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Alex Devereux #3
War Lord
An utterly gripping thriller that sees former cavalry Major turned hardened mercenary Alex Devereux plunged into conflict in the dark heart of Africa, as he battles the dominant militia in the Congo.
China intends to take over the Kivu region in The Democratic Republic of Congo, a tribal slaughterhouse of rival militias who are butchering the local population and fighting over mineral resources.
Alex’s mission is to defeat the dominant militia, the FDLR. But details of how Kivu will be governed under the new order are sketchy and Alex must run the gamut of the United Nations, the Congolese army and the clash of superpower claims on the region.
Alex knows that the plan is risky. But he can’t resist – could he succeed in bringing stability when everyone else has failed? He and his crack regiment take on their toughest assignment yet. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions and Alex is about to find out why the region has been called the dark heart of Africa…
China intends to take over the Kivu region in The Democratic Republic of Congo, a tribal slaughterhouse of rival militias who are butchering the local population and fighting over mineral resources.
Alex’s mission is to defeat the dominant militia, the FDLR. But details of how Kivu will be governed under the new order are sketchy and Alex must run the gamut of the United Nations, the Congolese army and the clash of superpower claims on the region.
Alex knows that the plan is risky. But he can’t resist – could he succeed in bringing stability when everyone else has failed? He and his crack regiment take on their toughest assignment yet. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions and Alex is about to find out why the region has been called the dark heart of Africa…
- GenresThriller
464 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
About the author
James Steel
8 books5 followersJames Steel is a writer, journalist and historian based in the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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October 23, 2020Great read....gives some good understanding of the war in Africa
August 1, 2011
I really enjoyed the first two books from the author and picked this one up with eager anticipation....but I have to say it didn’t work as well for me.
James Steel put his first novel in a very near future scenario which worked well and gave an interesting feel to it, and it was big picture stuff, as was his follow up. With Warlord he sets his sights on Africa, using his normal set of characters, led by Alex Devereux. No near future stuff here, but an interesting take on Africa, the growing reach of China and the tribal culture that has blighted Africa. China are seeking to invest in Africa by leasing a large strip of the Congo, setting up a forward thinking democratic President and using a mercenary force to clear out all of the armed groups (especially the FDLR) and giving the country a peaceful platform to start their new existence.
An ambitious target for the author to explain the complexity of the region and put in a fast paced story. And some of it works, certainly there is pace (especially at the end) and the author does deliver some unexpected shocks. Having said that, the author does telegraph to the reader where the plot is going and you read on waiting for the stuff to hit the fan and Devereux to catch up! But what really got me was an annoying change in writing style that I am sure was not there in the first two books. James Steel uses an observational style of narrative such as “Sophie is feeling carsick and frazzled” rather than “Sophie WAS feeling carsick and frazzled”, maybe it’s just me but I found it off-putting and irritating throughout.
So enough in this for me to go with three stars but as good as the previous two I am afraid.
James Steel put his first novel in a very near future scenario which worked well and gave an interesting feel to it, and it was big picture stuff, as was his follow up. With Warlord he sets his sights on Africa, using his normal set of characters, led by Alex Devereux. No near future stuff here, but an interesting take on Africa, the growing reach of China and the tribal culture that has blighted Africa. China are seeking to invest in Africa by leasing a large strip of the Congo, setting up a forward thinking democratic President and using a mercenary force to clear out all of the armed groups (especially the FDLR) and giving the country a peaceful platform to start their new existence.
An ambitious target for the author to explain the complexity of the region and put in a fast paced story. And some of it works, certainly there is pace (especially at the end) and the author does deliver some unexpected shocks. Having said that, the author does telegraph to the reader where the plot is going and you read on waiting for the stuff to hit the fan and Devereux to catch up! But what really got me was an annoying change in writing style that I am sure was not there in the first two books. James Steel uses an observational style of narrative such as “Sophie is feeling carsick and frazzled” rather than “Sophie WAS feeling carsick and frazzled”, maybe it’s just me but I found it off-putting and irritating throughout.
So enough in this for me to go with three stars but as good as the previous two I am afraid.
August 24, 2011
I recieved this book through Goodreads First Reads and didn't really know what to expect as I haven't divulged myself in this genre before. All I can say is WOW!
James Steel really knows how to captivate a reader. There was action left right and centre, with a hint of romance and horror. The descriptions were adept, giving detail but not treading into the too-much-information style of writing which would have put me off with the blood and gore.
Something which kept me reading was the fact that different people's narratives were delivered by Steel which pulled me into the book emotionally especially with the stories of Eve and Sophie. The plot was believeable and utterly modern, including the latest technology (even a reference to the ipad!) which fit in with the latest references to afganistan.
The only thing I can fault in this book is that the ending did not satisfy me. I want more information. What happened to Alex, Col and Yamba? What was Gabriel's idea to help the UN? I am hoping for a sequel and will deffinatly read much more of James Steel and this genre.
James Steel really knows how to captivate a reader. There was action left right and centre, with a hint of romance and horror. The descriptions were adept, giving detail but not treading into the too-much-information style of writing which would have put me off with the blood and gore.
Something which kept me reading was the fact that different people's narratives were delivered by Steel which pulled me into the book emotionally especially with the stories of Eve and Sophie. The plot was believeable and utterly modern, including the latest technology (even a reference to the ipad!) which fit in with the latest references to afganistan.
The only thing I can fault in this book is that the ending did not satisfy me. I want more information. What happened to Alex, Col and Yamba? What was Gabriel's idea to help the UN? I am hoping for a sequel and will deffinatly read much more of James Steel and this genre.
August 23, 2011
FABULOUS loved this book!!!!!! A definite must read for all James Steele you are now in my top 20 authors :)
This book is thrilling and dangerous so much so I could hardly put it down! The tale is gripping and in parts very moving it is written amazingly well and really makes you think about the world we live in today. Very well written highly recommend this book.
This book is thrilling and dangerous so much so I could hardly put it down! The tale is gripping and in parts very moving it is written amazingly well and really makes you think about the world we live in today. Very well written highly recommend this book.
March 16, 2014
Amazing once again! James Steel had once again drawn me in from the start abd has to be one of the best author of this genre for me! Highly anticipated for more books from him!
September 5, 2012
Random find on a book swap shelf, but I am really into it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews