"20 July 2017. Post-Obama, Colonel Lance Tucker is Commander of the next generation X-33 space shuttle Intrepid. The American and Russian Presidents convene for an historic dual launch.
As devastating Hurricane Ernie approaches, notorious international assassin 'The Chinaman' guns down both leaders, reigniting the New Cold War. General Jack Nelson orders Intrepid to travel back in time to change history - with hindsight, stopping the assassin should prove simple.
But who is The Chinaman? How does he know Lance's every movement? Senator Darrell McKay is helpful, but does his sinister Head of Security Vivian Kort have a hidden agenda? And what's out of place in TV footage of the double shooting, The Chinaman's car, and his unsuccessful assassination attempt on McKay?"
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As if often the case with debut writers, the reader is often hesitant when he/she reads the second book in a series. The old "Sophmore Jinx" is a common fear. I am happy to report that this is CERTAINLY NOT the case with The Two Storms (Intrepid #2), master writer Steve Stone's follow-up to his brilliant first sci-fi/thriller Intrepid (see my review)
The Two Storms (Intrepid #2) is like reuniting with old friends, Colonel Lance Tucker and Gen. Jack Nelson are back, and a wonderful welcome to them! Combining two genres, thriller and sci-fi perfectly, is the sign of a superb writer, and Mr. Stone is most definately that.
All the excitement, thrills, plots and extremely well drawn characters from Intrepid #1 are - if possible - even more refined in this second book. I was taken from the very first page, and the action, twists and intrigue did not let up until I read the very last word.
In creating a villian such as "The Chinaman" a ruthless yet far from stereotypical assasin, Mr Stone has once again shown that he has the ability to fine tune his villians as well as his heroes. It is very easy to make a "bad guy" bad, but to go far deeper into such a character as to make him so very complex is a testament to Mr. Stone's writing accumen. This is a villian the reader will not soon forget!
The plot, which includes time-travel, with the goal of preventing an assasination - as well as all the sub-plots and myriad of twists and turns are so deftly handled that the many parts of this most unique of books come together to form a very satisfying whole. As this is the 2nd book in a (so far) projected four book series- the only negative thing I can say is that I will now have to wait to read the third installment! This series is THAT GOOD!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB