While the overall writing and storytelling was solid and everything readers expect from Tata, the overall premise of a techno-mind control drug mixed with sarin was a bit of a stretch for me.

The science was never adequately explained and in the end the final attack the gas was just was going to be used like a normal dirty bomb which had nothing to do with technology/cell phone portion of the drug.

I felt the characters were reasonably developed and the overall plot/attack plan from the Iranians was unique and interesting, but it wasn't enough to carry the book for me.

The fight scenes were also a little light on description, which is a personal preference, and the emotional response to friends and family being murdered (sometime right in front of the protagonist) seemed a bit undercooked and robotic.

A complex tale of intrigue, deception and betrayal. Moves at a fast pace and worth reading. A story that you can enjoy and appreciate.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing Chasing The Lion.

Chasing The Lion, by A.J. Tata, is the first book in a new series staring Garrett Sinclair and his team of special forces operators. I have read almost all of Tata's books and I am a fan of his Jake Mahegan series. Chasing The Lion seems to be linked to the Mahegan series, at least tangentially. If you've read any Mahegan book, the plots require a bending of reality, almost into banana-land, while at the same time being possible. Chasing The Lion is no exception. The characters are well developed: the good guys are completely likable and the bag guys are, well, villainous. The plot is complex and vast with parts bordering the absurd, yet plausible at the same time. It is clear Tata knows the inner workings of the military world and uses his knowledge to great effect. Chasing The Lion was hard to put down and Tata has created a good foundation which to build on.

Chasing the Lion by AJ Tata

This is the most difficulty I’ve had ever starting a review before, so I guess I’m just going to jump right into it.

I started Chasing the Lion, and I was hooked. The pace was fast, the action was nonstop, and then the author’s political rhetoric decided to make an appearance. I shrugged it off, as I’ve read a number of books by authors (Thor, Winslow) where the writing in the book seems to mirror a political Twitter thread. But then it happened again. And again. And again. I’ll revisit this again momentarily, but first, I think it’s important to discuss something else.

This may be just a personal preference, but as I’m currently living through a pandemic from COVID-19, honestly, the last thing I want to read about in a fiction novel is COVID-19. It was probably mentioned in close to every chapter, the fact that the world was going through the pandemic, etc, etc. I read books to escape, and reading a book that perpetually reminds me of the current chaos was disappointing. You wouldn’t write a fictional WWII novel in the middle of WWII. It was deflating to have to slog through a novel that brought it up so frequently.

The crux of the novel is built around a mind-altering nerve agent that the “Lion of Tabas” is attempting to spread to America(ns). I thought it was a fascinating premise. Then, the moment the main character said something to the effect of, “The government asked the citizens of the United States to shelter in place during the pandemic, so how hard is mind control really?” I knew this book was going nowhere but down. Add in the idea that all mobile devices are hacked and the governments can read your texts messages and hear your phone calls, this novel felt more like a dystopian conspiracy theory as opposed to a thriller.

I had high hopes for this book, Chasing the Lion, but unfortunately, it was a let down. Maybe in the future, we will see some more good novels from Tata, but if they follow this same formula of fantastical ideals fused with political ideology, count me out.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Iranian terrorist and lethal soldier Dariush Parizad, named the Lion of Tabas by the ayatollah, has become a brilliant tactical commander leading the extremist Quds Force. The target of his hatred and revenge? America.

Parizad plans to unleash his biochemical weapon, Demon Rain, in Washington, D.C. during the inauguration of the nation’s first woman president. His strategy is to spread fear and chaos while using the mind-control properties of the psychoactive viral agent to turn the civilians into weapons against their own country.

Standing between Parizad and the success of his subversive plan is Army Lieutenant General Garrett Sinclair and his Joint Special Operations Command team. Sinclair and his team, unaware of the full scope of the terrorist’s malevolent plan, pursue Parizad across the Middle East, through Europe, and into the United States. When they uncover his terrifying scheme, will they be able to save their country from the Parizad’s evil machinations? And will Garrett be able to find the truth behind the death of his beloved wife, Melissa?

Well-drawn, realistic characters populate this riveting tale that weaves an exceedingly chilling tapestry of treachery and feels frighteningly prophetic. Non-stop action keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the unfolding narrative takes the story in unexpected directions while ramping up the tension and the danger.

Anchored by a strong sense of place, the terrifyingly realistic narrative pulls its readers into the telling of the tale and keeps them rapidly turning the pages as the story plays out. Complex and compelling, this of-the-moment narrative, seemingly snatched from the headlines and filled with intrigue, is relentless in its impendence of peril and in the determination of Sinclair and his courageous crew to neutralize the menacing threat to the nation.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
#ChasingTheLion #NetGalley

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Army lieutenant Garrett Sinclair is given the task of stopping a terrorist attack. Sinclair will encounter many obstacles in his attempt to stop the attack. This book was well written.

Free ARC from Net Galley

Read EVERYTHING by A.J. Tata

Scenarios, tactics, and characters are real and relevant

I love it!

Over the past couple of months I have spent more time reading mysteries and thrillers than in the last decade. I guess I just needed a change of pace during these groundhog like days. As far as mysteries go this is a good one and I plan on reading others from this author. This book is complex with compelling characters and I often felt like I was reading non-fiction as the events and locations felt so real; although at other times it was a bit far fetched for my liking. And in a sign of the times I think Covid is mentioned 1000 times! I guess we better get use to that being part of many novels yet to be written.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.