This was a non stop action packed ride that I didn't want to get off. It kept me hooked until the end and there was never a dull moment!

A J Tata is very well acquainted with the military so is able to write very convincing stories. General Sinclair has a new mission to rescue a woman who is like a daughter to him after her father was killed on a mission with General Sinclair. The mission will come with very little intel but the General and his team are able to accomplish their mission, though not without casualties. It started a bit slow as he was building the story but once they were on the mission it moved quickly.
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read the ARC of this book. .

General Sinclair is out to rescue a woman who is like a daughter. Action packed from start to finish, the plot was a little over the top but it was entertaining enough to be worth the time to read. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A thought provoking, exciting, suspenseful story that keeps you turning pages as fast as you can to see what happens.

I enjoyed this book very much. Tata knows the military landscape, and his combat scenes are taut and realistic. The action is pretty much non-stop throughout Total Empire, and the characters are well drawn and realistic. The strength of the book is the plot, and Tata paints a complex story with many layers. It is high-tech, but believable. The threat of supersonic nuclear weapons orbiting earth is frightening, and Tata's uses of bluff and deception in this story are masterful. This is a really well thought out plot, and Tata's artful use of point of view changes moves the story along quite well.

One weakness was the villainous character Sanson, who seemed to be a little cartoonish, and not in sync with the seriousness of the plot. A second weakness was the repeated descriptions of how wonderful the members of his team were and how much the protagonist Sinclair admired and cared for them. I can't fault Tata too much for this as I believe it comes from his own experience. I don't know much about his background, but I would guess he actually led men and women into combat, and is putting his own experience into his writing. The care he exhibited for those he led shows through.

If you are looking for a military thriller with a complex but believable plot surrounded by lots of action, this book is for you. I will be seeking out more of Tata's work in the future.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a review copy. My submission of this review was voluntary.

For me, the first third of Total Empire is a bit sluggish. But once author A.J. Tata gets the action on the main story going, he gets it going very well. I almost gave up a third of the way in, but was rewarded with some great scenes for my patience. Very pleased.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Set in today’s world this book follows a special forces unit as they attempt to stop a threat to the very fabric of American life. It’s filled with action yet brings up topics that are part of an on-going conversation about war and it’s effects on the soldiers and their families.. Values, relationships, politics, nationalism all are sub-themes woven within the story line. The political concerns, especially, could have been taken from recent headlines. #TotalEmpire #netgalley

This is a fast-paced military thriller. While high ranking officials in the presidential cabinet are acting as puppets for foreign governments, believing in the concept of unity, but ending up as victims under foreign control, General Garrett Sinclair and his team are trying to stop China from directing nuclear missiles onto the United States, in their fight for total domination. What are our agents willing to give up in their fight for freedom? Will it be their lives and the lives of people they love or maybe even the life of the President of the United States? Can they stop global war?

I haven't read any of this author's previous books, but I really enjoyed reading this action-packed novel and would definitely recommend it to fans of military fiction. My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review a digital ARC of this book.

This took me a long time to read, mainly because it was non-stop action and I had to slow myself down often to really understand and appreciate what was going on. Each chapter dealt with different viewpoints about the various activities that were occurring. Needless to say, it was remarkably well written and had a plot that wouldn’t quit. Great reading. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.

Polictical thrillers have always been my go to read. This arc did not disappoint me at all. The whole story line and plot was very well written and flowed very well. I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. This book receives 5 stars from me.

Fantastic read. Loved the story and premise. A must read for thriller fans! A.J Tata did it again! Can't wait for the nextone

Dateline: desert east of Dahkla, Morocco (it's a real place. I looked it up):

General Garrett Sinclair and team attempt to rescue an American being held hostage by some breakaway group in NW Africa. Dahkla is a hub of activity in what used to be Western Sahara, which has been annexed by Morocco. A land grab not universally recognized. 

Like most all clandestine rescues, the team hits a roadblock. Almost looks like the bad guys had been tipped. In the process of the rescue, Sinclair’s senior non-com, Sgt Major Sly Morgan, gets captured and is beheaded on the spot. By all appearances, Sgt Major Morgan had been targeted.

At the funeral back home in NC, Morgan’s daughter Zoey tells Garrett that her dad had been gathering intel in the area including notes about a meeting between governmental officials from the US, France, and China where the topic of discussion was the so-called China US Partnership (CUSP). While some agreements have been signed, mostly about China being transparent about its intentions in the region, the real reason for the partnership is the proverbial New World Order where China and the US establish a universal worldwide government (with China having plans on shouldering the US aside). Zoey is hot for revenge of her father’s executioner and disappears.

Garrett tries to alert the President (a childhood friend) about the behind-the-scenes goals of CUSP and who is plotting the plant's future. Plus, he's butting heads with the Secretaries of State, Defense, and the President’s staff advisors, all of whom favor this new world order - It’s bound to happen eventually so best be on board at the start. Sinclair wants to go after Zoey but is expressly told not to intervene. Why he isn't to go find her doesn't hold water.

Of course, loyalty to Sly Morgan and daughter Zoey take precedence resulting in the General’s teams reassembling to find Zoey wherever she is being held in the western Sahara. Upon learning that Sinclair has headed back to Africa, the Sec’y Defense advises the President to cut off all support leaving Sinclair and team effectively in the dark with no resources.

What they find in the sands east of Dahkla are two separate but connected expeditions. One, mostly a diversion, is a treasure hunt for untold hidden wealth in an area called The Eye Of Africa (look that up, too) and possible proof of Atlantis. The other is the development of a Chinese base for land-based lasers that will be used to target orbiting hypersonic nuclear missiles. The idea is China launches these missiles/satellites into orbit. When a target is selected, the lasers signal and target the missiles for ground targets.And they aren't hesitant about using them.

Without Presidential direction, Sinclair realizes he has multiple tasks. First, find Zoey. Second, learn what he can about this Atlantis dig. Third, gather intel on the growing Chinese presence and their goals. Fourth, if anything happens, he’ll need to incapacitate the laser system. He, his Apache pilot, his team of about a half dozen loyal operatives, a French archeologist/undercover agent, and, currently, the world’s best sniper, a Moroccan now have to plan on the fly to attack on multiple fronts. Walk in the park, right? If that isn't bad enough, the General also has to keep looking over his shoulder for DC-based interference.

The boys at MRB have reviewed one book by AJ Tata. It too was a bit outlandish. General Sinclair is a lead-from-the-front type, refusing to sit in a room watching satellite imagery of an ongoing op. As such, he’s considered a borderline rogue warrior who should be heading for retirement, not crawling through sand caves and engaging most anyone who doesn’t look like him or his handpicked team. 

This book (and I’m guessing his 14 other novels) have two things in common. Not much character development and plenty of slam bang in your face action. And that’s fine. Tata has a huge readership, so the story arcs of his books are resonating with a considerable audience. As military actions books go, this one’s got a ton of action. Given Tata’s history in the military, the descriptions must be on point . . . if a bit over the top.

Thanks to the good folks at St Martin’s Press for making a review copy available on NetGalley.

Available March 21, 2023

East Coast Don

When Sergeant Major Sylvester “Sly” Morgan is killed on a mission, his daughter, Zoey, tells General Garrett Sinclair that her father's death wasn’t random. Morgan had recorded a high-level meeting between Chinese, American, and French diplomats as they spoke about a plan for a new global government.

The “Chinese-U.S. Partnership”, or CUSP, intends to combine the world’s two largest economies and militaries to usher in a new era of partnership and leadership. But China’s offer has a deadline and penalties for noncompliance. As a safeguard, China has five high-tech hypersonic glide vehicles armed with nuclear weapons orbiting the Earth ready to strike. When Zoey disappears in Africa, seemingly while in pursuit of her father’s killer, Sinclair and Dagger Team are caught off-guard as they scramble to catch up.

Without authorization, Sinclair takes Dagger Team into Dakhla, Morocco as he attempts to save his goddaughter’s life. With too many missions to complete and not enough information, Sinclair and team discover that the Chinese plan is nearly complete. As one nuclear glide vehicle misses Washington, DC but hits Loudoun County, Virginia, Sinclair’s mission in the Sahara is to stop the Chinese from using its ground based laser targeting system before they can more accurately launch the remaining four. Facing insurmountable odds and without support from his government, Sinclair takes his team into the maw of the Saharan death pit, the Eye of Africa.

Propulsive action, and well-rounded characters will keep readers turning pages far into the night. A.J. Tata has found a new fan. #Highly recommended. #TotalEmpire #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

An archeological dig in the Eye of Africa, Chinese military developing a foot hold in Mauritania, and a secret off the books mission for Dagger team are the ingredients for an edge of your seat thriller from A.J. Tata. General Garrett Sinclair, facing a charge for murder which will end his military career, takes on a nothing to lose mission to thwart a Chinese plot which, if successful, will make the United States subordinate to the People’s Republic. At the same time, subversive forces within the President’s own cabinet threaten the success of Sinclair’s mission. Another not to be missed adventure from the pen of Mr. Tata.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this Uncorrected Digital Galley.

General Garrett Sinclair, a three-star SpecOps officer, running around on an unsanctioned mission with a small team...believable? You bet, since his late wife was best buds with the sitting president and he has a 'Presidential Burner' to use.
Lots of action, plenty of nasty characters including high-ranking government officials and exotic locales keep the story moving along quite nicely.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. General Sinclair new mission is to rescue a woman who is like a daughter to him. The mission will come with very little intel and not sure what he is getting into. I liked this book.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

The death of Sergeant Major Sylvester Morgan on a mission weighs heavily on General Garrett Sinclair. When Sly’s daughter, Doctor Zoey Morgan, tells Garrett her father had recorded a clandestine meeting of diplomats from China, America, and France during which they discussed a plan for the Chinese-U.S. Partnership, a global government, it seems clear that he was murdered to keep him from revealing what he had discovered.

And then Zoey vanishes.

Realizing that Zoey has gone to Africa, Garrett and the team head for Dakhla, Morocco with a plan to rescue her. But the plan hatched by the Chinese is nearly complete . . . and a deadline for noncompliance triggers a nuclear attack somewhere in the United States.

Can Garrett and his Joint Special Operations Command team successfully keep the Chinese from using their laser system to launch more nuclear weapons toward the United States? And will they discover how the president of the United States is involved?

=========

Garrett Sinclair returns in another action-packed thriller. Well-drawn characters, a strong sense of place, and a chilling plot all work together to draw the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. With hardly any time for the reader to take a breath, the narrative races along with Garrett and his team as they try to stop those inside the government who blatantly conspired against the president of the United States.

Unexpected plot twists bring surprises as the complex tale of political machinations and courageous military action keeps those pages turning. Readers are sure to root for Garrett and his team as the unfolding narrative, both compelling and terrifying, spins out its story of treachery and patriotism.

Highly recommended.

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

The advent of a Chinese super weapon and subversion and collusion of high government officials in the West great a moment of opportunity for the Chinese to attempt to impose a Pax Sino on the world. Total Empire is a wild-eyed interpolation of the current US-China Sumo match and deep state and global government machinations. Just like Chasing the Lion, the plot is farfetched, the characters underdeveloped, but the story is engaging and a fun read.

Anyone in the mood for a fast-paced story with good guys and bad guys should grab a copy of this book and the one that precedes it. General Sinclair is a great character.

I've read several books by AJ Tata and have enjoyed them all. This one was no different. Fast paced, and easy to follow along with characters I've come to know and love. His books grab you and keep you wanting to read more. I highly recommend this book.