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Luke Daniels #2
Red Star Falling (Volume 2)
From New York Times bestselling authors, Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood, comes an action-packed adventure, borne in the waning days of the Cold War, that propels Luke Daniels on a quest in search of the legendary library of Ivan the Terrible — the unlikely key to ending a looming threat orbiting two hundred miles above the earth.
Wrapping up his latest assignment for the Magellan Billet, Luke Daniels receives a surprise visit from the head of a former-CIA operation named Sommerhaus — a failed attempt to assemble an espionage network within the Ukraine on the eve of the Russian invasion. Sommerhaus ranks high on Luke’s list of painful regrets for it was during this mission that his friend, CIA case officer John Vince, was captured by Russian operatives and supposedly executed. But Luke is provided some shocking news. Vince is alive, in failing health, locked behind the walls of Russia’s brutal Solovetsky Island prison, and has a critical message he’ll give to no one but Luke. Needing no further convincing Luke vows to bring Vince home.
However, just as he manages to extract his friend from prison Vince tragically dies and his final words are rambling and incoherent. Just bits and pieces. But enough to plunge Luke into a hunt for something lost since the 15th century. The legendary library of the first Tsar of All Russia, Ivan the Terrible.
Within that priceless collection of rare manuscripts is the key to unraveling a modern-day cipher and stopping a secret Soviet satellite program that still exists. But Luke is not the only one on the trail. Others, both inside and out of Russia, want the library for a totally different reason — to re-start the Red Star program and finally unleash its destructive potential. Luke’s mission is clear. Find the lost library, solve the puzzle, and prevent Red Star falling.
Wrapping up his latest assignment for the Magellan Billet, Luke Daniels receives a surprise visit from the head of a former-CIA operation named Sommerhaus — a failed attempt to assemble an espionage network within the Ukraine on the eve of the Russian invasion. Sommerhaus ranks high on Luke’s list of painful regrets for it was during this mission that his friend, CIA case officer John Vince, was captured by Russian operatives and supposedly executed. But Luke is provided some shocking news. Vince is alive, in failing health, locked behind the walls of Russia’s brutal Solovetsky Island prison, and has a critical message he’ll give to no one but Luke. Needing no further convincing Luke vows to bring Vince home.
However, just as he manages to extract his friend from prison Vince tragically dies and his final words are rambling and incoherent. Just bits and pieces. But enough to plunge Luke into a hunt for something lost since the 15th century. The legendary library of the first Tsar of All Russia, Ivan the Terrible.
Within that priceless collection of rare manuscripts is the key to unraveling a modern-day cipher and stopping a secret Soviet satellite program that still exists. But Luke is not the only one on the trail. Others, both inside and out of Russia, want the library for a totally different reason — to re-start the Red Star program and finally unleash its destructive potential. Luke’s mission is clear. Find the lost library, solve the puzzle, and prevent Red Star falling.
560 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2024
646 people are currently reading
6278 people want to read
About the author
Steve Berry
109 books7,457 followersSteve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-two novels, which include: The Last Kingdom , The Omega Factor , The Kaiser's Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, The Bishop’s Pawn, The Lost Order, The 14th Colony, The Patriot Threat, The Lincoln Myth, The King's Deception, The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. Steve has also co-written a novel with Grant Blackwood, The 9th Man (a Luke Daniels Adventure), and four novellas with M. J. Rose: The End of Forever, The House of Long Ago, The Lake of Learning, and The Museum of Mysteries, all Cassiopeia Vitt tales. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
June 29, 2024
Grant Blackwood and Steve Berry return with another novel starring Magellan Billet agent Luke Daniels. Formerly a secondary character in the Cotton Malone series, Daniels takes center stage with an operation that sends him into the heart of Russia. Searching for the mysterious library of Ivan the Terrible, Daniels finds himself uncovering a new and troubling weapons system that could reignite the Cold War. Working with some operatives he can trust, Daniels will have to neutralise it before the world is in the grips of a new nuclear battle. Stunning and well-paced, Blackwood and Berry deliver another strong thriller.
After completing his latest assignment for the Magellan Billet, Agent Luke Daniels is approached by a guest he would never have expected. The head of a failed CIA operation in Ukraine reaches out to share some news related to one of Daniels’ friends and fellow operatives, John Vance. Captured by the Russians during the early days of the invasion of Ukraine, Vance remains in custody, not dead as previously reported. Vance’s health is waning, but has a message that he will only deliver to Daniels. This spurs Daniels to make his way to Russia, hoping to help release his friend from the Russians and obtain this mysterious message.
While trying to remove his friend from Russian custody, Daniels is unable to keep John Vance alive. However, the man’s final message is a scramble of words that appear to make no sense, but hint at finding the long-lost library of Ivan the Terrible, which holds clues to stopping a new weapon that could bring the Cold War back and turn the world into a nuclear playground. The Russians have Red Star, a satellite system that could serve to. attack from the depths of space, targeting the US with the flick of a button. Stopping it could be found amongst the rare manuscripts the former Russian tsar kept for his own perusal, though Luke Daniels has no idea what he needs to do.
Rushing to crack the codes that could help save the world, Daniels and some operatives he brings with him will have to locate the library and devour its contents swiftly if they wish to stop Red Star and dilute the threat. It will take more than luck and time is of the essence in this chilling story that posits just how devastating something of this nature could be if left tin the wrong hands. Blackwood and Berry dazzle in this great novel that has all the elements of a strong thriller.
I have long enjoyed the work of Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series. When Grant Blackwood arrived to focus on the Luke Daniels angle, I was highly intrigued and could not wait to try reading about them. The authors collaborate on this great story that tells another exciting angle of the Magellan Billet and cases that take the protagonist deep into dangerous zones of the world. The narrative builds with each chapter and provides the reader with something well worth their time. Working to captivate the reader’s attention, things rush forward until they are humming and the reader cannot help but push onwards. The characters are strong and keep the story flavoured with great perspectives, adding depth to the thriller. I am eager to see where things are headed with this collection and how the authors will keep building on what they have created.
Plot is central to the story, leaving the reader feeling surprised with each revelation, while never entirely providing clear-cut answers. I could not help wondering what would come of this new Cold War story, which builds with ease and left me unsure what I ought to expect. The series is gaining momentum and begs for more, as there is never a shortage of issues the Magellan Billet must stop. I cannot wait to see what Blackwood and Berry have in store for Luke Daniels.
Kudos Messrs. Blackwood and Berry, for a great story that kept impressing me.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After completing his latest assignment for the Magellan Billet, Agent Luke Daniels is approached by a guest he would never have expected. The head of a failed CIA operation in Ukraine reaches out to share some news related to one of Daniels’ friends and fellow operatives, John Vance. Captured by the Russians during the early days of the invasion of Ukraine, Vance remains in custody, not dead as previously reported. Vance’s health is waning, but has a message that he will only deliver to Daniels. This spurs Daniels to make his way to Russia, hoping to help release his friend from the Russians and obtain this mysterious message.
While trying to remove his friend from Russian custody, Daniels is unable to keep John Vance alive. However, the man’s final message is a scramble of words that appear to make no sense, but hint at finding the long-lost library of Ivan the Terrible, which holds clues to stopping a new weapon that could bring the Cold War back and turn the world into a nuclear playground. The Russians have Red Star, a satellite system that could serve to. attack from the depths of space, targeting the US with the flick of a button. Stopping it could be found amongst the rare manuscripts the former Russian tsar kept for his own perusal, though Luke Daniels has no idea what he needs to do.
Rushing to crack the codes that could help save the world, Daniels and some operatives he brings with him will have to locate the library and devour its contents swiftly if they wish to stop Red Star and dilute the threat. It will take more than luck and time is of the essence in this chilling story that posits just how devastating something of this nature could be if left tin the wrong hands. Blackwood and Berry dazzle in this great novel that has all the elements of a strong thriller.
I have long enjoyed the work of Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series. When Grant Blackwood arrived to focus on the Luke Daniels angle, I was highly intrigued and could not wait to try reading about them. The authors collaborate on this great story that tells another exciting angle of the Magellan Billet and cases that take the protagonist deep into dangerous zones of the world. The narrative builds with each chapter and provides the reader with something well worth their time. Working to captivate the reader’s attention, things rush forward until they are humming and the reader cannot help but push onwards. The characters are strong and keep the story flavoured with great perspectives, adding depth to the thriller. I am eager to see where things are headed with this collection and how the authors will keep building on what they have created.
Plot is central to the story, leaving the reader feeling surprised with each revelation, while never entirely providing clear-cut answers. I could not help wondering what would come of this new Cold War story, which builds with ease and left me unsure what I ought to expect. The series is gaining momentum and begs for more, as there is never a shortage of issues the Magellan Billet must stop. I cannot wait to see what Blackwood and Berry have in store for Luke Daniels.
Kudos Messrs. Blackwood and Berry, for a great story that kept impressing me.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
June 12, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central for the pre-release copy of Red Star Falling. Below is my honest review.
I'm a long-time fan of Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series, and I was super pumped when I found out that side character Luke Daniels was going to get his own spinoff trilogy, co-written with Grant Blackwood.
This one takes Luke into the heart of Russia, working with a turned asset to rescue an old friend. As Luke and this asset get deeper into the plot, their path begins to steamroll towards a Russian political battle that has the potential for massive, global fallout.
I really like Luke as a main character. I think he's got that something that it takes to lead a series, and I actually really hope we get more than three of these co-written books. For a second book in a trilogy, this one was still top notch. Usually book two in a trilogy can have some serious "filler" vibes, but Berry and Blackwood didn't slow down on the gas for this one, and it kept the same punch.
Looking forward to the third, and hoping that's not all we get of Luke - at the very least, fold him back into the main series, please!!!
I'm a long-time fan of Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series, and I was super pumped when I found out that side character Luke Daniels was going to get his own spinoff trilogy, co-written with Grant Blackwood.
This one takes Luke into the heart of Russia, working with a turned asset to rescue an old friend. As Luke and this asset get deeper into the plot, their path begins to steamroll towards a Russian political battle that has the potential for massive, global fallout.
I really like Luke as a main character. I think he's got that something that it takes to lead a series, and I actually really hope we get more than three of these co-written books. For a second book in a trilogy, this one was still top notch. Usually book two in a trilogy can have some serious "filler" vibes, but Berry and Blackwood didn't slow down on the gas for this one, and it kept the same punch.
Looking forward to the third, and hoping that's not all we get of Luke - at the very least, fold him back into the main series, please!!!
Read
July 1, 2024Whenever you see the name Steve Berry attached to a book, you can get set for a fast-paced, well-written and fully researched thriller of the best quality. RED STAR FALLING, the second installment in his Luke Daniels series (which he writes with Grant Blackwood), is no exception.
Luke Daniels is intricately tied to Berry’s Cotton Malone series. Not only is he a member of the same top-secret group as Cotton --- Magellan Billet --- he also is the son of former U.S. President Danny Daniels, who appears in those books. I love the continuity and the worldbuilding, and this new tale harks back to the Cold War struggles between the US and Russia.
The very interesting prologue is set in 1584 during the rule of Russia’s first tsar, Ivan the Terrible. The specific ties he will have with this complex plot has to do with Ivan's secret library, which plays a valuable role in the narrative. In the present day, we find Luke on a mission in Lisbon, Portugal, when he hears from Sean Fernando, the head of a former CIA operation called Sommerhaus. Since Fernando is not Luke’s favorite person, he is suspicious. That is, until Fernando mentions the name John Vince --- the one-time director of a project that Luke worked on who has long been presumed dead. Fernando informs him that Vince is very much alive and spending time in a Russian prison. It is up to Luke to track him down and free him.
RED STAR FALLING quickly becomes a race, almost like a scavenger hunt, with rival groups seeking the same things. Opposing Luke in his mission to get to Vince is former Russian President Aleksei Delov. After meeting with current Russian leader Konstantin Franko, he acknowledges that they do not have the same visions for the direction of their country and decides to hatch a plan to destroy the Kremlin in order to put Russia back on the right track. Delov only has about four months to live, so the clock is ticking on his scheme that requires his head of security to acquire what he needs.
The item in question is the Red Star, which initially was part of a Russian satellite program and later became used as targeted bombs. There is now just one Red Star remaining, and Delov wants to drop this major weapon of mass destruction on top of the Kremlin, wiping out the entire Russian government regime. Meanwhile, Luke has teamed up with Danielle Otero, whose family emigrated to Russia from Spain in 1938, as they both have heavy interest in rescuing Vince.
Vince is being held in a top-secret prison located on a remote island in the White Sea. He and Danielle must infiltrate Russia without any backup other than remote technical assistance and manage a near-impossible extraction.
RED STAR FALLING is so full of intrigue and suspense that it instantly becomes another Steve Berry classic. He already has shown off his knowledge of Russian history going back to his debut novel, THE AMBER ROOM. Berry and Blackwood are a formidable pair, producing a timely, politically driven thriller filled with high-octane suspense from start to finish.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Luke Daniels is intricately tied to Berry’s Cotton Malone series. Not only is he a member of the same top-secret group as Cotton --- Magellan Billet --- he also is the son of former U.S. President Danny Daniels, who appears in those books. I love the continuity and the worldbuilding, and this new tale harks back to the Cold War struggles between the US and Russia.
The very interesting prologue is set in 1584 during the rule of Russia’s first tsar, Ivan the Terrible. The specific ties he will have with this complex plot has to do with Ivan's secret library, which plays a valuable role in the narrative. In the present day, we find Luke on a mission in Lisbon, Portugal, when he hears from Sean Fernando, the head of a former CIA operation called Sommerhaus. Since Fernando is not Luke’s favorite person, he is suspicious. That is, until Fernando mentions the name John Vince --- the one-time director of a project that Luke worked on who has long been presumed dead. Fernando informs him that Vince is very much alive and spending time in a Russian prison. It is up to Luke to track him down and free him.
RED STAR FALLING quickly becomes a race, almost like a scavenger hunt, with rival groups seeking the same things. Opposing Luke in his mission to get to Vince is former Russian President Aleksei Delov. After meeting with current Russian leader Konstantin Franko, he acknowledges that they do not have the same visions for the direction of their country and decides to hatch a plan to destroy the Kremlin in order to put Russia back on the right track. Delov only has about four months to live, so the clock is ticking on his scheme that requires his head of security to acquire what he needs.
The item in question is the Red Star, which initially was part of a Russian satellite program and later became used as targeted bombs. There is now just one Red Star remaining, and Delov wants to drop this major weapon of mass destruction on top of the Kremlin, wiping out the entire Russian government regime. Meanwhile, Luke has teamed up with Danielle Otero, whose family emigrated to Russia from Spain in 1938, as they both have heavy interest in rescuing Vince.
Vince is being held in a top-secret prison located on a remote island in the White Sea. He and Danielle must infiltrate Russia without any backup other than remote technical assistance and manage a near-impossible extraction.
RED STAR FALLING is so full of intrigue and suspense that it instantly becomes another Steve Berry classic. He already has shown off his knowledge of Russian history going back to his debut novel, THE AMBER ROOM. Berry and Blackwood are a formidable pair, producing a timely, politically driven thriller filled with high-octane suspense from start to finish.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
March 17, 2025
The cover isn’t bad but could be better.
The story centers around Luke Daniels, black ops operative from, Magellan Billet, the covert operation arm of the Department of Justice, Aleskse Olegovich Delov, former First Secretary/Premier of the new Russian republic, Konstantine Franko, the new ruler of Russia. Think Vladamir Putin and you’re on the right track. Aleske isn’t pleased with the path Franko has set Russia on. He wants to rebuild the old USSR and bring it back to its past glory. His eyes are set on bringing the Ukraine back into the fold. The only weapon available is an old satellite from the days of the cold war, Red Star- a floating nuclear missile platform. If you’ve seen “Space Cowboys” with Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Garner, you know what I’m talking about. The only problem is, there are only two people in Russia who know how to activate it and to top that off, the key to coding Red Star lies in a book from the mythical library of Ivan The Terrible.
That is one heady plot to say the least. The only problem is the execution. It is slow and cumbersome. Just as the action builds to what should be a crescendo, it gets bogged down in useless dialogue and the repetitive historical accounting of Ivan the Terrible and the lost library. It’s okay to provide backdrop information and provide the reader with historical perspective, but once the ground work is laid, move on. Sadly, that isn’t the case. The same story keeps getting repeating ad-nauseum!
The final scene where Luke is trying to foil the attempt of Aleske to activate Red Star and take out the Russian convention in Moscow, where all the leaders are present, is more than Bondish, it’s past believability as Luke crab walks up a wall with a destroyed hand. The author attributes his Herculean task to his Ranger training where he can block out all pain. Not buying it.
Overall this is a decent read, but a blockbuster spy thriller it isn’t.
The story centers around Luke Daniels, black ops operative from, Magellan Billet, the covert operation arm of the Department of Justice, Aleskse Olegovich Delov, former First Secretary/Premier of the new Russian republic, Konstantine Franko, the new ruler of Russia. Think Vladamir Putin and you’re on the right track. Aleske isn’t pleased with the path Franko has set Russia on. He wants to rebuild the old USSR and bring it back to its past glory. His eyes are set on bringing the Ukraine back into the fold. The only weapon available is an old satellite from the days of the cold war, Red Star- a floating nuclear missile platform. If you’ve seen “Space Cowboys” with Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Garner, you know what I’m talking about. The only problem is, there are only two people in Russia who know how to activate it and to top that off, the key to coding Red Star lies in a book from the mythical library of Ivan The Terrible.
That is one heady plot to say the least. The only problem is the execution. It is slow and cumbersome. Just as the action builds to what should be a crescendo, it gets bogged down in useless dialogue and the repetitive historical accounting of Ivan the Terrible and the lost library. It’s okay to provide backdrop information and provide the reader with historical perspective, but once the ground work is laid, move on. Sadly, that isn’t the case. The same story keeps getting repeating ad-nauseum!
The final scene where Luke is trying to foil the attempt of Aleske to activate Red Star and take out the Russian convention in Moscow, where all the leaders are present, is more than Bondish, it’s past believability as Luke crab walks up a wall with a destroyed hand. The author attributes his Herculean task to his Ranger training where he can block out all pain. Not buying it.
Overall this is a decent read, but a blockbuster spy thriller it isn’t.
June 20, 2024
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thriller / Historical
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Red Star Falling, by co-authors Steve Berry, Grant Blackwood's, is the second installment in the Luke Daniels series. This novel features a character from Berry's Cotton Malone series, Luke Daniels, a thirty-something Magellan Billet agent Malone has jokingly nicknamed "Frat Boy." This story involves fascinating historical events regarding Ivan III, the Russian Civil War, the Tsarist White Army, a convent destroyed by Stalin, the Russian covert space program, and the infamous UVB-76 Russian numbers station.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thriller / Historical
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Red Star Falling, by co-authors Steve Berry, Grant Blackwood's, is the second installment in the Luke Daniels series. This novel features a character from Berry's Cotton Malone series, Luke Daniels, a thirty-something Magellan Billet agent Malone has jokingly nicknamed "Frat Boy." This story involves fascinating historical events regarding Ivan III, the Russian Civil War, the Tsarist White Army, a convent destroyed by Stalin, the Russian covert space program, and the infamous UVB-76 Russian numbers station.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
May 15, 2024
This is the second book in the Luke Daniel series. It works as a stand alone novel, but reading the first one and the latter Cotton Malone series will be helpful in filling in some background. As indicated in the title, the action takes place in Russia and involves some Cold War technology. It is a fast paced and engaging read.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, Facebook and my nonfiction book review blog.
July 18, 2024
Eh. Red Star Falling is an interesting story and a worthwhile read. It suffers, however, from the same inattention to credibility as did The 9th Man. As a fan of Clancy, Thor, Rosenberg, Flynn, Mills, Carr, Silva, etc, I find the plot requires a degree of suspension of belief that takes away from my enjoyment of the book. You will enjoy the read, but it does not rise to the level of these first tier writers which continues to be my hope for this series.
July 8, 2024
Steve Berry is a prolific writer. I am not familiar with Mr, Blackwood, but I wanted to read this book because, well, it was a Steve Berry book! The reader can be assured that Mr. Berry will offer a complex plot that is multi faceted. I wasn’t even half way into the book and one of the storylines was pretty much developed to my satisfaction 🙌! But wait….. it was not finished by a long shot as it delved deeper into yet another adventure 🙌!! Wow🤩! The reader gets their money’s worth reading Steve Berry and now Mr. Blackwood. . Not only are the storylines complex and intellectual, they are so well researched and detailed and interesting.! The plot in Red Star Falling is utterly intriguing. 👍
Red Star falling is the second book in this installment. I didn’t feel lost at all. Blackwood and Berry do an admirable job of apprising the reader of what previously transpired; the transition from the first installment to this second one is smooth. 👍
Another trademark of a great author is character development. These characters are round and multi- dimensional , and very interesting characters! They are likable and I felt connected to them no engaged in their story. The dialogue is real and authentic to the character. 👍
This book is not a quick read, It is deep and so very well developed- and that takes time. It is time well spent! It is recommended for those readers who like serious espionage with an intelligent storyline (no suoer- heroes here), intriguing fiction mixed in with Russian history and a good deal of tension, suspense, and action!
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and authors for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. All comments are my own.
Red Star falling is the second book in this installment. I didn’t feel lost at all. Blackwood and Berry do an admirable job of apprising the reader of what previously transpired; the transition from the first installment to this second one is smooth. 👍
Another trademark of a great author is character development. These characters are round and multi- dimensional , and very interesting characters! They are likable and I felt connected to them no engaged in their story. The dialogue is real and authentic to the character. 👍
This book is not a quick read, It is deep and so very well developed- and that takes time. It is time well spent! It is recommended for those readers who like serious espionage with an intelligent storyline (no suoer- heroes here), intriguing fiction mixed in with Russian history and a good deal of tension, suspense, and action!
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and authors for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. All comments are my own.
June 7, 2024
"Red Star Falling" by Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood is a fast-paced, four-star read filled with action and adventure! This is the second installment in the Luke Daniels series. Luke is approached about a failed mission from his past, Sommerhaus, in which his friend, CIA case officer John Vince, was captured by Russian operatives and believed to have been killed. Luke is told that his friend is alive and being held in a remote Russian prison. With help from his employer, the Magellan Billet, Luke embarks on a dangerous mission to bring his friend home.
That’s just the beginning, as Luke finds himself falling deeper into danger.
I really enjoyed this book. Overall, the book moved ahead at a fast pace. There were a couple of parts that moved more slowly, and I just wanted them to get on with it already. I loved all the history included throughout the story. I sometimes had to stop to search for a topic that I wanted to know more about. I would recommend this book to thriller fans as well as anyone interested in Russian history. I have only read the Luke Daniels series, but I think I need to go back to the Cotton Malone series as there were a lot of quotes from him in this book.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, Steve Berry, Grant Blackwood, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
That’s just the beginning, as Luke finds himself falling deeper into danger.
I really enjoyed this book. Overall, the book moved ahead at a fast pace. There were a couple of parts that moved more slowly, and I just wanted them to get on with it already. I loved all the history included throughout the story. I sometimes had to stop to search for a topic that I wanted to know more about. I would recommend this book to thriller fans as well as anyone interested in Russian history. I have only read the Luke Daniels series, but I think I need to go back to the Cotton Malone series as there were a lot of quotes from him in this book.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, Steve Berry, Grant Blackwood, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
June 29, 2024
Whenever you see the name Steve Berry attached to a new novel you can get set for a fast-paced, well-written, and fully researched historical thriller of the best quality. With the release of RED STAR FALLING we get all of that once again as he teams up with writer Grant Blackwood and the result is their second novel in the Luke Daniels thriller series.
Luke Daniels is intricately tied to Berry’s Cotton Malone series as Luke is not only a member of the same top secret group as Cotton --- Magellan Billet --- but he is also the son of former U.S. President Danny Daniels from that same series. I love the continuity and use of world-building and RED STAR FALLING follows the familiar formula with a tale that harkens back to the Cold War struggles between the U.S. and Russia.
The very interesting Prologue is set in the year 1584 during the rule of Russia’s first Tsar, Ivan the Terrible. The specific ties this historical figure will have with this complex plot has to do with his secret library, which plays a valuable role in the narrative. When we return to current day, we find Luke on a mission in Lisbon, Portugal when he receives an interesting call from a sometime colleague named Sean Fernando. Since Fernando is not Luke’s favorite person, he is suspicious over the contact. That is until he mentions the name of John Vince --- onetime director of a project Luke worked on and long-time missing presumed dead. Fernando informs him that Vince is very much alive and spending time in a Russian prison. He also offers Luke the task of finding and freeing him.
Things in the novel very quickly become a race, almost a scavenger hunt, with rival groups seeking the same things. Opposing Luke in his mission to get to John Vince is a former Russian President named Alexsei Delov. After meeting with the current Russian leader, Konstantin Franko, he recognizes that they do not have the same visions for the direction of their country and he decides to hatch a plan to destroy the Kremlin in order to put Russia back on the right track. Delov also only has about 4 months to live, so the clock is ticking on his plan that requires his head of security, Edmon, to acquire what he needs.
The item in question is called the Red Star. Historically, it was initially part of a Russian satellite program and later became used as targeted bombs. There is now just one Red Star remaining, and Alexsei Delov wants to use this major weapon of mass destruction by dropping it on top of the Kremlin, wiping out all of the current Russian government regime. Meanwhile, Luke has teamed up with a woman named Danielle Otero, whose family emigrated to Russia from Spain in 1938, as they both have heavy interest in bringing John Vince back alive.
Vince is being held in a top secret prison located on a remote island in the White Sea. He and Danielle must infiltrate Russia, without any backup other than remote technical assistance, and manage a near impossible extraction. What really becomes interesting is when they eventually get to Vince, he insists they take his prison cell neighbor along with them. That happens to be a man named Kozar who was one of those behind the creation of Red Star. With both of them in hand, Luke and the U.S. will have the upper hand. Now, to just get out of Russia in one piece with Edmon and his team on their tails.
When Kozar is killed during their prison escape and with John Vince also shot and badly wounded, Luke and company must quickly pivot and access another contact named Mashir, who claims to be the only person that knows how to operate the last remaining Red Star. That is, if they can beat Edmon to him first.
RED STAR FALLING is so full of intrigue and suspense that it instantly becomes another Steve Berry classic. He has already shown his knowledge of Russian history going back to his very first novel, THE AMBER ROOM. Berry and Blackwood make for a formidable pair and RED STAR FALLING is a timely, politically driven thriller filled with high-octane suspense from start to finish.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
Luke Daniels is intricately tied to Berry’s Cotton Malone series as Luke is not only a member of the same top secret group as Cotton --- Magellan Billet --- but he is also the son of former U.S. President Danny Daniels from that same series. I love the continuity and use of world-building and RED STAR FALLING follows the familiar formula with a tale that harkens back to the Cold War struggles between the U.S. and Russia.
The very interesting Prologue is set in the year 1584 during the rule of Russia’s first Tsar, Ivan the Terrible. The specific ties this historical figure will have with this complex plot has to do with his secret library, which plays a valuable role in the narrative. When we return to current day, we find Luke on a mission in Lisbon, Portugal when he receives an interesting call from a sometime colleague named Sean Fernando. Since Fernando is not Luke’s favorite person, he is suspicious over the contact. That is until he mentions the name of John Vince --- onetime director of a project Luke worked on and long-time missing presumed dead. Fernando informs him that Vince is very much alive and spending time in a Russian prison. He also offers Luke the task of finding and freeing him.
Things in the novel very quickly become a race, almost a scavenger hunt, with rival groups seeking the same things. Opposing Luke in his mission to get to John Vince is a former Russian President named Alexsei Delov. After meeting with the current Russian leader, Konstantin Franko, he recognizes that they do not have the same visions for the direction of their country and he decides to hatch a plan to destroy the Kremlin in order to put Russia back on the right track. Delov also only has about 4 months to live, so the clock is ticking on his plan that requires his head of security, Edmon, to acquire what he needs.
The item in question is called the Red Star. Historically, it was initially part of a Russian satellite program and later became used as targeted bombs. There is now just one Red Star remaining, and Alexsei Delov wants to use this major weapon of mass destruction by dropping it on top of the Kremlin, wiping out all of the current Russian government regime. Meanwhile, Luke has teamed up with a woman named Danielle Otero, whose family emigrated to Russia from Spain in 1938, as they both have heavy interest in bringing John Vince back alive.
Vince is being held in a top secret prison located on a remote island in the White Sea. He and Danielle must infiltrate Russia, without any backup other than remote technical assistance, and manage a near impossible extraction. What really becomes interesting is when they eventually get to Vince, he insists they take his prison cell neighbor along with them. That happens to be a man named Kozar who was one of those behind the creation of Red Star. With both of them in hand, Luke and the U.S. will have the upper hand. Now, to just get out of Russia in one piece with Edmon and his team on their tails.
When Kozar is killed during their prison escape and with John Vince also shot and badly wounded, Luke and company must quickly pivot and access another contact named Mashir, who claims to be the only person that knows how to operate the last remaining Red Star. That is, if they can beat Edmon to him first.
RED STAR FALLING is so full of intrigue and suspense that it instantly becomes another Steve Berry classic. He has already shown his knowledge of Russian history going back to his very first novel, THE AMBER ROOM. Berry and Blackwood make for a formidable pair and RED STAR FALLING is a timely, politically driven thriller filled with high-octane suspense from start to finish.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
March 13, 2025
Ugh. This book had such potential—I loved the historical aspects of it (Steve Berry always incorporates history into his books, which I appreciate). However, the realism was shattered by bad research, specifically bad translations of Russian words. All page numbers refer to the hardcover edition published by Grand Central Publishing in 2024.
-General note: What was with naming the Russian president Konstantin Franko? Franko is not a Russian last name! If the authors were trying to harken back to Francisco Franco, that's just... stupid.
-Another general note: Danielle is not a Russian first name. At least use Daniela!
-Page 1: The authors got Ivan the Terrible's name right: Ivan Cheyvyorty Vasilyevich. Hooray!
-Page 58: "I had been ordered into a new group, new mission. Called Nopor. Means 'threshold' in English." NO IT DOES NOT. Threshold is porog (порог).
-Page 102: "'Vasya Bardin,' she read. 'He lives here in Vologda.'" A driver's license is going to say Vasily, NOT Vasya, a dimunitive.
-Page 103: "A ring with a single key on it. The tag read SR-A1. He snatched it up. 'Storage room. Apartment A-1.'" Do you REALLY think "storage room" in Russian would be abbreviated SR? Because it isn't!
-Page 136: "They called him the One from Novgorod. Novgorod Muzhchina." That doesn't make sense grammatically in Russian. You can't just put a noun in front of a word and make it into an adjective, the way you can in English.
-Page 141: "He used war—in Chechnya, Georgia, and Ukraine—to unite Russians in simplistic myths of nationalism." If you think Russian nationalism is simple, you do not understand it at all.
-Page 148-49: "Korneplody" are root vegetables, as far as I know, not tree roots.
-Page 175: Армори does not mean "armory". The authors just put the English word into Cyrillic. That's not how Cyrillic (and Russian) work!!!
-Page 176: There are a ton on this page, so buckle up. "The man spun. 'Zhdat' Kto—'" I'm not sure what he's trying to say here. "Who's waiting?" would be Kto zhdyot? (Кто ждет?).
-Page 176, again: "Akim? Yy zdes? Otvechat. Otvechat." What is "Yy"? I think they mean "Vy" or "Ty", both of which mean "you". And "answer" as a command would be "otvechai."
Honestly, that's all I have the energy for. These mistakes, along with cardboard characters with no depth, is why I didn't enjoy this. The only reason I gave it a second star was for the historical aspects, which were unfortunately few and far between. In short, this is why I don't read spy thrillers anymore. Bad research and shallow characterization!
-General note: What was with naming the Russian president Konstantin Franko? Franko is not a Russian last name! If the authors were trying to harken back to Francisco Franco, that's just... stupid.
-Another general note: Danielle is not a Russian first name. At least use Daniela!
-Page 1: The authors got Ivan the Terrible's name right: Ivan Cheyvyorty Vasilyevich. Hooray!
-Page 58: "I had been ordered into a new group, new mission. Called Nopor. Means 'threshold' in English." NO IT DOES NOT. Threshold is porog (порог).
-Page 102: "'Vasya Bardin,' she read. 'He lives here in Vologda.'" A driver's license is going to say Vasily, NOT Vasya, a dimunitive.
-Page 103: "A ring with a single key on it. The tag read SR-A1. He snatched it up. 'Storage room. Apartment A-1.'" Do you REALLY think "storage room" in Russian would be abbreviated SR? Because it isn't!
-Page 136: "They called him the One from Novgorod. Novgorod Muzhchina." That doesn't make sense grammatically in Russian. You can't just put a noun in front of a word and make it into an adjective, the way you can in English.
-Page 141: "He used war—in Chechnya, Georgia, and Ukraine—to unite Russians in simplistic myths of nationalism." If you think Russian nationalism is simple, you do not understand it at all.
-Page 148-49: "Korneplody" are root vegetables, as far as I know, not tree roots.
-Page 175: Армори does not mean "armory". The authors just put the English word into Cyrillic. That's not how Cyrillic (and Russian) work!!!
-Page 176: There are a ton on this page, so buckle up. "The man spun. 'Zhdat' Kto—'" I'm not sure what he's trying to say here. "Who's waiting?" would be Kto zhdyot? (Кто ждет?).
-Page 176, again: "Akim? Yy zdes? Otvechat. Otvechat." What is "Yy"? I think they mean "Vy" or "Ty", both of which mean "you". And "answer" as a command would be "otvechai."
Honestly, that's all I have the energy for. These mistakes, along with cardboard characters with no depth, is why I didn't enjoy this. The only reason I gave it a second star was for the historical aspects, which were unfortunately few and far between. In short, this is why I don't read spy thrillers anymore. Bad research and shallow characterization!
May 29, 2024
Luke Daniels returns in this new thriller from the writing team of Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood. Daniels is a former Army Ranger who finds himself dealing with a missing American spy believed to be imprisoned in Russia. Daniels takes on the covert task to rescue his fellow patriot and at the same time try to uncover the mystery of something called Red Star.
Turns out Red Star is a former Russian program to load a single nuclear warhead on satellites that circled the globe. Turns out all but one of these satellites is still active and loaded with a warhead, something that the United States wants to stop.
The Russian President is a Putin-in-disguise dictator and is being targeted by his predecessor, the former President, to remove from office any way possible. The goal here is to drop Red Star's weapon on top of the Kremlin in Moscow.
This is a basic look at the plot; there is a lot of fast-moving action and the story will keep the reader engaged although you have to suspend believability in places in the book. I give it a four star rating.
Red Star Falling will be a good beach read for summer or for anytime you want a thriller. I want to thank the authors, publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. My review is unbiased and original.
Turns out Red Star is a former Russian program to load a single nuclear warhead on satellites that circled the globe. Turns out all but one of these satellites is still active and loaded with a warhead, something that the United States wants to stop.
The Russian President is a Putin-in-disguise dictator and is being targeted by his predecessor, the former President, to remove from office any way possible. The goal here is to drop Red Star's weapon on top of the Kremlin in Moscow.
This is a basic look at the plot; there is a lot of fast-moving action and the story will keep the reader engaged although you have to suspend believability in places in the book. I give it a four star rating.
Red Star Falling will be a good beach read for summer or for anytime you want a thriller. I want to thank the authors, publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. My review is unbiased and original.
May 8, 2024
Red Star Falling is the 2nd Luke Daniels book in this series, a spin-off of the Cotton Malone series. The title refers to a long dormant Soviet arms secret, a nuclear warhead that orbits the Earth. The bomb can only be an activated by a series of codes, known to only 2 men, along with an ancient manuscript from the long-sought library of Ivan the Terrible. The plot is pretty straightforward, as Luke tries to locate the men and the manuscript and disable the bomb, while a rogue Russian ex-president also seeks the bomb, but with a decidedly different purpose. As is the norm for author Steve Berry, readers are treated to a history lesson on Russian government, as Berry skillfully weaves historical fact with fiction, while reigniting Cold War fears in this fascinating and intelligent novel. Another winner in this series. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2024
Luke Daniels is visited by the CIA. In a previous operation to set up a spy network in the Ukraine before Russia invades, his friend and CIA Case officer is lost presumed dead. The CIA provides information that he may still be alive. Luke rushes to try to find his friend. As he starts to dig in, he uncovers a plot that involves a Russian Nuclear Program from the 1960s and the Library of Ivan the Terrible.
Listen to the audio version of this book. I thought the plot was solid, but trying to connect Ivan the Terrible’s library to Red Star seemed like a stretch. Typically the historical mystery is the best part of a Steve Berry book, but here it felt forced.
Luke Daniels is coming into his own as a character. He seems to have a little harder edge than Cotton Malone, but a little less wit. Both excellent characters, and I am happy that Luke didn’t turn into a younger version of Cotton Malone.
Overall a solid entry into the Cotton Malone Universe. Worth the read, but not near the top of my list of best books in 2024.
Listen to the audio version of this book. I thought the plot was solid, but trying to connect Ivan the Terrible’s library to Red Star seemed like a stretch. Typically the historical mystery is the best part of a Steve Berry book, but here it felt forced.
Luke Daniels is coming into his own as a character. He seems to have a little harder edge than Cotton Malone, but a little less wit. Both excellent characters, and I am happy that Luke didn’t turn into a younger version of Cotton Malone.
Overall a solid entry into the Cotton Malone Universe. Worth the read, but not near the top of my list of best books in 2024.
July 31, 2024
Luke Daniels is contacted by a CIA handler who he had worked with once upon a time. He has word that a friend Luke had worked with back then who had been grabbed by SVR when helping refugees in Ukraine has been rumored to be alive.
This draws Daniels into a mission to confirm and follow up if true. This is all to set up the meat of the story.
Dealing with scientists from the cold war, an errant nuke, and working with a former SVR agent who may or may not be dealing with him on the up and up.
This draws Daniels into a mission to confirm and follow up if true. This is all to set up the meat of the story.
Dealing with scientists from the cold war, an errant nuke, and working with a former SVR agent who may or may not be dealing with him on the up and up.
May 11, 2024
This is the second book in the Jeff Daniels thriller series. Jeff Daniels is a great character, I've enjoyed both books in the series and can't wait for the third. As with all Steve Berry books this one is steeped in history, this time Russian history. Although interesting, I felt at times the foucs on history slowed the pace of the story somewhat I still enjoyed the book and strongly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader copy
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader copy
January 15, 2025
Not a Cotton Malone, but the 2nd in the Luke Daniels, protege of Malone, series, with another historic relic at the heart of the plot...Luke is drawn into a race to eliminate a Russian left over Cold War Doomsday device from being employed...The secret of its deactivation lies with an ancient tect from the Library of Ivan the Terrible...Not Cotton Malone, but a fun, page-turning spy thriller!
March 11, 2025
Twists and turns galore. A truly believable fictional recounting of the last 40 years of history. Luke Daniels is as interesting as his mentor Cotton Malone, who is right there in Luke's thoughts as he races to prevent WW III.
March 11, 2025
A bit disappointed the author used the "failed to check for trackers" trope (one of my least favorite, alongside the miscommunication one), but happy it was addressed before getting to the car chase/finding the McGuffin part (i prob read way too many of these kinds of books).
November 29, 2024
Can't wait for the 3rd!
February 5, 2025
Another great Steve Berry book. Can't wait for the next one
January 13, 2025
This book ultimately was a good story, and the last 50 pages or so were nail biters. However, for me the start was slow, and I never got so into it that I couldn’t put it down.
August 28, 2025
great action and suspense
guns, spies, sociopathic zealots, apocalyptic scenarios
characters very good, Berry good
guns, spies, sociopathic zealots, apocalyptic scenarios
characters very good, Berry good
February 9, 2025
Good book. But I really like Cotton Malone
July 17, 2024
Plot has holes and the tie in with a rare book screams for Malone
Daniels wants to get to the bottom of red star
Fine
Early on we learn it is the last of a set nukes in orbit
Fine
Then we learn that left alone it will fall back to earth and burn up
Ok
So make sure no one could use it and Red star becomes just more space junk
How?
Option 1 separate the tools from the only man who can decode it. Destroy the laptops
Option 2 destroy the cipher
Option 3 destroy the book
Option 4 extract the man with knowledge from Russia so he can't use it
Option 5 destroy the station
Option 6 destroy the power supply of the station
Option 7 destroy the console
Option 8 kill the man with the knowledge
And I'm sure more alternative solutions can be found
Daniels wants to get to the bottom of red star
Fine
Early on we learn it is the last of a set nukes in orbit
Fine
Then we learn that left alone it will fall back to earth and burn up
Ok
So make sure no one could use it and Red star becomes just more space junk
How?
Option 1 separate the tools from the only man who can decode it. Destroy the laptops
Option 2 destroy the cipher
Option 3 destroy the book
Option 4 extract the man with knowledge from Russia so he can't use it
Option 5 destroy the station
Option 6 destroy the power supply of the station
Option 7 destroy the console
Option 8 kill the man with the knowledge
And I'm sure more alternative solutions can be found
July 19, 2024
Luke Daniels is back for his second adventure as a leading character is Steve Berry's new series that he is co-writing with Grant Blackwood. Having tackled the JFK assassination his first time out, he is on the trail of another assassination plan of a world leader that would be catastrophic if the plan succeeds.
That's the contemporary angle that, in Steve Berry's universe, always connects to a real-life historical mystery, in this case the lost library of Ivan the Terrible. And all of this takes place in contemporary Russia, which allows Berry and Grantwood to provide another angle that is always front and center in Berry's world: a travelogue (as stated in the author's endnotes) through some of the lesser known areas of Russia.
The travelogue is fascinating, I was constantly looking at maps of the areas and pictures of the locales, realizing how little I knew of Russia as a travel destination (not that now would be a good time to travel there) -- I say this having visited over fifty countries on all seven continents but having never been to Russia (missed my chance to visit St. Petersburg in 1980).
One of the other things that attracts me to Steve Berry's books are the puzzles and riddles that must be solved in order to unravel the historical mysteries at the heart of each story, the McGuffin if you will, which is always what makes or breaks a double chase like this (or triple chase as the case may be). Sure, there's always a lot of action, but the plot is usually propelled by an intellectual pursuit.
Not so in this book. Learning about Red Star, discovering Ivan the Terrible's lost library, exposing motivations, these are not hidden inside riddles, mysteries, and enigmas that need to be solved. They are on isolated islands, in prison strongholds, in hyper-secure locations, etc., that must be breeched quietly with solid exit plans. The solution to each stage of the story is Luke and his cohorts figuring out how to get in and out of dangerous locations. It's different, but it works.
In The 9th Man, I had a problem with an over-emphasis on action at the expense of the JFK McGuffin. That was action for action's sake. The action here is more interesting because it's all in the planning and in the improvisation required when the plan goes awry. This is perhaps the most interesting series of action sequences I have read, especially since you always know Luke is going to prevail to live another day.
One of my pet peeves about this kind of action novel (or movie or TV show) is that a bunch of nameless and faceless men, hired hands just doing their jobs, even if it's for the bad guys, are just routinely shot or stabbed or strangled or blown to bits. They probably have wives or girlfriends, children maybe. They may not even know they're working for bad guys, they've just been hired for security or whatever. They may even be the hired hands working for the good guys and they still end up suffering an ignominious end.
They are mowed down indiscriminately, in as many numbers as are necessary. And we're supposed to be OK with that because the good guys' means are justified by their ends. Even when their own good guy sidekicks are the ones being mowed down.
Not so with Luke Daniels. He always tries to neutralize these guys without killing them, often without even hurting them. Sometimes he has to hurt them or kill them but it's never indiscriminate, it's only after he realizes that he has no other choice. And often, because he talks to them, or at least tries to talk to them, they're not faceless and nameless, they're real people. I like that.
The downside here is that in the end, both the historical mystery and the contemporary issue achieve closure, but they're not really solved in any meaningful way. After all the action and intrigue, the world is left in exactly the same condition it was at the start. Which is the condition that we find ourselves in in the real world, so maybe it's wishful thinking on my part to have hoped for that to change in Luke's fictional world.
All told, this was a 4 1/2 star read for me. But this time I'm rounding up to 5 rather than down to 4 because the extensive action sequences are meaningful, they're not gratuitous as they were in The 9th Man, a marked improvement in my estimation.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and authors for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review. Apologies for arriving so late after publication with this review -- I didn't get the ARC until just about publication date.
That's the contemporary angle that, in Steve Berry's universe, always connects to a real-life historical mystery, in this case the lost library of Ivan the Terrible. And all of this takes place in contemporary Russia, which allows Berry and Grantwood to provide another angle that is always front and center in Berry's world: a travelogue (as stated in the author's endnotes) through some of the lesser known areas of Russia.
The travelogue is fascinating, I was constantly looking at maps of the areas and pictures of the locales, realizing how little I knew of Russia as a travel destination (not that now would be a good time to travel there) -- I say this having visited over fifty countries on all seven continents but having never been to Russia (missed my chance to visit St. Petersburg in 1980).
One of the other things that attracts me to Steve Berry's books are the puzzles and riddles that must be solved in order to unravel the historical mysteries at the heart of each story, the McGuffin if you will, which is always what makes or breaks a double chase like this (or triple chase as the case may be). Sure, there's always a lot of action, but the plot is usually propelled by an intellectual pursuit.
Not so in this book. Learning about Red Star, discovering Ivan the Terrible's lost library, exposing motivations, these are not hidden inside riddles, mysteries, and enigmas that need to be solved. They are on isolated islands, in prison strongholds, in hyper-secure locations, etc., that must be breeched quietly with solid exit plans. The solution to each stage of the story is Luke and his cohorts figuring out how to get in and out of dangerous locations. It's different, but it works.
In The 9th Man, I had a problem with an over-emphasis on action at the expense of the JFK McGuffin. That was action for action's sake. The action here is more interesting because it's all in the planning and in the improvisation required when the plan goes awry. This is perhaps the most interesting series of action sequences I have read, especially since you always know Luke is going to prevail to live another day.
One of my pet peeves about this kind of action novel (or movie or TV show) is that a bunch of nameless and faceless men, hired hands just doing their jobs, even if it's for the bad guys, are just routinely shot or stabbed or strangled or blown to bits. They probably have wives or girlfriends, children maybe. They may not even know they're working for bad guys, they've just been hired for security or whatever. They may even be the hired hands working for the good guys and they still end up suffering an ignominious end.
They are mowed down indiscriminately, in as many numbers as are necessary. And we're supposed to be OK with that because the good guys' means are justified by their ends. Even when their own good guy sidekicks are the ones being mowed down.
Not so with Luke Daniels. He always tries to neutralize these guys without killing them, often without even hurting them. Sometimes he has to hurt them or kill them but it's never indiscriminate, it's only after he realizes that he has no other choice. And often, because he talks to them, or at least tries to talk to them, they're not faceless and nameless, they're real people. I like that.
The downside here is that in the end, both the historical mystery and the contemporary issue achieve closure, but they're not really solved in any meaningful way. After all the action and intrigue, the world is left in exactly the same condition it was at the start. Which is the condition that we find ourselves in in the real world, so maybe it's wishful thinking on my part to have hoped for that to change in Luke's fictional world.
All told, this was a 4 1/2 star read for me. But this time I'm rounding up to 5 rather than down to 4 because the extensive action sequences are meaningful, they're not gratuitous as they were in The 9th Man, a marked improvement in my estimation.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and authors for providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review. Apologies for arriving so late after publication with this review -- I didn't get the ARC until just about publication date.
June 14, 2024
A remnant of the Cold War could provide a way to curtail Russian aggression
Konstantin Franko, the current leader of Russia, is waging war in Ukraine, determined to cement his place in history by regaining control of lands which had been part of the Soviet Union regardless of the cost. The US and other countries want to stop him, as do many within his own country (though mentioning such things inside Russia generally brings to the speaker a death sentence)….but how? Enter Luke Daniels, former Army Ranger and currently an agent with the Justice Department’s Magellan Billet (and protégé of the legendary Cotton Malone). Luke is approached by Sean Fernando, part of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, who asks him to contact an asset claiming to have information about John Vince. Vince was a CIA operative partnered with Luke a few years earlier; the two were assembling a network of local spies inside of Ukraine who would assist the West in countering the Russian’s expansionist actions until those assets began disappearing, then dying. When Vince too vanished, he was presumed either dead or captured and held prisoner by the Russians. Abandoning a comrade has never been in Luke’s DNA, so when he is given intel that Vince is alive and in a particular Russian prison there is no question about what needs to be done. With Danielle Ortero, former SVR operative and the asset who provided the intel about Vince’s current whereabouts, Luke sets out first to verify that Vince is alive and then, if true, bring him out. The mission becomes intertwined with a plan inside Russia headed by Aleksei Delos, a former Russian president who wants to stop Franko from destroying the country that Delos had worked so hard to bring out of the grip of communism. Turns out that there is one remaining satellite still in orbit around Earth from the Red Star program, a satellite that carries a nuclear payload that (with the right set of codes) could be armed and directed to drop from orbit and detonate over a chosen target. Delos knows where to find the people who know those codes, and wants them to use the satellite to take Franko and his supporters off the map. Luke is tasked with finding those same people and having them program the satellite to self-destruct. It is a race against time, and no one can be sure which side anyone is on. If there is a way to remove a malign power from existence, is it worth it to do so regardless of the cost? To succeed in his mission, Luke will need to rely upon other people in order to deactivate this powerful weapon….but they may not share his goal.
Readers of Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone series first met Luke Daniels within those novels. Red Star Falling is the second solo outing for Luke, and although it is not necessary to have read any of the earlier books to enjoy this one (it reads well enough as a standalone), those who have read any of them will have a wider understanding of Luke and the world in which he operates. Cotton Malone doesn’t make an appearance here, although his name is invoked a few times. Much of what I have come to expect in a Steve Berry novel can be found here….a tough, smart, wise-cracking agent who regularly colors outside the lines but gets the job done when others fail; a literary-related mystery, here the existence of the Lost Library of Ivan the Terrible; people who should be trustworthy but aren’t, which can prove deadly; and the moral dilemma faced by those who are the tip of the spear in geopolitical conflicts. There’s plenty of action, and given the state of world affairs the situation created here certainly rings true….I felt there were a couple of spots where the action flagged while characters became verbally introspective, but all in all it was an enjoyable read that fans of Jack Carr, Brad Thor and Robert Ludlum (as well as those of authors Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood) will enjoy. Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me early access to this adventure.
Konstantin Franko, the current leader of Russia, is waging war in Ukraine, determined to cement his place in history by regaining control of lands which had been part of the Soviet Union regardless of the cost. The US and other countries want to stop him, as do many within his own country (though mentioning such things inside Russia generally brings to the speaker a death sentence)….but how? Enter Luke Daniels, former Army Ranger and currently an agent with the Justice Department’s Magellan Billet (and protégé of the legendary Cotton Malone). Luke is approached by Sean Fernando, part of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, who asks him to contact an asset claiming to have information about John Vince. Vince was a CIA operative partnered with Luke a few years earlier; the two were assembling a network of local spies inside of Ukraine who would assist the West in countering the Russian’s expansionist actions until those assets began disappearing, then dying. When Vince too vanished, he was presumed either dead or captured and held prisoner by the Russians. Abandoning a comrade has never been in Luke’s DNA, so when he is given intel that Vince is alive and in a particular Russian prison there is no question about what needs to be done. With Danielle Ortero, former SVR operative and the asset who provided the intel about Vince’s current whereabouts, Luke sets out first to verify that Vince is alive and then, if true, bring him out. The mission becomes intertwined with a plan inside Russia headed by Aleksei Delos, a former Russian president who wants to stop Franko from destroying the country that Delos had worked so hard to bring out of the grip of communism. Turns out that there is one remaining satellite still in orbit around Earth from the Red Star program, a satellite that carries a nuclear payload that (with the right set of codes) could be armed and directed to drop from orbit and detonate over a chosen target. Delos knows where to find the people who know those codes, and wants them to use the satellite to take Franko and his supporters off the map. Luke is tasked with finding those same people and having them program the satellite to self-destruct. It is a race against time, and no one can be sure which side anyone is on. If there is a way to remove a malign power from existence, is it worth it to do so regardless of the cost? To succeed in his mission, Luke will need to rely upon other people in order to deactivate this powerful weapon….but they may not share his goal.
Readers of Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone series first met Luke Daniels within those novels. Red Star Falling is the second solo outing for Luke, and although it is not necessary to have read any of the earlier books to enjoy this one (it reads well enough as a standalone), those who have read any of them will have a wider understanding of Luke and the world in which he operates. Cotton Malone doesn’t make an appearance here, although his name is invoked a few times. Much of what I have come to expect in a Steve Berry novel can be found here….a tough, smart, wise-cracking agent who regularly colors outside the lines but gets the job done when others fail; a literary-related mystery, here the existence of the Lost Library of Ivan the Terrible; people who should be trustworthy but aren’t, which can prove deadly; and the moral dilemma faced by those who are the tip of the spear in geopolitical conflicts. There’s plenty of action, and given the state of world affairs the situation created here certainly rings true….I felt there were a couple of spots where the action flagged while characters became verbally introspective, but all in all it was an enjoyable read that fans of Jack Carr, Brad Thor and Robert Ludlum (as well as those of authors Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood) will enjoy. Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me early access to this adventure.
July 1, 2024
This series is an extension of Berry's wildly successful Cotton Malone series. I absolutely adored the first entry in the series ("The 9th Man"), devouring it in under 48 hours. So, I was eager to read this second entry. Unfortunately, it wasn't as riveting.
There were two main reasons for my disappointment. The first was the plot.
As you know, I avoid going too deeply into plots in my reviews to avoid spoilers. But I always feel comfortable sharing the information from a novel's jacket cover. So, here's this one:
"From New York Times bestselling authors, Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood, comes an action-packed adventure, borne in the waning days of the Cold War, that propels Luke Daniels on a quest in search of the legendary library of Ivan the Terrible — the unlikely key to ending a looming threat orbiting two hundred miles above the earth.
Wrapping up his latest assignment for the Magellan Billet, Luke Daniels receives a surprise visit from the head of a former-CIA operation named Sommerhaus — a failed attempt to assemble an espionage network within the Ukraine on the eve of the Russian invasion. Sommerhaus ranks high on Luke’s list of painful regrets for it was during this mission that his friend, CIA case officer John Vince, was captured by Russian operatives and supposedly executed. But Luke is provided some shocking news. Vince is alive, in failing health, locked behind the walls of Russia’s brutal Solovetsky Island prison, and has a critical message he’ll give to no one but Luke. Needing no further convincing Luke vows to bring Vince home.
However, just as he manages to extract his friend from prison Vince tragically dies and his final words are rambling and incoherent. Just bits and pieces. But enough to plunge Luke into a hunt for something lost since the 15th century. The legendary library of the first Tsar of All Russia, Ivan the Terrible.
Within that priceless collection of rare manuscripts is the key to unraveling a modern-day cipher and stopping a secret Soviet satellite program that still exists. But Luke is not the only one on the trail. Others, both inside and out of Russia, want the library for a totally different reason — to re-start the Red Star program and finally unleash its destructive potential. Luke’s mission is clear. Find the lost library, solve the puzzle, and prevent Red Star falling."
The problem I had with this plot is that its two story lines (the Red Star program and the library of Ivan the Terrible) seemed forced together and disjointed. Consequently, the plot didn't hold together well.
The second reason I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the first was the execution of the plot (i.e., action). "The 9th Man" was nonstop action from the first page to the last. This novel started slowly, and the action took a long time to pick up. And once it did pick up, some of the occurrences certainly pushed the boundaries of believability. At least for me.
Ultimately, I was torn between three and four stars. And I believe 3.5 stars would be the perfect rating. But as I reviewed some of the other books I've given three stars to, I decided to go with four. I liked it - I just didn't love it.
There were two main reasons for my disappointment. The first was the plot.
As you know, I avoid going too deeply into plots in my reviews to avoid spoilers. But I always feel comfortable sharing the information from a novel's jacket cover. So, here's this one:
"From New York Times bestselling authors, Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood, comes an action-packed adventure, borne in the waning days of the Cold War, that propels Luke Daniels on a quest in search of the legendary library of Ivan the Terrible — the unlikely key to ending a looming threat orbiting two hundred miles above the earth.
Wrapping up his latest assignment for the Magellan Billet, Luke Daniels receives a surprise visit from the head of a former-CIA operation named Sommerhaus — a failed attempt to assemble an espionage network within the Ukraine on the eve of the Russian invasion. Sommerhaus ranks high on Luke’s list of painful regrets for it was during this mission that his friend, CIA case officer John Vince, was captured by Russian operatives and supposedly executed. But Luke is provided some shocking news. Vince is alive, in failing health, locked behind the walls of Russia’s brutal Solovetsky Island prison, and has a critical message he’ll give to no one but Luke. Needing no further convincing Luke vows to bring Vince home.
However, just as he manages to extract his friend from prison Vince tragically dies and his final words are rambling and incoherent. Just bits and pieces. But enough to plunge Luke into a hunt for something lost since the 15th century. The legendary library of the first Tsar of All Russia, Ivan the Terrible.
Within that priceless collection of rare manuscripts is the key to unraveling a modern-day cipher and stopping a secret Soviet satellite program that still exists. But Luke is not the only one on the trail. Others, both inside and out of Russia, want the library for a totally different reason — to re-start the Red Star program and finally unleash its destructive potential. Luke’s mission is clear. Find the lost library, solve the puzzle, and prevent Red Star falling."
The problem I had with this plot is that its two story lines (the Red Star program and the library of Ivan the Terrible) seemed forced together and disjointed. Consequently, the plot didn't hold together well.
The second reason I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the first was the execution of the plot (i.e., action). "The 9th Man" was nonstop action from the first page to the last. This novel started slowly, and the action took a long time to pick up. And once it did pick up, some of the occurrences certainly pushed the boundaries of believability. At least for me.
Ultimately, I was torn between three and four stars. And I believe 3.5 stars would be the perfect rating. But as I reviewed some of the other books I've given three stars to, I decided to go with four. I liked it - I just didn't love it.
July 1, 2024
Red Star Falling (Luke Daniels, #2) by Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood
This is a stand-alone book. You don't need to read the first book in the series to enjoy it.
After finishing a mission for the Magellan Billet, Luke Daniels receives a visit from Sean Fernando, the head of a former CIA operation named Sommerhaus, — a failed attempt to assemble an espionage network within the Ukraine on the eve of the Russian invasion. Sommerhaus ranks high on Luke’s list of painful regrets for it was during this mission that his friend, CIA case officer John Vince, was captured by Russian operatives and supposedly executed. But Luke is provided with shocking news. Vince is alive, in failing health, locked behind the walls of Russia’s brutal Solovetsky Island prison, and has a critical message he’ll give to no one but Luke. Needing no further convincing, Luke vows to bring Vince home.
Meanwhile, Aleksei Delov - the 93 y/o former Russian president who has few weeks to live - is working with his bodyguard, Edmon Grishin, to locate Efim Kozarhead and Ilya Mashir. They headed Moscow's Red Star project. The project launched many satellites with nuclear bomb capabilities and all but one were deactivated. The remaining one is set to fall on Moscow. Delov is infuriated with the current Russian president - Konstantine Franco - who not only has ruined Russia and its people but has also started a senseless war with Ukraine.
As Luke goes to Russia to get his friend out of jail, he meets Danielle Otero a former RSV double agent. She worked for Vince in Project Sommerhaus and fell in love with Vince. She has information on where Vince is and wants to help save him. They team up.
As Luke manages to extract Vince from prison, Vince tells Luke to rescue Efim Kozarhead - who is in the cell adjacent to Vince. Vince tragically dies, and his final words are a warning and information of the Red Star project. Efim tells Luke they need to find Ilya Mashir - the only person who can decode the launching codes for the Red Star bomb.
Ilya works for the Russian oligarch Anton Khurtin and needs to be rescued. After they get Ilya - he informs Luke that the only way to decode the bomb is by using a book from the famous Lost Library of the Tsars assembled by Ivan IV - Ivan the Terrible - in the 16th century. One book in the collection - Cicero's de re publica - is the only way to decode the bomb. Unfortunately, Ilya gave Khurtin the Tsar's library in exchange for work and survival.
Will Luke be able to stop Project Red Star? Will the people who want to detonate the bomb in Moscow at the Communist Party Congress succeed - thus killing Konstantine Franco and all the communist party members?
Narrated from the third person point of view, this is a fascinating, well-researched, fast-paced thriller. The characters feel real and you can easily identify with them. The plot is not believable, but it was real enough to keep me reading. The book is hard to put down and it reads easily and fast.
If you're a Steve Berry fan, you'll love it!
This is a stand-alone book. You don't need to read the first book in the series to enjoy it.
After finishing a mission for the Magellan Billet, Luke Daniels receives a visit from Sean Fernando, the head of a former CIA operation named Sommerhaus, — a failed attempt to assemble an espionage network within the Ukraine on the eve of the Russian invasion. Sommerhaus ranks high on Luke’s list of painful regrets for it was during this mission that his friend, CIA case officer John Vince, was captured by Russian operatives and supposedly executed. But Luke is provided with shocking news. Vince is alive, in failing health, locked behind the walls of Russia’s brutal Solovetsky Island prison, and has a critical message he’ll give to no one but Luke. Needing no further convincing, Luke vows to bring Vince home.
Meanwhile, Aleksei Delov - the 93 y/o former Russian president who has few weeks to live - is working with his bodyguard, Edmon Grishin, to locate Efim Kozarhead and Ilya Mashir. They headed Moscow's Red Star project. The project launched many satellites with nuclear bomb capabilities and all but one were deactivated. The remaining one is set to fall on Moscow. Delov is infuriated with the current Russian president - Konstantine Franco - who not only has ruined Russia and its people but has also started a senseless war with Ukraine.
As Luke goes to Russia to get his friend out of jail, he meets Danielle Otero a former RSV double agent. She worked for Vince in Project Sommerhaus and fell in love with Vince. She has information on where Vince is and wants to help save him. They team up.
As Luke manages to extract Vince from prison, Vince tells Luke to rescue Efim Kozarhead - who is in the cell adjacent to Vince. Vince tragically dies, and his final words are a warning and information of the Red Star project. Efim tells Luke they need to find Ilya Mashir - the only person who can decode the launching codes for the Red Star bomb.
Ilya works for the Russian oligarch Anton Khurtin and needs to be rescued. After they get Ilya - he informs Luke that the only way to decode the bomb is by using a book from the famous Lost Library of the Tsars assembled by Ivan IV - Ivan the Terrible - in the 16th century. One book in the collection - Cicero's de re publica - is the only way to decode the bomb. Unfortunately, Ilya gave Khurtin the Tsar's library in exchange for work and survival.
Will Luke be able to stop Project Red Star? Will the people who want to detonate the bomb in Moscow at the Communist Party Congress succeed - thus killing Konstantine Franco and all the communist party members?
Narrated from the third person point of view, this is a fascinating, well-researched, fast-paced thriller. The characters feel real and you can easily identify with them. The plot is not believable, but it was real enough to keep me reading. The book is hard to put down and it reads easily and fast.
If you're a Steve Berry fan, you'll love it!
Read
September 7, 2024I first became aware of Steve Berry with his explosive Cotton Malone series of books. He is one of the masters of the spy-type thriller, with non-stop action and excitement on every page. This is the second book with Luke Daniels, who while different than Malone, sort of comes from the same sort of background, where danger and adventure are part of his DNA. There are similarities with Malone and Daniels as both are part of the Magellan Billet clandestine government group, that goes behind the scenes, bringing down terrorist groups and others who do not walk the path of the straight and narrow.
In fact Malone’s name is thrown into some of this book, but he is only there in word and not a live presence. But much of Daniel’s actions are inspired by Malone, as he finds that a former associate of his long thought dead is actually alive, and in the Solovetsky Island Russian prison. It is now his job to somehow infiltrate that prison and get him back on American soil, but if someone were to lay odds, they would say it was mission impossible.
The fellow operatives name is John Vance, and it seems that he is in very poor health, and his only chance of survival is through Daniels. But it won’t be easy pulling this off. It takes great skill and he does get to Vance, but he is not able to bring him out safely. Vance dies but not before uttering some very unusual words that make little sense. He talks about finding the long-lost prison of Ivan the Terrible. Somehow within the books are clues to a modern day satellite type system known as Red Star, that is deadly and threatens the world through its explosive system. The Russians of course control it, and with little effort can unleash it with deadly accuracy at the U.S., creating massive death and devastation like never seen before.
Daniels teams up with Danielle Otero. Her family arrived from Spain in 1938 to Russia. She has her own reasons for helping Daniels, though at times one wonders just how faithful she is to him. One gets the suspicion she has her own agenda. There are lots of confrontations and shoot outs in the same vein as we saw in Cotton Malone books, with the same deadly vibes from the bad guys.
It is written in the same tension-packed style as in Malone books, as there is a race against time to bring down Red Star before it brings down much of the world. Hats off to Berry for another classic, written as only Steve Berry can create.
In fact Malone’s name is thrown into some of this book, but he is only there in word and not a live presence. But much of Daniel’s actions are inspired by Malone, as he finds that a former associate of his long thought dead is actually alive, and in the Solovetsky Island Russian prison. It is now his job to somehow infiltrate that prison and get him back on American soil, but if someone were to lay odds, they would say it was mission impossible.
The fellow operatives name is John Vance, and it seems that he is in very poor health, and his only chance of survival is through Daniels. But it won’t be easy pulling this off. It takes great skill and he does get to Vance, but he is not able to bring him out safely. Vance dies but not before uttering some very unusual words that make little sense. He talks about finding the long-lost prison of Ivan the Terrible. Somehow within the books are clues to a modern day satellite type system known as Red Star, that is deadly and threatens the world through its explosive system. The Russians of course control it, and with little effort can unleash it with deadly accuracy at the U.S., creating massive death and devastation like never seen before.
Daniels teams up with Danielle Otero. Her family arrived from Spain in 1938 to Russia. She has her own reasons for helping Daniels, though at times one wonders just how faithful she is to him. One gets the suspicion she has her own agenda. There are lots of confrontations and shoot outs in the same vein as we saw in Cotton Malone books, with the same deadly vibes from the bad guys.
It is written in the same tension-packed style as in Malone books, as there is a race against time to bring down Red Star before it brings down much of the world. Hats off to Berry for another classic, written as only Steve Berry can create.
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