The Renegades

Michael Parson & Sophia Gold #3

by Tom Young

The new novel from the author of Silent Enemy and The Mullah's Storm

When a catastrophic earthquake hits Afghanistan, American troops rush to deliver aid, among them Afghan Air Force adviser Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson and his interpreter, Sergeant Major Sophia Gold. The devastation is like nothing they've ever seen.

It's about to get even worse.

A Taliban splinter group, Black Crescent, has begun shooting medical workers, downing helicopters, and slaughtering anyone who dares to accept Western aid. With coalition forces already spread thin, Parson, Gold, and the Afghan aircrews must find a way to strike back. But they're short on supplies, men, experience, and intel. And the terrorists know it…

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, War, Military Fiction, Action, Terrorism, Historical Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2012

About the author

Tom Young served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Air National Guard. He has also also flown combat missions to Bosnia and Kosovo, and additional missions to Latin America, the horn of Africa, and the Far East. In all, Young has logged nearly five thousand hours as a flight engineer on the C-5 Galaxy and the C-130 Hercules, while flying to almost forty countries. Military honors include three Air Medals, three Aerial Achievement Medals, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Young is the author of SILVER WINGS, IRON CROSS; THE HUNTERS; SAND AND FIRE; THE RENEGADES; SILENT ENEMY; and THE MULLAH'S STORM.

His nonfiction publications include THE SPEED OF HEAT: AN AIRLIFT WING AT WAR IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. His narrative, "Night Flight to Baghdad," appeared in the anthology OPERATION HOMECOMING: IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, AND THE HOME FRONT IN THE WORDS OF U.S. TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent war novel set in Afghanistan. It is a sequel apparently to a previous novel featuring the likable Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson, who is an advisor to the Afghans training their helicopter pilots and his subordinate, Sergeant Major Sophia Gold, who is both his translator and a airborne veteran with parachuting experience.

Young plunges the reader right into the thick of the Afghan conflict, where villages are threatened by Taliban fighters, and friend and foe are not easy to perceive. Parson goes to an Afghan village to help with earthquake relief and the copter comes under enemy fire. When they leave, Taliban swoop in and steal some kids. They want to use them as suicide bombers. The Taliban commander is a radical even for the Taliban. A kid is killed in grotesque ways. Parsons must fight through enemy fire. A co-pilot of his helicopter tries to take him captive. We see the war through the eyes of Parsons and his helicopter crew.

Meanwhile Gold goes to a village to talk to some local women, who seem to have Taliban leanings. They invite her to talk to one of their husbands -- a leader of the Taliban. Parson refuses to permit her to meet with the Taliban leader, but she defies his orders and ultimately her visit leads to vital intelligence as the Taliban and the Americans have a coalescing of interests. The Taliban do not want radicals to undermine their pursuit of keeping the populous leaning toward their interests, and the Americans, have an interest in killing Taliban terrorists.

Gold's intelligence coup leads to a final battle to breach an Afghan stronghold and kill the Taliban radicals.

The war action is fierce. The book may be a little slow in parts, but Young is able to expose a different war to us, a modern age war, where innocents are pawns.

Its an effective war novel.

[Jeanne Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized I had read this about 2 years ago. Coming from a non-military background, I had to look up a lot of planes and helos to visualize their capabilities. I think I enjoyed it more the second time as I was familiar with the characters and could now focus on machinery and the missions.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Goodreads First reads ARC*

I'd actually have to rate The Renegades by Tom Young as a 3.5 star book. I can't really put my finger on it, but I found the story lacking some intangible quality that would elevate it to where I would place books by Brad Thor, James Rollins and Vince Flynn. I honestly wish I could be more specific.

I suppose I found the story to be a bit formulaic. To me, there was a lot of instances where the author could have fleshed out the scenes, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story, yet he failed to do so. While this didn't destroy the story, it left me yearning for more.

To me the story started out a bit slow. I also found it hard to actually develop a connection to any of the main characters, though I will say I had no feelings of animosity towards them either.

One of the better aspects was the obvious knowledge the author has involving his subject matter. The reader learns a lot about the armed services (various positions and their interactions). The reader also develops an understanding of some of the thought processes of a soldier.

Overall I would say that The Renegades is worth reading.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Tom Pintong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from Goodreads First Reads program.

I could've sworn I had written a review for this book already, but oh well. The book is a sequel, though you don't really need to read the work preceding this to understand what is going on. It's a very gritty, realistic book. You can picture the scenes as people are shooting, or the weariness felt by the main characters as they try and foil terrorists and make it back to base alive.

I liked the characters a lot, and found myself rooting for the local militias to succeed in keeping the fragile peace in the country. I also liked the interaction of the different services over in the sandbox. It made me think sometimes that it might be more efficient to integrate various task forces to encompass the various services, instead of having so many similar training programs.

I look forward to reading the next novel in this series, and will be recommending Tom Young to my friends who like military novels.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very well-written and the story was a tribute to those who suffer so much for the rest of the world's freedom.
However, it contained too much detail. It was very graphic, as the reality of this war truly is, but way too much for the average person to digest.
I know many feel they have to resort to profanity -probably not totally educated in a vocabulary that can express themselves without it - but the use of profanity by the main character was excessive, especially since he is suppose to be an educated officer.
A truly great writer can allude to these situations without dragging the reader down to that level.
I won this book and I would have appreciated it as a great work had it not been so foul. It was generous to offer it for the giveaway but I will not be recommending it nor purchasing any further works of Tom Young because of the above reasons.

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Renegades is an excellent war novel set in present day (well, circa 2012) Afghanistan.

I seem to have a knack for picking up parts of a series out of order, this is another of those situations being book #3 in a series, nonetheless, The Renegades is still a great stand alone story.

The plot of The Renegades revolves around a splinter ground of Taliban who decide to start using child soldiers obtained via kidnapping and an Air Force Liaison, Michael Parson with his Army Translator sidekick, Sophia Gold who are obviously not in favour of such a scheme. All this takes place in the frame of a humanitarian disaster in the form of an extensive earthquake and an Afghan air force which is still learning to be an air force.

I really enjoyed this book and would love to give it 5 stars but there was just a little something missing that kept it from Vince Flynn 5 star territory.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book because it isn't WWII-based. But I'm a huge Michael Parson and Sophia Gold fan, so I gave it a go. The beginning was a little bit slow and I had trouble staying focused. But it GOT GOOD! It really did! He introduced a few exciting new characters that you can't help but fall in love with, like the Afghan pilot Rashid, and the 6'8" gunnery sargeant Blount. It touches current and past affairs of this horrible long-standing war we are in, but he doesn't forget to include the compassionate side of the Afghan people and is very empathetic to what they are going through. He explains a lot about their culture, language and family lives (some is very sad to read) as well as the radical thinking of the Taliban. Parson and Gold are of course the heroes in this book, as well as Rashid and Blount, but the people of Afghanistan are also part of the equation and why we are winning this war on terrorism. It is beautifully written, engaging and extremely exciting and I can't wait to read the next one!

[Jack Stubblefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how else to put it, but the characters felt 'lived in.' The author imbued them with a past history and complexity of emotion to the point where I started to wonder who Mr. Young was basing these characters on. He has lived and knows the basic subject matter of this book. Easy read that moves at a comfortable pace. If I find more of the Parson and Gold series, I will definitely pick them up. Good stuff, Maynard.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot revolves around a splinter ground of Taliban who decide to start using child soldiers obtained via kidnapping and an Air Force Liaison, Michael Parson with his Army Translator sidekick, Sophia Gold get involved. The book is a sequel, #3 in the list. Author does a great job explaining the action and absolute horror of the war. However, those not enamored of military jargon and ethics might not get it.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series and in my opinion not as good as the first two. Sophie and Michael are still in Afghanistan when a serious earthquake strikes. They are tasked to bring supplies to the villages and people effected and along with other groups find themselves under fire. An offshoot group of the Taliban is targeting the relief efforts and kidnapping boys to use as soldiers to boot. Ok read.

[Sandy Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has taken me a long time to read! But it was well worth it!

I had read “The Mullah’s Storm” and “Silent Enemy” and enjoyed them.

Thank you to the author for explaining more terms in this book! I still looked up a lot of military and Afghani terms but it was easier reading this time.

Very inspiring and informative - I recommend this author!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting, well written chapter in the series of Michael Parson and Sophia Gold. On to the next!

[Beth Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series featuring Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson and his interpreter Sergeant Major Sophia Gold and the War in Afghanistan.
In this book Parson is an Afghan Air Force advisor who flies along with Afghan helicopter crews delivering food and other necessities to the victims of a major earthquake there. He requests Gold to come back from the states and be his interpreter. Since the last time, Sophia has been training to be HALO (high altitude low entry)qualified. This kind of parachute jump is used by the military when they need to fly very high so that the plane is not seen or heard and it is a rapid free fall with the parachute opening at the last possible minute so that the parachutist is much less likely to be seen.
She ends up using the HALO jump with the Special Tactics Team to land in enemy territory.
They are up against a splinter Taliban group who not even the Taliban condone because they kidnap boys ages 6-14 and teach them to hate and fight the infidels. (The Taliban believes war is for men only). But their most heinous crime is strapping bomb vests on the boys and using them as suicide bombers. Three are used in the final battle forcing a marine to shoot and kill children or let him and his men be blown to bits. His payback to the mastermind of this is brutal but satisfying. His justification for this is”he made me kill children, man!”
Young has studied writing(has several college degrees) and is an excellent writer. He portrays the war and the people fighting it (or just trying to survive as a civilian) as accurately as possible. He has experienced the war firsthand so he gives you a real “taste” of it. Gruesome in parts but also exhilarating. He gives you a whole new perspective of and respect for our military men and women. I love this series! (Parson and Gold have developed deep feelings for and loyalty to each other but no romance is even hinted at.)

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to a book by author Tom Young stirs strong emotions. While it is a story of fiction, the author’s extensive military background gives credibility to what he writes. The pain, suffering, torture, loss of life and dedication have elements of truth to them.

Having said that and the fact that I’m not big on war-theme stories, I do highly recommend THE RENEGADES.

Narrator Scott Brick brings the story, people and setting to life. His deep throaty voice gives depth to Young’s words. Brick’s cadence is alluring as he pulls you into the middle of a battle zone and breaks your heart with the tenderness of his soothing voice when emotions involve the young and innocent victims. Then he has you on the edge of your seat as the action gets underway.

Afghan Air Force adviser Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson and his interpreter, Sergeant Major Sophia Gold, are once again reunited following a devastating earthquake in Afghanistan. They are on hand to assist with aid and rescue efforts. However, a Taliban splinter group Black Crescent, is making life difficult for the workers. They are shooting medical works, downing helicopters, and threatening anyone who takes aid. But worst of all - they’re kidnapping young boys and making them become suicide bombers.

Parson, Gold and Parson’s Afghan aircrew scramble to provide aid, along with the other workers, in everyway they can. Discovering a way to possible locate the leader of the splinter group, Gold goes against Parson’s orders. Following her lead could stops the new group or get her killed.

THE RENEGADES is action-packed from beginning to end. It’s adrenaline-driven with so many twists, turns, highs and lows it feels like a roller coaster ride. The story flows smoothly, but quickly with moments of tenderness and concern woven throughout, as well as snippets of humor.

The characters are engaging, realistic and well-developed. Their interaction with one another is plausible. Young’s eye for authentic detail adds depth to the story and places the reader/listener in the midst of the action. The story will leave you breathless, exhausted and eager for more.

Having read/listened to THE RENEGADES (or any story by Young), you come away not only having finished a fascinating story, but learned a great deal about American servicemen and women, the trials they face overseas and their dedication. Young entertains with his words, but also educates and informs.

This is the third book featuring Parson and Gold, but can be enjoyed as a standalone. But be warned, after an introduction to Parson and Gold you’ll want to know more.

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we have seen, especially in recent years, when nature decides to throw a natural disaster our way, there is nothing for us to do but watch it happen and work quickly to recover. In his latest novel, "The Renegades", Tom Young presents a natural disaster, complicated by the human disaster of war.

The horrors of the war in Afghanistan are elevated when a large earthquake strikes the area. In the immediate aftermath, US Lt. Col. Michael Parson is called in to assist with the recovery efforts. Assisted by a cast of interesting characters, especially translator Sophia Gold, the team attempts to save the lives of innocent locals, caught in the crossfire of war and natural disaster.

Young presents the people of Afghanistan as torn between being thankful or completely against American assistance. Some locals, like pilot Rashid, even join forces with the US military. Unfortunately, the Taliban witnesses the American's response to the earthquake and, in turn, enter the village, killing many and kidnapping the young boys to train as future soldiers.

The bare, mostly quick prose used by Young helps to portray the intensity of the war. The book never lags, always driving forward with suspense and action. Either because of the military jargon or the sheer number of people contributing to a conversation, there were some moments when the dialogue became a bit confusing. I imagine, however, that this confusion may be another form of accurately depicting the intense situations of war. In the end, this novel had no major revelations, but was an entertaining look into the horrors of war and mother nature.

[Ronald Roseborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Young previously wrote under the name Thomas W. Young. (The Mullah's Storm and Silent Enemy) His stories are becoming more tightly written as is his name. His characters are becoming less stiff and more lifelike. His stories continue to evolve with more effective action scenes and greater character depth. The Renegades presents two sides of the warrior's dilemma.The book recounts the soldier's desire to fight, to lash out, to end the conflict by crushing the enemy. This is best personified in Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson, a battle scared veteran who is training the U.S.'s Afghan allies in combat operations flying Russian built helicopters. It also shows the need to help others through understanding and providing aid and comfort. This role is effectively filled by U.S. Army Sergeant Major Sophia Gold. Her unique role as an interpreter and a jump qualified airborne veteran are tempered by her understanding and feelings for the victims of the terrorists. The humanity is not weighted down however with political correctness. The book is full of action. The author's background with the Air National Guard provides a rich basis for the dramatic descriptions of aerial action and hot, lead filled ground actions. This book provided for review by the well read folks at Library Thing and G.P.Putnam's Sons.

[Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

An earthquake has struck whole sections of Afghanistan and the countryside is left in rubble. Thousands who were already suffering from being homeless,starving and living in constant fear need some kind of help. We meet U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Parson, a combat veteran working as a liaison and trainer with the Afghan Air Force. Parson is working with a Capt. Rashid and his crew flying older but sturdy Soviet-built Mi-17 helicopters. Parson gets help from an old collegue, Sgt. Maj. Sophia Gold, a skilled translator of the Pashto language. The two get thrown into many horrible situations. A Taliban group the Black Crescent is killing any Western aid workers, civilians and stopping the delivery of anykind of relief supplies. Worst of all they’re taking children hostage to be used as suicide bombers. Tom Young an Iraqi-Afghan war veteran writes very well about the completely mixed up life in the war torn country of Afghanistan. He know from personal experience how to use military terminology to show anyone the real horrors of any war. This is a well written story about self sacrifice, betrayel, women in fighting roles as well as fighting cultural norms alien to Western cultures and all the time showing the true bravery and talent of our men and women in the United States Armed Forces.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is an earthquake measuring 7.2 that hits Afghanistan. U.S. military are among the first responders.

Lt. Col. Michael Parson is in Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan Air Force. When his translator, Sgt. Maj. Sophia Gold arrives from the states, they travel to a village called Ghandaki. This village was hard hit by the quake and with some specialized equipment, they are able to save a number of villagers who were buried in the rubble.

From the distance, members of a renegade Taliban group observe the actions and when the U.S. leaves, this group goes to the village and kills anyone who conspired with the Americans. They also kidnap a number of young children who they intend to brainwash into becoming Taliban members and martyrs.

A unique aspect of Young's writing is that he combines the poitical reasons for going after the Taliban and he discloses why so many Afghans dislike Americans. This is all set in an action filled adventure.

A glossary of terms would be helpful in that there was constant use of military abbreviations and at times, I was wondering what was being discussed.

Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable book and an easy read.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the Michael Parson & Sophia Gold series. Author Young has moved the action to relief efforts in Afghanistan after a major earthquake and Taliban efforts to subvert those efforts. Young's larger than life heroes stand in for real heroes in many parts of the conflict and this detracts from their believability and slightly from the novel's readability although not from its message.

Michael Parson & Sophia Gold - Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Parson, now an adviser to a helicopter unit in Afghanistan, requests that his interpreter friend, Sgt. Maj. Sophia Gold, be deployed back to Afghanistan to help with relief efforts after a major earthquake. Just as Parson and his team are about to lift off with a number of injured Afghans, members of a terrorist group called the Black Crescent shoot up their helicopter; soon after, they kidnap a 10-year-old boy from a nearby village. Parson and Gold get on the trail of the Crescent leader, Chaaku (the Pashto word for knife), and in a last deadly battle bring a measure of justice to their corner of the war.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this author! I think he's actually improving in his writing, his story telling, descriptions, plot lines, characters...with each book! This is the 3rd in a series following a couple of military officers...& their assignments/tasks/calls of duty. I think it's quite evident that the author has an inside knowledge about what he's writing about, it's very realistic. Action, action, action!!!
I actually won this book as an ARC from Goodreads First-Reads giveaway program...last year, & got behind in my reading! I thought I'd seen that Young was working on a 4th in this series...& didn't want to fall behind! This is a really good series & I'd recommend it to anyone who likes alot of action. An interest in military, guns, & flight might be a plus for these books. Good job, Tom Young!!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) through LibraryThing.
I liked this book a lot; in fact, since I read a few Tom Clancy books, Tom Young writes similarly. The last 50 pages of "Renegades" starting from Chapter 24 were the best part of the book; I couldn't turn the pages fast enough; it was riveting and it put the reader on the bench in a C-130 transport plane, sitting next to the other parachutists waiting their turn to jump. I felt the adreneline rush as the finale was unfolding. The author's writing sucked me in and grabbed my neck as I struggled to breathe. The ending was very satisfying. Be sure to read "The story Behind" that compares this work of fiction to the real situation in Afghanistan. It is interesting.
I recommend this book to all Tom Clancy fans. I know you will enjoy it.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the nonstop action in this series. This one did not disappoint.

[Diane Howland · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a catastrophic earthquake hits Afghanistan, American troops rush to deliver aid, among them Afghan Air Force adviser Lieutenant Colonel Michael Parson and his interpreter, Sergeant Major Sophia Gold. The devastation is like nothing they've ever seen.

It's about to get even worse.

A Taliban splinter group, Black Crescent, has begun shooting medical workers, downing helicopters, and slaughtering anyone who dares to accept Western aid. With coalition forces already spread thin, Parson, Gold, and the Afghan aircrews must find a way to strike back. But they're short on supplies, men, experience, and intel. And the terrorists know it.

Good read. Liked his first two books a little better. This one was not as fast moving as the previous books. But still overall a very good read.

[Robert Enzenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Young has quickly moved into my "must read" author list. Young has returned with his two protagonists - Air Force Lt Col Parson and Army Command Sergeant Major Gold - in a remarkable novel combining terrorism and natural disaster in Afghanistan. The characters are well developed, and the reader really cares about them. The military actions and heroic medical intervention by Air Forces PJs are very realistic and exciting to read. The pace of this latest book is incredible, making it REALLY HARD to put down. I read it in two days. All three of Young's books that I have read "stand alone" - but definitely there is value in reading them "in order." Big congratulations to Tom Young from a fellow, serving Guardsman.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed ALL of Tom Young's novels; but this might be my favorite. Just hold on to your seat and enjoy the ride. I especially like how Gold and Parsons "play off each other." By that I mean Gold is more self controlled and Parsons is more "hot headed." I relate to Parsons and sometimes get frustrated with Gold. At times I wondered who would make it to the end of this book. It is always interesting to learn about what and how things happen during this Afghanistan/Middle Eastern war. My trust level for these peoples is ZERO.

Thanks Tom Young for another interesting and enlightening book.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This military fiction deals with the Americans trying to train the Afghanistan Army is defending themselves. But within the Taliban there is an extremist group that will go to any means to stop them, including kidnapping young boys to make them soldiers or worse; human bombs.

The story started off slow for me, but after a while I got to understand the premise and the character’s relationships with one another. It was a good story with great characters and an interesting plot but I I couldn’t get into it as much as I would have liked.

[Michael Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a genre I would normally read, but I met Tom and tried his first book. Now I have just finished his third. Great stuff. I get hooked from the start and can't put them down. The insights into both the military mind (through his protagonist Parsons and others) and the Afghan culture (through Parson's sometime military interpreter, Gold) make for good tension and lots to learn. It is easy to see why Afghan has become such a difficult problem for us -- and the world. I look forward to his next.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parsons and Gold are back in action, this time in Afghanistan working relief aid after a major earthquake. When a splinter group of terrorists, using the earthquake as a catalyst, raises its ugly head the fight is on. Tom Young is spot on for any fan of the military thriller. I really cannot say enough good about this guy. He is one of those authors that has been there and done that. He also has a talent for telling a great story as well. So I would say if it looks interesting give it a go, I am sure you will be pleased with this third tale of the Parsons and Gold match up.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! This truly had me at the edge of my seat and left me wanting more. What an amazing fictional book that gives us a glimpse into the life of our military men and women in Afghanistan and the Afghanistan people. I don't think you could have a more authentic book unless it was an autobiography (which it almost is based on the writer's experiences). Tom Young should be a literary house hold name like Clancy!

**Just found out on Young's website that The Warrior featuring Parson and Gold is coming out July 2013!! YES!! I have just pre-ordered it.