Rise of the Eagle

The Last Patriots #3

by J.E. Ribbey

HE HAD A PLAN, AND SHE WASN'T PART OF IT . . .

It’s been ten years since the prison camp, since Captain Li beat the light out of him and left him to the darkness. Ten years of waiting, training, searching, all for this moment. It’s time for Li to face his demons… but war is never that simple.

Betrayed by his expectations, Caleb Redding had no plan for the other side of vengeance. Fleeing from both enemies and allies with a bullet in his thigh, there’s no one left to warn his family they’re about to be trapped.

Lost, and bleeding out, it’s already too late to figure out if his only companion wants him dead. As darkness closes in, his life hangs perilously in the balance of Li’s daughter.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

About the author

J.E. Ribbey (Joel and Esther) deploys a compelling writing style, combining a fast-paced action thriller with deep character immersion, giving readers an edge-of-your-seat adventure they will feel in the morning. A combat veteran, outdoorsman, and survival enthusiast, Joel enjoys mingling his unique experiences and expertise with their passion for homesteading and the self-sufficient lifestyle. Together with their four kids they manage a small farmstead in Minnesota, where, besides taking care of the animals and gardens, they also run a small event venue and offer farm camping. If you’d like to know more, you can find the Ribbeys on Instagram @jeribbey or at their website, JERibbey.com

Reviews

[Jonathan Stuckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging and thrilling story, great morals and themes. The combat and action sequences were amazing. That said, I knocked off one star for a few reasons. One, the frequent miraculous scenarios often crossed the line into unbelievability. Several moments felt forced for the plot’s sake to a degree that broke my suspension of disbelief. Second, the sudden character shift of a significant character felt way too sudden, forced, and out of nowhere. I had expected the shift to a degree, but the official change felt extremely sudden, forced, and dramatic, and the complete and immediate reversal in behavior felt unrealistic. Instead of a gradual character arch, there was a character “spike.” Third, the book didn’t explain many of the fantastical scenarios as to how they happened. They just happened and the reader was expected to just accept it. On another note, the book was a little more preachy than the previous two, although it didn’t bother me, so take that how you will.

Despite those detractors which keep me from giving it 5 stars, this was a thrilling book that managed to throw in twists right as I was expecting the series to get predictable. I was pleasantly surprised. I love the messages and themes imbedded in these stories and look forward to reading on.

(Side comment about the series as a whole, I still wish that the book series followed along a title character like Aaron, or even the family as a whole, more closely, and also that the books wouldn’t have such massive time gaps in between the stories. Every new book makes me feel somewhat disjointed as a say goodbye to the previous character I just read about and must get in the head of a new one. It would be nice to follow one (or all of them) as they grow up in this conflict. Speaking of the conflict, the war plays a background role in the books. Because of the massive time gaps, I am unable to really see their progress or continuity between stories. In a way, the books are independent stories, although they contain the same backdrop. Which is fine; it’s just a unique way to write a series compared to what I’m used to. In any case, I love the series!)

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise of the Eagle is Caleb's story. In this book, Caleb is transformed from a killing machine full of hatred to a baptized believer. The transformation comes at the hands of a chinese doctor and his niece who is chinese royalty. Together, Caleb & Dr. Kim craft a plan to defeat the chinese military and establish a new America. Their small band of Christians and a few chinese prisoners with nothing to lose are able to pull off a game charger, aided at the last minute by Sara, Aaron & Seth & the Canadians. Like the other books, this one is rife with typos and spelling errors. Overlooking it enables one to enjoy the read.