I absolutely love the Joe Ledger series! Also I love Jonathan Maberry and was thrilled when I received a Netgalley review copy of it. Maberry is a fantastic action writer and excels at pacing, character building, dark humor and just general great storytelling.
As expected of a Joe Ledger book it's a roller coaster ride of one exciting scene after another.
The story line was great and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Excellent addition to the series!

"Burn To Shine" by Jonathan Maberry is a compelling read that expertly weaves together multiple timelines and narrators, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling. Each timeline is intricately developed, allowing readers to dive deep into the world that Maberry has crafted.

The choice to use multiple narrators adds depth to the narrative, providing varied perspectives and keeping the storyline dynamic and engaging. The narrators each bring a unique voice, contributing to a multifaceted plot that grips you from the start.

Maberry is well-known for his skill in crafting explosive action sequences, and "Burn To Shine" is no exception. The action is intense and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Each scene is vividly depicted, immersing you fully in the thrilling events.

The book culminates in a cliffhanger ending that leaves you eagerly anticipating what comes next. Maberry’s ability to leave readers hanging perfectly sets the stage for future installments, making "Burn To Shine" a must-read for fans of ongoing series.

This is my first novel I've read in this series. This book is about a team trying to stop a domestic terrorist. I think it can be read as a standalone, but it was a little confusing in the beginning not knowing who all of the characters and their backstories were. This book was action packed with some sci-fi elements mixed in. It partially reminded me of an adult version of The Maze Runner books.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Mar. 4, 2025
Jonathan Maberry’s latest Joe Ledger novel, “Burn to Shine” features Joe and his Rogue Team as they try and intercept a domestic terrorist event while they all are still grieving from the painful losses suffered during their last mission.
“Shine” is definitely not slow in the action department. A dangerous bio weapon is infecting Americans across the country and, once Joe and his team are put on the case, they’re confronted by old enemies, some who were supposed to be dead- and some who might actually still be so. The illness turns those infected into “zombie”-type creatures (for fans of James Dashner’s “The Maze Runner”, think of his Cranks), and, as if that weren’t enough, some dangerous science experiments have turned certain animals into teeth-baring, human-killing hybrids.
Maberry is a new author to me and “Shine” is the fourth novel in the Rogue Team International series, so I was going in completely blind. Although I was able to follow along with the plot and its characters, there were a lot of backstories that I missed out on, and that would’ve likely made this novel more enjoyable for me.
Joe is the narrator, although not the sole one, as we hear from various other characters (of which there are PLENTY), which help to connect all of the labyrinthine plot lines. I enjoyed hearing from the other characters, as I was not familiar with them before this story, and it helped me to sort through the masses of players. There are many elite teams like the RTI that all have their own acronyms. Plus, the individual teams that make up the RTI with all the soldiers who have their birth names plus call signs, that are used interchangeably. The “bad guys” are pretty easy to spot though, so it’s easy to know who to root for. (My favourite character by far, which should surprise no one, is Joe’s dog, Ghost).
Maberry is well-researched and knowledgeable when it comes to weapons and there was quite the variety throughout the novel, as well as fighting styles and methods. There is fist-to-face action on nearly every page, which definitely keeps the reader turning the pages.
“Shine” is written like it could be a movie or streaming series (and it didn’t surprise me when I found out it was soon to become one) and it will definitely find a fan base for those who are interested in the secret-agency action dramas.