Posted by Rob on September 28, 2007 at 19:11:15:
Man, that was a long month's wait. I swear, Amazon usually gets overseas shipping to my doorstep in about two weeks. This time, the gods knew the new Rucka book was in the box, and proceeded to screw with me for two more weeks.
Anyways, OUTSTANDING book! Just the little character beats - the best. The lines that made the hair on my arm stand up - "There was a hyperlink... to a new entry on 'Patriot.' 'Oh, c'mon,' Bowles said. 'You know you want to.'" ... "'Jesus fucking Christ... You're using us for a coup.'" ... "Then I shot him twice in the head."
I don't wanna gush with too much fanboy gushiness, but that last bit rocked me back on my heels. Well - fucking - done.
Anyways, just wanted to say, well... Thank you! Great book. [Think Critical Space remains my fave though, sorry.]
Here's the Amazon review I posted, and I reiterate, this better not be the end of the Kodiak novels Mr Rucka! In fact, stop reading these messages and playing video games and hanging out with Kate Beckinsale! Get back to writing! :)
--
Amazon Review [5 stars]
The sixth chapter in the Atticus Kodiak series is, in a word, outstanding.
The plot is intriguing, and the most overtly political of the Kodiak series, with the bad guy a Washingtonian Rove-Cheney mashup tying into the work of military "contractors"/mercenaries - topical, if nothing else. But it's the character beats that always stick out and make the work exceptional.
Funny to read, even a cursory look at some of the reviews, that decry the "sudden" changes in Kodiak or the direction the character goes. Belying the fact that the "sudden" changes took the entire last book in the Kodiak series - Critical Space - one of the things that I've always dug about Rucka's writing is that he allows his characters to make horrible personal and professional choices - just like real people - and deal with the consequences, rationalizing and fighting through their decisions all the while.
But I'd disagree with the concept that he's a completely different character now. Everything Kodiak does in this book, in his own twisted way, is for the memory of his friend. And that's been, to a great extent, the core of the character. Loyalty. To his friends and to his clients. And just how far you go for that loyalty.
The only complaint I have is that the end of the book does almost read like the end of the Kodiak series - which I sincerely hope isn't the case. There's at least the matter of Atticus being held to account for some of his choices - and perhaps a verbal a$$ kicking from Erika for them.
In short, a great read. Finished it off in the course of half a Saturday and enjoyed the hell out of it. Well worth your time and hard earned dollars.