chris

Action and entertainment replaced with whiny inner conflict.

Revisado: 02-28-25

Why does it seem all successful series writers move away from the fundamentals of what made their stories great and instead start trying to be poets? this series used to be 70% action and 30% character development/arch. Now it's the opposite (but more like only 10% action) Where is the classic Orphan X butt-kicking? Instead I have to hear the whining inner monolog of Evan, Joey and Tommy as they struggle with their inner demons? Hurwitz is good but he's no Steven King. He uses way too much "purple prose", trying to evoke emotional response in the reader, but hes just not good enough to pull it off...Instead it just comes off as too wordy and boring. I think its time for the series to end...in my humble opinion.

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Evans getting solf....

Revisado: 03-19-24

Not as much action as previous books. Plot a bit vague. Evans character is getting really broody and too philosophical. I miss the old Evan who just kicked butt and didn't have to thoroughly analyze every thought that goes through his head. Also, the Joey character is getting a bit overplayed- her never serious attitude and disregard for boundaries is annoying. I get that she's 17 years old, but she's also a genius. I think some maturity is in order.

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Didn’t make it through, gave up with 4 hours left

Revisado: 05-29-23

(Slight spoiler alert)
This is one of the worst written books in my library of over 300 titles. I’ve only ever returned 2 books and this may be the 3rd. So disappointed in Ted Bell. So many plot holes and inconsistencies it’s hard to follow. Too little action and too much flowery (purple prose) language. When there is action it’s not detailed. Alex makes the dumbest decisions that his character from previous books would never do. The way he escaped from prison in Havana was stupefying. Then, after destroying a Chinese nuclear sub, warship, and two fighter jets with his ships laser cannon (with no blowback from China mind you), he then lets his ship get overrun by enemies bordering from a weapon-less ship, using hand made ladders that Alex and his crew literally sat and watched them build, Why not just blast that ship in half with the laser cannon? Then, let the battle commence, men literally swing from the rigging with knives clenched in their teeth. Alex sees Smith, the villain from the last three books, with his back turned, and instead of just shooting him, and being done with it, he chooses to get into a classic sword fight on his (pirate) ship. (This was when I stopped listening). And finally, alex spends so much time trying to protect his son, why did he bring him on this pirate adventure that put him in danger every day? So so bad. So so sad. Used to love this series.

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May be time to wrap this series up

Revisado: 05-25-23

This book and the previous most recent are my least favorites. Indicates the series is getting stale. Though still worth the purchase.

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Would be much better if 7 hours shorter

Revisado: 12-05-22

Pretty good story but too slow and boring, and that's coming from a huge Stephen King fan who is the master of slow build. would have given four stars if it was 7 hours shorter. This book and his first book should be 15 hrs or less, not 20+. I found myself skipping entire chapters that didn't seem to be going anywhere, and as I suspected it made no difference to the overall plot. Narrator kicks butt as always.

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Every new installment is worst than the previous.

Revisado: 06-12-21

This series started off so strong, the first three books were awesome and then it just got more boring each sequel. As many reviewers have stated I only keep listening because I'm invested and the characters are so good. I'm only halfway through the 10th book, but I'm leaving a review now because I probably won't finish it, it's soooo boring. How many times do I have to hear about how they make every single one of their meals. I honestly couldn't tell you the plots of the last five books. I feel like it's the same plot over and over and over. I'll summarize the last five books for you; "I wake up, here's how I made breakfast, then I went down the road, then saw someone else on the road, when I reached the end of the road I saw that it was Sarge and doc on the road (seriously how many times can you say "road" in one paragraph?) I Make some jokes about Sarge being old, Sarge threatens to kick people's a$$es, I go home and wash all the blood off me in the shower, grab Mel's butt and go to sleep.... And repeat.

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Not the best of the Gray Man series,but enjoyable.

Revisado: 04-27-21

The story was a little erratic and hard to follow, also fairly slow for the first half of the book. My least favorite of the series.

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A good listen, but my least favorite of the series

Revisado: 02-11-21

I don't regret purchasing this book, I enjoyed it. However, it's my least favorite of the series for two reasons. First, it's more far-fetched than the previous stories. In the past books, Orphan X's missions have been at least somewhat based in reality, but this was more of a "James Bond super villain" type story, utilizing technology that just doesn't exist. definitely a story that would have been better in an Alex Hawk series than this one. The second reason is it was just a much darker story than I'm used to with this writer, I won't go into specifics but there was a lot of self-doubt and recrimination, yelling, crying, very serious emotional discussions which I feel took up way too much time. not as fun and quick paced action as I'm used to in previous books.

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Great story and character development, BUT....

Revisado: 10-27-20

I really liked the story and the characters were great, I think that's what keeps me coming back for the remaining novels. There are two areas I wish the author would improve on. 1st is his vocabulary and repetitiveness. Mr. American uses the same words or phrases in the same sentences or consecutive sentences over and over. The biggest annoyance is his use of the word "road" . I realize this is a story about walking home on the roads so obviously you're going to use that word a lot, but it is extremely excessive. For example, (and this is an exaggeration, but not by much) he would say, "I stepped out onto the road, brought my binoculars up and looked down the road, at the end of the road I saw a group of men standing on the road, I slowly walked down the side of the road, making sure that the people at the end of the road couldn't see me.... ". Or this one, which is a quote..." it had been a while since I had seen him, and it was good to see him". Really??? How someone who writes such a good story and amazing character development be lacking in the most basic vocabulary and syntax fundamentals blows my mind.
2nd - The last thing is something I've seen in a lot of reviews, which is he needs to cut back on the minutia. he goes into such incredible detail about how he makes his breakfast or does other menial every-day tasks. thanks, but i know how to make oatmea, you dont have to go through it step by step for two paragraphs...... other than that, really enjoyed the book.

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Pretty slow. Even for King.

Revisado: 07-29-20

This book took 9 months to finish because I stopped listening after the first 3 hours and didn't try again for 8 months. I know S. K. is kind of known for the slow build, but this book was even slow by his standards. the story didn't get interesting until 10 hours into the book, and I had to force myself to listen to get to that point. Even so, I'm glad I listened to it. Just be aware what your getting into.

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