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Homeland #2
Saul's Game
Leading a mission to capture master terrorist, Abu Nazir, CIA operations officer Carrie Mathison discovers a dangerous threat inside the Agency in this thrilling second official prequel novel to Showtime’s Emmy Award-winning hit series Homeland.
Damascus, Syria, 2009. Carrie Mathison is leading an operation to capture or kill al Qaeda terrorist, Abu Nazir. But arriving at the compound where he was supposed to be in hiding, they find it empty. Carrie is sure that someone is leaking CIA information to the enemy and has betrayed their operation, seriously threatening American interests in the Middle East. To expose the double agent, her boss, Saul Berenson, devises an elaborate ruse that will send her on the most dangerous mission of her life.
This twisting tale of international intrigue takes fans deeper into the intense world of high-stakes espionage, and explores never-before-seen details of Carrie’s life as an operative in the Middle East, Saul’s past as an agent in Iran, Brody’s dark childhood and captivity, and events involving the trio—and other favorite characters, like Dar Adal—that will lead them to the present.
Damascus, Syria, 2009. Carrie Mathison is leading an operation to capture or kill al Qaeda terrorist, Abu Nazir. But arriving at the compound where he was supposed to be in hiding, they find it empty. Carrie is sure that someone is leaking CIA information to the enemy and has betrayed their operation, seriously threatening American interests in the Middle East. To expose the double agent, her boss, Saul Berenson, devises an elaborate ruse that will send her on the most dangerous mission of her life.
This twisting tale of international intrigue takes fans deeper into the intense world of high-stakes espionage, and explores never-before-seen details of Carrie’s life as an operative in the Middle East, Saul’s past as an agent in Iran, Brody’s dark childhood and captivity, and events involving the trio—and other favorite characters, like Dar Adal—that will lead them to the present.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2014
80 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Kaplan
26 books136 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 47 reviews
September 3, 2015
There are lots of ways to tell a good story. This is the second novel in a prequel series that’s a tie-in to the Showtime Homeland series on cable. In this case, if you discover the television series and like it, you’ll love the book. And also, if you first discover the books and like them, you’ll love the television series.
These stories are about fictional characters in the CIA fighting the war on terror, defending the homeland. If you’re looking for passion, you’re definitely going to find it in this book. These characters are so passionate in their beliefs and in their actions. The action is constant, and the situations are desperate. Throughout, you’re never sure exactly who you can trust as the plot takes turns around each corner.
The heroine is Carrie Mathison, a CIA operative. Her boss is Saul. The characters are incredibly real, with amazing strengths and chilling flaws. It’s fascinating to see how the strategies and undercover plays unfold. You have to wonder how closely fiction might reflect reality. The life depicted of an operative in the Middle East and Iran is heart pounding. The books give you a more in depth background and feel for the thoughts, emotions and backgrounds of all the characters than the television series platform allows. Books also give a more in depth understanding of the issues facing the Middle East today. For those fans of Nick Brody, the Marine POW caught up in the CIA intrigue, he and his story are included in this novel.
The author, Andrew Kaplan is a former journalist, war correspondent. He served in both the US Army and also in the Israeli Army during the Six Day War. He’s worked in military intelligence and has been a consultant with groups that advise governments. He’s the author of several spy thrillers, including the Scorpion series, as well as this novel, and the first in this series – Carrie’s Run. Saul’s Game is the winner of the 2015 Scribe Award for the best original media tie-in novel of the year. The Scribe Awards are selected each year by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers to honor excellence in licensed works that tie in with other media such as television, movies, gaming, or comic books.
Just like the incredible Showtime series, which is available on DVD, Andrew Kaplan’s books leave you wanting more.
Thereby hangs a tale . . . .
These stories are about fictional characters in the CIA fighting the war on terror, defending the homeland. If you’re looking for passion, you’re definitely going to find it in this book. These characters are so passionate in their beliefs and in their actions. The action is constant, and the situations are desperate. Throughout, you’re never sure exactly who you can trust as the plot takes turns around each corner.
The heroine is Carrie Mathison, a CIA operative. Her boss is Saul. The characters are incredibly real, with amazing strengths and chilling flaws. It’s fascinating to see how the strategies and undercover plays unfold. You have to wonder how closely fiction might reflect reality. The life depicted of an operative in the Middle East and Iran is heart pounding. The books give you a more in depth background and feel for the thoughts, emotions and backgrounds of all the characters than the television series platform allows. Books also give a more in depth understanding of the issues facing the Middle East today. For those fans of Nick Brody, the Marine POW caught up in the CIA intrigue, he and his story are included in this novel.
The author, Andrew Kaplan is a former journalist, war correspondent. He served in both the US Army and also in the Israeli Army during the Six Day War. He’s worked in military intelligence and has been a consultant with groups that advise governments. He’s the author of several spy thrillers, including the Scorpion series, as well as this novel, and the first in this series – Carrie’s Run. Saul’s Game is the winner of the 2015 Scribe Award for the best original media tie-in novel of the year. The Scribe Awards are selected each year by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers to honor excellence in licensed works that tie in with other media such as television, movies, gaming, or comic books.
Just like the incredible Showtime series, which is available on DVD, Andrew Kaplan’s books leave you wanting more.
Thereby hangs a tale . . . .
September 8, 2014
Within the first few pages, I was once again inexorably sucked in to the tumultuous world of Carrie, Brody, and Saul as if I’d never been away. The author’s writing style is so vivid, at times it was as if I could actually feel the stifling material of the black chador Carrie wore and hear the chattering of automatic weapons. I confess, I am a devout fan of Homeland, so the opportunity to delve back into this dangerous, high stakes world of intrigue was relished! Of particular enjoyment to me was the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Brody’s childhood and life before his capture and imprisonment and of Carrie’s pre-Brody life as an operative. This pulse-pounding, gut-wrenching second prequel will keep you riveted to the pages, while priming you for the start of the show’s fourth season. Based on my enjoyment of this one, I’m going to go back and read the other prequel to this one, Homeland: Carrie’s Run. As a side note, a much appreciated cast of characters and glossary of terms was included.
Disclaimer: I received this book through the FirstReads program.
Disclaimer: I received this book through the FirstReads program.
December 27, 2014
Fans of HOMELAND will surely find Kaplan's second prequel novel highly interesting, filling in some of the cracks laid out in the television program. While working undercover in Damascus in 2009, Carrie Mathison is leading an operation focussed on al Qaeda terrorist, Abu Nazir. When the plan goes south, Carrie figures that someone is leaking intel to the enemy,as Nazir is always one step ahead. Carrie turns to her boss, Saul Berenson, who sends her on the most trying mission of her life into the highly unstable Islamic Republic of Iran, all to coax the leak out of hiding. Exploring back stories on Carrie, Saul, and a young Nicholas Brody, Kaplan teases the series fan with breadcrumbs sure to excite and encourage them to keep tuning in to the Showtime classic program.
Kaplan has raised the bar from the first novel he penned on the series, adding new layers to the storyline. The television series is intense and trying to capture the same level of thrills and drama is difficult, though Kaplan has done his best. Carrie, again the central character, has her flaws pushed under the microscope, but Brody's youth and turning prove to be highly intriguing as well. Fans of high-thrill terrorism novels and of the HOMELAND series alike will laud Kaplan for his addition to the prequel series.
Kudos, Mr. Kaplan for all your efforts in providing some of the stories untold on the television screen to allow HOMELAND fans the added touch of character development.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Kaplan has raised the bar from the first novel he penned on the series, adding new layers to the storyline. The television series is intense and trying to capture the same level of thrills and drama is difficult, though Kaplan has done his best. Carrie, again the central character, has her flaws pushed under the microscope, but Brody's youth and turning prove to be highly intriguing as well. Fans of high-thrill terrorism novels and of the HOMELAND series alike will laud Kaplan for his addition to the prequel series.
Kudos, Mr. Kaplan for all your efforts in providing some of the stories untold on the television screen to allow HOMELAND fans the added touch of character development.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Read
May 11, 2017Homeland: Saul's Game is the second official prequel novel based on Showtime’s hit television series. Andrew Kaplan presents another lightning paced, edge of your seat espionage thriller that fans of the TV series expect and new readers will positively enjoy.
Just as the previous Homeland novel, Carrie's Run, examined Carrie Mathison’s backstory. Saul's Game, explores the backstory of Saul Berenson and what makes Carrie’s boss such a formidable spy. This well written novel also delves into the backstories of Nicholas Brody and CIA black operations director, Dar Adal.
The best element about this novel is the list of characters (in order of appearance) and a glossary (in alphabetical order) provided by the author at the end of the book. This will definitely help readers to keep track of all the characters with foreign names as well as the numerous military and intelligence acronyms.
Homeland: Saul's Game is therefore very highly recommended to fans of the TV series as well as to readers of espionage thrillers.-- Leslie G.
Just as the previous Homeland novel, Carrie's Run, examined Carrie Mathison’s backstory. Saul's Game, explores the backstory of Saul Berenson and what makes Carrie’s boss such a formidable spy. This well written novel also delves into the backstories of Nicholas Brody and CIA black operations director, Dar Adal.
The best element about this novel is the list of characters (in order of appearance) and a glossary (in alphabetical order) provided by the author at the end of the book. This will definitely help readers to keep track of all the characters with foreign names as well as the numerous military and intelligence acronyms.
Homeland: Saul's Game is therefore very highly recommended to fans of the TV series as well as to readers of espionage thrillers.-- Leslie G.
November 5, 2014
HOMELAND: SAUL’S GAME by Andrew Kaplan
There is probably more truth in this book than fiction. The world of spies is always wrapped in deception. Churchill said that in war the truth must be accompanied by a bodyguard of lies.
In the war against al Qaeda, deception and lies are a way of life for Saul Berenson. He is the master composer, creating a masterful story to catch the enemy off guard while spotlighting the double agent who feeds the enemy with the CIA’s plans. Deeply embedded in his deception, Carrie Mathison becomes the spearhead of Saul’s super-covert mission to stop a plot to start a bloody war.
Top notch suspense … wonderful characters … a mind-twisting plot … Andrew Kaplan rocks!
There is probably more truth in this book than fiction. The world of spies is always wrapped in deception. Churchill said that in war the truth must be accompanied by a bodyguard of lies.
In the war against al Qaeda, deception and lies are a way of life for Saul Berenson. He is the master composer, creating a masterful story to catch the enemy off guard while spotlighting the double agent who feeds the enemy with the CIA’s plans. Deeply embedded in his deception, Carrie Mathison becomes the spearhead of Saul’s super-covert mission to stop a plot to start a bloody war.
Top notch suspense … wonderful characters … a mind-twisting plot … Andrew Kaplan rocks!
July 12, 2024
This book didn't deliver the thrill I experienced while reading Carrie's Run, which captivated me to stay up late and discover what was happening next. I found myself bogged down during parts of the story. I was challenged to fit together who was talking to who in the italicized sections, was the President, Vice President or Senator speaking and to whom at what point? That said, the chapters featuring Carrie, Virgil, Abu Nazir and Saul kept the story-line moving.
I recommend reading the character pages and glossary in the back when starting to read the book. I found myself referring to the glossary and re-reading about the various organizations and sects to understand the political dynamics. Overall, a good book.
I recommend reading the character pages and glossary in the back when starting to read the book. I found myself referring to the glossary and re-reading about the various organizations and sects to understand the political dynamics. Overall, a good book.
October 26, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, fast paced and well written. I have never seen the show so I did not know what to expect. I enjoyed this book so much and highly recommend it to others, that I ordered the first book. This book felt like it was torn from the front pages of the newspaper.
Carrie a CIA spy being used by Saul her boss to find the mole who has been leaking information to the Al-Qaeda terrorists. Well done, I hope you will write more of the Homeland series
Carrie a CIA spy being used by Saul her boss to find the mole who has been leaking information to the Al-Qaeda terrorists. Well done, I hope you will write more of the Homeland series
May 19, 2025
And with these i finished Homeland series for once and all 🥲
I've watched all the seasons twice and now I've read the two books written as prequels to the TV series and i loved every bit of it!
It gives more depth to the background of the characters and where they came from. The espionage at its finest, honestly.
It shows how a shithole was the situation in Middle East but on both sides. And how the US can make war crimes that the opposite side will use these as excuses to go even further.
There are also a couple of graphic scenes so be aware at the end of the book.
I hope one day we will get more from Homeland series. I really want to read again about Carrie's and Saul's missions
I've watched all the seasons twice and now I've read the two books written as prequels to the TV series and i loved every bit of it!
It gives more depth to the background of the characters and where they came from. The espionage at its finest, honestly.
It shows how a shithole was the situation in Middle East but on both sides. And how the US can make war crimes that the opposite side will use these as excuses to go even further.
There are also a couple of graphic scenes so be aware at the end of the book.
I hope one day we will get more from Homeland series. I really want to read again about Carrie's and Saul's missions
November 10, 2025
Your pre-standard CIA action novel. The lack of engagement between the two main characters, in this prelude to the TV series, is expected yet doesn’t help with the flow of the narrative until the last few chapters. The intricacies of Carrie’s storyline was very good, bringing unexpected yet well resolved twists throughout.
February 20, 2017
This second prequel of Homeland is even better than Carrie's Run, but to follow it some background knowledge may be helpful on the situation in the Middle East in 2009.
Drugi, po Carrie's Run (Ścieżki Carrie) prequel serialu telewizyjnego Homeland.
Jest rok 2009, a więc za rok rozpocznie się Arabska Wiosna, za dwa lata wybuchnie wojna domowa w Syrii. Carrie Mathison, agentka CIA, od swojego syryjskiego kontaktu, oficera gwardii prezydenckiej o pseudonimie Cadillac, otrzymuje wiadomość, że w miejscowości Otaibah ukrywa się od dawna poszukiwany dowódca IPLA, irackiego oddziału Al Kaidy, Abu Nazir. Szefowi Carrie, Saulowi Berensonowi udaje się nakłonić najwyższe władze do przeprowadzenia ataku na kryjówkę terrorysty. Jednak po wylądowaniu helikopterów członkowie grupy specjalnej natrafiają jedynie na ślady pospiesznej ewakuacji z obozu. Jest oczywiste, że Abu Nazir został ostrzeżony. Musiał zatem nastąpić przeciek, czyli wśród niewielkiej grupy osób, które znały plany operacji, zapewne funkcjonuje kret. Ambicją Carrie jest jego wykrycie. A o jaką stawkę gra Saul przygotowując nową operację, o kryptonimie Iron Thunder, której głównym wykonawcą ma być Carrie?
Powieść Kaplana, oprócz wydarzeń rozgrywających się w kwietniu i maju 2009, zawiera przerywniki relacjonujące rozmowy, które odbyły się parę miesięcy później w Białym Domu w gronie prezydenta, wiceprezydenta oraz senatora kierującego komisją ds. służb; wspomnienia Saula z domu ortodoksyjnych Żydów i późniejsze, kłopotów w pogodzeniu życia małżeńskiego ze służbą; a ponadto przeżycia pozostającego od sześciu lat w niewoli Abu Nazira innego bohatera Homeland, Nicholasa Brody, i również jego wspomnienia.
Sądzę, że miłośnikom Homeland (dziś, 15 stycznia, w USA startuje szósty już sezon serialu) drugiego prequela, autorstwa Kaplana, nie trzeba zachwalać. Na mnie Gra Saula wywarła chyba większe wrażenie niż Ścieżki Carrie. Ale wypada zaznaczyć, że jej akcja jest zagmatwana i wymaga pewnej wiedzy o sytuacji na Bliskim Wschodzie, o tym, co działo się tam wówczas, w przededniu wycofywania wojsk amerykańskich z Iraku, a także o tym, co nastąpiło później, w Iraku, Syrii, Iranie.... Autor, kiedyś korespondent wojenny, w ciekawy sposób potrafił połączyć swój ogląd rzeczywistości z wydarzeniami fikcyjnymi.
Na końcu książki znajduje się lista postaci, w takiej kolejności, w jakiej pojawiają się one w powieści, oraz alfabetyczny glosariusz organizacji i instytucji występujących w książce, a wśród nich ... Agencja Wywiadu.
Drugi, po Carrie's Run (Ścieżki Carrie) prequel serialu telewizyjnego Homeland.
Jest rok 2009, a więc za rok rozpocznie się Arabska Wiosna, za dwa lata wybuchnie wojna domowa w Syrii. Carrie Mathison, agentka CIA, od swojego syryjskiego kontaktu, oficera gwardii prezydenckiej o pseudonimie Cadillac, otrzymuje wiadomość, że w miejscowości Otaibah ukrywa się od dawna poszukiwany dowódca IPLA, irackiego oddziału Al Kaidy, Abu Nazir. Szefowi Carrie, Saulowi Berensonowi udaje się nakłonić najwyższe władze do przeprowadzenia ataku na kryjówkę terrorysty. Jednak po wylądowaniu helikopterów członkowie grupy specjalnej natrafiają jedynie na ślady pospiesznej ewakuacji z obozu. Jest oczywiste, że Abu Nazir został ostrzeżony. Musiał zatem nastąpić przeciek, czyli wśród niewielkiej grupy osób, które znały plany operacji, zapewne funkcjonuje kret. Ambicją Carrie jest jego wykrycie. A o jaką stawkę gra Saul przygotowując nową operację, o kryptonimie Iron Thunder, której głównym wykonawcą ma być Carrie?
Powieść Kaplana, oprócz wydarzeń rozgrywających się w kwietniu i maju 2009, zawiera przerywniki relacjonujące rozmowy, które odbyły się parę miesięcy później w Białym Domu w gronie prezydenta, wiceprezydenta oraz senatora kierującego komisją ds. służb; wspomnienia Saula z domu ortodoksyjnych Żydów i późniejsze, kłopotów w pogodzeniu życia małżeńskiego ze służbą; a ponadto przeżycia pozostającego od sześciu lat w niewoli Abu Nazira innego bohatera Homeland, Nicholasa Brody, i również jego wspomnienia.
Sądzę, że miłośnikom Homeland (dziś, 15 stycznia, w USA startuje szósty już sezon serialu) drugiego prequela, autorstwa Kaplana, nie trzeba zachwalać. Na mnie Gra Saula wywarła chyba większe wrażenie niż Ścieżki Carrie. Ale wypada zaznaczyć, że jej akcja jest zagmatwana i wymaga pewnej wiedzy o sytuacji na Bliskim Wschodzie, o tym, co działo się tam wówczas, w przededniu wycofywania wojsk amerykańskich z Iraku, a także o tym, co nastąpiło później, w Iraku, Syrii, Iranie.... Autor, kiedyś korespondent wojenny, w ciekawy sposób potrafił połączyć swój ogląd rzeczywistości z wydarzeniami fikcyjnymi.
Na końcu książki znajduje się lista postaci, w takiej kolejności, w jakiej pojawiają się one w powieści, oraz alfabetyczny glosariusz organizacji i instytucji występujących w książce, a wśród nich ... Agencja Wywiadu.
September 25, 2015
Dieser Roman ist für jeden Fan der erfolgreichen TV-Serie "Homeland" ein absolutes Muss !.
Hier wird erklärt, wie Brody sich nach jahrelanger Folter gebrochen wird und sich der Ideologie von Al Kaida unterwirft, zum Islam konvertiert und schließlich in Abu Nazirs (das Alter Ego von Osama bin Laden) Haushalt seinen Sohn Issa als Lehrer ausbildet. Währenddessen schmiedet Saul Berenson einen Geheimplan, um den Krieg zwischen Amerika und den Iran zu verhindern. Dieser Geheimplan soll auch einen Doppelagenten bei der CIA enttarnen und eine Schlüsselrolle in diesem Plan fällt Carrie Matheson zu, Saul schickt sie in allergrößte Gefahr.
Kaplan gelingt in diesem Buch, mehrere Handlungslinien, die in der Serie nicht geklärt wurden, zu verbinden und für Klarheit zu sorgen. Sehr gut wird die Psyche der handelnden Personen geschildert, wie Saul Mira kennenlernt und auch seine Kontakte zum iranischen Geheimdienst, die Denkweise von Brody in seiner Zeit bei Abu Nazir und die Liebe zu seinem Sohn wird thematisiert, aber besonders eindrucksvoll wird die Psyche von Carrie geschildert, zwischen Ihrer bipolaren Störung mit ihren Stimmungsschwankungen, ihrer Sexbesessenheit und der Ambivalenz zu ihrer Hingezogenheit zu einigen Monstern in Menschengestalt und ihrem Kampf für eine gerechte Sache.
Andrew Kaplan vermittelt auch ein großes Wissen um die inneren Zusammenhänge von Geheimdiensten, aber auch um die Gemengenlage im Nahen Osten, zwischen religiöser Barbarei und das Streben um Menschlichkeit...
Ein großer Roman, der m.E. wegen der Zugehörigkeit zu einer Dramaserie nicht den gerechten Zuspruch bekommen dürfte...
Hier wird erklärt, wie Brody sich nach jahrelanger Folter gebrochen wird und sich der Ideologie von Al Kaida unterwirft, zum Islam konvertiert und schließlich in Abu Nazirs (das Alter Ego von Osama bin Laden) Haushalt seinen Sohn Issa als Lehrer ausbildet. Währenddessen schmiedet Saul Berenson einen Geheimplan, um den Krieg zwischen Amerika und den Iran zu verhindern. Dieser Geheimplan soll auch einen Doppelagenten bei der CIA enttarnen und eine Schlüsselrolle in diesem Plan fällt Carrie Matheson zu, Saul schickt sie in allergrößte Gefahr.
Kaplan gelingt in diesem Buch, mehrere Handlungslinien, die in der Serie nicht geklärt wurden, zu verbinden und für Klarheit zu sorgen. Sehr gut wird die Psyche der handelnden Personen geschildert, wie Saul Mira kennenlernt und auch seine Kontakte zum iranischen Geheimdienst, die Denkweise von Brody in seiner Zeit bei Abu Nazir und die Liebe zu seinem Sohn wird thematisiert, aber besonders eindrucksvoll wird die Psyche von Carrie geschildert, zwischen Ihrer bipolaren Störung mit ihren Stimmungsschwankungen, ihrer Sexbesessenheit und der Ambivalenz zu ihrer Hingezogenheit zu einigen Monstern in Menschengestalt und ihrem Kampf für eine gerechte Sache.
Andrew Kaplan vermittelt auch ein großes Wissen um die inneren Zusammenhänge von Geheimdiensten, aber auch um die Gemengenlage im Nahen Osten, zwischen religiöser Barbarei und das Streben um Menschlichkeit...
Ein großer Roman, der m.E. wegen der Zugehörigkeit zu einer Dramaserie nicht den gerechten Zuspruch bekommen dürfte...
September 2, 2014
Carrie Mathison is a CIA field operative working in Iraq in 2009 and is the principal character in this novel. Her boss, Saul Berenson uses Carrie as his primary agent in a complex operation of action and deception called Iron Thunder. This is especially difficult because of the limitations placed on all women by Islamic society. There are many places she cannot go and things that are only allowed for men. Plus she must often work covered from head to toe, with only a slit for her eyes, in order to blend in with the native female population.
Kaplan has penned a fast paced, spy novel in which the solidity of nearly everything shifts like the sand in the desert. Nothing is certain, friends may be enemies and enemies friends, at least in this moment, or until the next breeze blows. I enjoyed this book, but found its’ strength, Carrie’s character, to also be its’ weakness. It was frequently difficult to believe that a female agent in this Moslem world could be as effective as Carrie was. I guess this is appropriate for a spy novel in which the characters don’t often believe that something is true, but deem something important if it might be true. This is a book whose facts are always swirling around and never settle down so you can see them clearly. I found it to be both interesting and unsettling. A good book for spy novel fans who like fast paced action.
Kaplan has penned a fast paced, spy novel in which the solidity of nearly everything shifts like the sand in the desert. Nothing is certain, friends may be enemies and enemies friends, at least in this moment, or until the next breeze blows. I enjoyed this book, but found its’ strength, Carrie’s character, to also be its’ weakness. It was frequently difficult to believe that a female agent in this Moslem world could be as effective as Carrie was. I guess this is appropriate for a spy novel in which the characters don’t often believe that something is true, but deem something important if it might be true. This is a book whose facts are always swirling around and never settle down so you can see them clearly. I found it to be both interesting and unsettling. A good book for spy novel fans who like fast paced action.
January 30, 2016
Later on in the review there are references to the beginning of season 1 and the season five finale....
give this four stars because of the intricacy of the plot and the background information readers need to know involving history and current events, prevalently in the Middle East, which can bog down the action at times. It's understandable why it's needed and the glossary in the back is a great addition.
Kaplan really gets into the head of the characters! I'm always amazed at the lengths Saul is willing to go to get Carrie to do what he wants. Hard to believe that the Carrie we meet in the pilot episode of Homeland is the same Carrie who has already gone through all of these ordeals. After what Carrie endured in this novel I'm surprised Carrie and Saul are all hunky-dory in the beginning of season one!
If you love the show you will love the book!
Now all we need is a third prequel novel focused entirely on Quinn and that would make a perfect trio of Homeland prequel novels. It can begin with how Dar recruited him from the streets of Baltimore and end with Quinn being on Carrie's team and meeting her for the first time, since he falls in love with her and that dream is a "false glimmer".
give this four stars because of the intricacy of the plot and the background information readers need to know involving history and current events, prevalently in the Middle East, which can bog down the action at times. It's understandable why it's needed and the glossary in the back is a great addition.
Kaplan really gets into the head of the characters! I'm always amazed at the lengths Saul is willing to go to get Carrie to do what he wants. Hard to believe that the Carrie we meet in the pilot episode of Homeland is the same Carrie who has already gone through all of these ordeals. After what Carrie endured in this novel I'm surprised Carrie and Saul are all hunky-dory in the beginning of season one!
If you love the show you will love the book!
Now all we need is a third prequel novel focused entirely on Quinn and that would make a perfect trio of Homeland prequel novels. It can begin with how Dar recruited him from the streets of Baltimore and end with Quinn being on Carrie's team and meeting her for the first time, since he falls in love with her and that dream is a "false glimmer".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2016
Homeland Saul' s Game, by Andrew Kaplan, is my one hundred and forty-third book that I have received and read from Goodreads. This is my first book that I have read from this author. I found this book to be a fantastic spy thriller.
This is a story about Carrie Mathison, she is working undercover in Damascus 2009. She is leading an undercover operation against al Qaeda terrorist Abu Nazir. The special operations meant to capture him fails, she and her boss Saul Berenson become convinced that there is a leak within the CIA. Before long everything that should be certain shifts into lies, Saul uses Carrie as a weapon to flush out who the mole is. This book does a great job of showing how hard it is to work undercover in the Islamic world. By reading this book I found that this is a series, and that they have a television version. I will be getting book 1 of this series, and any other book published by this author.
I really enjoyed having the list of characters in the back of the book, it helped me to keep track of all the characters with foreign names. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading spy novels.
This is a story about Carrie Mathison, she is working undercover in Damascus 2009. She is leading an undercover operation against al Qaeda terrorist Abu Nazir. The special operations meant to capture him fails, she and her boss Saul Berenson become convinced that there is a leak within the CIA. Before long everything that should be certain shifts into lies, Saul uses Carrie as a weapon to flush out who the mole is. This book does a great job of showing how hard it is to work undercover in the Islamic world. By reading this book I found that this is a series, and that they have a television version. I will be getting book 1 of this series, and any other book published by this author.
I really enjoyed having the list of characters in the back of the book, it helped me to keep track of all the characters with foreign names. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading spy novels.
September 21, 2014
SAUL’S GAME: A HOMELAND NOVEL is the second in a series of prequel novels for the Showtime television series. In this outing Andrew Kaplan has CIA’s Carrie Mathison on the hunt for the terrorist Abu Nazir. When a special operation meant to capture him fails, she and her boss Saul Berenson become convinced there is a leak within the CIA.
Before long everything that should be certain shifts into lies and Saul uses Carrie as a weapon to dissolve the fog and try to glimpse the truth. Working undercover in the Islamic world is especially difficult for Carrie but she must pull it off or die in the attempt.
There is an abundance of background revealed about Carrie and Brody and other characters from the television program. For true believers in that program there is plenty of details about both of them and several other characters.
This is a fast paced, action filled thriller. Even those who have never seen the program or heard of the characters can enjoy this undercover CIA novel.
I won this book through Goodreads.
Before long everything that should be certain shifts into lies and Saul uses Carrie as a weapon to dissolve the fog and try to glimpse the truth. Working undercover in the Islamic world is especially difficult for Carrie but she must pull it off or die in the attempt.
There is an abundance of background revealed about Carrie and Brody and other characters from the television program. For true believers in that program there is plenty of details about both of them and several other characters.
This is a fast paced, action filled thriller. Even those who have never seen the program or heard of the characters can enjoy this undercover CIA novel.
I won this book through Goodreads.
June 27, 2020
Great book! Though it was hard for me at the beginning to understand what operation Iron Thunder is exactly.
This book completes especially the backstory of Saul, Brody and Dar Adal which makes the full show (book + TV) more enjoyable. However it might be trying too hard to sound mysterious sometimes.
There is a bit (even critical) difference in the character of Saul. In the show, he was willing to save Brody from Iran and Anna, both at the expense of the operation to some extent which he considered acceptable of course. To him it was people > mission. But in the book, after the mission Iron Thunder, he said to Carrie that he was sorry but would do it again. Think about the damage that's been done to her! As for the whole sending her back to Langley for a desk job thing before he sent her back to Damascus, it was more like a disclaimer that makes his conscious feel better. This time it was more like mission > people. Not to mention this very person is his protégé. But maybe that's the reason?
This book completes especially the backstory of Saul, Brody and Dar Adal which makes the full show (book + TV) more enjoyable. However it might be trying too hard to sound mysterious sometimes.
There is a bit (even critical) difference in the character of Saul. In the show, he was willing to save Brody from Iran and Anna, both at the expense of the operation to some extent which he considered acceptable of course. To him it was people > mission. But in the book, after the mission Iron Thunder, he said to Carrie that he was sorry but would do it again. Think about the damage that's been done to her! As for the whole sending her back to Langley for a desk job thing before he sent her back to Damascus, it was more like a disclaimer that makes his conscious feel better. This time it was more like mission > people. Not to mention this very person is his protégé. But maybe that's the reason?
July 12, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book, but not as much as I wanted to! I am a big fan of the TV series, "Homeland" on Showtime, so I was really looking forward to reading this. Because I have a clear mental image of all of the characters (Saul, Carrie, Brody, etc.) I was able to envisage what was happening very well. The story was compelling and I read the whole thing in just a couple of days. I would have given the book four stars except that I found it unnecessarily complex. Just like in real life, there are so many factions, agencies, alliances, good guys, bad guys, and lots of gray guys, that I found the plot quite hard to follow. So, top marks for keeping it realistic, but minus one star (from four stars down to three stars) for making it too complicated to follow easily. After all, I do read this for entertainment, not for social studies examinations!
November 17, 2018
As a huge of fan of Homeland specially the first season as well as the second and the latest one. This book did a great job of filling in what happened from the first book and also what went on before the events of when they first found Brody and it was great to hear more about Saul who is one of my favourite characters apart from Carrie, about his backstory from when he was a child to when he joined the CIA and how he met his wife and Dar and his relationship with him and his one with Carrie, the shocking revelation at the end actually angered me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2014
I have never watched Homeland so I can truthful say I did not know what to expect out of this book. I found it to be a fast paced easy read. With what is going on in todays world it is easy to picture this scenario. It also made me think that maybe I would understand some of the characters better if I watched the series. But all in all a good read.
I received this from LibraryThing early Review for an honest review.
I received this from LibraryThing early Review for an honest review.
March 10, 2016
This is the second Kaplan novel which ties in with the hugely successful series Homeland. The book surrounds Carrie on a mission to uncover a mole and touches upon Brody's incarceration under Abu Nazir and his subsequent feelings towards Nazir's son and the American administration. This for me was the better of the novels and was really tense at times. It really does lead up to the Tv series so well and is a must for any homeland fan.
September 6, 2016
Yet another winner in the Homeland series from Andrew Kaplan.
The only thing I can add that has not through other reviews is that I have not yet seen the TV series, so this and Carrie's Run are great ways to step into this saga.
The only thing I can add that has not through other reviews is that I have not yet seen the TV series, so this and Carrie's Run are great ways to step into this saga.
August 20, 2014
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this book via the FirstReads program.
This is a prequel to the Homeland television series. While it isn't necessary to be familiar with the series to enjoy the novel, it does add some depth to the characters of Carrie, Saul, and even Brody. Recommended for fans of the espionage genre.
This is a prequel to the Homeland television series. While it isn't necessary to be familiar with the series to enjoy the novel, it does add some depth to the characters of Carrie, Saul, and even Brody. Recommended for fans of the espionage genre.
September 29, 2014
This is a good book by Kaplan and I really enjoyed reading it. The characters and the themes were compelling and well done. There is a complexity to the work that some will enjoy and others may find a little daunting. Enjoyed it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
January 23, 2015
Excellent Homeland prequel with Carrie and Saul trying to track down the infamous Abu Nazir. He, of course, has captured a certain US marine called Brodie ...
The book is fast paced and the characters are true to the tv show. Very readable, full of action and suspense. A real thriller with intrigue and middle east politics aplenty.
The book is fast paced and the characters are true to the tv show. Very readable, full of action and suspense. A real thriller with intrigue and middle east politics aplenty.
November 6, 2014
AS a fan of the series I was intrigued to read this. I wasn't let down!
Its tense and enthralling and takes you right into the core of the drama.
Its well written and You certainly feel you are with the characters as you read.
Its tense and enthralling and takes you right into the core of the drama.
Its well written and You certainly feel you are with the characters as you read.
January 28, 2015
Now that I've finished the books I can continue watching the series. I'm sure the show is excellent but I can't help but wish the series had several more books to read. This second one was hard to put down and at the same time hard to finish because I knew this was it.
October 13, 2015
10-12-2015 I've only seen two seasons of HOMELAND and part of year 3. Reading this book was quite a different experience EXCEPT I already had faces to put to characters. I enjoyed the reading experience VS the watching experience. If you like the series, you'll like the books.
February 20, 2018
Listened to the audiobook. Enjoyed how it blended with the tv show. A good thrilling read. Made you think. Easy to follow
March 12, 2025
None of that mattered now. All that mattered was Carrie’s intel. It had changed the equation. It was about to change everything the United States was involved with in the Middle East.
Begins in 2009, one year before the Arab Spring.
Carrie Mathison remains in pursuit of Abu Nazir, the leader of IPLA: the Islamic People’s Liberation Army, an affiliate of al-Qaeda.
POVs from Carrie, Saul, and Nicholas Brody. Carrie’s POVs always deliver the intensity. (Somewhat) surprisingly, Saul’s POVs are actually quite strong as well. And Brody’s perspective is an interesting addition.
Raid on Nasir’s hideout in Ota’bah, Syria. The tip-off.
Cadillac, the asset. Orhan.
Operation Iron Thunder.
Abd al Ali Nasser, head of the Syrian Mukhabarat.
A brilliant and delicate web of espionage.
Syarhey Lebedenko.
Dar Adal—the groomed turns into the groomer. I don’t recall the show revealing he is Druze and Lebanese.
Plants the seeds with Saul’s recollections of Iran and Majid Javadi.
A globe-trotting adventure. Washington, D.C., Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Spain, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran…
Alina.
Brody’s damage—especially his own father.
Marius de Bruin—the South African. Seducing him is quite…mutual.
Planning with military factions.
“This is some game you’re playing, Saul. And it’s all on that female agent?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
“She better be damn good.”
“She is. She has to be. For all our sakes.”
Brody and Abu Nazir…growing closer. Issa.
Carrie and Saul, doing what they do best.
The Twelvers.
Dar and Saul’s first meeting in Somalia.
Colonel Namir Fahmadi.
Terrifying capture in Iran.
The Albu Mahals. Warzer.
Super compelling. Pulse-pounding, intense read.
“Because what the hell’s the difference between them and us?”
“One difference. It’s what keeps me going.”
“What? Because I swear I don’t know anymore.”
“They want to kill people. We want to stop killing.”
Begins in 2009, one year before the Arab Spring.
Carrie Mathison remains in pursuit of Abu Nazir, the leader of IPLA: the Islamic People’s Liberation Army, an affiliate of al-Qaeda.
POVs from Carrie, Saul, and Nicholas Brody. Carrie’s POVs always deliver the intensity. (Somewhat) surprisingly, Saul’s POVs are actually quite strong as well. And Brody’s perspective is an interesting addition.
Raid on Nasir’s hideout in Ota’bah, Syria. The tip-off.
Cadillac, the asset. Orhan.
Operation Iron Thunder.
Abd al Ali Nasser, head of the Syrian Mukhabarat.
A brilliant and delicate web of espionage.
Syarhey Lebedenko.
Dar Adal—the groomed turns into the groomer. I don’t recall the show revealing he is Druze and Lebanese.
Plants the seeds with Saul’s recollections of Iran and Majid Javadi.
A globe-trotting adventure. Washington, D.C., Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Spain, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran…
Alina.
Brody’s damage—especially his own father.
Marius de Bruin—the South African. Seducing him is quite…mutual.
Planning with military factions.
“This is some game you’re playing, Saul. And it’s all on that female agent?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
“She better be damn good.”
“She is. She has to be. For all our sakes.”
Brody and Abu Nazir…growing closer. Issa.
Carrie and Saul, doing what they do best.
The Twelvers.
Dar and Saul’s first meeting in Somalia.
Colonel Namir Fahmadi.
Terrifying capture in Iran.
The Albu Mahals. Warzer.
Super compelling. Pulse-pounding, intense read.
“Because what the hell’s the difference between them and us?”
“One difference. It’s what keeps me going.”
“What? Because I swear I don’t know anymore.”
“They want to kill people. We want to stop killing.”
November 11, 2019
I was very disappointed with my encounter with this book.
First - the audio book experience. The reader was a person (a woman, that doesn't matter) with a very heavy accent, I believe to be a Boston accent. Few words were vocalized as containing the letter "R", something that led to confusion and difficulty in comprehension. This wasn't like listening to someone with an attractive Boston accent, it was much more gritty and far too often hard to follow.
Many non-R containing words were horribly mispronounced and so too were difficult to understand. I'm really pretty shocked at how low the quality of this production was. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this production was by far the worst I've heard. Zero stars.
Second - the story itself. It had been described as a prequel but aspects of the story had been part of the dramatic teleplay production. I won't say what or which. The story was plain, the continuity often missing as it jumped from thing to thing and place to place. Two stars to be fair, it's not really commercial fiction.
Average rating of two stars and zero stars = one star. Not recommended and not a close call.
First - the audio book experience. The reader was a person (a woman, that doesn't matter) with a very heavy accent, I believe to be a Boston accent. Few words were vocalized as containing the letter "R", something that led to confusion and difficulty in comprehension. This wasn't like listening to someone with an attractive Boston accent, it was much more gritty and far too often hard to follow.
Many non-R containing words were horribly mispronounced and so too were difficult to understand. I'm really pretty shocked at how low the quality of this production was. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this production was by far the worst I've heard. Zero stars.
Second - the story itself. It had been described as a prequel but aspects of the story had been part of the dramatic teleplay production. I won't say what or which. The story was plain, the continuity often missing as it jumped from thing to thing and place to place. Two stars to be fair, it's not really commercial fiction.
Average rating of two stars and zero stars = one star. Not recommended and not a close call.
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