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Victor the Assassin #2
The Enemy
The hired killer
Victor, a former assassin-for-hire, has joined forces with a CIA special unit. His first assignment: Three strangers. Three hits. Fast and clean. Victor’s a natural for this.
The shadow conspiracy
It should have been simple. But with each hit Victor is plunged deeper into an unimaginable conspiracy where no one, least of all the people he knows, can be trusted.
The triple-cross you won't see coming
With the stakes growing higher by the minute, Victor realizes he’s been forced into playing a game he never expected. Because he’s the next target. And there’s no way out.
Victor, a former assassin-for-hire, has joined forces with a CIA special unit. His first assignment: Three strangers. Three hits. Fast and clean. Victor’s a natural for this.
The shadow conspiracy
It should have been simple. But with each hit Victor is plunged deeper into an unimaginable conspiracy where no one, least of all the people he knows, can be trusted.
The triple-cross you won't see coming
With the stakes growing higher by the minute, Victor realizes he’s been forced into playing a game he never expected. Because he’s the next target. And there’s no way out.
556 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
383 people are currently reading
2051 people want to read
About the author
Tom Wood
23 books1,284 followersHe is the author of the Victor series of 10 novels and 2 ebook novellas. Tom also wrote the standalone thriller A Knock at the Door under the pseudonym T W Ellis
Victor 10, TRAITOR, is out now in UK, IE, AS & NZ.
Subscribe to Tom's newsletter to stay up-to-date, and have the chance of winning signed copies and more: tomwoodbooks.com/newsletter
Victor 10, TRAITOR, is out now in UK, IE, AS & NZ.
Subscribe to Tom's newsletter to stay up-to-date, and have the chance of winning signed copies and more: tomwoodbooks.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
March 3, 2016
5*+ Brilliant! Over the years Victor the assassin has been hired by many groups around the world to take care of those on their hit list. He does this with a great deal of planning and acquiring all the right weapons to do the job with proficiency and expertise. Victor is at the top of his game. However, the CIA has snagged him, and if he wants to remain a free independent they have demanded in no uncertain terms for him to assassinate three major top gun runners. There is plenty of fast action, fast paced, and never a dull moment from the first page to the last. ‘The Enemy’ is an exceptional spy thriller novel and one of the finest espionage books out there. Highly recommended!
February 6, 2017
3,5 stars
We meet up with Victor again in The Enemy, 2nd book in Tom Wood's Victor the Assassin Series!! If you've read the 1st book, The Hunter, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... - you will be familiar with this assassin extraordinaire - a man with no past and no real name, a loner whose sole mission is the job of taking out the target.
Well, Victor continues in the same career..well, with a slight difference - he now works for the good guys...or not so good guys...the old US agency....CIA!!!! This guy is something like James Bond/Jason Bourne on steroids!!! Everywhere he goes...mayhem happens!!
Clever and fast-paced plot and a lot of sub plots too....that take you on a never experienced roller-coaster ride.....that stops at the most spine-chilling climax.
So, why only 3,5 stars?? Hell, the so many subplots just made my head spin!! IThis made it a bit hard to keep track of what was going on at times.
Okay, I think I need something to bring me down from this ride!!!!
I can definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a great thriller!!
We meet up with Victor again in The Enemy, 2nd book in Tom Wood's Victor the Assassin Series!! If you've read the 1st book, The Hunter, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... - you will be familiar with this assassin extraordinaire - a man with no past and no real name, a loner whose sole mission is the job of taking out the target.
Well, Victor continues in the same career..well, with a slight difference - he now works for the good guys...or not so good guys...the old US agency....CIA!!!! This guy is something like James Bond/Jason Bourne on steroids!!! Everywhere he goes...mayhem happens!!
Victor's new mission is a non-stop fest of action, tension, killings, violence.......in my country, South Africa, we have a great way to describe what happens in this book........... .
Skop, Skiet en DonDer – literally "kicking, shooting and beating people up".....Victor's new assignment is fraught with danger and betrayal.........one never knows who is a friend or enemy.
Clever and fast-paced plot and a lot of sub plots too....that take you on a never experienced roller-coaster ride.....that stops at the most spine-chilling climax.
in between travelling all over the globe.....with some great secondary characters and the most likable killer/scoundrel/rogue ever.
So, why only 3,5 stars?? Hell, the so many subplots just made my head spin!! IThis made it a bit hard to keep track of what was going on at times.
Okay, I think I need something to bring me down from this ride!!!!
I'm really happy to have discovered this author and this series.
I can definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a great thriller!!
November 5, 2022
In Tom Wood Awesome Second Book The Emeny Victor is back in action, working for the CIA .Victor. first is non-stop action three targets three hits with betrayal and danger. This was an awesome first-class spy thriller.
January 31, 2023
Victor has been under the watchful eye of the CIA and now they have him. He has to do 3 hits or he loses his independence and much more... Compelling narrative again.
January 16, 2015
A truly mesmerizing . . . a powerful, forward-driving plot and lots of brutality. I loved it, and I know why I consider this author one of my favourites.
To reveal more, particularly details of a hair-raising climax, would be to destroy the reader's enjoyment, but like the rest of this first-class piece of action work, it's ingenious and delivered with all the subtlety of a kick in the teeth.
Victor is just a great leading character, a rogue but a likable rogue and he matchs all fiction characters around at the moment.
Tom Wood fills the books with great strong characters, great plot and sub plots, tension, huge shocks, great details, it is like being on a rollercoaster ride, the whole book that is so hard to put down that travels around the globe with details of so many different countries.
I can only say to you, read this book, read ALL his books.
To reveal more, particularly details of a hair-raising climax, would be to destroy the reader's enjoyment, but like the rest of this first-class piece of action work, it's ingenious and delivered with all the subtlety of a kick in the teeth.
Victor is just a great leading character, a rogue but a likable rogue and he matchs all fiction characters around at the moment.
Tom Wood fills the books with great strong characters, great plot and sub plots, tension, huge shocks, great details, it is like being on a rollercoaster ride, the whole book that is so hard to put down that travels around the globe with details of so many different countries.
I can only say to you, read this book, read ALL his books.
August 15, 2015
This book comes/came very close to getting a 5 star rating. I'll tell you why I dropped a star in a few lines.
So...second book about Victor the Assassin. He's now, but wait if you haven't read the first book that might be a spoiler so, hummmm.....let's see.... He's operating a little differently than he was in the first novel.
Anyway, he's still an interesting character who's written well and draws the reader "right into his story". I suspect that even if you picked this up without ever having read the first book you'd still like it, get involved and want to follow the story. Without giving a spoiler I'd say that I can recommend this and if you like thrillers you'll probably like this.
Now...specifics. The book opens with reference to the first book and we're off to the races. The plot grows naturally from our earlier information even if we do need to "buy into" the world view and our "protagonist's" existence. I was drawn in completely and having liked the first book I found this one just as absorbing.
So, why did i drop a star?
The book is drawn out into several story lines that intertwine. This isn't truly a problem as the intertwining is handled very well.
However...there is a point where the book bogs down just a little. With things happening around the world and the details being complementary things just slowed way down. It didn't ruin the book. It didn't cause mt to lose interest as has happened in some books. BUT it did for a short time screw up the pacing of the entire novel. It didn't last, it didn't really hurt the book. But it was a slightly false note and I finally decided I had to drop the book to 4 (possibly 4.5) stars.
That said (and aside from the fact that I'm always astounded that I like and am interested in a book about an assassin). I can and do recommend this one. Good book, enjoy.
So...second book about Victor the Assassin. He's now, but wait if you haven't read the first book that might be a spoiler so, hummmm.....let's see.... He's operating a little differently than he was in the first novel.
Anyway, he's still an interesting character who's written well and draws the reader "right into his story". I suspect that even if you picked this up without ever having read the first book you'd still like it, get involved and want to follow the story. Without giving a spoiler I'd say that I can recommend this and if you like thrillers you'll probably like this.
Now...specifics. The book opens with reference to the first book and we're off to the races. The plot grows naturally from our earlier information even if we do need to "buy into" the world view and our "protagonist's" existence. I was drawn in completely and having liked the first book I found this one just as absorbing.
So, why did i drop a star?
The book is drawn out into several story lines that intertwine. This isn't truly a problem as the intertwining is handled very well.
However...there is a point where the book bogs down just a little. With things happening around the world and the details being complementary things just slowed way down. It didn't ruin the book. It didn't cause mt to lose interest as has happened in some books. BUT it did for a short time screw up the pacing of the entire novel. It didn't last, it didn't really hurt the book. But it was a slightly false note and I finally decided I had to drop the book to 4 (possibly 4.5) stars.
That said (and aside from the fact that I'm always astounded that I like and am interested in a book about an assassin). I can and do recommend this one. Good book, enjoy.
November 4, 2018
The Enemy is a 10 star novel. It is the best novel i have read this year. It is action packed and spectacular from start to finish.
January 2, 2023
No. 2 in the Victor assassin series does not disappoint with the usual action. Now onto 3 soon.
May 31, 2024
My booktube: https://youtube.com/@_stateofmind_?si...
The enemy :
I'm new to this author and honestly, I'm really enjoying it. I like his way of narrating and how he shifts between scenes and follows different characters. He has a way of writing that makes the narrative pace captivating and dynamic. I really like this. There's a lot of action... you never get bored.
I've already become attached to Viktor, by the way... a strong, interesting, and captivating character. I can't wait to continue with the next chapters.
I don't have much experience with thrillers, but I can say that I really like Tom Wood. He writes without filters, clearly, dynamically, and with a touch of irony at the right moments. He has really captured me!
The enemy :
I'm new to this author and honestly, I'm really enjoying it. I like his way of narrating and how he shifts between scenes and follows different characters. He has a way of writing that makes the narrative pace captivating and dynamic. I really like this. There's a lot of action... you never get bored.
I've already become attached to Viktor, by the way... a strong, interesting, and captivating character. I can't wait to continue with the next chapters.
I don't have much experience with thrillers, but I can say that I really like Tom Wood. He writes without filters, clearly, dynamically, and with a touch of irony at the right moments. He has really captured me!
July 8, 2013
This is a truly great read featuring an unforgettable character named, Victor; once a hit man for the British, he is now obligated to work for the CIA.
Let’s just say that in the good old days, when Victor was loving the fact he was a freelance assassin, he would always be given at least two week’s notice to perform his duties. This would give him the time to find a good location, locate the best weapon to use in order to get the job done right, and research everything there was to know abut the city so that he could draw-up an excellent escape route that was absolutely fool-proof.
But now…times have changed. With Victor’s new employer, he’s looking at a whole new world that basically has him extremely worried considering the fact that the CIA plays by their own rules. For his assignment, Victor is given a list of three targets that are to be killed immediately.
What originally promises to be an ‘easy’ assignment for Victor, becomes absolute chaos and tosses him into trouble where he literally finds that he cannot trust anyone, especially his new employers. With the CIA comes a time clock, which gives Victor approximately two days to finalize his planning. Having to travel to Romania, Russia and on to Washington, D.C. in order to carry out the assignments, Victor has very little research time and no longer feels like anything is fool-proof. Add to that the fact that he must deal with a little romance that sparks up with an old girlfriend - a woman who has no idea what his job entails and ends up being put in danger - and Victor is definitely running around like an assassin with his head cut off.
Warning: The reader must pay close attention to this one, as Victor is constantly chasing, or being chased, while locating his targets before he becomes a target himself. Benefit: The exact same as the ‘warning’. This is a thriller to the ‘nth’ degree and never once can be called boring. Readers will crave to see this one appear on the big screen.
Let’s just say that in the good old days, when Victor was loving the fact he was a freelance assassin, he would always be given at least two week’s notice to perform his duties. This would give him the time to find a good location, locate the best weapon to use in order to get the job done right, and research everything there was to know abut the city so that he could draw-up an excellent escape route that was absolutely fool-proof.
But now…times have changed. With Victor’s new employer, he’s looking at a whole new world that basically has him extremely worried considering the fact that the CIA plays by their own rules. For his assignment, Victor is given a list of three targets that are to be killed immediately.
What originally promises to be an ‘easy’ assignment for Victor, becomes absolute chaos and tosses him into trouble where he literally finds that he cannot trust anyone, especially his new employers. With the CIA comes a time clock, which gives Victor approximately two days to finalize his planning. Having to travel to Romania, Russia and on to Washington, D.C. in order to carry out the assignments, Victor has very little research time and no longer feels like anything is fool-proof. Add to that the fact that he must deal with a little romance that sparks up with an old girlfriend - a woman who has no idea what his job entails and ends up being put in danger - and Victor is definitely running around like an assassin with his head cut off.
Warning: The reader must pay close attention to this one, as Victor is constantly chasing, or being chased, while locating his targets before he becomes a target himself. Benefit: The exact same as the ‘warning’. This is a thriller to the ‘nth’ degree and never once can be called boring. Readers will crave to see this one appear on the big screen.
July 16, 2012
Victor is back…
Tom Wood burst onto the scene last year with his debut novel ‘The Hunter’. Introducing a new anti-hero in Victor, an assassin for hire, ‘The Hunter’ was a lesson in action thriller writing. Following such an excellent debut is no easy task.
After the explosive first chapter however, any worries about Wood living up to the high standard he set last year disappear. From the first page, it’s clear you’re in safe hands. Wood has an innate sense of how to tell an intricate story, with the plot strands weaving together to create an expansive story set in a number of different countries.
Now, for a little confession...I generally dislike books in this genre. But, in the same vein of my enjoying Matt Hilton's series of Joe Hunter books, Tom Wood has created an incredible way of telling this kind of story, which allows a reader to suspend their disbelief throughout. You'll go with Victor on his journey, wherever it takes you, purely due to the fact Wood is a quite mesmerising writer. His prose is sparse yet absorbing, with an excellent knack for description and detail which never intrudes on the story.
More aspects of Victor's personality are revealed in 'The Enemy', his intelligence coming to the fore in this tale. Always one step ahead of his enemy, there's a reason why he's stayed alive for so long. On the surface, he's an evil man. Killing without emotion or reason. Yet, you can't help but root for him as he becomes the target, which is a real skill with this type of character.
A fast paced, thrill ride of a novel, ‘The Enemy’ firmly puts Tom Wood at the top echelons of his genre. Great characterisation, complex yet eminently readable, and so suspenseful, it will keep you up all night turning the next page until the end. This was a joy to read, and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Tom Wood burst onto the scene last year with his debut novel ‘The Hunter’. Introducing a new anti-hero in Victor, an assassin for hire, ‘The Hunter’ was a lesson in action thriller writing. Following such an excellent debut is no easy task.
After the explosive first chapter however, any worries about Wood living up to the high standard he set last year disappear. From the first page, it’s clear you’re in safe hands. Wood has an innate sense of how to tell an intricate story, with the plot strands weaving together to create an expansive story set in a number of different countries.
Now, for a little confession...I generally dislike books in this genre. But, in the same vein of my enjoying Matt Hilton's series of Joe Hunter books, Tom Wood has created an incredible way of telling this kind of story, which allows a reader to suspend their disbelief throughout. You'll go with Victor on his journey, wherever it takes you, purely due to the fact Wood is a quite mesmerising writer. His prose is sparse yet absorbing, with an excellent knack for description and detail which never intrudes on the story.
More aspects of Victor's personality are revealed in 'The Enemy', his intelligence coming to the fore in this tale. Always one step ahead of his enemy, there's a reason why he's stayed alive for so long. On the surface, he's an evil man. Killing without emotion or reason. Yet, you can't help but root for him as he becomes the target, which is a real skill with this type of character.
A fast paced, thrill ride of a novel, ‘The Enemy’ firmly puts Tom Wood at the top echelons of his genre. Great characterisation, complex yet eminently readable, and so suspenseful, it will keep you up all night turning the next page until the end. This was a joy to read, and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
June 22, 2013
This really shouldn't be a book I'd like. Loads of detail on guns about which I know nothing and really want to know nothing. Lots of violence, nasty people, an anti-hero who is very hard to like and yet I LOVE IT. Victor is perhaps slightly less enigmatic in this second book. He's not amoral, he has limits he won't cross. He does care for people he allows to get just a little closer to him and I suspect many women readers are waiting to see if love can change him. Could he love? Probably not but we can hope. I suppose that not much changes in his life in this story. It's another series of 'adventures' in his job as a killer. Of course things go wrong. That's what makes the story buzz.
I did have a little trouble following some of the double dealing in the arms world. Occasionally, the plot seemed to take second place to an opportunity to show us Victor at his best, ducking and diving and going through such painstaking manoeuvres to ensure he's not being followed and that his weapons are perfect, that he's sure of the scenario. He's pushed harder than he prefers in this second book. And sent in to kill at very short notice is not the way he likes. But that's great for the reader.
The final scene in the book - is just breathtaking. I couldn't stop reading.
If you like fast paced intelligent thrillers, I can strongly recommend this. You don't have to have read the first book before, but I think it helps.
I did have a little trouble following some of the double dealing in the arms world. Occasionally, the plot seemed to take second place to an opportunity to show us Victor at his best, ducking and diving and going through such painstaking manoeuvres to ensure he's not being followed and that his weapons are perfect, that he's sure of the scenario. He's pushed harder than he prefers in this second book. And sent in to kill at very short notice is not the way he likes. But that's great for the reader.
The final scene in the book - is just breathtaking. I couldn't stop reading.
If you like fast paced intelligent thrillers, I can strongly recommend this. You don't have to have read the first book before, but I think it helps.
April 12, 2021
OK, I’m now fully in love with Tom Wood’s writing and Victor as a character. Not only are these books full of terrific action, suspense, & thriller aspects – but Victor’s internal thought process is fascinating. Anticipatory Forensics. He has this way of breaking down everything that could happen in every scenario and why he does the things that he does. He’s not perfect or untouchable – but the fact that he’s so successful in what seem like impossible situations is believable because Wood fully establishes Victor’s expertise and experience.
I love that, even while we’re getting a look into the minds and actions of others – it’s not always easy to tell who is responsible for what. There are a lot of surprises throughout the book. At almost 15 hours – it’s a lot of story, but I feel engaged the entire time. I have a hard time when I need to push pause and look forward to jumping back in. Wood tosses in a little dry humor and irony that helps me crack a smile even during very intense scenes.
I’ve already purchased book 2.5, Gone by Dawn.
Narration:
Rob Shapiro was fantastic again. Victor is very cerebral and Shapiro has this wonderful way of presenting it so that I can appreciate that Victor still has humanity, personality, and wit. Wood has a lot of characters with a variety of accents and Shapiro keeps them consistent even from book 1, The Killer, which makes these audiobooks easy to binge.
I love that, even while we’re getting a look into the minds and actions of others – it’s not always easy to tell who is responsible for what. There are a lot of surprises throughout the book. At almost 15 hours – it’s a lot of story, but I feel engaged the entire time. I have a hard time when I need to push pause and look forward to jumping back in. Wood tosses in a little dry humor and irony that helps me crack a smile even during very intense scenes.
I’ve already purchased book 2.5, Gone by Dawn.
Narration:
Rob Shapiro was fantastic again. Victor is very cerebral and Shapiro has this wonderful way of presenting it so that I can appreciate that Victor still has humanity, personality, and wit. Wood has a lot of characters with a variety of accents and Shapiro keeps them consistent even from book 1, The Killer, which makes these audiobooks easy to binge.
September 1, 2012
Victor was a freelance assassin, but after a recent injury, he was recruited into the CIA, where his handler would control his ‘kills’ from now on! His new boss, Proctor, issued his orders (and his payments) over the internet, a secure account where no-one else would be able to infiltrate. Proctor and Victor would never meet, but that’s the way it was to be, and the way Victor wanted it to be. His anonymity was his security!
But with the issuing of a hit list of three targets, the confusion and danger becomes a massive international conspiracy, which threatens to go out of control with terrible consequences. With drugs, weapons, and so much more involved, the ‘simple assignment’ is definitely not that. And when betrayal at the highest level becomes evident, Victor needs to go into hiding…but where can he hide, and who can he trust?
Victor is a likeable assassin (should we like an assassin?), who seems to have a conscience! I very much enjoyed this book, Tom Wood’s second thriller, the first being The Hunter (which I haven’t read).
A definite recommendation from me!
But with the issuing of a hit list of three targets, the confusion and danger becomes a massive international conspiracy, which threatens to go out of control with terrible consequences. With drugs, weapons, and so much more involved, the ‘simple assignment’ is definitely not that. And when betrayal at the highest level becomes evident, Victor needs to go into hiding…but where can he hide, and who can he trust?
Victor is a likeable assassin (should we like an assassin?), who seems to have a conscience! I very much enjoyed this book, Tom Wood’s second thriller, the first being The Hunter (which I haven’t read).
A definite recommendation from me!
February 29, 2016
Even better than his first novel! Tom Wood does a nice job of interweaving a rather complicated plot involving the CIA's plan to use Victor the Assassin as a means of causing a mini-war between international arms dealers. When those plans fall apart, Victor must flee for his life and unravel the mystery of who is using him as part of a larger plan. Highly recommended book from an excellent writer. Real gritty and a bit gory in parts but never feels over the top or contrived. Looking forward to Victor's future adventures!
January 3, 2020
I listened to this one a while ago. It was pretty good. I didn't quite like it as much as the first book, but I think the monotone voice of the narrator was a factor. A narrator makes or breaks an audiobook. I didn't get into the story quite as much as the first book. I still find Victor an intriguing character and he's extremely badass. And I do have to say, for a ruthless assassin, he has his own moral compass. Lots of globetrotting, and while Victor is highly formidable, he is in situations that felt sufficiently suspenseful, and didn't make his survive seem like a foregone conclusion. It has some pretty good action scenes and I could see this making a good action movie.
I hope the next book has a different narrator.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
I hope the next book has a different narrator.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
November 12, 2020
Forced to work for an unknown element at the CIA, Victor must take a more reckless approach to his job leaving caution to the wind. The CIA's plan to pit two arm's dealers against each other backfires when an outside foreign intelligence agency steps in and complicates Victor's already near impossible mission. As a result, Victor is forced to kill the team in Minsk that surprises him from behind on the top floor of the Europa Hotel. He has no idea who they are, but after some careful investigating he suspects it can only be one agency. His suspicions are confirmed by Assistant Deputy Director, Roland Proctor, of the CIA Clandestine Operations. Victor is set up at the site of an assassination off the Black Sea near Sochi, placing him in the reach of a dangerous American wet work team. The novel ends in Sofia, Bulgaria when a particularly serious team bent on vengeance kidnaps Victor for interrogation. With his life on the line, Victor must use all his senses and skills to escape their iron clutches or die trying.
A love interest, Adrianna, emerges in this novel, but by the end it looks as though they will be forced to part ways. The Enemy is a solid spy action novel that builds on The Killer and rivals the likes of Vince Flynn. Victor now challenges Mitch Rapp for supremacy.
A love interest, Adrianna, emerges in this novel, but by the end it looks as though they will be forced to part ways. The Enemy is a solid spy action novel that builds on The Killer and rivals the likes of Vince Flynn. Victor now challenges Mitch Rapp for supremacy.
August 2, 2013
This was the second book in the series about an assassin for hire named Victor, but I didn't read the first one and this book is perfectly enjoyable on its own.
All the pieces are there for a first rate thriller - technology, characters, motivations, settings, trade craft, action, and a strong plot all in place to keep the pages turning. Many thrillers have an over ambitious plot that falls apart due to credibility strains or too many loose ends. This thriller's plot is audacious and twisty enough to keep you interested and guessing but the strands are all precisely woven so that it is credible and without any loose ends.
One really great thing about this book is that the opposition Victor faces is varied, resourceful, and deadly. I really enjoy cat and mouse action sequences where the protagonist is put up against tough odds and a skilled opponent and the protagonist comes out on top not because of luck or capitalizing on his opponent's mistakes - but just simply being that much smarter and resourceful than the other guys. There were several times Victor gets put in a real jam and I would think to myself "oh how is he going to get out of this one" and what follows is truly surprising, but still seemingly authentic.
Great read. Will definately be on the lookout for more books from this author.
All the pieces are there for a first rate thriller - technology, characters, motivations, settings, trade craft, action, and a strong plot all in place to keep the pages turning. Many thrillers have an over ambitious plot that falls apart due to credibility strains or too many loose ends. This thriller's plot is audacious and twisty enough to keep you interested and guessing but the strands are all precisely woven so that it is credible and without any loose ends.
One really great thing about this book is that the opposition Victor faces is varied, resourceful, and deadly. I really enjoy cat and mouse action sequences where the protagonist is put up against tough odds and a skilled opponent and the protagonist comes out on top not because of luck or capitalizing on his opponent's mistakes - but just simply being that much smarter and resourceful than the other guys. There were several times Victor gets put in a real jam and I would think to myself "oh how is he going to get out of this one" and what follows is truly surprising, but still seemingly authentic.
Great read. Will definately be on the lookout for more books from this author.
August 15, 2013
This is Tom Wood's second book and it is another first class
thriller. This time Victor is blackmailed into becoming a hit
man for the CIA and right away he gets all kind of assignments
to kill people who are almost impossible to get to. Victor
also knows that if he doesn't complete these hit's the
next one will be against him. These two books are very good
and I myself can't wait for the next one. It's called
The Game and will be out in November.
thriller. This time Victor is blackmailed into becoming a hit
man for the CIA and right away he gets all kind of assignments
to kill people who are almost impossible to get to. Victor
also knows that if he doesn't complete these hit's the
next one will be against him. These two books are very good
and I myself can't wait for the next one. It's called
The Game and will be out in November.
November 16, 2015
A ruthless assassin takes on a contract to kill another killer and gets involved into a war between rival arms dealers.
This book had great characters, action scenes and pace. There were a couple of dodgy plot points and the multiple storylines weren’t woven together very well, but overall a very entertaining read.
If you enjoy the first three Bourne films you'll probably enjoy this book.
Real rating 4.5
This book had great characters, action scenes and pace. There were a couple of dodgy plot points and the multiple storylines weren’t woven together very well, but overall a very entertaining read.
If you enjoy the first three Bourne films you'll probably enjoy this book.
Real rating 4.5
October 24, 2019
Another absolutely amazing book by a brilliant author! I honestly don’t think I could fault this novel , it has everything that you want in this genre. A great main character with depth and even though you aren’t meant to do you end up loving him . The plot of the story is stuck to throughout , doesn’t go off on tangents or gets confused , it is just a perfect read :) I highly recommend it !
July 19, 2023
Action packed thrilling ride.
January 12, 2018
I honestly cannot believe I have waited so long to read this series of books. Concentrating mainly on review books for 3+ years has meant I have amassed quite the TBR pile and quitting blogging has finally allowed me to get around to them.
I absolutely love Victor and this is going to sound crazy but I’m actually envious of his private life and how he can just disappear from existence. Obviously I’m not jealous that he’s an assassin and I do like human company from time to time however I very much enjoy my own. He is such an intriguing character and in this book we start to understand and learn even more about him. A scene towards the end especially involving Victor and a female. What he does completely changed my opinion of him and as with a similar scenario in the first book, made me see the human side of him. Yes he’s a cold-blooded killer but do you know what? I absolutely love him as a character. He’s endlessly fascinating and in such a saturated genre he stands out.
Once again this is a story with so much packed into it and by the end of it we have again travelled the globe with Victor. Given the sheer depth to the storylines contained within this book I would love to know just how Tom writes these stories. The planning process and the effort that must go into a story so twisty and complicated as the one here is just fascinating and with the amount of books I have read in this genre, Tom’s have been some of the best because of how much is packed into them.
Whilst it could be unbelievable that Victor could face so many attacks on his life and come out smelling of roses, it is actually believable because he very nearly loses his life multiple times and sometimes only survives barely. And so actually he doesn’t come out smelling of roses but rather sweat, blood and gunpowder. I was mesmerised by this story and couldn’t read quick enough to see everything unfold. As with the first book there’s so many different people after Victor and he himself is hunting down multiple targets that it could be easy to get lost in the many different strands that we have to follow but the plot never becomes confusing at all and is just one hell of an exciting and addictive read.
I simply cannot wait to continue with this series because Victor is just fantastic. Tom Wood was born to write and is quite simply a master storyteller. People sometimes look at the thriller genre in quite a snobbish way but honestly you’d be hard pressed to find authors writing to this high a standard and Tom makes these books so much more than just another bog standard and forgettable thriller. They are fantastic reads and I can not recommend them enough.
I absolutely love Victor and this is going to sound crazy but I’m actually envious of his private life and how he can just disappear from existence. Obviously I’m not jealous that he’s an assassin and I do like human company from time to time however I very much enjoy my own. He is such an intriguing character and in this book we start to understand and learn even more about him. A scene towards the end especially involving Victor and a female. What he does completely changed my opinion of him and as with a similar scenario in the first book, made me see the human side of him. Yes he’s a cold-blooded killer but do you know what? I absolutely love him as a character. He’s endlessly fascinating and in such a saturated genre he stands out.
Once again this is a story with so much packed into it and by the end of it we have again travelled the globe with Victor. Given the sheer depth to the storylines contained within this book I would love to know just how Tom writes these stories. The planning process and the effort that must go into a story so twisty and complicated as the one here is just fascinating and with the amount of books I have read in this genre, Tom’s have been some of the best because of how much is packed into them.
Whilst it could be unbelievable that Victor could face so many attacks on his life and come out smelling of roses, it is actually believable because he very nearly loses his life multiple times and sometimes only survives barely. And so actually he doesn’t come out smelling of roses but rather sweat, blood and gunpowder. I was mesmerised by this story and couldn’t read quick enough to see everything unfold. As with the first book there’s so many different people after Victor and he himself is hunting down multiple targets that it could be easy to get lost in the many different strands that we have to follow but the plot never becomes confusing at all and is just one hell of an exciting and addictive read.
I simply cannot wait to continue with this series because Victor is just fantastic. Tom Wood was born to write and is quite simply a master storyteller. People sometimes look at the thriller genre in quite a snobbish way but honestly you’d be hard pressed to find authors writing to this high a standard and Tom makes these books so much more than just another bog standard and forgettable thriller. They are fantastic reads and I can not recommend them enough.
March 14, 2017
Probably the most important thing to establish in any book is something for the reader to root for. Even novels with a weak concept and sub-par writing can be made readable by creating a reason for the audience to keep reading, by giving them something to sink their teeth into and root for. That was what was lacking in The Enemy.
This book is competently written. The pacing is good, Victor has the potential to be a fascinating lead, and the action could potentially be great if it had that one element as described earlier. It's like someone has baked a cake and has included all the right ingredients except for the ones that create flavour. It may look and smell great on the surface, but if that flavour isn't there, then you're just not interested in eating the rest of that cake.
The troubling thing was that this flavour could have been created so easily in this book. Victor is being forced to work for the CIA and he wants out of this scenario. This is something that could have been the required hook. We have a motivation for the character's actions and a goal for him to work towards. However, in order to make this work, you need to sell that this is what the character wants. It needs to be the focal point of the story, with all other elements coming second to that. This book made this storyline a sub-plot.
The result is that this book is one that it took me a long, long time to get into. I listened to it on audiobook and I had to keep going back to relisten to bits that I had zoned out on, once going so far as to start over from scratch once I had reached the halfway mark to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
Now, there is a silver lining to be found here. The point is that I did go back, that I wanted to keep rereading until I understood this book and stuck with the story. There is clearly potential there that I am sure will be realised in future books. However, right now in this book, it didn't quite work.
So it's 2-stars, and that rating rests solely on the good will from the first novel and the potential for the rest of the series.
This book is competently written. The pacing is good, Victor has the potential to be a fascinating lead, and the action could potentially be great if it had that one element as described earlier. It's like someone has baked a cake and has included all the right ingredients except for the ones that create flavour. It may look and smell great on the surface, but if that flavour isn't there, then you're just not interested in eating the rest of that cake.
The troubling thing was that this flavour could have been created so easily in this book. Victor is being forced to work for the CIA and he wants out of this scenario. This is something that could have been the required hook. We have a motivation for the character's actions and a goal for him to work towards. However, in order to make this work, you need to sell that this is what the character wants. It needs to be the focal point of the story, with all other elements coming second to that. This book made this storyline a sub-plot.
The result is that this book is one that it took me a long, long time to get into. I listened to it on audiobook and I had to keep going back to relisten to bits that I had zoned out on, once going so far as to start over from scratch once I had reached the halfway mark to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
Now, there is a silver lining to be found here. The point is that I did go back, that I wanted to keep rereading until I understood this book and stuck with the story. There is clearly potential there that I am sure will be realised in future books. However, right now in this book, it didn't quite work.
So it's 2-stars, and that rating rests solely on the good will from the first novel and the potential for the rest of the series.
September 1, 2013
Very fun easy reading international crime/spy thriller. Reads like a movie, and the plot/dialogue is almost straight out of one. Don't be put off, as still a smart plot and the characters are well developed.
Despite not having read the first one, the book was easy to pick up. As the cover says, it's a cross between Bourne and Jack Bauer. Definitely not a rip-off though. Will certainly be reading the rest in the series.
Despite not having read the first one, the book was easy to pick up. As the cover says, it's a cross between Bourne and Jack Bauer. Definitely not a rip-off though. Will certainly be reading the rest in the series.
August 13, 2021
re-read - Still a solid 3.5 but after 3 reads I'm going to comment on how all the women were viewed through the male gaze. I kept thinking of the book "Women don't owe you pretty".
Re-read 8/5/2021
This was a little tougher to read than the first book, lot of twists and turns.
Still enjoyed this one very much.
Re-read 8/5/2021
This was a little tougher to read than the first book, lot of twists and turns.
Still enjoyed this one very much.
September 27, 2013
I've enjoyed all of Tom Woods books thus far. I would have liked a little more character development of Victor. Overal a very entertaining read and I would recomend this series but the books can be read on their own.
September 7, 2023
Book Review - The Enemy - Tom Wood
Tom Wood’s “The Enemy” is extremely under-rated and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as all the other 'household names' (Clancy, Flynn, Thor, Greaney, Taylor, etc.) in the action thriller genre. The Enemy, Book 2 in the not-as-well-known ‘Victor The Assassin’ series is a very well written action-packed book. Wood developed the 'Victor' character - no last name - quite nicely and he has more personality in this installment than he did in Book 1, “The Killer.” He's an assassin after all, so how much character is the guy supposed to have? There's no "sophomore slump" here by author Tom Wood. The Enemy is a tight tale, with lots of twists and turns, and with some brilliant plotting. Set in Europe, it provides descriptions and settings in places that I can only hope to visit someday. Wood’s attention to detail is the most enjoyable aspect of this book and the series. Also, Victor doesn't just pick up a gun and shoot, we learn the type of gun, type of ammo, the detailed characteristics of both and the reasons why Victor is using them. This makes for great action thriller reading in my opinion. If you're not into that level of detail, then this book isn't for you. I also love the details of the counter-espionage Victor uses at times - pretty 'slick' stuff. Wood also does a nice job of moving the story along with lots of action, but it doesn't feel like it is forced or contrived but flows naturally. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next but also didn't want the book to end. Tom Wood is to action as poison ivy is to scratching. One simply causes the next to exist. The entire Victor the Assassin series is designed to race through action thriller stories at full throttle, but with well written plots that are carefully inserted to allow the reader to connect the action scenes with the storyline without distraction. If you like to feel the spatter of blood mist, and the stink of gunshot residue (GSR), then you’ll love this book and the rest of the series like I do. I cannot recommend this series enough. Check it out!
Tom Wood’s “The Enemy” is extremely under-rated and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as all the other 'household names' (Clancy, Flynn, Thor, Greaney, Taylor, etc.) in the action thriller genre. The Enemy, Book 2 in the not-as-well-known ‘Victor The Assassin’ series is a very well written action-packed book. Wood developed the 'Victor' character - no last name - quite nicely and he has more personality in this installment than he did in Book 1, “The Killer.” He's an assassin after all, so how much character is the guy supposed to have? There's no "sophomore slump" here by author Tom Wood. The Enemy is a tight tale, with lots of twists and turns, and with some brilliant plotting. Set in Europe, it provides descriptions and settings in places that I can only hope to visit someday. Wood’s attention to detail is the most enjoyable aspect of this book and the series. Also, Victor doesn't just pick up a gun and shoot, we learn the type of gun, type of ammo, the detailed characteristics of both and the reasons why Victor is using them. This makes for great action thriller reading in my opinion. If you're not into that level of detail, then this book isn't for you. I also love the details of the counter-espionage Victor uses at times - pretty 'slick' stuff. Wood also does a nice job of moving the story along with lots of action, but it doesn't feel like it is forced or contrived but flows naturally. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next but also didn't want the book to end. Tom Wood is to action as poison ivy is to scratching. One simply causes the next to exist. The entire Victor the Assassin series is designed to race through action thriller stories at full throttle, but with well written plots that are carefully inserted to allow the reader to connect the action scenes with the storyline without distraction. If you like to feel the spatter of blood mist, and the stink of gunshot residue (GSR), then you’ll love this book and the rest of the series like I do. I cannot recommend this series enough. Check it out!
March 18, 2014
After his last job Victor is working with the CIA, he has 3 people to kill are all people that deal with guns and other war items, Victor is told who to kill and when it to be done, one of the people to be killed has a group of people watching and taping everything that is going on in the hotel room, there get Victor voice and face on one of the cameras but there go in and get caught and shot by Victor, the book has lots of action and Victor now has to watch his back because of the group that he had killed.
he tries to kill someone on the list and finds him self being hunted by another group of people that are out to kill him,
there is so much going on in the book but as you get near the end it all get together, there is a great twist near the end which you don't expect can't wait to start the next book The Game
he tries to kill someone on the list and finds him self being hunted by another group of people that are out to kill him,
there is so much going on in the book but as you get near the end it all get together, there is a great twist near the end which you don't expect can't wait to start the next book The Game
November 11, 2018
A blood-pumping adventure....
The Enemy is just as thrilling as its predecessor The Hunter, with the author making a strong case for my personal literary pantheon. The writing is great, captivating, possessing that quality that makes you want to read the entire thing in one go.
If there ever was a Thriller with excellent world-building, then this would be it. The author transports you to different places, places not drawn from the imagination but actual real places in the world. If you're a student of history, classics, and the arts as myself, the literary trip is certain to be as educating as it is fun.
The Enemy follows our favourite assassin Victor on yet another set of missions, each one more dangerous than the last. There are issues of trust and questions of morality. It's all really quite entertaining, and insightful too. Excellent read, this one.
The Enemy is just as thrilling as its predecessor The Hunter, with the author making a strong case for my personal literary pantheon. The writing is great, captivating, possessing that quality that makes you want to read the entire thing in one go.
If there ever was a Thriller with excellent world-building, then this would be it. The author transports you to different places, places not drawn from the imagination but actual real places in the world. If you're a student of history, classics, and the arts as myself, the literary trip is certain to be as educating as it is fun.
The Enemy follows our favourite assassin Victor on yet another set of missions, each one more dangerous than the last. There are issues of trust and questions of morality. It's all really quite entertaining, and insightful too. Excellent read, this one.
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