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Homeland #1
Carrie's Run
An edge-of-your-seat original prequel based on Showtime's hit series Homeland
Beirut, 2006. CIA operations officer Carrie Mathison barely escapes an ambush while attempting a clandestine meeting with a new contact, code-name Nightingale. Suspicious that security has been compromised, she challenges the station chief in a heated confrontation that gets her booted back to Langley.
Expert in recognizing and anticipating behavioral patterns—a skill enhanced by her bipolar disorder she keeps secret to protect her career—Carrie is increasingly certain that a terrorist plot has been set in motion. She risks a shocking act of insubordination that helps her uncover secret evidence connecting Nightingale with Abu Nazir, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. Determined to stop the terrorist mastermind, she embarks on an obsessive quest that will nearly destroy her.
Filled with the suspense and plot twists that have made Homeland a must-watch series, this riveting tale reveals the compelling untold backstories of the series' main characters and takes fans deeper into the life and mind of one brilliant female spy.
Beirut, 2006. CIA operations officer Carrie Mathison barely escapes an ambush while attempting a clandestine meeting with a new contact, code-name Nightingale. Suspicious that security has been compromised, she challenges the station chief in a heated confrontation that gets her booted back to Langley.
Expert in recognizing and anticipating behavioral patterns—a skill enhanced by her bipolar disorder she keeps secret to protect her career—Carrie is increasingly certain that a terrorist plot has been set in motion. She risks a shocking act of insubordination that helps her uncover secret evidence connecting Nightingale with Abu Nazir, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. Determined to stop the terrorist mastermind, she embarks on an obsessive quest that will nearly destroy her.
Filled with the suspense and plot twists that have made Homeland a must-watch series, this riveting tale reveals the compelling untold backstories of the series' main characters and takes fans deeper into the life and mind of one brilliant female spy.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
171 people are currently reading
1268 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Kaplan
26 books135 followersAndrew Kaplan is the author of two spy thriller book series: SCORPION and HOMELAND, as well as three earlier novels, DRAGONFIRE, HOUR OF THE ASSASSINS, and WAR OF THE RAVEN, which was selected by the American Library Association as one of the 100 best books ever written about World War II. A former freelance journalist and war correspondent, he covered events around the world and served in both the U.S. Army and the Israeli Army. His work has been called “a gold standard for thrillers” and has been translated into twenty languages, topping bestseller charts around the world. Recently three of Amazon’s top 20 thrillers at one time were Scorpion books: SCORPION BETRAYAL, SCORPION WINTER and SCORPION DECEPTION. In addition, he is the author of the runaway international bestseller, HOMELAND: CARRIE'S RUN, an original prequel novel based on the award-winning hit television series. HOMELAND: SAUL'S GAME is his second HOMELAND novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
March 2, 2020
"She couldn't always trust her feelings, because there were times when she thought her nervous electrical system had been put together by the same idiots who built the Washington, DC, power grid".
Carrie's Run (Homeland, #1)
by Andrew Kaplan
It seems fitting I'd review this book on a Sunday, w hen a new episode of one of my all time favorite shows is on. I adore Homeland. I am a Homeland fanatic and have watched from the first season. I am PISSED it is the last season.
I am also one of those annoying people who wants Nicholes Brody back and never stops talking about he and Carrie's connection. I anxiously scan the internet, seeking to find out of the show creators will bring him back for the final season. I drive other Homeland fans crazy by never shutting up about him. Anyway..
This book is a short prequel to the Homeland series and there are alot of action sequences and spy meetings gone bad. Usually frankly I do not like that sort of book but this is Homeland so anything goes. I was not originally aware of this book and was happy to find i t. I t's a quick read and does go into some detail about Carrie's Bi Polar condition as well.
I remain hopeful that Brody is secretly still alive and that he and Carrie run off together, thus starting a new sequel..Homeland, please make it happen.
Carrie's Run (Homeland, #1)
by Andrew Kaplan
It seems fitting I'd review this book on a Sunday, w hen a new episode of one of my all time favorite shows is on. I adore Homeland. I am a Homeland fanatic and have watched from the first season. I am PISSED it is the last season.
I am also one of those annoying people who wants Nicholes Brody back and never stops talking about he and Carrie's connection. I anxiously scan the internet, seeking to find out of the show creators will bring him back for the final season. I drive other Homeland fans crazy by never shutting up about him. Anyway..
This book is a short prequel to the Homeland series and there are alot of action sequences and spy meetings gone bad. Usually frankly I do not like that sort of book but this is Homeland so anything goes. I was not originally aware of this book and was happy to find i t. I t's a quick read and does go into some detail about Carrie's Bi Polar condition as well.
I remain hopeful that Brody is secretly still alive and that he and Carrie run off together, thus starting a new sequel..Homeland, please make it happen.
October 25, 2013
Reading this book was an entirely different experience from watching the series on Showtime. Because I have seen the series I found this book much easier to visualize. One advantage to reading the book was to have a better glimpse into Carrie's internal dialogue. Having a tough female protagonist who is bipolar and taking meds on the down low creates a character already out of the mainstream. This prequel kept me engaged and I look forward to continue reading the series as it becomes available.
In this case I will say that the series and the book are on an equal footing. I usually prefer a book to the movie or series because it is hard to include so many details well. Andrew Kaplan has created a wonderful character in Carrie and reading this installment has left me wanting to read more.
In this case I will say that the series and the book are on an equal footing. I usually prefer a book to the movie or series because it is hard to include so many details well. Andrew Kaplan has created a wonderful character in Carrie and reading this installment has left me wanting to read more.
October 18, 2013
CIA operatives must be a breed set apart from the norm. Making life and death decisions on a daily basis is not for the faint of heart. They are spooks, they lie for a living. They put together vast amounts of information and decide what intel is actionable and what bears to be researched more deeply. Traps, double agents, triple agents, the intrigue is thick enough to cut with a knife.
The author’s descriptions of the armor-plated Humvees' harrowing drives through areas known to be swarming with snipers and IED setups were truly terrifying. The guys who run these convoys (some military, some freelance) freely admit to being adrenaline junkies. They live not just day by day, but second by second. In the Middle East, the rules are not the same. One character worded it in a way that was chilling, mostly due to the matter-of-fact way in which he noted that the police were not in place to solve crime, but to destroy political enemies.
I have not watched the television program for which this novel is a prequel, so no idea if the characterizations are true to the series or not. What I do know is that it made for a riveting read. One of the parts that I cannot get out of my mind is the image of a deserted street in Ramadi - shattered buildings, rusting hulks of destroyed vehicles, and the only thing moving was a lone skeletal cat, delicately picking its way across a pile of garbage.
In the back of the book, there is a glossary and a cast of characters provided. My husband won this in a first-reads giveaway, but I cobbed it first. Thanks for the thrills.
The author’s descriptions of the armor-plated Humvees' harrowing drives through areas known to be swarming with snipers and IED setups were truly terrifying. The guys who run these convoys (some military, some freelance) freely admit to being adrenaline junkies. They live not just day by day, but second by second. In the Middle East, the rules are not the same. One character worded it in a way that was chilling, mostly due to the matter-of-fact way in which he noted that the police were not in place to solve crime, but to destroy political enemies.
I have not watched the television program for which this novel is a prequel, so no idea if the characterizations are true to the series or not. What I do know is that it made for a riveting read. One of the parts that I cannot get out of my mind is the image of a deserted street in Ramadi - shattered buildings, rusting hulks of destroyed vehicles, and the only thing moving was a lone skeletal cat, delicately picking its way across a pile of garbage.
In the back of the book, there is a glossary and a cast of characters provided. My husband won this in a first-reads giveaway, but I cobbed it first. Thanks for the thrills.
February 1, 2024
4,5⭐
Perfect for a Homeland fan like me. Very good background on Carrie. ☺️👌
Perfect for a Homeland fan like me. Very good background on Carrie. ☺️👌
February 9, 2020
"Carrie's Run" is action packed and absorbing. It was hard to put the book down. I enjoyed reading description of different locations and people living there. But it made me sad that so many people in the book lived among so much violence and instability. Carrie is an intriguing character with many flaws. She is fighting a mental illness and it was interesting to have an insight into her mind. She is brilliant, but at the same time unpredictable and troubled. Now, I am looking forward to watching the TV series.
March 4, 2017
There is Homeland the tv series that for the most of the first three series where situated in the good old US of A and a fourth series that brought Carrie Mathison to Afghanistan & Pakistan the birth-ground of the Taliban and some other organisations that proclaim to fight for the true faith. But even in the tv series were moments you wondered how Mathison got where she was today. The answer was written by Andrew Kaplan who got the prequels written.
Usually any book based upon a series tend to be less than the show they are trying to sell and tend to have far fetched and ropy plots to make the heroine or hero's look better. Andrew Kaplan has doen something else he created a book that does credit to the tv show. If you read this book you probably want to see the tv show so in that sense this book is a slam-dunk.
Kaplan takes us to Beirut and an occupied Iraq and manages to give you a feel for the places Carrie visits and the madness of wartorn Iraq and the various parties that want to take power there. Kaplan writes a very good thriller with smart plot and Homeland worthy twists that makes Carrie work for who she is and what she does best. This book indeed gives us a view of life before the TV show and does so in an excellent way and manages to put a light upon the various fractions and problems in that part of the world. I really enjoyed this book and can only tell people who fancy a modern day spy thriller read this and okay watch the show because both are excellent. I do hope Kaplan does manage to write a few more than the two he has published so far.
Well worth your time this very welcome addition to a well made and story scripted series about a smart female spy and how she does her work with her issues and strengths.
Usually any book based upon a series tend to be less than the show they are trying to sell and tend to have far fetched and ropy plots to make the heroine or hero's look better. Andrew Kaplan has doen something else he created a book that does credit to the tv show. If you read this book you probably want to see the tv show so in that sense this book is a slam-dunk.
Kaplan takes us to Beirut and an occupied Iraq and manages to give you a feel for the places Carrie visits and the madness of wartorn Iraq and the various parties that want to take power there. Kaplan writes a very good thriller with smart plot and Homeland worthy twists that makes Carrie work for who she is and what she does best. This book indeed gives us a view of life before the TV show and does so in an excellent way and manages to put a light upon the various fractions and problems in that part of the world. I really enjoyed this book and can only tell people who fancy a modern day spy thriller read this and okay watch the show because both are excellent. I do hope Kaplan does manage to write a few more than the two he has published so far.
Well worth your time this very welcome addition to a well made and story scripted series about a smart female spy and how she does her work with her issues and strengths.
September 23, 2013
Even better that the Homeland TV Series
I've been anticipating the release of this book and it definitely does not disappoint. There are many parallels with the TV Series including characters, milieu and Carrie's mental state. The story explodes off the first page with Carrie escaping an assassination attempt in Beirut. Despite battling her psychological demons with her emotions on a never ending roller coaster, she is still portrayed as this clear headed analyst amongst all the chaos. Her search for the double agents who facilitated the assassinate attempt leads her hot on the trail of Abu Nazier in Lebanon and Iraq. Whilst there, she discovered a terrorist plot against New York City and shows characteristic Carrie determination in trying to prevent it. Estes and Saul also feature prominently in the book and Virgil remains her go to surveillance guy. We are introduced to a new player, Abu Ubaida, who is Abu Nazier's right hand man planning multiple terrorist attacks. In her search for Abu Nazier and Abu Ubaida, Carrie leaves a wake of collateral damage and tries to deal with it as best she can. This is an action filled, gruesome, thrilling read and perfectly compliments the TV Series. If you enjoyed the show, don't miss this book.
I've been anticipating the release of this book and it definitely does not disappoint. There are many parallels with the TV Series including characters, milieu and Carrie's mental state. The story explodes off the first page with Carrie escaping an assassination attempt in Beirut. Despite battling her psychological demons with her emotions on a never ending roller coaster, she is still portrayed as this clear headed analyst amongst all the chaos. Her search for the double agents who facilitated the assassinate attempt leads her hot on the trail of Abu Nazier in Lebanon and Iraq. Whilst there, she discovered a terrorist plot against New York City and shows characteristic Carrie determination in trying to prevent it. Estes and Saul also feature prominently in the book and Virgil remains her go to surveillance guy. We are introduced to a new player, Abu Ubaida, who is Abu Nazier's right hand man planning multiple terrorist attacks. In her search for Abu Nazier and Abu Ubaida, Carrie leaves a wake of collateral damage and tries to deal with it as best she can. This is an action filled, gruesome, thrilling read and perfectly compliments the TV Series. If you enjoyed the show, don't miss this book.
July 20, 2013
As I said in the comment below: "It just completely lacked everything I love from the series. I felt it was far less character-driven than the TV show and the CIA operation (which is the entire plot) felt cold and uninteresting."
October 21, 2013
[takitutaki.wordpress.com]
Kiedyś natrafiłem na serial Homeland. Lubie teorie spiskowe i thrillery Ludluma, który umiał namieszać tak, że aż buty spadały, a człowiek nie wiedział gdzie się urodził i kto z kim, dlaczego i za ile. Homeland mnie zaciekawił. Niestety był to jakiś odcinek ze środka i stwierdziłem, że kiedyś obejrzę całą serie. I tak się oglądam od jakiegoś czasu, a tu już ponoć trzeci sezon za pasem. Książka Andrew Kaplana poprzedzająca serialem okazuje się świetnym wprowadzeniem do serialu. Szczególnie dla takich osób jak ja, które nie oglądały wersji ekranowej.
Andrew Kaplan jest autorem serii thrillerów szpiegowskich ze Skorpionem. W naszym kraju póki co ukazały się dwie części tej serii, niestety są to odcinki 2,3 więc trzeba się zastanowić czy czekać na początek serii w naszym języku. Ja nie będę czekał. Homeland narobił mi chęci na sięgnięcie po kolejne książki Kaplana. Wniosek jeden. Prequel serialu to kawał dobrej książki.
Carrie (agentkę CIA) poznajemy podczas akcji na Bliskim Wschodzie, gdy zostaje postawiona w trudnej sytuacji podczas spotkania z kontaktem wywiadu zamiast pójść gładko musi uciekać i zastanawiać kto ją wystawił. Tego problemu nie miał jej szef, który obwinia ją za całą akcję i dekonspirację rezydentury w Bejrucie. Carrie jak to ambitna dziewczyna nie chce tego tak zostawić i za wszelką cenę stara się wyjaśnić kto zdradził, no i o co w tym wszystkim chodzi. I się w tym temacie dużo dziej. Oj dużo.
Siłą dobrych książek są ich bohaterowie. Przeważnie Ci tacy najbardziej charakterystyczni nie są normalni. Carrie jak najbardziej do nich należy. Cierpi na chorobę zaburzeń dwubiegunowych przez co ma czasem niezłe odloty i zachwiania ocen sytuacji. Autor przedstawia nam losy jej rodziny i jak popieprzoną miała sytuację rodzinną. Ogólnie mimo całej sympatii dla Carrie nie mam jej czego zazdrościć, ale należy podziwiać za intuicję i zdolności dedukcyjne. Jej zdolność dążenia do celu i zachowania przytomności umysłu w sytuacjach tego wymagających jest wzorowa.
Poza tym mamy tu naprawdę dużo zwrotów akcji i wszystko się bardzo szybko dzieje, że książka nad wyraz szybko się kończy. Powieść tą czyta się naprawdę dobrze. Wszystkie określenia jakieś związane z kontrwywiadami i tego typu sytuacjami konfliktowymi na Bliskim Wschodzie autor wyjaśnia w osobnym rozdziale na końcu książki. Możemy się dowiedzieć więcej o Al-Kaidzie, Hezbollahu czy szyitach i sunnitach. Myślę, że to ważne dla tych którzy nie zagłębiają się w te konfliktowe sprawy.
Wszystkim którzy nie mieli jeszcze styczności z thrillerami szpiegowskimi z ręką na sercu mogę polecić Homelanda, a tym którzy lubią tą tematykę to tym bardziej, a oglądającym serial i lubiącym Carrie to polecam skoczyć do księgarni/biblioteki i przeczytać.
Kiedyś natrafiłem na serial Homeland. Lubie teorie spiskowe i thrillery Ludluma, który umiał namieszać tak, że aż buty spadały, a człowiek nie wiedział gdzie się urodził i kto z kim, dlaczego i za ile. Homeland mnie zaciekawił. Niestety był to jakiś odcinek ze środka i stwierdziłem, że kiedyś obejrzę całą serie. I tak się oglądam od jakiegoś czasu, a tu już ponoć trzeci sezon za pasem. Książka Andrew Kaplana poprzedzająca serialem okazuje się świetnym wprowadzeniem do serialu. Szczególnie dla takich osób jak ja, które nie oglądały wersji ekranowej.
Andrew Kaplan jest autorem serii thrillerów szpiegowskich ze Skorpionem. W naszym kraju póki co ukazały się dwie części tej serii, niestety są to odcinki 2,3 więc trzeba się zastanowić czy czekać na początek serii w naszym języku. Ja nie będę czekał. Homeland narobił mi chęci na sięgnięcie po kolejne książki Kaplana. Wniosek jeden. Prequel serialu to kawał dobrej książki.
Carrie (agentkę CIA) poznajemy podczas akcji na Bliskim Wschodzie, gdy zostaje postawiona w trudnej sytuacji podczas spotkania z kontaktem wywiadu zamiast pójść gładko musi uciekać i zastanawiać kto ją wystawił. Tego problemu nie miał jej szef, który obwinia ją za całą akcję i dekonspirację rezydentury w Bejrucie. Carrie jak to ambitna dziewczyna nie chce tego tak zostawić i za wszelką cenę stara się wyjaśnić kto zdradził, no i o co w tym wszystkim chodzi. I się w tym temacie dużo dziej. Oj dużo.
Siłą dobrych książek są ich bohaterowie. Przeważnie Ci tacy najbardziej charakterystyczni nie są normalni. Carrie jak najbardziej do nich należy. Cierpi na chorobę zaburzeń dwubiegunowych przez co ma czasem niezłe odloty i zachwiania ocen sytuacji. Autor przedstawia nam losy jej rodziny i jak popieprzoną miała sytuację rodzinną. Ogólnie mimo całej sympatii dla Carrie nie mam jej czego zazdrościć, ale należy podziwiać za intuicję i zdolności dedukcyjne. Jej zdolność dążenia do celu i zachowania przytomności umysłu w sytuacjach tego wymagających jest wzorowa.
Poza tym mamy tu naprawdę dużo zwrotów akcji i wszystko się bardzo szybko dzieje, że książka nad wyraz szybko się kończy. Powieść tą czyta się naprawdę dobrze. Wszystkie określenia jakieś związane z kontrwywiadami i tego typu sytuacjami konfliktowymi na Bliskim Wschodzie autor wyjaśnia w osobnym rozdziale na końcu książki. Możemy się dowiedzieć więcej o Al-Kaidzie, Hezbollahu czy szyitach i sunnitach. Myślę, że to ważne dla tych którzy nie zagłębiają się w te konfliktowe sprawy.
Wszystkim którzy nie mieli jeszcze styczności z thrillerami szpiegowskimi z ręką na sercu mogę polecić Homelanda, a tym którzy lubią tą tematykę to tym bardziej, a oglądającym serial i lubiącym Carrie to polecam skoczyć do księgarni/biblioteki i przeczytać.
October 1, 2013
Nail-biting suspense and edge-of-your-seat action are the least of what makes this action packed thriller an excellent prequel to the HOMELAND TV show.
Carrie is at her bipolar best and this story really gives the TV show some backbone, giving the reader some background as to the many reasons why she’s so obsessed with finding Abu Nazir. It also gives the reader some really good insight into her character and why she is the way she is.
All the characters are well thought out and their actions always contribute to the story’s development. The twists and turns kept me guessing the whole way and the moments when Carrie is in the thick of the action made me feel like I was right there with her.
Props for the author for showing great respect for the military and everything that the troops have to live with while fighting in a hostile environment; there’s no strong political statement, just the facts about the important the work the troops do.
The only reason why I’m not giving it a five star rating is because I’m not sure a follower of the TV show would get as much enjoyment out of it as one who is already familiar with the character and her work at the CIA.
Carrie is at her bipolar best and this story really gives the TV show some backbone, giving the reader some background as to the many reasons why she’s so obsessed with finding Abu Nazir. It also gives the reader some really good insight into her character and why she is the way she is.
All the characters are well thought out and their actions always contribute to the story’s development. The twists and turns kept me guessing the whole way and the moments when Carrie is in the thick of the action made me feel like I was right there with her.
Props for the author for showing great respect for the military and everything that the troops have to live with while fighting in a hostile environment; there’s no strong political statement, just the facts about the important the work the troops do.
The only reason why I’m not giving it a five star rating is because I’m not sure a follower of the TV show would get as much enjoyment out of it as one who is already familiar with the character and her work at the CIA.
April 15, 2016
Haha, I felt like a little bit of a dork reading this one, but you know what? It's pretty fun! The beginning annoyed me at first because like three times in the space of about three pages we're told what's happening in the Harry Potter movie where Carrie is waiting to meet a contact. I just really didn't care what Hermione was doing, especially a little bit later when Carrie is running for her life, you know? But after that things improved. I think that Kaplan did a great job of describing the action and making the characters, for the most part, feel true to the way they're portrayed in the show. I did kind of feel like I could actually see it all. There's some dialogue that felt a little off, and...yeah, there really isn't a whole lot of character development, but you get that from the show itelf, right? It didn't bother me. I actually found myself pretty sucked in and ended up really enjoying the story. I'd read more!
Received this book through First Reads.
Received this book through First Reads.
September 18, 2013
To begin with, I am a nut about the Showtime series "Homeland," so when I saw this on the shelf in Target I just couldn't resist. In two days I finished this 350 page book, and I have to say that I enjoyed every minute of this read!
This is not a book of high literary fiction, it is a book based upon the prequel years before the series. I have to say if you are a fan of the series you will certainly enjoy this book, and it certainly gives you insight into the life of Carrie "pre CIA."
Loved it...but I am bias! Hope there is more to come!!!!!!
This is not a book of high literary fiction, it is a book based upon the prequel years before the series. I have to say if you are a fan of the series you will certainly enjoy this book, and it certainly gives you insight into the life of Carrie "pre CIA."
Loved it...but I am bias! Hope there is more to come!!!!!!
September 17, 2013
In a word? Awesome. If you love the hit show HOMELAND from Showtime, you'll love this book. It is so true to character, you'll think you're watching the prequel episode. Absolutely wonderful, thrilling, edge-of-your seat exciting. A great read to keep you going in between seasons.
May 20, 2019
Reading about spies is not generally my choice, but I am preparing to binge watch "Homeland" on DVD. The most interesting part (to me) is that Carrie is bipolar. This is not delved into deeply enough for me in the book. This is one of the few times I think the TV show is better than the book.
June 12, 2016
I have finally finished this book! Honestly, I can hardly believe that I did. It was given to me on Christmas two or three years ago and I kept putting it away, meaning to read it every month but then I wouldn’t. I think one of the reasons that kept me away from this book is the fact that there is a series based on it and I never actually seen the series or had the will to watch it, it just wasn’t that compelling to me.
Finally, I picked it up in the beginning of May… and fell in the huge reading slump…
However! I actually liked it quite a lot, so I have no idea where this slump came from. The only sad thing, that also doesn’t work in favor of this novel, is that it didn’t help me to get out from my reading slump! Hence I only gave it three stars.
Crime and thrillers are by far my most favourite genres, and this book lived up to all expectations you may have from these genres and more.
Carrie was an unusual character, not someone you would imagine leading a highly important operation, especially while suffering from mental illness severe enough that she had to hide from everyone otherwise it would mean the end of her career, struggling through the entire story. There were no other characters that stood out for me, but honestly I didn’t need anyone else, Carrie’s character was complex and unique enough.
The one question I always ask myself after finishing a book is “Do I want to continue on with the series? Is it a book I would like to reread?. In this case, I would say «No» to both of these questions, however now I feel like it is time for me to finally watch the series that has been pretty popular for few years now and see if the Carrie that I loved so much is just as complex and amazing on the screen.
Finally, I picked it up in the beginning of May… and fell in the huge reading slump…
However! I actually liked it quite a lot, so I have no idea where this slump came from. The only sad thing, that also doesn’t work in favor of this novel, is that it didn’t help me to get out from my reading slump! Hence I only gave it three stars.
Crime and thrillers are by far my most favourite genres, and this book lived up to all expectations you may have from these genres and more.
Carrie was an unusual character, not someone you would imagine leading a highly important operation, especially while suffering from mental illness severe enough that she had to hide from everyone otherwise it would mean the end of her career, struggling through the entire story. There were no other characters that stood out for me, but honestly I didn’t need anyone else, Carrie’s character was complex and unique enough.
The one question I always ask myself after finishing a book is “Do I want to continue on with the series? Is it a book I would like to reread?. In this case, I would say «No» to both of these questions, however now I feel like it is time for me to finally watch the series that has been pretty popular for few years now and see if the Carrie that I loved so much is just as complex and amazing on the screen.
August 3, 2013
Thank you First-Reads Giveaway!
I haven't watched the TV series Homeland, but I really enjoyed this book. I had a hard time with the Arabic words, but not complaining. I learned a lot about all the different groups in the Middle East. It was eye opening to think that's the way it is over there and people are just trying to survive to live another day. Not to mention trying to protect their families. I also have a new appreciation for all those who are serving to keep the United States safe. I felt the author portrayed the divisions between the field, Langley and intelligence divisions well. The book had a couple sex scenes and some mature language / content.
I haven't watched the TV series Homeland, but I really enjoyed this book. I had a hard time with the Arabic words, but not complaining. I learned a lot about all the different groups in the Middle East. It was eye opening to think that's the way it is over there and people are just trying to survive to live another day. Not to mention trying to protect their families. I also have a new appreciation for all those who are serving to keep the United States safe. I felt the author portrayed the divisions between the field, Langley and intelligence divisions well. The book had a couple sex scenes and some mature language / content.
August 14, 2017
The book promised (for me) a reflection around what is Carrie's mind and why she is such a complex person to follow being absolutely outstanding at the same time. Although, the book is more like a sequence of action scenes not very well described and sort of disjointed. Maybe it's just my opinion, maybe the author just wanted to direct a Homeland season instead of writing a story indeed (hahaha).
September 2, 2013
I love Homeland so I had no problem with knowing most of the story. Andrew Kaplan kept the story gripping and suspenseful! It left me wanting more. Great quick read.
November 12, 2013
A fun read but not extraordinary. Recomended to read it while on the bus... or any other ocassion with nothing else important to do. That's it.
October 15, 2024
Oh my goodness!
This was like a Homeland season but combined into a book. I loved it!!!
First of all this book is for those who have seen the series. It's like a sequel movie we'd get after the serie's finale and im fact there's one more to read.
You know the characters, how they act, their facial expressions, their attitude, you finally get to see some things they mentioned in the series about their past and they even mentioned Brody twice and that gave me chills.
Full of tension, mystery, realistic action and honesty i think if there's enough time you can read this within two days.
Simply amazing!
This was like a Homeland season but combined into a book. I loved it!!!
First of all this book is for those who have seen the series. It's like a sequel movie we'd get after the serie's finale and im fact there's one more to read.
You know the characters, how they act, their facial expressions, their attitude, you finally get to see some things they mentioned in the series about their past and they even mentioned Brody twice and that gave me chills.
Full of tension, mystery, realistic action and honesty i think if there's enough time you can read this within two days.
Simply amazing!
June 6, 2018
Seru banget! Novel (serial TV) terbaik buat tau konflik di Timur Tengah. Thriller!!!
October 3, 2016
Really good! I am a fan of the "Homeland" series, and it did help to be able to picture the characters, to hear their voices in my mind and to imagine the settings.
March 5, 2014
A tepid prequel to the popular television programme, HOMELAND. In it, Kaplan offers some of the backstory to fill the void only discussed in passing of CIA operative Carrie Mathison and her work in the Middle East, years before she encounters Nicholas Brody. In this tale, Carrie’s cover is blown when a clandestine meeting with a new contact goes awry and she is not adequately protected by the Agency. Her defiance leaves the Station Chief with no choice but to send her back to Langley, where she faces much time to self-reflect on an upbringing filled with discontent and a number of secrets of her own. When one of her true contacts delivers some noteworthy intel, Carrie’s given the chance to prove herself anew, as she chases down some of the biggest fish in the al-Queda network. Kaplan is able to grasp some of the key characteristics of Carrie’s persona from the crumbs dropped at various points in the #1 hit television programme.
While Kaplan does a decent job writing the novel, I found the subject to be too cookie-cutter with little variance on an over-used theme. While this cannot be solely placed at Kaplan’s feet, the genre needs a new and vibrant spin, one that was not taken, as Carrie’s backstory must be constructed. With some interesting glimpses into her struggle with mental illness (and the generational roots from whence it came), Kaplan does pique the reader’s interest, especially if they are fans of the television programme. There is, however, a dullness to the story, a repetitive nature in the genre where talk of al-Queda becomes the be all and end all of the 21st century espionage tome.
Decent work, Mr. Kaplan. It could be my personal opinions that cloud my judgment, or the fact that I just hoped for something as explosive as Carrie on the big screen.
While Kaplan does a decent job writing the novel, I found the subject to be too cookie-cutter with little variance on an over-used theme. While this cannot be solely placed at Kaplan’s feet, the genre needs a new and vibrant spin, one that was not taken, as Carrie’s backstory must be constructed. With some interesting glimpses into her struggle with mental illness (and the generational roots from whence it came), Kaplan does pique the reader’s interest, especially if they are fans of the television programme. There is, however, a dullness to the story, a repetitive nature in the genre where talk of al-Queda becomes the be all and end all of the 21st century espionage tome.
Decent work, Mr. Kaplan. It could be my personal opinions that cloud my judgment, or the fact that I just hoped for something as explosive as Carrie on the big screen.
October 3, 2013
I'm giving this three stars because it's "Homeland" and the plot is exciting. But it's clearly written by someone with no connection to the show or real understanding of the majority of its characters. The writing is mostly terrible, the dialogue is completely unrealistic (except for the conversations that are almost WORD FOR WORD from the show), and the plot is implausible (Carrie comes to lots of problem-solving epiphanies as if she's the dude from "Psych"), but it moves quickly and it's fun to see what the characters were up to before the series begins, even if it's basically just glorified fan fiction. My biggest nitpick is probably related to the Carrie/David Estes relationship, because in the series, they've been through lots of shit together and he has this deep rage where she's concerned...largely because they had an affair that destroyed his marriage/family. The way the book tells it, however, is that they were casually hooking up until one day his wife becomes suspicious and breaks things off. Estes basically apologizes to Carrie for having to end things with her and then things are hunky dory for the rest of the book...even though he pretty much wants to strangle her in the show, going as far as jeopardizing ops just to spite her. You don't get to that point from casually ending a little office tryst.
September 23, 2015
Intense. There were some very intense stuff in here that made me feel like I was watching Saving Private Ryan or American Sniper. The drive from the Bagdad airport to the Green Zone seemed so real. Every time I see or watch a depiction of war I have to just shake my head. I don't know how they do it.
This is a great stand alone espionage thriller. I don't think you'd have any trouble with the characters if unfamiliar with the Homeland tv show. If you do watch the show, this is Carrie's first assignment as an analyst (spy). We learn a lot about Carrie's life before the CIA, family, and discovering her illness through short flashbacks. These flashbacks worked nicely to break up the action as it was pretty non-stop.
I've read some reviews that claim the characters have a different tone/relationship than in the show. I don't agree. Carrie has the exact same voice and the others sound as they should considering this is before the craziness of the show. For example, David Estees meets her for the first time so of course he doesn't have the same annoyance with her yet as latter on.
Highly recommended. For the secret code names if nothing else.
This is a great stand alone espionage thriller. I don't think you'd have any trouble with the characters if unfamiliar with the Homeland tv show. If you do watch the show, this is Carrie's first assignment as an analyst (spy). We learn a lot about Carrie's life before the CIA, family, and discovering her illness through short flashbacks. These flashbacks worked nicely to break up the action as it was pretty non-stop.
I've read some reviews that claim the characters have a different tone/relationship than in the show. I don't agree. Carrie has the exact same voice and the others sound as they should considering this is before the craziness of the show. For example, David Estees meets her for the first time so of course he doesn't have the same annoyance with her yet as latter on.
Highly recommended. For the secret code names if nothing else.
December 2, 2018
This book is a fast paced thriller about a brilliant American spy. The book actually helped me to understand a little more about the conflict in the Levant. There is a glossary in the back of the book on the area that was helpful. I used the glossary as a reference point for digging deeper into more details as I was reading the book.
I haven't read spy novels for several years and received two spy books as gifts at the end of last year. I enjoyed them both. I liked the way this book gets into the mind of the main character, Carrie. Her ability to sift, summarize, analyze complex characters and situations made this book a hard one to put down.
The book is well-written and researched for the genre. Part of its appeal was that the main character is a smart woman who loves the Near-East. I've worked in the Near East in the past and have been drawn to and curious about the ancient history there for many years. As a spy book and work of fiction this book met the mark. Lots of twists and turns. For the spy genre, I think its a 5 star, because of the complexity of the main character.
I haven't read spy novels for several years and received two spy books as gifts at the end of last year. I enjoyed them both. I liked the way this book gets into the mind of the main character, Carrie. Her ability to sift, summarize, analyze complex characters and situations made this book a hard one to put down.
The book is well-written and researched for the genre. Part of its appeal was that the main character is a smart woman who loves the Near-East. I've worked in the Near East in the past and have been drawn to and curious about the ancient history there for many years. As a spy book and work of fiction this book met the mark. Lots of twists and turns. For the spy genre, I think its a 5 star, because of the complexity of the main character.
January 20, 2014
An adrenaline pumping whopper of a thriller. If you love the TV series, this one is for you. It has all the action and drama of the TV series and more. The characterisation of Carrie, the CIA agent, is excellent. You get to know the heroine with bipolar disorder and her tormented family background more deeply and empathise with her even more deeply. The novel brings alive the setting of jihadi-infested Middle East vividly. There is a scene where Carrie and her colleagues are getting from point A to point B with the imminent threat of sniper attack pulsating all along and you can actually visualize it like a movie playing in your head, nail biting, raw, visceral. Read this if you love Homeland, the TV series or even if you haven't had a chance to watch it yet!
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May 14, 2017Homeland: Carrie's Run is an original prequel novel based on Showtime’s hit series, Homeland. This riveting spy thriller by Andrew Kaplan will definitely appeal to fans of the television series. The author even provides his readers with additional information on each of the characters and he also includes a glossary that lists the various organizations and agencies that are mentioned in, Homeland: Carrie's Run.
I highly recommend this novel to fans of the series since the author does an excellent job of fleshing out the backstories of the protagonist and also the various secondary characters on Homeland. -- Leslie G.
I highly recommend this novel to fans of the series since the author does an excellent job of fleshing out the backstories of the protagonist and also the various secondary characters on Homeland. -- Leslie G.
October 4, 2013
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this paperback original but did I! The fast paced story is the prequel to Carrie and the CIA world she inhabits on TV's Homeland.it adds a clear insight into her bi-polar disease,her early family life and her relationship with Saul Berenson. The story was filled with riveting action and suspense. Thank you Good Reads for sending me Carrie's run and the chance to preview it.
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