Member Reviews
An excellent follow-up to the last book in this series. It gets a bit complicated at times keeping the characters straight but once the reader grasps that, the book is amazing. I highly recommend
Omega Rules, by author Eric Van Lustbader, is the third installment in the authors Evan Ryder series. Key characters: Evan Ryder, Ben Butler, Isobel Lowe, Kata Romanovna Hemakova, Lucinda Wells, and Marsden Tribe. Evan Ryder was once a field agent for a black-ops arm of the Department of Defense, but was cast aside with the arrival of the new President. Five months ago, Evan, and Ben were recruited by Isobel after Ben was shot and crippled facing off against Nemesis. They now work for Parachute, a cutting-edge quantum-computing firm whose private espionage network exceeds any government spy agency.
For the past 2 years, Evan and Ben have had one singular mission: seek out and destroy Omega, a fanatical global cult intent on destroying democracy through Nemesis as well as possible Russian participation. Thanks to the billionaire Samuel Wainwright Wells, the organization has unlimited funds, and access to a variety of outlets to spread their message of hatred and intolerance. Samuel's wife, Lucinda Wells, just happens to be a sister she never knew she had until The Kobalt Dossier. The fight against Omega has already cost Evan dearly, but she will not stop until she has torn out the conspiracy by its roots, no matter the risk.
Ben is lucky to be alive after the last novel, and is now confined to a wheel chair and if it weren't for his young daughter currently living in Germany, he'd likely have given up. He also refuses to admit that he cares for Evan more than he wants to admit. When Arne Armistad, a Parachute operative, is murdered in Vienna, Evan takes it upon herself to investigate. Evan's journey takes her to Vienna. Evan seems to get her ass handed to her where ever she goes in this story. From Vienna where she meets a dangerous Russian assassin, to Germany where she meets an Omega hired mercenary, to her encounter with Lucinda in Virginia.
I think the most important character in this entire book is Kata, and not just because she's Evan's supposed deceased sister who is a blood thirsty killer, and not the fact that she's been put in charge Zaslon, part of the FSB directorate, and not because it appears she's playing a double agent while working for Lyudmila Shokova. She rarely if ever finds herself allowing someone to get the drop on her, and when she does, the person usually ends up shark food. I don't know how long the author intends to keep Kata's real identity and the fact that she's alive from Evan. Kata and Evan seem on the same side when it comes to destroying Omega in their respective countries as well as their connection to Lyudmilla.
One of my issues with this story, and series, is that the author is a conspiracy nut. There are too many nuisances that make me roll my eyes every time he writes about them. He should definitely write for one of those grocery magazines since I believe he thinks aliens are walking around in this country, and they have taken over America political parties. The author has, hopefully, ended the Omega storyline, and can now fixate on something else.
I have been a faithful reader of EVL since The Ninja and was looking forward to this title since I finished the second book of the series, but I've gotten lost in the weeds with this one. Lustbader has had an issue with the multiple book stories that have a tendency to ramble and drop crumbs that all end up coming together in the end but in the midst of an individual novel it becomes difficult to follow the differing subplots. I enjoy Lustbader's work because I can get lost in the distinct strings that he weaves into a beautiful tapestry but some how I could not get into this book. I would open my Kindle and only read a few pages before wandering off. I'm used to reading multiple books in a month but I have been reading this one for almost two months and am less than three quarters of the way thru. I will be coming back to finish this novel only because I'm such a fan and sincerely want to know how he wraps this up. Some of the confusion stems from the sudden appearance of the group that Evan now is employed by. I'm hopeful that taking a break will allow me to come back refreshed and finish what I know will be worth it in the long run.
Omega Rules, featuring Evan Ryder, has moments of excitement that occasionally get pulled down by lame dialogue and extended scene details. Author Eric Van Lustbader has written many top novels, so I kept reading and did find satisfaction in this novel of sibling rivalry and spy games.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
Another great book in the Evan Rider series. These books all have great characters, great pacing, and great stories. Can't wait for the next book in the series. #OmegaRules #NetGalley
Evan Ryder now works for Parachute, a quantum computing firm that is able to provide her with information that allows the firm to be involved in some heavy stuff. Evan is still in search of Omega, a sinister organization with a goal of returning the world to better times. Led by a billionaire and his wife, they have planned a major operation across the United States that Evan and her team must stop. There are several other plot lines as well, including the history of Evan and her three sisters, two now dead and the third thought dead but actually a Russian operative. Sounds complicated? It is. This is the third book in Van Lustbader’s Evan Ryder series and the second I have read. This is certainly better than the second book in the series, but I think that’s because I had a better idea of the complexity of the plot and had a better handle on the characters, if you like a complex read, this series is for you and I would recommend you start at the beginning. My thanks to Forge Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this book.
Omega Rules is the third book in the Evan Ryder series by Eric Van Lustbader. This exciting series is reminiscent of Robert Ludlum's fast-paced exciting thrillers. While some of the favorite characters from the earlier books do make cameos in this book, the focus is on a new international conspiracy that our heroes have to race along the clock to solve and save the world.
This book brings back Evan Ryder, who was once a government black-ops operative. However, she has since shifted her talents to the private sector, but her mission remains the same: seek out and destroy the fanatical global cult intent on destroying democracy.
The fight against Omega has already cost Evan dearly but she will not stop until she has taken down the hydra-like organization by its roots, piece by piece no matter the risk.
This book takes her and her friends on a dangerous, worldwide hunt for answers and on a collision course with forces so powerful they may be beyond her abilities to stop and destroy.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC
Sibling rivalry gone wild!👠👠
World democracy is at stake when an ultra-rightwing media mogul, an evangelical billionaire, and his third wife from Russia/Slovenia want to start a second civil war. Evan has to take down "Omega" and stop deep state conservatives with arms reaching across the globe. Meanwhile white supremacists riot in Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc causing widespread unrest.
This book is a rather confusing one for me since I didn't read the first two books. The next paragraph contains possible spoilers if you haven't read the previous books.
I won't get into the plot but a glance at the female characters: Evan Ryder (a she) has 3 sisters. Ana a religious extremist was shot dead by Evan's handler-partner Ben Butler. Lucinda married a white supremacist billionaire. Her third sister who Evan thought is dead (is not dead) - Bobbi/Kata Romanovna Hemakova/Sofia is a Russian spy. Evan thought Bobbi is very much dead that she pretended to be Bobbi at one point. It gets more complicated when you get to how Bobbi becomes Kata. I have difficulty following that it took me over halfway through to get the hang of the characters. I love espionage thrillers but this one was challenging with identities.
Turns out... Bobbi/Kata is my favorite! I enjoy parts with her in Russia. She's cruel no doubt but amazing in her own way- she's a bad*** character! I think Evan is supposed to be an impressive spy. She insists that she's best working alone, but the majority of the time she gets knocked unconscious, I don't get it.🤷♀️
I'm excited to read my first Eric Van Lustbader novel, I've heard of his name from Jason Bourne series. However, I find that in "Omega Rules" the dialogues are unrealistic and feel choppy at times. There's a rape scene on the pages that didn't further the plot. Also, I don't think this is meant to be read as a standalone thriller. 2.5⭐
Thank you Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for this DRC.
I've read many books by Eric Van Lustbader and have enjoyed them all. This one was no different. His books are faced pace and easy to read. Great characters that are easy to root for. I highly recommend this book.
Looking for sibling rivalry in an action thriller. The author has created a dysfunctional family that plays for stakes that affect nations. With more action than you would think possible, the story keeps moving; sometimes being hard to follow.
I just reviewed Omega Rules by Eric Van Lustbader. #OmegaRules #NetGalley Intense action right from the start, the series is full tilt and continues to get better as the characters grow
If you are expecting a normal spy and assassin novel, you have come to the wrong place. There's action and intrigue, but the plot is mostly confusing nonsense.
Is this the end of Omega? Evan Ryder knows that she is meant to be careful in Moscow but things don't go according to plan as someone tries to kill her before and she knows that is she says anything to Isobel then she will need to come home. But she needs to see this through even though she knows that it is only about to get harder going forward. Ben knows that she will be okay but he still worries about her. He knows that he can't tell her how he fears as he is afraid that it will change everything. He has to worry about regaining the use of his legs He knows that he needs to give the new person a chance to help him at least.
While Evan is fighting her way through Moscow, her dead sister Kata/Bobbi is making big waves that could land her in deep trouble but she knows that she can't stop now. She has to find a way to move forward in the FSB and she has just found a way. But she has to pay her cards right. Every so often she thinks of her sister Evan and how different they were but they loved each other. She knows that Evan is in Moscow and she can't go there at present.
Will Evan find what she needs to stop her last sister Lucinda Wells and her crazy husband from destroying too many lives? She knows that she has to be stopped but can she do it?
Another great read in the series. I do hope that Ben & Evan figure out their feelings for each other. Great to see the main characters back. I wonder if Evan will ever find out about Kata/Bobbi?
I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for my honest review.