A condemned hero. An unlikely ally. And the plot to assassinate a criminal mastermind... David Rivers’ luck has finally run out. He’s been condemned to certain death as a deep cover agent. But his new mission reveals an unlikely ally with one shared the death of David’s greatest enemy. A brilliant assassination plot is already underway. And the final element is trapped amid the firestorm of a civil war in Myanmar. To kill his opponent and free his only surviving teammate, David will have to survive impossible odds―odds that he’s determined to beat, no matter the cost. As a perilous journey unfolds, David learns that appearances aren’t as they seem, and no loyalties are absolute. He finds himself forced to choose between two great evils―with his only friend’s life hanging in the balance. ______________________________________________ Perfect for fans of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Mark Greaney, and Brad Taylor.
Jason Kasper is a USA Today bestselling thriller author. He served in the US Army, beginning as a Ranger private and ending as a Green Beret captain. Jason is a West Point graduate and a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and was an avid ultramarathon runner, skydiver, and BASE jumper, all of which inspire his fiction.
Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at @KasperAuthor.
David's being his wining self in this one. Like, he gets both saved and ass-kicked all the time.
At the end of the novel he's like 'Oh, I can't kill this guy, poor me... Can you believe that, I can't kill this guy no matter how many times I try?'... (Ok that's not precisely what he said, in the book it was tons more rriddicculous... but that's the gist of it.) Yes, David, I can readily believe that. *eyeroll*
Vengeance Calling by Jason Kasper is yet another story where David Rivers gets held captive, it is getting a little repetetive. I still like this series and think it adds something new to the thriller genre. How many ways can you deceive people? The characters are great and so is the writing I think I'll read one more and then it's time for a break.
Wow! I feel like a slacker. Already over 120 reviews posted. But this is Jason Kasper’s best book yet, and it took me a while to digest my feelings and impressions before sitting down to write this review. Agree with other readers who note that there is less action and more contemplation in Book Four. The author’s SOF training, both as a ranger and a special forces officer, if evident in the descriptions of combat and operation planning. And what starts out as a simple revenge plot gets way more complicated. The author has expanded from a couple singularly evil adversaries, to an entirely malevolent Organization for David Rivers to battle. The author has created a very interesting character – Jason Rivers – who is fighting some incredibly evil adversaries, while simultaneously battling his own demons, from childhood trauma, to his expulsion from West Point, and combat duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Jason Kasper should be read by any health care provider working at the VA dealing with military veterans with PTSD. During his isolation, David reports that he “periodically bumped by depression like driftwood floating at sea,” admitting that he “didn’t suffer from depression – we simple coexisted.” David muses: “Like many who have experienced combat, I harbored an inherent discomfort around large crowds. In war the civilian populace represents a sea of possible enemy informants and hidden fighters.” I disagree strongly with another reviewer who describes David Rivers as a psychopath, which by definition suggests amoral and antisocial. David Rivers is definitely not amoral. Because when David is killing an enemy “now corrupted by darkness so vile that the only redemption was death” he ponders the very profound pastor’s blessing “If not here, then when all the great warriors of eternity are gathered around the fire of heaven.” And I have known warriors like David Rivers. He describes himself as “a liar, a killer, a suicidal alcoholic.” Yet, in dealing with unimaginable evil he opines “loss of innocent people isn’t worth my friend’s freedom or his life, least of all mine.” And the word pictures that Jason Kasper creates:: “low-slung structures, brown and drab and dull…. “mud-covered streets, rickety gates, and construction additions made of sheet metal and plywood… The few colored buildings in town appeared awkwardly painted and out of place.” Summing it up, “Of course I was approaching a shithole”, continuing “like the other placed I’d been, from Afghanistan to Iraq, Somalia to Brazil.” David Rivers is surely a classic tragic hero, a virtuous character in a drama who is destined to suffer greatly. Get back to work soldier, and write the next saga of David Rivers.
Former Green Beret officer Jason Kasper's American Mercenary series is absolutely riveting, and the intrigue and suspense continues in the fourth book of the series, Vengeance Calling.
In the wake of the third book, Dark Redemption, David Rivers's plan to kill the enigmatic Handler has failed. Rivers is certain he is condemned to death, but the Handler has other plans. His Organization is full of people who want him dead, and he wants Rivers on the outside to sniff out traitors who aim to ascend to the throne.
Things escalate in this book, particularly with regards to , who we met in the first novel. We see Rivers travel to Myanmar in search of a secret weapon that will aid in the traitor's attempts to assassinate the Handler. At first, Rivers's interests align with the traitor, but he rapidly finds out that the enemy of his enemy does not necessarily make for a good friend or bedfellow.
Kasper is a master of dialogue, crisp action, and plotting to keep the reader engaged and hooked for the duration, as well as setting up for subsequent novels. I read this book in about the span of two days and I couldn't put it down.
JK has penned the fourth novel of the David Rivers books about special operation by private contractors. The money is good but betrayal is a high priority. This mission takes place in Central Southeast Asia and DR and his partner are scheduled for annihilation. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
David Rivers is at it again, making bad decisions follow by worst decisions and somehow finding a way out of all of it alive. The fourth installment in the series is a thrilling ride that once again has David Rivers going across the globe on his quest for revenge. Looking forward to the next installment.
The only issue with this book, and the entire series for that matter, is that it is an intensely quick read. Non-stop, twist-and-turn action keeps the pace fast. Glad I found this series and glad I haven’t finished it yet.
Add book number four to the amazing saga that is the David Rivers series. Loved it and read in one sitting. I just hate having to wait on the next one.
As usual, a thrill ride to the end. ......although the unanswered questions left for the next edition can be frustrating. Can't wait to read the next chapter!
Vengeance Calling is Book 4 of the American Mercenary series. It should absolutely be read in order.
The David Rivers Thrillers are full of action, eerily real combat scenes and cases of whiplash! I swear to goodness, I keep being completely shocked by the storyline. It's great!
I would recommend this book to any adult due to mature content. I'm so glad books 5 & 6 are already available!
Book #4 is better than #1-3, but still not great ...
David Rivers was certainly less torn about suicide in Book #4, and there was a lot of action ... not entirely believable circumstances, but adequately written. Still — there’s something about this series that just doesn’t sit right ... I wills ay with certainty that the ending of Book #4 steals from the Reader, because it deliberately ends in a cliff-hanger, that can only be addressed by reading Book #5. That just ain’t fair!
Book 4 should have ended with chapter 2 of Book 5. That would have been fair. Plenty of promised action to come, lots of loose ends, but to break right after the start of a critical conversation that lays own the premise of the next book?
To Jason: That's poor authorship... It implies that you didn't think people will buy the next book (i.e. You're not good enough). You're wrong. You don't need gimmicks. Don't let people talk you into them.
Gosh, that book is nearly impossible to put down once it’s started! Seriously packed wall to wall with action and quite full of surprises, leaving us anticipating the next book. Thankfully, I’m reading the series once it’s complete, or else I would’ve been dying of anticipation for the release!
That’s how good this one was, and how much the ending’s hook would’ve left me hanging.
This has been a tough series. The twists are definitely more like Hairpin turns on a mountain road, but do at least straighten out as the read progresses. The tail end of this book was unexpected, but somewhat got me back on track. I’m still working to see where members fit into the team concept, but have faith it will come together. Thinking I should have read American Mercenary before Shadow Strike VR,Mags.
Different scope, more imaginative plots and subplots to the last period. And you're left hanging so to know what one character's advice is means reading the next installment. The cat loses another life! How many are left and how much patching will the main character need? Got to read the new book!
Each book of the series gets better and better. The series continues to follow a well-scripted path that is known only to the author. Plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
The fourth book in the series and David is battered and bruised but survived, again. He follows his Father's advice to hurt no innocents and stops a plot against The Handler that he was involved in.
Decisions need to be made that will alter your life. Humanity is Worth fighting to improve! What will be the outcome of you follow through without thinking.