a rather clever turn of events. Stinger missiles missing in Helmand Province, cave systems with mysterious packages that no one is allowed to investigate in Afghanistan, self-made covert operations in Somalia, undercover assignments to uncover a drugs ring in Northern Ireland. All whilst there is a presidential visit due to commence in London. Are they all about to come to a head? Jack Harker, a no-nonsense, SAS hard man in on the case. As the main character in The Kill Zone, Ryan doesn’t give any details about Harker’s looks or personality. We are lead on a tale of our own to work out who and what Harker is. I see Harker as the guy on the cover of The Kill Zone, a scarred and battle hardened warrior. However, this warrior does have a chink in his armour. And that is Siobhan Byrne. Harker and Byrne share a history, and a daughter. Byrne is very deceiving, not only in her line of work, but also in her looks and personality. Byrne is a blonde bombshell with a gorgeous figure that everyone gawks at. However, get on the wrong side of her, she knows how to defend herself; and well. Byrne is on a case in Northern Ireland, a case that her DCI has told her to leave, but there is something that is motivating her. Her daughter is somewhere in this world, being used and abused by men who are fuelling her drug habit. Byrne believes that if she can find the supply of the drugs into Northern Ireland, it will help her find her daughter, as well as bring the leaders of the drug ring down as well. The supply chain that she is looking into hides things that she can only imagine, especially when she and Harker’s paths meet once again – for different reasons, yet they want the same outcome. I really got attached to these two characters. You can sense their hatred towards one another, as well as their compassion and longing to get back together. Unfortunately, this is not meant to be. – This leads me on to my least favourite part in The Kill Zone. Byrne has been captured and is being tortured by the drug ring that she has been investigating, all whilst Harker is desperately on his way to rescue her. Byrne has managed to call Harker, so he can hear everything that is happening to her. Including the moment there is a gunshot. He pulls up to where Byrne is being tortured and the description that Ryan gives is horrific; “Half her head was blown away…” and “…her skin was splattered with blood…”. I do like the descriptions that Ryan gives his characters. Right from the beginning in the prologue we are meeting two characters, one in particular, who are crucial and slowly reveal themselves as the book progresses. We learn that Farzad and Adel are taught Islam and the hatred towards the west, specifically the USA and UK. They are urged to go and fight in the Holy War and we know that they are destined to become terrorists. Farzad had shot off his own thumb and had to be cauterised in the burning fire. This little reference was embedded into my mind and whenever there was a mention of a man with a stump instead of a thumb, I knew this must have been Farzad. I would recommend “The Kill Zone” to anyone who is into high action, plot twisting thrillers with a sense of realism. It should be read by young adults onwards, as the descriptions can be quite graphic and there is strong language. I love this book. When I was reading it I was constantly left on edge and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Although there are multiple things happening at once, there was no confusion. That’s how good an author Ryan is. #chrisryan #bookreview #thekillzone #blog #mustread