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Jon & Lobo #2
Slanted Jack
Mark L Van Name's first book in the Jon and Lobo series demolished all the already high marketing projections. In Slanted Jack he’s vaulting that stunning success with a novel that bobs and weaves, takes you on a headlong race through a strange but believable future, and never slows down.
The job looks simple enough: Jon Moore, the nanotech-enhanced, world-weary, soldier of fortune, agrees to help a con man, a friend from a part of his past he’d rather forget, protect a very special young boy. The deal doesn’t stay simple, as each move Jon and Lobo make results in more danger and more enemies. The situation grows even more complicated when a beautiful woman with an unclear agenda joins them in their quest.
The best con man Jon’s ever known, a ruthless gang boss, a heavily armed group of religious fanatics, and an interstellar government out to clean up a dangerous frontier world rush together toward an explosive climax—and Jon and Lobo are caught in the middle.
They're willing to do anything to save the life of the boy—
But there may not be anything even they can do!
Slanted Jack: the second novel in the Jon & Lobo series.
Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
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April 14, 2021'Slanted Jack' is the second Jon and Lobo book. While at the beginning I was excited to adventure with Jon Moore and his sarcastic sidekick, Lobo, I didn't feel the same connection and punch as the first novel.
Slanted Jack is a con artist, and though the whole book moves through an elaborate con, the plot didn't seem complicated enough. Several additions to the 'team' cut into precious time alone with Jon and Lobo. I still enjoyed the book, but I'm glad I'd already read the third installment and loved it, because I would hate to have had my interest wane here.
In the third book 'Overthrowing Heaven' Van Name really hits his stride with these two characters, whereas it feels as if he falters a little in this one. There are some great scenes though - the halo luge is awesome and as always Jon has some neat tricks up his sleeve and Lobo can be counted upon as his always faithful companion.
Slanted Jack is a con artist, and though the whole book moves through an elaborate con, the plot didn't seem complicated enough. Several additions to the 'team' cut into precious time alone with Jon and Lobo. I still enjoyed the book, but I'm glad I'd already read the third installment and loved it, because I would hate to have had my interest wane here.
In the third book 'Overthrowing Heaven' Van Name really hits his stride with these two characters, whereas it feels as if he falters a little in this one. There are some great scenes though - the halo luge is awesome and as always Jon has some neat tricks up his sleeve and Lobo can be counted upon as his always faithful companion.
August 2, 2012
I enjoyed the relentless pace of the story; it's almost a sprint from start to finish. Jon gets more and more tangled in Jack's affairs and everything builds to the final confrontations. Interesting worlds and technologies, and I still loved sarcastic Lobo and the inane chatter of the electronic devices.
However, Jon himself is still guilt-ridden and unhappy. He can appreciate beauty and there are moments where he experiences levity and joy, but these are fleeting. The overall sense of the character is grim, brooding and unhappy. As I said for book #1, One Jump Ahead, that really wears on me as a reader. I typically really enjoy characters who are smart and capable, able to extricate themselves and their allies from sticky situations, but there is no enjoyment to be found here for me.
However, Jon himself is still guilt-ridden and unhappy. He can appreciate beauty and there are moments where he experiences levity and joy, but these are fleeting. The overall sense of the character is grim, brooding and unhappy. As I said for book #1, One Jump Ahead, that really wears on me as a reader. I typically really enjoy characters who are smart and capable, able to extricate themselves and their allies from sticky situations, but there is no enjoyment to be found here for me.
April 27, 2011
A very enjoyable book full of Ocean's Eleven-style hijinks. This one doesn't have the military elements that the first book had, instead focusing on the complex triple con Jon devises to protect a little boy; there are a few action scenes but most of it is planning and implementing the con. I'm a bit ambivalent about the Maggie plot. It made sense in the end but there was never enough going on to warrant the kind of connection Jon seemed to feel for her. But that was very minor. Overall it was a great ride.
March 19, 2011
I wish Goodreads had half stars because I'd totally bump this up to 3 1/2. A tiny bit slower than the first one, and Jon continues to make mistakes for which he berates himself, but I did love the whole "con game" theme. There's nothing like a good con movie (or story) but I did get tiny bit frustrated knowing that there were so many elements of the con that were hidden from us (the reader). Overall though, a very enjoyable story where Jon & Lobo stop the bad guys, rescue the innocent, and almost get the girl.
August 13, 2013
Sweet read.
He just keep getting better.
He just keep getting better.
July 9, 2017
7/9/17 reread.
November 17, 2023
Alas, I seem to be reading the Mark L. Van Name novels about Lobo (the AI-driven personality behind the combat-loaded vehicle) and Jon (Moore, the nano-enhanced protagonist courier/mercenary/con man). Apparently, Slanted Jack is the second in the series. If Jon is a con man (and he certainly can be), Jack is the uber-con man. So, when Jack shows up nonchalantly during Jon’s anticipated gourmet dinner, it rather throws off Jon’s appetite. Jon knows that if Jack is smiling, trouble is dialing.
The fun starts right away because Jack knows exactly what it takes to draw Jon into his scheme. Of course, as with all cons, the scheme seems simple enough. Guard a psychic boy during an interview with an eccentric, just to make sure nothing goes wrong. Sure, we’ve heard this before: “We get in. We get out. Nobody gets hurt.” Well, Van Name doesn’t use the line from the old movie Stripes but he might as well have used it. It fits. Well, it fits as first.
Suffice it to say that a triangle of trouble would be putting the eventual situation too lightly. A quadrangle of quicksand would be closer, but still not quite accurate. Yet, the beauty of these novels involves Jon’s intricate planning (including insights on exit plans and risk management), the inevitability of treachery and the improvisational reactions of Jon. Of course, there is the counterpoint of Lobo’s sarcasm and simplified-AI solutions of being able to take out certain opposition forces with an overkill of violence. Naturally, these offers usually seem to come exactly when stealth is called for. It’s part of the delightful tension in the stories.
And, except for Lobo, Jon is the quintessential loner. So, his interactions with humans (especially female humans) are interesting, prone to misunderstanding, and, occasionally, emotionally touching. Jon, for all the fact that his closest friend is a thinking machine, is all too human. Yet, human attachment is dangerous for him because of his background.
The bulk of Slanted Jack, if I haven’t hinted strongly enough in the second paragraph of this review, is built around the “long con” worked in multiple directions. So, there is plenty of tension, but not a lot of violent action (with the exception of a couple of scenes). Yet, that tension is sufficient to keep pages turning at a rapid pace. There is always an element (a hefty one) of subterfuge in these novels, but Slanted Jack seems to balance the planning, the bluffing, and the execution in just the right level of difficulty.
The fun starts right away because Jack knows exactly what it takes to draw Jon into his scheme. Of course, as with all cons, the scheme seems simple enough. Guard a psychic boy during an interview with an eccentric, just to make sure nothing goes wrong. Sure, we’ve heard this before: “We get in. We get out. Nobody gets hurt.” Well, Van Name doesn’t use the line from the old movie Stripes but he might as well have used it. It fits. Well, it fits as first.
Suffice it to say that a triangle of trouble would be putting the eventual situation too lightly. A quadrangle of quicksand would be closer, but still not quite accurate. Yet, the beauty of these novels involves Jon’s intricate planning (including insights on exit plans and risk management), the inevitability of treachery and the improvisational reactions of Jon. Of course, there is the counterpoint of Lobo’s sarcasm and simplified-AI solutions of being able to take out certain opposition forces with an overkill of violence. Naturally, these offers usually seem to come exactly when stealth is called for. It’s part of the delightful tension in the stories.
And, except for Lobo, Jon is the quintessential loner. So, his interactions with humans (especially female humans) are interesting, prone to misunderstanding, and, occasionally, emotionally touching. Jon, for all the fact that his closest friend is a thinking machine, is all too human. Yet, human attachment is dangerous for him because of his background.
The bulk of Slanted Jack, if I haven’t hinted strongly enough in the second paragraph of this review, is built around the “long con” worked in multiple directions. So, there is plenty of tension, but not a lot of violent action (with the exception of a couple of scenes). Yet, that tension is sufficient to keep pages turning at a rapid pace. There is always an element (a hefty one) of subterfuge in these novels, but Slanted Jack seems to balance the planning, the bluffing, and the execution in just the right level of difficulty.
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February 28, 2021Slanted Jack is the second in the Jon & Lobo series, and picks up slightly after the first episode, One Jump Ahead. Jon is enjoying a leisurely gourmet meal in a spectacular setting on the planet of Mund, when he is joined by an old "friend", Slanted Jack. Jack and Jon used to work con games together, and Jack got his nickname because he was never able to do anything straight.
Jack has a sad story and a proposition for Jon. He's acquired a young ward, Manu, who is reputed to be a native of Pinkelponker, the blockaded world (where Jon was born) that was reputed to be the home of people with special abilities, especially psychic. Manu is a seer, and he suffers from a rare disease that requires expensive treatments, Jack relates. In order to get the money for these treatments, Jack wants to allow Dougat, the leader of a widespread cult that worships all things having to do with Pinkelponker, to interview Manu, a privelege that he is willing to pay dearly for.
Jack doesn't trust Dougat, however, to deal squarely with him, and he hopes to hire Jon to provide backup muscle in case things go wrong. Jon is tempted by the idea of helping the boy, and agrees to help Jack, even though he knows there's a scam in the works, somewhere.
Along the way to meet with Dougat, Jon is accosted by some thugs in the hire of Chaplat, a local gangster to whom Jack owes money, and after a tense meeting with Chaplat, agrees to "find" and bring Jack to him to pay his debts. The meeting itself goes horribly wrong, and Jack, Jon and Manu flee the scene. Along the way out of that mess, Jon has a meeting with a local EC (quasi -government/military force) commander who also has some interest in the situation, and convinces her that he can get Jack, Manu, as well as Chaplat and Dougat, into her clutches.
So Jon is triple-dealing, at least, and things get wild and wacky before all his scams play out. Another good read in the series, looking forward to the next.
Jack has a sad story and a proposition for Jon. He's acquired a young ward, Manu, who is reputed to be a native of Pinkelponker, the blockaded world (where Jon was born) that was reputed to be the home of people with special abilities, especially psychic. Manu is a seer, and he suffers from a rare disease that requires expensive treatments, Jack relates. In order to get the money for these treatments, Jack wants to allow Dougat, the leader of a widespread cult that worships all things having to do with Pinkelponker, to interview Manu, a privelege that he is willing to pay dearly for.
Jack doesn't trust Dougat, however, to deal squarely with him, and he hopes to hire Jon to provide backup muscle in case things go wrong. Jon is tempted by the idea of helping the boy, and agrees to help Jack, even though he knows there's a scam in the works, somewhere.
Along the way to meet with Dougat, Jon is accosted by some thugs in the hire of Chaplat, a local gangster to whom Jack owes money, and after a tense meeting with Chaplat, agrees to "find" and bring Jack to him to pay his debts. The meeting itself goes horribly wrong, and Jack, Jon and Manu flee the scene. Along the way out of that mess, Jon has a meeting with a local EC (quasi -government/military force) commander who also has some interest in the situation, and convinces her that he can get Jack, Manu, as well as Chaplat and Dougat, into her clutches.
So Jon is triple-dealing, at least, and things get wild and wacky before all his scams play out. Another good read in the series, looking forward to the next.
August 13, 2022
The Jon and Lobo series of Science Fiction adventures are very, very good. Jon was augmented with nanomachines that provide healing and other boosts. Lobo is a self-aware military grade attack ship. Together, they work as mercenaries or bodyguards. Jon has enough knowledge of the underworld and military operations to keep things going while Lobo has enough firepower to provide protection from most situations.
This time around Jon and Lobo are hired by an old "friend" of Jon's who they can trust no further than they can throw. The plan is to protect a young boy who is supposedly a psychic and has a connection to Jon's home planet from a group of religious zealots who worship that planet. Of course, Jack double-crossed our heroes and soon Jon and Lobo are dealing with another group-- a nefarious group of arms dealers who want Jack. As if that isn't bad enough, a government agency wants in on the action and blackmails Jon to work for them. Add to the mix, a woman related to the followers who provides the novel's romantic connection.
Through it all, the author manages to keep the reader turning the pages in an effort to keep up with the fast-aced action. Jon's situational awareness keeps him one jump ahead of the three groups while the woman provides complications. Further, Lobo continues to offer to kill Jon's enemies while Jon's position is clear-- no killing unless it cannot be helped. This attitude adds an interesting aspect of Jon's character as his viewpoint and thought process is explored both through Jon's thoughts and some very good dialogue.
This series is fantastic. Not star-shattering like Star Wars, etc. but instead it is awesome action and interesting characters. Van Name provides interesting worlds and his description of some of the cuisine is wonderfully inventive. This stuff is better than anything Weber or Ringo write and the reader who misses out on it will regret it.
This time around Jon and Lobo are hired by an old "friend" of Jon's who they can trust no further than they can throw. The plan is to protect a young boy who is supposedly a psychic and has a connection to Jon's home planet from a group of religious zealots who worship that planet. Of course, Jack double-crossed our heroes and soon Jon and Lobo are dealing with another group-- a nefarious group of arms dealers who want Jack. As if that isn't bad enough, a government agency wants in on the action and blackmails Jon to work for them. Add to the mix, a woman related to the followers who provides the novel's romantic connection.
Through it all, the author manages to keep the reader turning the pages in an effort to keep up with the fast-aced action. Jon's situational awareness keeps him one jump ahead of the three groups while the woman provides complications. Further, Lobo continues to offer to kill Jon's enemies while Jon's position is clear-- no killing unless it cannot be helped. This attitude adds an interesting aspect of Jon's character as his viewpoint and thought process is explored both through Jon's thoughts and some very good dialogue.
This series is fantastic. Not star-shattering like Star Wars, etc. but instead it is awesome action and interesting characters. Van Name provides interesting worlds and his description of some of the cuisine is wonderfully inventive. This stuff is better than anything Weber or Ringo write and the reader who misses out on it will regret it.
December 23, 2024
After learning that book four deals with child soldiers, I resolved to finish this series regardless of what the library carried. I probably didn’t need to know much of what happens in this book to follow the next two, but it was a fun read anyway. Lots of tension and high personal stakes but not vast galactic-scale stakes. Welcome change of pace.
Also enjoyable: the snark and some exploration of Jon’s mental and emotional state (but not too much). Most engaging of all is how Jon plans a mission. He’s meticulous in risk assessment and management and it’s fun to watch him figure out his approach and then execute the (in this case) multi-level con. For a cause! A good cause. I respect Jon’s position on violence as much as I appreciate his honesty about himself and his past.
Once again women are the weak point, almost always described immediately in terms of how perfect their beauty is or isn’t. Ugh. Also, I’d hoped for more… closeness ? something between Jon and Lobo, whose sarcasm can be funny and capabilities fun.
Also enjoyable: the snark and some exploration of Jon’s mental and emotional state (but not too much). Most engaging of all is how Jon plans a mission. He’s meticulous in risk assessment and management and it’s fun to watch him figure out his approach and then execute the (in this case) multi-level con. For a cause! A good cause. I respect Jon’s position on violence as much as I appreciate his honesty about himself and his past.
Once again women are the weak point, almost always described immediately in terms of how perfect their beauty is or isn’t. Ugh. Also, I’d hoped for more… closeness ? something between Jon and Lobo, whose sarcasm can be funny and capabilities fun.
December 12, 2024
Augmented mercenary + Intelligent and heavily armed space ship = a good old Space Action romp.
Not sure what to compare this to, but it was actually a lot of fun. It's been too long since I read One Jump Ahead to qualify which one I preferred.
Competently executed story, and just what the doctor ordered. It's possible that these books pay homage to the golden era of Sci Fi, but that could just be me.
Not sure what to compare this to, but it was actually a lot of fun. It's been too long since I read One Jump Ahead to qualify which one I preferred.
Competently executed story, and just what the doctor ordered. It's possible that these books pay homage to the golden era of Sci Fi, but that could just be me.
August 9, 2020
Meh. Decent plot and action written for people who have trouble flowing character motivations, so the author had to tell me again and again why to protagonist was behaving that way. Van Name's motto sends to be "Tell. Don't show."
September 20, 2019
Same as the first one. Entertaining read, imaginative situations, interesting characters.
August 26, 2013
I give this story high marks. I think I mentally rate it a tiny bit lower than the first one. The pacing might have been a little slower and the violence may be a little less. It is so rewarding to read a "action story" with very few deaths. I would consider this military fiction, but Jon tries extremely hard to keep deaths to a minimum. I appreciate the sentiment, and I think it is hard to accomplish in fiction and real life. But, as Jon says, "Just because you are able to do something, does not mean you should do it."
There are a raft of new characters in this story to interact with Jon and Lobo. Slanted Jack, Manu, Maggie, the group leader, black marketeer, EC bureaucrat and bodyguards. None of the characters visit from the first book except in mentions or by proxy. Again a child is at risk and needs to be rescued. In fact I am looking for a word for the plot device, because Manu is the fulcrum on which all the action of the book is moved, but he is not present in the flesh in most scenes of the book.
I enjoyed the ride of the action with minimal killing, can you say luge, A luge is a racing sled with the rider lying on their back. I admire the writing of Jon's experience with the device. As in the first book, machines can talk to jon and he can talk to them. Lobo is just as obnoxious as in the first book. His dialog bugged me at first, but then I realized I have real live friends who talk like that. Lobo is proud of his weapons and military hardware and wants to use it constantly. It is a constant theme that Jon has to continually reign in the violent tendencies of Lobo, I guess it is understandable, because Lobo is an inanimate flying combat carrier machine.
The book almost had romance in it. I would say it came as close to having romance, without having romance as you could in a story. There are cons going on, twists, deceptions on just about every page. I guess the theme of this book is that you can't trust anyone, not even the people who tell you they are using you in a con.
This leads to a discussion of plot predictability in genre fiction. This story followed the conventions of optimistic science fiction action stories. So many of the action resolutions and plot twists were predicable. I enjoyed how some of the storylines followed directions I expected. Some people who criticize predicable genre plot formulas forget there is a reason genre plot formulas are used. It is a delicate balance to give genre fans enough of predicable stories without going overboard with formula. I even think fans of a genre are willing to put up with more use of formula than non-fans. In this case the author used just enough genre formula for me.
This book is great for fans of military science fiction who can handle low levels of violence.
There are a raft of new characters in this story to interact with Jon and Lobo. Slanted Jack, Manu, Maggie, the group leader, black marketeer, EC bureaucrat and bodyguards. None of the characters visit from the first book except in mentions or by proxy. Again a child is at risk and needs to be rescued. In fact I am looking for a word for the plot device, because Manu is the fulcrum on which all the action of the book is moved, but he is not present in the flesh in most scenes of the book.
I enjoyed the ride of the action with minimal killing, can you say luge, A luge is a racing sled with the rider lying on their back. I admire the writing of Jon's experience with the device. As in the first book, machines can talk to jon and he can talk to them. Lobo is just as obnoxious as in the first book. His dialog bugged me at first, but then I realized I have real live friends who talk like that. Lobo is proud of his weapons and military hardware and wants to use it constantly. It is a constant theme that Jon has to continually reign in the violent tendencies of Lobo, I guess it is understandable, because Lobo is an inanimate flying combat carrier machine.
The book almost had romance in it. I would say it came as close to having romance, without having romance as you could in a story. There are cons going on, twists, deceptions on just about every page. I guess the theme of this book is that you can't trust anyone, not even the people who tell you they are using you in a con.
This leads to a discussion of plot predictability in genre fiction. This story followed the conventions of optimistic science fiction action stories. So many of the action resolutions and plot twists were predicable. I enjoyed how some of the storylines followed directions I expected. Some people who criticize predicable genre plot formulas forget there is a reason genre plot formulas are used. It is a delicate balance to give genre fans enough of predicable stories without going overboard with formula. I even think fans of a genre are willing to put up with more use of formula than non-fans. In this case the author used just enough genre formula for me.
This book is great for fans of military science fiction who can handle low levels of violence.
September 16, 2012
Nah. Lightweight stuff, and more often than not boring.
We're told about 50 times what a mean, nasty tough guy Jon is. He never does anything with those abilities.
We're told at least 100 times how Lobo is the rootin'est tootin'est shootenist west of the Pecos, and he always wants to blow stuff up real good, but he never does. A machine with a tenth, hell a fiftieth of Lobo's stated capabilities would have been amply sufficient for this book.
Lobo's a smartass, and a genius, but that idea's been done to death.
The whole plot with Maggie was a decent idea, but handled badly.
Finally, I just about threw the book across the room near the end when Jon explained to us yet again the little-understood art of where to stand when you are a low-level guard for a VIP.
Weak sauce, this, and I won't read any more of the series. Gonna get me some Miles Vorkosigan stories and enjoy a GOOD story about a brilliant con man with a few problems.
We're told about 50 times what a mean, nasty tough guy Jon is. He never does anything with those abilities.
We're told at least 100 times how Lobo is the rootin'est tootin'est shootenist west of the Pecos, and he always wants to blow stuff up real good, but he never does. A machine with a tenth, hell a fiftieth of Lobo's stated capabilities would have been amply sufficient for this book.
Lobo's a smartass, and a genius, but that idea's been done to death.
The whole plot with Maggie was a decent idea, but handled badly.
Finally, I just about threw the book across the room near the end when Jon explained to us yet again the little-understood art of where to stand when you are a low-level guard for a VIP.
Weak sauce, this, and I won't read any more of the series. Gonna get me some Miles Vorkosigan stories and enjoy a GOOD story about a brilliant con man with a few problems.
March 10, 2014
It’s been about 2 years since I read One Jump Ahead, the book that introduces Jon Moore and his ship, Lobo. I liked that story because of the technology it introduced, especially Jon’s ability to control the nanotech embedded in his body. Also, you just have to like a planet named “Pinkelplonker” (named by the 5-year old son of the captain that discovered the planet).
For the past two years, I’ve been thinking about reading more in the series. I’ve just never done it. I decided to do it this year, as part of my reading goals. Unfortunately, once I did read it, I was disappointed in this book.
The plot revolved around a boy that multiple people wanted, a possible survivor from Pinkelplonker. He was protected by Slanted Jack (a con-man so named because nothing he did was ever straight and on the level). Jon was brought in as Jack’s one-man security force. Of course, things went south and Jon ended up trying to double-cross three different groups simultaneously.
Throughout the book, Jon spent a lot of time being despondent about his job, his past history, and his future prospects. The mood was rather bleak throughout. Either I don’t remember the first book as well as I thought I did or the tone shifted substantially. My favorite part of the first book was the way Jon used his nanotech. In this book, he barely used the nanotech at all. Between the gloomy atmosphere and the absence of the most interesting tech, I didn’t see a lot to really enjoy.
I’m hoping that the next book in the series is a little bit better. If not, I may not finish it.
For the past two years, I’ve been thinking about reading more in the series. I’ve just never done it. I decided to do it this year, as part of my reading goals. Unfortunately, once I did read it, I was disappointed in this book.
The plot revolved around a boy that multiple people wanted, a possible survivor from Pinkelplonker. He was protected by Slanted Jack (a con-man so named because nothing he did was ever straight and on the level). Jon was brought in as Jack’s one-man security force. Of course, things went south and Jon ended up trying to double-cross three different groups simultaneously.
Throughout the book, Jon spent a lot of time being despondent about his job, his past history, and his future prospects. The mood was rather bleak throughout. Either I don’t remember the first book as well as I thought I did or the tone shifted substantially. My favorite part of the first book was the way Jon used his nanotech. In this book, he barely used the nanotech at all. Between the gloomy atmosphere and the absence of the most interesting tech, I didn’t see a lot to really enjoy.
I’m hoping that the next book in the series is a little bit better. If not, I may not finish it.
April 20, 2010
How to sound positive without being a big cliché? I like this book. I'd recommend it to folks that like action and adventure – but then when I thought about it a little more there isn't much in the way of action in this book. Not like the first one.
This isn't a bad thing. It's good. It's also very interesting. The author shows depth of character development here and spends a lot of time sticking to the rules he's set up for himself. The technology that seemed to answer so many questions in the last book barely made an appearance in this book. The characters were believable.
Here's the really good part – I totally missed Jack's biggest con. I shouldn't have, but I did.
Here's the difficult part. The other two games played out pretty much as I expected them, so it wasn't a big shocker when the story lines went about where I thought they would. Sure there were subtle points of the plan that I didn't expect exactly, but I was close enough that I was feeling kind of medium when I finished reading. The more I think about it though, the more impressed I am. The tension was palpable while I was reading. Jon got tense, so did I. That's good writing. Particularly when I was looking for action and got a series of cons with very little actual fighting (and most of that off stage).
This is a solid book two. I'm looking forward to picking up the next one.
This isn't a bad thing. It's good. It's also very interesting. The author shows depth of character development here and spends a lot of time sticking to the rules he's set up for himself. The technology that seemed to answer so many questions in the last book barely made an appearance in this book. The characters were believable.
Here's the really good part – I totally missed Jack's biggest con. I shouldn't have, but I did.
Here's the difficult part. The other two games played out pretty much as I expected them, so it wasn't a big shocker when the story lines went about where I thought they would. Sure there were subtle points of the plan that I didn't expect exactly, but I was close enough that I was feeling kind of medium when I finished reading. The more I think about it though, the more impressed I am. The tension was palpable while I was reading. Jon got tense, so did I. That's good writing. Particularly when I was looking for action and got a series of cons with very little actual fighting (and most of that off stage).
This is a solid book two. I'm looking forward to picking up the next one.
July 6, 2011
I think if I hadn't read this right after reading his first book "One Jump Ahead" I would've rated it higher. It had a pretty good story line and there were a few parts where his imagination of future recreational technology was outstanding. Also, introducing two more characters into Jon's life, both of them very colorful and interesting, was a great touch. My main issue with this book was that it was very much like the first one in many ways. Jon would get dragged into a conflict, meet each opposing side in the conflict by being "captured" by each one in turn, and then working out how to figure his way out of the problem while getting each side what they deserved in the end.
It wasn't a bad book and near the last third it picked up enough speed that I was reading it like any old page turner I always enjoy. I think this book is a good read and that you'd enjoy it. Just put some pages in between reading this and the one before it and you'll be a happy customer.
It wasn't a bad book and near the last third it picked up enough speed that I was reading it like any old page turner I always enjoy. I think this book is a good read and that you'd enjoy it. Just put some pages in between reading this and the one before it and you'll be a happy customer.
August 13, 2008
Jon & Lobo is easily my favorite sci-fi series (after the Ender saga, of course). Nanotech-enhanced mercenary Jon Moore and his AI spaceship Lobo are great characters, both of whom the reader knows little about even after two books; little by little more is reavealed about their pasts, which they even aren't entirely comfortable sharing with each other. My curiosity is still growing, and I look forward to inevitable revelations in future volumes. The plot of this book was easy to follow and somewhat predictable, except the twist at the end, which made me want to read it again to go over the clues laid out beforehand.
In a nutshell, it's Knight Rider in space! That should tell you whether it's for you or not right there.
In a nutshell, it's Knight Rider in space! That should tell you whether it's for you or not right there.
June 24, 2012
I must say that I felt a bit let down by this book. I found the first one much better in that Jon appeared much more professional and so did the people he associated with. This book revolves around a con-artist and Jon is just either conned or simply walks into one mess after another.
In the previous book the ex-colleague girl is cool. In this book the girl is just dumb and cannot be trusted even though some surprise revelations do come at the end. I also miss that neither Jon’s nano implants nor Lobo’s combat capabilities are really used to any greater degree. Both these elements where much more present in the previous book.
The book is not really bad but it simply didn’t give me as much enjoyment as the previous one.
In the previous book the ex-colleague girl is cool. In this book the girl is just dumb and cannot be trusted even though some surprise revelations do come at the end. I also miss that neither Jon’s nano implants nor Lobo’s combat capabilities are really used to any greater degree. Both these elements where much more present in the previous book.
The book is not really bad but it simply didn’t give me as much enjoyment as the previous one.
January 17, 2016
The adventures of Jon & Lobo- Lobo being the AI controlling a PCAV(personnel carrying assault vehicle), and Jon his human companion are in another league. This book has con men, religious fanatics, small time crooks with delusions of grandeur, a gorgeous redhead, and a psychic 12 year old boy. Oh, and an extreme sports ride you won't soon forget. As if the pace of the book wasn't fast enough. No less than Orson Scott Card says on the jacket, (Van Name)"has created a hero who is worth at least a dozen more novels. I want this to be a series. I want to read a new one every year. More often would be nice." I couldn't agree more, and obviously Mr. Card's comments(which were actually about the 1st Jon & Lobo novel "One Jump Ahead" ) worked, as this is the 2nd in the series.
October 8, 2008
Good clean fun. A delicious techno-romp with a most likeable team: the reluctantly macho warrior, too soft-hearted for his own good, and his "I-wanna-blow-something-up" sidekick, an assault vehicle with an attitude. Imagine a Schwarzeneger Han Solo with Knight Rider's "KIT" as the brain of a Millenium Falcon bristling with weaponry and tricks up every exhaust tube. Plenty of eyebrow-raisers and big grins here. The bibliosphere needs more heros like these.
January 3, 2009
Jon Moore is a man with a little bit of nanojunk in the trunk. Lobo is a military assault vehicle with a big dollop of A.I. attitude. And Jack Gridiz is Slanted Jack, a dude who is neither straight nor gay. Together the threesome run a scam on an organized crime boss, a religious cult leader, and a space federation bureaucrat. If I had to pitch this novel to a movie producer, I'd say it was THE STING and KNIGHT RIDER in outer space. And really, who doesn't want to see a movie like that?
March 22, 2010
Mark L. Van Name has created a pair of characters you will want to follow. Jon and Lobo continue to try to do the right thing and end up in more trouble. Plenty of action, easily believable characters that you care about and intrigue as well. Add to this the memorable character of Slanted Jack who will sell you out at the drop of a hat just to improve your character and you've got another winner.
September 4, 2012
Jon & Lobo do "The Sting."
I just didn't enjoy this one all that much.
Jon's nanobots - no appearance, Lobo's combat capabilities - threats and surveillance only, interaction between Jon & Lobo - annoying, interaction between Jon & Maggie - annoying (Where did all the anger come from Jon?), no Strange Kitty stuff, Slanted Jack & Manu - boring, the ending to the con - decent, just took too long to get there.
I did enjoy the Luge ride down the mountain; that was fun.
I just didn't enjoy this one all that much.
Jon's nanobots - no appearance, Lobo's combat capabilities - threats and surveillance only, interaction between Jon & Lobo - annoying, interaction between Jon & Maggie - annoying (Where did all the anger come from Jon?), no Strange Kitty stuff, Slanted Jack & Manu - boring, the ending to the con - decent, just took too long to get there.
I did enjoy the Luge ride down the mountain; that was fun.
March 13, 2013
When one good con isn't enough, try running 3 at the same time !
From start to finish this fast paced book will have you guessing
Can Jon trust his old acquaintance Slanted Jack ?
How many risks will Jon take to save a child ?
Will he ever escape his past ?
The second book in the Jon and Lobo series, thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for more
Jon and Lobo are intriguing characters who leave you wanting more
As always the action is fast paced, exciting and very well written
From start to finish this fast paced book will have you guessing
Can Jon trust his old acquaintance Slanted Jack ?
How many risks will Jon take to save a child ?
Will he ever escape his past ?
The second book in the Jon and Lobo series, thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for more
Jon and Lobo are intriguing characters who leave you wanting more
As always the action is fast paced, exciting and very well written
June 2, 2011
It is the second of two novels by the author in the omnibus edition, Jump Gate Twist. JGT has a short story providing more background on Lobo as well.
Jon and Lobo help a con artist "friend" Slanted Jack protect a special boy with connections to Jon's embargoed home world from religious fanatics, gangsters, and a frontier government.
Jon and Lobo help a con artist "friend" Slanted Jack protect a special boy with connections to Jon's embargoed home world from religious fanatics, gangsters, and a frontier government.
February 6, 2013
This book is an improvement over its predecessor, One Jump Ahead. Jon's nanotechnology fortunately plays a much less significant role, while Lobo snatches more of the limelight. The plot is as convoluted as in One Jump Ahead.
December 19, 2016
Good story! Development of the characters from the first book makes this a much better story! Also the addition of a character whom I believe is based on Harry Harrison's "Stainless Steel Rat" and a byzantine con make for a very enjoyable read! Looking forward to reading more in the Jon-&-Loboverse
May 29, 2009
Slanted Jack is a good follow-up book to Van Name's "One Jump Ahead".
All of the same elements that made the first book enjoyable are there in the second, and it's an overall enjoyable sci-fi action read with decent characterization.
I enjoy the series and will probably continue to follow it.
All of the same elements that made the first book enjoyable are there in the second, and it's an overall enjoyable sci-fi action read with decent characterization.
I enjoy the series and will probably continue to follow it.
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