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The Assignment
Sophie the young, auburn-haired registered nurse kidnapped from a shopping mall with her Filipino roommate, taken hostage by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf and compelled to administer medical relief to the wounded son of its kingpin. Julia the middle-aged director of an international charitable foundation, recently shaken by the sudden death of her husband and the near-fatal injury of her son, sent by her respected employer to retrieve his abducted granddaughter, Sophie. Diego known as "Monty," the prestigious Metro Manila police detective Julia hires to lead the daunting rescue mission, whose rugged appearance and surefooted ways conceal private wounds of his own. Three individuals whose paths converge in the stark realm of a terrorist underworld. Three lives that entwine amidst the rich beauty of Philippine culture. And one unforgettable story of how love and hope transcend even the most harrowing loss.
260 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 12, 2012
The plot sounded interesting, and somewhat unique. For some reason, I wasn't a huge fan of Sophie and Julia. They got on my nerves during the novel. This book confused me because it seemed like there was an underlying romance between Julia and Monty, but nothing developed. It didn't make sense to have the "romance" if nothing came from it. I felt like there were too many different plots going on in the book, and many of them kept randomly showing up. It was a good light read, but one I wouldn't ever read again.
August 31, 2011
The fascinating details of the beautiful Philippine Islands are woven into this story but do not dominate it. The story holds center stage and moves at a rapid pace with lots of action. Some of the similarities of names is a little confusing, but overall The Assignment is a well-crafted LDS adventure/suspense novel that will be enjoyed by both men and women.
July 1, 2011
Very interesting book, but did not feel like the end was complete.
December 26, 2011
Julia is asked by her employer to go to Manila to organize a rescue team to find his kidnapped granddaughter. Julia hesitates, but decides the assignment is just what she needs to keep her mind off her deceased husband and her comatose son. Little did she know how involved she'd become.
It took me awhile to get into this story, probably due to all of the details on the location and the different groups of people who live there. The information about the author made it sound like she loves the Philippines, but this story made it sound like a very scary and dangerous place.
I was happy when the focus got to the characters and their plight. Things got pretty intense, but good prevailed over evil for a pretty happy ending. It looked like there was going to be a romance, but that just didn't materialize. If there isn't a sequel in the works, the romance angle didn't make sense.
It took me awhile to get into this story, probably due to all of the details on the location and the different groups of people who live there. The information about the author made it sound like she loves the Philippines, but this story made it sound like a very scary and dangerous place.
I was happy when the focus got to the characters and their plight. Things got pretty intense, but good prevailed over evil for a pretty happy ending. It looked like there was going to be a romance, but that just didn't materialize. If there isn't a sequel in the works, the romance angle didn't make sense.
June 23, 2020
It was a very suspenseful and powerful novel. Even though it's fiction, it read like a real life story. I couldn't wait for the rescue! The characters were so likable, and I'm hopeful the two reeds will touch again.
April 21, 2018
Read the 2nd one first of this series - great book!
December 25, 2022
I read these in reverse sequence but they are both good stories
March 28, 2023
I found that I could not stop reading it. It kept me feeling that there would be no hope for a happy ending (which they eventually did get). I was intrigued enough to see what happened next.
October 7, 2011
A frightening (to my sensitive mind) tale of a hostage situation by a terrorist group in the Philippines. I know, I don't usually read such action packed books but I had no choice 'cause I was in bed with the flu. There I lay on BookMobile day unable to get out of bed except for the frequent needs of my little ones. So all I could do is call my neighbor and ask her to bring me some books. Of course I have an old trunk full of books and under my bed is all books, but I needed something new to keep my mind off of the pain in my stomach. I told her I liked boy meets girl books (not romance!) but apparently she reads action packed books.
However, I loved the book. The author describes the situations and scenery so well that although I am not familiar with the customs and culture of the Philippines and the various groups that live there, I was able to understand and become intrigued with them (although now I love the safety of the United States even more!!!!).
************Warning, the following gives away some of the book**********
I loved the ending even though I made up in my head further love connection for the two main characters for down the road. It made me think of how realistic it is that sometimes we get so stuck that only after we go through trials can we move forward. Cool point!!!
Criticism of the book:
The names! How many male main character names starting with M can one book hold? That made me have to stop and reread a few times to understand who was talking.
The gore! Although I loved most of the detailed descriptions, I am sensitive to violence and so didn't appreciate the detail of how the bad guys killed each person. I think I would have liked just that they were killed, period. I now have horrific images in my head that will take a lot of self discipline to exclude from my thoughts.
The plot. How come they didn't just tell the bad guys that Sophie's loved ones could pay for the randsome money for all the hostages? That sounds a lot safer to me. They didn't want the bad guys to win at even the cost of their lives?
How come Sophie's character was so much stronger and heroic than the main character: Julia?
However, I loved the book. The author describes the situations and scenery so well that although I am not familiar with the customs and culture of the Philippines and the various groups that live there, I was able to understand and become intrigued with them (although now I love the safety of the United States even more!!!!).
************Warning, the following gives away some of the book**********
I loved the ending even though I made up in my head further love connection for the two main characters for down the road. It made me think of how realistic it is that sometimes we get so stuck that only after we go through trials can we move forward. Cool point!!!
Criticism of the book:
The names! How many male main character names starting with M can one book hold? That made me have to stop and reread a few times to understand who was talking.
The gore! Although I loved most of the detailed descriptions, I am sensitive to violence and so didn't appreciate the detail of how the bad guys killed each person. I think I would have liked just that they were killed, period. I now have horrific images in my head that will take a lot of self discipline to exclude from my thoughts.
The plot. How come they didn't just tell the bad guys that Sophie's loved ones could pay for the randsome money for all the hostages? That sounds a lot safer to me. They didn't want the bad guys to win at even the cost of their lives?
How come Sophie's character was so much stronger and heroic than the main character: Julia?
March 18, 2011
Very realistic fiction. My husband who served in the Philippines has been wanting to go back and after reading this story it just doesn't seem like a safe place to visit even for the beauty of the land or people.
The Philippine government is one of corruption due to it's taking bribes to turn their head if they get the right amount. Terrorist groups take hostages, some for ransom, some for their political influence in making a statement of their power, because the AFP, the soldier that try to stop them aren't getting the job done.
This story is about a young American nurse, Sophie, getting kidnapped from Metro Manila. Her Grandfather, a wealthy benefactor of many businesses in the Philippines including the nonprofit hospital where she worked, sends his trusted employee and friend, Julia Wentworth to hire a rescue team to go and get her back from the terrorists that took her. Julia Wentworth has had a tough family life recently with her husband's unexpected heart attack at 47, and then her oldest son's turn from the Church in living with an unmarried woman and then a car accident resulting in his vegetative state. She doesn't want to let go of Aaron her son, but after being kidnapped and knowing what it feels like to be trapped, she knows what she has to do. She meets the head of the rescue team a detective of the police department. He helps her through moving on with her life after loss using his own example of his loss of his wife and son because of his honesty in trying to get rid of drug dealers. When Sophie and Julia are hostages the author does a great job of describing the treatment and conditions along with the attitudes of her captures. The one thing I don't like is that Monty and her don't get together in the end, but remain alone.
The Philippine government is one of corruption due to it's taking bribes to turn their head if they get the right amount. Terrorist groups take hostages, some for ransom, some for their political influence in making a statement of their power, because the AFP, the soldier that try to stop them aren't getting the job done.
This story is about a young American nurse, Sophie, getting kidnapped from Metro Manila. Her Grandfather, a wealthy benefactor of many businesses in the Philippines including the nonprofit hospital where she worked, sends his trusted employee and friend, Julia Wentworth to hire a rescue team to go and get her back from the terrorists that took her. Julia Wentworth has had a tough family life recently with her husband's unexpected heart attack at 47, and then her oldest son's turn from the Church in living with an unmarried woman and then a car accident resulting in his vegetative state. She doesn't want to let go of Aaron her son, but after being kidnapped and knowing what it feels like to be trapped, she knows what she has to do. She meets the head of the rescue team a detective of the police department. He helps her through moving on with her life after loss using his own example of his loss of his wife and son because of his honesty in trying to get rid of drug dealers. When Sophie and Julia are hostages the author does a great job of describing the treatment and conditions along with the attitudes of her captures. The one thing I don't like is that Monty and her don't get together in the end, but remain alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2016
I learned a lot about the Philippines in this book but I felt like the author took every detail ever learned about the country and crammed it into the story. Not sure I needed every little detail. I felt like I was getting a school lesson instead of reading a novel. And it really made me feel like I never want to go to the Philippines because it was all corruption all the time... Because of all the cultural lessons it took a long time to get into the story at all and was very slow moving. I was interested enough in the plot to finish the book but this genre isn't really my cup of tea. I wasn't too thrilled with the ending but I guess it set it up for the next book. I found the terrorism in the book horrifying which is because it is, in fact, horrifying. The book contains violence and demeaning of women.
May 5, 2011
I saw an advertisement about this book in a magazine, and since it is set in the Philippines, I thought I should read it. I am glad I did. It deals with the abduction of a US citizen who happens to be a nurse (the reason she was captured) and the granddaughter of a wealthy businessman. I gained insight into the politics between the US and the Philippines in regards to people who are taken captive by Islamic groups. It can be tricky, which is frightening! I learned about the different groups of terrorists who live on the mostly Muslim island of Mindanao. Anyway, it was insightful for me to learn more about the Philippine culture, and appreciate the good people who live there.
December 19, 2015
The beginning of this book was rather scattered to me. It was a little hard to follow at first and took me a little while to get into. Once the story smoothed out it turned into a very interesting story. Others have complained on their reviews of this book that the ending didn't really feel complete but that is because there is a second book. So if you want to find out what happens to Julia and Monty you have to read the sequel Precious Cargo.
June 17, 2011
The Assignment is a very suspenseful story of an American nurse who is kidnapped by a terrorist group. Her grandfather has one of his employees go to the Phillipines to find her.
It was very informational about the Phillipines and the different social and terrorist groups there. It was almost like watching an action movie.
Content: violence.
It was very informational about the Phillipines and the different social and terrorist groups there. It was almost like watching an action movie.
Content: violence.
April 7, 2011
Julia, a middle-aged director of a charitable foundation, is asked by her boss to find his granddaughter who has disappeared while nursing at a children's hospital in the Philippines. Interesting. Assuming that the author knows what she is writing about, it was an introduction to this country I know so little about.
May 23, 2011
I'll say right now, I didn't liked the ending. The ending did resolve everything in a very nice way, but I still thought that it was weak.
There was stupid characters so I didn't feel any sympathy towards the individuals. Over all I thought that the book was interesting enough for me to finish it.
There was stupid characters so I didn't feel any sympathy towards the individuals. Over all I thought that the book was interesting enough for me to finish it.
August 29, 2011
This book got a little boring and monotonous at times, but I did really like it. I can't imagine something that scary happening to me but I really liked that the LDS girl was so strong in sticking up for not only her beliefs but for the other captors as well. A good read but probably not as intense as a book about this topic could be.
January 24, 2012
It was OK. The story wasn't terrible and the characters were likable enough but the ending was really disappointing. I know life isn't perfect and things are always romance based but there was potential there and the way it was just dismissed was almost annoying. The characters were a little boring to be honest.
February 17, 2013
I actually started reading Precious Cargo by the author, and realized I wanted to read this one first, so I had to put the other one aside. I'm gad I did. I think it could be stand alone, but I really wanted to find out more about Julia and her relationship to Monty. Excellent book with lots of plot twists! I have been learning a lot about the Philippines while I read, and I'm loving it!
February 17, 2014
I liked the realistic adventures of the kidnapped women and the treatment to them by there capturers. With the stories that you hear on the news, it seemed quite true to life. I also liked that the two main heroines of the story were brave and courageous, without losing there necessary feminity needed to make the characters believable.
January 2, 2015
The story really kept my attention, but it did not feel finished at all. She left a lot of loose strings with the romance and with who killed Monty's wife and son. I really feel this should have been part of a series loosly following all of these people vs a single book that does not give you any real closure.
June 2, 2011
Took a little while for me to get into the book, but it got better towards the middle of the story. The author definitely did a great job representing the terrorist aspect. The ending was kinda left open which makes me think there will be a sequel soon.
July 10, 2011
I really enjoyed this little gem. I learned a ton about the Phillipines while being completely entertained. The fast-paced action was well-written, and the ending was unexpected. I'll looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 9, 2012
This book really opened your eyes to what is going on in other parts of the world with kidnapping as a common occurrence. The book was suspenseful with all of its twists and turns, plus left you a door open for book two.
July 4, 2019
A mystery that reminds me of the Mrs. Pollifax books.
July 8, 2011
I would give it 3.5 if I could.Good read with a mystery and suspense. Well done but I would have liked a little more character development. It kept my attention though and I liked it.
May 2, 2013
Kept me interested all the way thru. I learned so much about the mindset of terrorists and how they have infiltrated countries all over the world.
May 23, 2011
I really liked this book.
June 2, 2011
Good book, but I was disappointed with the ending, who knows though, it might just mean there will be another to go with this one.
August 3, 2011
The story flowed along well, and the action was very intense. The characters were very likeable. The ending was such that it could very easily have a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews