Final Spin

I must admit that when I opened up Final Spin, the only knowledge I had about it was the author himself. I’d heard Jocko on podcasts, including his own, and I’ve read his numerous books. My first thought when seeing that Jocko was making his foray into fiction was, “I bet this is going to be an awesome military thriller.” Nope, it was not that. It was still awesome, but a military thriller it was not.

Jocko writes a poetic thriller novel, although “novella” might be a more accurate description. It’s a short story revolving around a few main characters, but it is told in a poetic style. It has certain meter to certain lines, a rhythm that one must read with. It was fascinating and completely unexpected. I would’ve been less surprised if I read “You better check yo self before you wreck yo self” in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

In a similar vein to when I first read J.B. Stevens’s All the Violent Memories, it took time to allow the rhythm of the story to sink in, but once it did, I was hooked. It was an interesting read, chalked with lots of action. I highly recommend this if you’re a fan of Stevens or thrillers in general. But when you say, “That’s not what I was expecting,” remember, I told you so.

This review is based on an ARC of Final Spin which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (St. Martin's Press).

‘OH MY GOD’ good!!! Final Spin is an explosive, sparking thriller full of style, tension, and clever twists! With unique voice and inventive formatting, Jocko Willink whips out an unforgettable sibling story with a well-formed cast of characters and a shocking outcome.

The pacing, the tension-- both pack punches in just the right moments to leave you gasping for more! The plot is elusive, truly unpredictable. I've never read a thriller that's left me as genuinely surprised as Final Spin!

By 25% in I had declared that I'd read anything by this author, and I stand by that.

Mark your calendars, folks! Final Spin comes out November 9, and it's a book you won't want to miss!

If you’re familiar with Jocko, you probably know him as the scary, discipline focused former Navy Seal who has become a bit of a business guru in the past few years. What less people know is that in addition to his leadership works, he’s also the author of children’s books and now a short story / poem. And it doesn’t disappoint.

The writing style is engrossing and creative. The plot gives you something to think about afterwards. It’s a short read but that’s part of what makes it such a delight. I easily did it all in two sitting within 24 hours.

If you are a Jocko fan, be aware that this is a departure but in a good way. Definitely worth giving a try. And if you don’t know Jocko, you won’t feel like you’re missing anything. It’s high quality lit no mater how you look at it.

Smiling. Crying. Laughing. These are just a few of the emotions I felt while reading this wonderful novella. If you have a couple of hours, pick up this charming book by Jocko Willink. After finishing Final Spin, I looked up the author to read about him. I had no idea he was a retired Navy Seal Lieutenant Commander. Jocko certainly has a career as a fiction writer. I will say, in the beginning, I was a little confused who was speaking Johnny or his brother Arty. It did not take long as soon as I became accustomed to the author’s writing. Pages just peeled away. Johnny works a job as a shelf stocker in a grocery store with his best friend, Goat. He takes care of his adult brother, Arty, who appears to be on the spectrum. Arty is fixated on his job in a laundromat where he takes care of the machines and loves cleaning clothes.

Certain events take place and Johnny and Goat decide to rob the supermarket to make sure Arty can continue to have the life he is accustomed to having. Johnny also needs to take care of his girlfriend, Jessica. Pick this book up and go along on this journey. I think this would be a great book to listen to on audio. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.