Audrey A. (Arosea) reviewed Assassin (Alexander Hawke, Bk 2) (Audio CD) (Abridged) on + 454 more book reviews
Bell created some particularly vicious villains this time out, sumo-sized, murderous Arab scumbag Snay bin Wazir leading the pack. His minions are a team of deadly, beautiful female assassins who carry out his orders around the world. Commanded by his even scarier father-in-law, the reclusive Emir, bin Wazir sets a plan in motion that could decimate the population of not only the United States, but the world. It's up to Alex Hawke to get to bin Wazir in time to stop the destruction.
Things cruise along nicely for about the first three quarters of the book, moving the focus of the action from Alex and his team, Stoke and his pursuit of Vicky's killer, and bin Wazir and his cronies as they hatch their deadly schemes. Stoke's part of the story wraps up far too soon, however, Stoke being the tastiest spice in the stew. The action scenes for Alex's big showdown needed a little oomph, too, as if they were written a little too carefully rather than in the heat of excitement. The denouement also drags on a few pages longer than it should, taking a bit too much time getting to the obvious. These complaints are minor, however, and detract very little from the overall quality of the book.
Things cruise along nicely for about the first three quarters of the book, moving the focus of the action from Alex and his team, Stoke and his pursuit of Vicky's killer, and bin Wazir and his cronies as they hatch their deadly schemes. Stoke's part of the story wraps up far too soon, however, Stoke being the tastiest spice in the stew. The action scenes for Alex's big showdown needed a little oomph, too, as if they were written a little too carefully rather than in the heat of excitement. The denouement also drags on a few pages longer than it should, taking a bit too much time getting to the obvious. These complaints are minor, however, and detract very little from the overall quality of the book.