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Man of Wax Trilogy #2
The Inner Circle
Two years ago Ben Anderson woke up in a rundown motel, three thousand miles from home, his family missing, and the words LET THE GAME BEGIN written in blood on the back of the bathroom door.
Now, with his past life gone, Ben has become a soldier in Carver Ellison's army against Caesar.
But when a mission goes wrong and one of their team members is murdered, it's the last cryptic word spoken that will lead Ben and the team one step closer to the Inner Circle -- a step that may bring them salvation ... or get them all killed.
Now, with his past life gone, Ben has become a soldier in Carver Ellison's army against Caesar.
But when a mission goes wrong and one of their team members is murdered, it's the last cryptic word spoken that will lead Ben and the team one step closer to the Inner Circle -- a step that may bring them salvation ... or get them all killed.
454 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2012
54 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Robert Swartwood
62 books307 followersUSA Today bestselling and ITW Thriller Award–winning author of The Serial Killer's Wife, The Killing Room, Man of Wax, and several other novels. He created the term "hint fiction" and edited Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 31, 2013
I, probably like many others who review & rate books on here and other sites, often am thinking 'how many stars' while I'm reading. More often then not, books I read tend to 'lose ground' as I proceed through the story. So many authors have a good idea, but can never quite pull it off.
All the while I was reading Swartwood's second effort in the Man of Wax series I kept waffling between 2 maybe 3 stars. The book is too long, some of the conversation is downright laughable, I couldn't quite believe that this Ben was the same character as the Ben from the first book, a few of the relationships (Ben and Maya especially) just don't ring true, nothing about this has even the slightest hint of reality, etc.
Despite all this I kept turning (or should I say clicking) through the book and couldn't put it down. While the first 100 pages could have been edited down to half that amount the last third of the book sizzles. We learn a bit more about the conspiracy and the mastermind behind the 'games' and we are left with a cliff hanger that is sure to bring us back to read the concluding book in the trilogy. So to that end the book is successful. Just don't let any of my literary friends, even the ones that know I enjoy pulp, know that I have found this series to be kind of a sinful pleasure.
All the while I was reading Swartwood's second effort in the Man of Wax series I kept waffling between 2 maybe 3 stars. The book is too long, some of the conversation is downright laughable, I couldn't quite believe that this Ben was the same character as the Ben from the first book, a few of the relationships (Ben and Maya especially) just don't ring true, nothing about this has even the slightest hint of reality, etc.
Despite all this I kept turning (or should I say clicking) through the book and couldn't put it down. While the first 100 pages could have been edited down to half that amount the last third of the book sizzles. We learn a bit more about the conspiracy and the mastermind behind the 'games' and we are left with a cliff hanger that is sure to bring us back to read the concluding book in the trilogy. So to that end the book is successful. Just don't let any of my literary friends, even the ones that know I enjoy pulp, know that I have found this series to be kind of a sinful pleasure.
November 12, 2012
3.5 stars.
This was the second in the 'Man of Wax' trilogy. I didn't like it as much as the first, but it was still good. It seemed like maybe it moved a bit slower -- or maybe just that it didn't have as much action. I felt like I was just thinking "yeah yeah, when do we get to the confrontation with Caesar?". Of course the story was left wide open at the end for the third (and final?) book, which I'm not sure when will come out. I'll likely read it when it does, though.
This was the second in the 'Man of Wax' trilogy. I didn't like it as much as the first, but it was still good. It seemed like maybe it moved a bit slower -- or maybe just that it didn't have as much action. I felt like I was just thinking "yeah yeah, when do we get to the confrontation with Caesar?". Of course the story was left wide open at the end for the third (and final?) book, which I'm not sure when will come out. I'll likely read it when it does, though.
July 15, 2018
I want y’all to stop what you’re doing and pick up this series. Seriously. It feels like you’re reading an episode of Black Mirror, but it’s more raw and present and REAL. Swartwood has great skill in keeping you at the edge of your seat and wanting more. Character development is amazing, and the twists and turns take you to unexpected turn of events. I am just gobsmacked at how fast paced and gripping this story is, and it’s a rate thing to see the 2nd installment pulling out all the bells and whistles and emerging a whole lot better than the first book. I can’t sing this book enough praises. I don’t know how I can survive the wait for the 3rd book. Thank you Mr. Swartwood for the best story I’ve read so far this year.
July 23, 2020
It's not that I didn't like this book, it's that when it's in a series and there are some major changes it's almost impossible not to compare the current novel to others in the series. I really enjoyed the prior book, but this felt too lengthy and the changes to Ben between the prior novel and this one were just a bit too much for me to accept. Sure, he was going to have changed a lot, who wouldn't in his situation but as a reader it felt like such a sudden jolt.
Yet, I kept turning pages and am looking forward to the next book in the series. That's the thing about this series, no matter what happens I just want to keep reading. And that right there, despite the changes and length of this one book, is a sign of a great series.
Yet, I kept turning pages and am looking forward to the next book in the series. That's the thing about this series, no matter what happens I just want to keep reading. And that right there, despite the changes and length of this one book, is a sign of a great series.
October 25, 2023
Robert Swartwood did not disappoint in this Man of Wax sequel! Again, well written and able to captivate the audience. I constantly was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next. I find most thrillers to be quite predictable, and some of this book is, and yet the author manages to keep the reader guessing enough to doubt themselves. To doubt they really know what is going on or going to happen. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so far and am immediately beginning the third in the trilogy, The End Game!
December 9, 2018
Another...WOW
I can’t believe I have to wait for the third book. Once again...Swartwood created a page turner with an unexpected ending. He has yet to disappoint with any of his books. Ben continues to fight the good fight in this second book of the Man of Wax trilogy. I am anxiously awaiting the final book.
I can’t believe I have to wait for the third book. Once again...Swartwood created a page turner with an unexpected ending. He has yet to disappoint with any of his books. Ben continues to fight the good fight in this second book of the Man of Wax trilogy. I am anxiously awaiting the final book.
December 8, 2019
This guy is really good!
A master of plots. A master of character development. I couldn't stop reading all the books in the series, you have to start with the prequel. I was disappointed the last book in the series wasn't available yet.
A master of plots. A master of character development. I couldn't stop reading all the books in the series, you have to start with the prequel. I was disappointed the last book in the series wasn't available yet.
November 15, 2019
What a page turner. I have read this as a stand-alone but now want to read the other two in the trilogy
May 31, 2020
Read all 3 books of the trilogy and LOVED it!!!! Exciting, so well written and kept me so involved.
May 4, 2024
Another great read. Can't wait for the last of this trilogy.
September 3, 2012
If you were lucky enough to read “Man of Wax” you will already have an idea of the background involved in this story. If not, “The Inner Circle” can work as a standalone novel, but you will understand more if you have read the first novel in what is looking to be an excellent trilogy. Definitely not light, entertaining fiction. Instead this is a book that delves into the darker side of human nature and an examination of the Edmund Burke quote “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. Exactly how far would you go to stop an evil larger than you? That spreads beyond your life and randomly attacks innocent people? What would you sacrifice? How many battles could you fight before deciding that you have had enough? Or, would you have the strength to fight to the end, even though the end will take your own life, too?
We are back with Ben, Carver, the Kid and the rest of the gang as they try to rescue players from “the Game”. A reality show that first takes your family, then forces you to destroy everything about yourself that you thought was good, or an essential part of your self. This part also examines more closely the type of people that would be involved in a reality show like this, from the people that run interference to make sure the “gamer” performs as ordered to the people that pay to watch the games. We also get the first real introduction to Caesar and asked the question “What was the greatest thing the Roman Empire gave the world.” The answer is not roads (just a clue).
We had to wait almost a year for the second installment of this trilogy. I am eagerly awaiting part three!
We are back with Ben, Carver, the Kid and the rest of the gang as they try to rescue players from “the Game”. A reality show that first takes your family, then forces you to destroy everything about yourself that you thought was good, or an essential part of your self. This part also examines more closely the type of people that would be involved in a reality show like this, from the people that run interference to make sure the “gamer” performs as ordered to the people that pay to watch the games. We also get the first real introduction to Caesar and asked the question “What was the greatest thing the Roman Empire gave the world.” The answer is not roads (just a clue).
We had to wait almost a year for the second installment of this trilogy. I am eagerly awaiting part three!
March 6, 2014
This is the second book in the Man of Wax trilogy. At this point the third book does not have a release date. If it was out already, I would probably read it. If it doesn't come out soon, I will most likely forget about the book and characters.
The first half of this book was extremely slow. If I wasn't a patient person, I would have quit halfway through.
The second half is action packed and full of adventure. It was a little silly and hard to believe, but it was fun at the same time.
Secret, powerful societies, betrayal coming from a mystery source and new people who also want to fight the Inner Circle.
The death toll rivals GoT, but who dies is fairly predictable.
The first half of this book was extremely slow. If I wasn't a patient person, I would have quit halfway through.
The second half is action packed and full of adventure. It was a little silly and hard to believe, but it was fun at the same time.
Secret, powerful societies, betrayal coming from a mystery source and new people who also want to fight the Inner Circle.
The death toll rivals GoT, but who dies is fairly predictable.
January 11, 2016
As I said with the last book "man of wax": Robert is brilliant. Digging deeper through the dark side of human nature is something he knows how to do, although many of us knows how to hide it.
The first half of the boom I didn't particularly like. He talked a lot about the main characters around Carver with too many details than needed. With so slow progression of events, the first part just seemed kinda boring.
Things began to move on really fast during the other half, so fast that you would hardly be able to leave the book.
can't wait until the issuing of the third book!
The first half of the boom I didn't particularly like. He talked a lot about the main characters around Carver with too many details than needed. With so slow progression of events, the first part just seemed kinda boring.
Things began to move on really fast during the other half, so fast that you would hardly be able to leave the book.
can't wait until the issuing of the third book!
December 13, 2012
This was even more suspenseful than the first part of the trilogy (Man of Wax). The main character is again Ben Anderson, but this time he is rescuing people the way Carver rescued him. I don't want to give anything away, but the book is extremely well-written and nearly impossible to put down.
A word of warning...it is even more intense and violent than the first part. Definitely not for the squeamish. But if you can handle it, you won't be disappointed.
A word of warning...it is even more intense and violent than the first part. Definitely not for the squeamish. But if you can handle it, you won't be disappointed.
September 20, 2015
I always approach a second novel in any series with some doubt as to whether it will be as good as the first. I was just as good, and continued the story seamlessly. This was as gripping a story as Man of Wax, and, although some parts do stretch the imagination, I found it a brilliant read, and was sorry when it ended. Can't wait for the third book in the trilogy, so hurry up Mr Swartwood, get writing.
December 8, 2013
Anyone know when we can expect the 3rd book???
This book is divided into three parts & smite sly, the first part was a bit slow. The third part definitely grips you & the cliffhanger ending leaves you desperate to read the 3rd book (whenever that will appear). Disturbing at times, but that's what The Inner Circle likes.
This book is divided into three parts & smite sly, the first part was a bit slow. The third part definitely grips you & the cliffhanger ending leaves you desperate to read the 3rd book (whenever that will appear). Disturbing at times, but that's what The Inner Circle likes.
January 6, 2014
In all honesty I am dissapointed & bummed that I didn't even like this book because I LOVED the first one!
The Inner Circle started off great but then it got really slow and I lost interest. This one was just not for me- I will still pick up the final book to see how it all ends.
The Inner Circle started off great but then it got really slow and I lost interest. This one was just not for me- I will still pick up the final book to see how it all ends.
January 19, 2016
End of trilogy
I'm sure there will be a fourth book at some point. The ending was not a surprise. Will read more of his work.
I'm sure there will be a fourth book at some point. The ending was not a surprise. Will read more of his work.
May 9, 2016
This book was excellent. It was so suspenseful. I can't wait until the 3rd instalment is available.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews