In a city ravaged by the criminal activities of the notorious Syndicate, only one entity stands between losing control and protecting the people. Led by Commander Adam Reede, the Civilian Security Agency (CSA) fights to rid the city of the enemy.
When the founder of the agency is murdered, if falls to Adam to pick up the pieces. Taking his fallen leader's daughter, Abbey, under his wing, he attempts to protect her, but is thwarted by one of his very own who has fallen to the dark side.
With the stability of the agency threatened, dissention amongst his men and interference weigh heavily on Adam as he fights to maintain control. In an unexpected turn of events, it is Abbey who is forced to face her own demons before joining him to take on the enemy together.
I gave up on this. I tried for a long, long time to get into this story. I just couldn't relate to any of the characters. And I wasn't sucked in.
I think the problem I was having was just how ridiculous the action was, how unlikely the plot was, and how unmanly the characters were. I couldn't get past these things. They stuck out and grated on me.
You have thugs who sometimes use guns and sometimes just hand to hand combat. There's no rhyme or reason to what they do. They're not intimidating. They're just your run of the mill, idiotic bad guys who are just bad guys because the story needs them. They do not serve a purpose.
I have come to the conclusion that I will more than likely avoid any book from a male perspective that is written by a female author. They just can't seem to ditch their feminine voice. Gale is no exception. Her men never read as men to me. They were all sporting vaginas. They thought like women, they acted like women, not one of them felt masculine. Men are not bound by emotion like women. They have more of a logical thought process. It's nature. If you can't drop your feminine agenda and feminine touches, you ruin your character, especially when you're trying to portray a very masculine man.
It's very redundant and boring. The plot moves very slowly and I just couldn't read another word.
I think I got to 70%. This book was just not for me.
This was just awful... I read this so you don't have to. The plot was flip-flopping around trying to decide if it was about taking down a crime syndicate, or about a young woman turning vigilante avenging her dad's death or a relationship between colleagues turning sour. Very little character development and too much time spent describing all the leather and tight tank tops everyone was wearing. Oh and overuse of the word "baby" to describe every single interaction the lead female character has with every male in the book.
I just got a kindle for christmas and thought I'd give reading a try again. Saw the cover art for this book and it drew me right in. Once I started to read Into The Fire I couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend this to new readers like myself or avid readers.
When Jim Benson, head of the Civilian Security Agency (CSA) is killed, it’s left to his second in command, Adam Rede to lead the only thing standing between the people and the notorious Syndicate. But, Rede must also protect Abbey, Jim’s daughter, who becomes a target of the Syndicate, and the only way he can do both jobs is by recruiting Abbey, something he’s loathe to do. In Into the Fire by F. J. Gale, we follow the tense and dangerous actions of a dedicated band of people who must defeat a merciless enemy. At the same time, they must also fight the enemies within. A gritty story, with graphic violence and strong language that some might find not to their liking, but the author portrays situations in a realistic manner—that’s the way life goes, folks. Twisting plot lines and murky motivations abound, with enough action to completely satiate action junkies.
Can you judge a book by the cover? You can when it starts with an actual fantastic graphical cover and then the pages deliver one after another. Into the Fire is a very well written novel with engrossing characters and crazy --but not outlandish--events that ultimately support a fun read that I hope gets picked up as a great television series prospect. I don't want to risk spoiling the vengeful acts, noble heroes, sexual tension, justified body count, and my all time favorite---knee caping, so I'll just say its all there. Gale fuses this together in such a way that men and women alike will enjoy this thriller with more action to come in the series.
I was surprised by this book, i always thought the genre of pulp fiction being somewhat extinct, but no here we have F. J. Gale, pitting 2 almost superhuman agents of a non governmental security force first against the syndicate later against each other. The first half of the book is great fun to read (perhaps in the category guilty pleasure), and the second part only gets a bit to much touchy feely to keep the five star rating alive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
WOW!!! This is one kick ass, action packed thriller/suspense. Don't let the cover fool you. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. The plot is amazing, the characters likeable and you cant help but root for the good guys. This book is not for the feint of heart...LOL.
I have to buy books 2 and 3 NOW...Excellent read!!!
this is a definite need to read book. continuous suspense, action and minute romance,
romance is entwined into the action and you barely have time to ingest any romance with the intrigue. I enjoyed the book immensely. now it is your turn.
Book Review: Into the Fire (Vigilante Justice Novels #1) by F.J. Gale
Overview
Into the Fire, the first book in F.J. Gale’s Vigilante Justice series, offers a gripping exploration of revenge and moral ambiguity wrapped in a fast-paced thriller. This novel draws readers into a world where justice is often dictated by personal vendettas, and the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred.
Plot Summary
The story follows the protagonist, a deeply flawed yet relatable character seeking to avenge a grave injustice that has significantly impacted their life. After a devastating event that shakes the very foundations of their world, the protagonist takes matters into their own hands, stepping into the role of a vigilante. Throughout the novel, readers witness a transformation as the character grapples with the consequences of their actions in a relentless pursuit of justice.
As the plot unfolds, Gale skillfully weaves suspense and action, introducing various antagonists and moral dilemmas that challenge the protagonist’s motivations. The narrative propels forward with unforeseen twists and turns, ensuring that readers remain engaged and eager to uncover what happens next.
Character Development
F.J. Gale excels at creating multidimensional characters. The protagonist’s journey is marked by emotional depth, revealing their vulnerabilities and inner conflicts. Supporting characters, both allies and foes, are well-crafted and add richness to the story. Their interactions with the protagonist provide insight into different perspectives on justice and morality.
Themes
Vigilantism and Justice: The novel raises critical questions about the nature of justice—whether it is best served by the law or through personal intervention. This central theme is explored through the protagonist’s choices and the repercussions that follow.
Revenge vs. Redemption: Gale delves into the complexities of revenge, examining its impact on the character’s psyche. The struggle between seeking vengeance and finding a path to redemption is a poignant theme that resonates throughout the narrative.
Moral Ambiguity: Into the Fire challenges readers to reflect on their own beliefs about right and wrong. As the protagonist becomes increasingly embroiled in their vendetta, the lines between heroism and villainy become blurred, prompting deep contemplation about the nature of justice.
Writing Style
F.J. Gale’s writing is direct and engaging, characterized by sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions that immerse readers in the action. The pacing is brisk, maintaining tension throughout the novel while allowing moments of introspection. Gale’s ability to balance thrilling sequences with emotional depth enhances the reader’s connection to the characters and their struggles.
Conclusion
Into the Fire is a compelling start to the Vigilante Justice series that combines a riveting plot with thoughtful exploration of moral issues. F.J. Gale has crafted a narrative that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, leaving readers questioning their own views on justice and vengeance. This novel is recommended for fans of thrillers and those interested in complex characters navigating the gray areas of morality. As the first installment of the series, it sets the stage for further exploration of these themes, leaving readers eager for the next chapter in this gripping saga.
Almost put this down a couple times as too many thinks just didn't make sense. Probably will not continue the series as this booked dragged on at times. Decent story...
Mediocre story. There is a mysterious organization CSA (Civilian Security Agency) which is a non-government group fighting crime of another mysterious criminal group, The Syndicate. Some of the fight sequences are written okay, but much else in the novel is not well executed. Why or how CSA came into being is kind of murky. The Syndicate is obviously evil. The government is useless, or helpless with respect to fighting The Syndicate, and may even be somewhat complicit in not resisting the crime problem. In some ways, these types of novels remind me of the 'romantic western' or 'western opera' novel by Zane Grey or others. The men are broad shouldered, well muscled, almost indestructible. The women are voluptuous, stunningly beautiful. Like an opera, all emotions are over the top, loins are throbbing, lust is almost uncontrollable. Men do not get angry - they rage. People do not like each other, they fall madly, deeply in love. Imagine the men or women from some of the fantasy poster art were written into a novel - bugling biceps (even on the women), incredible abs, thunderous thighs, incredible breasts on all the women and incredibly small waists, full luscious lips, long flowing hair, eyes blazing. That is almost every man or woman in the book. Throw in a mysterious 'instinct' that gives almost invincible powers and fighting skills to a few, a 'dark side'. "Do not fight it! Let it rise! Feel the power." That was almost too much. I will admit I have never been in the military, and never been around elite units such as the Navy Seals, or Delta Force. I have no knowledge how these men talk to each other. But this novel is similar to others I have read in this genre in that descriptions of how people talk with each other, or their enemies, seem to be written as for a comic book, or graphic novel. The dialogue between characters is not well written, usually stilted. I think the word I would use is 'crude', as in not refined, unpolished. Some of the writing seems to be as a junior high school kid would imagine it should be.
This book needs help. All the characters are geniuses, hardcore, great at what they do etc etc etc ad infinitum... The lead genius is a flakey idiot and the book quickly drowns in it's own lack of direction and lack of story telling ability. Save your brain cells avoid this book.
Its rare i buy a book, and I got this book for free through Amazon. I usually don't expect much when books are free, however this book was amazing! Its not for the faint of heart, its packed with action..and a touch of romance. its definitely worth a read and well written by the author..the story telling sucks you in..
I loved this book! Took me awhile to read it, but it was definitely worth it! There was never a dull moment. Again, I love this book, and I usually kind of stick to Mystery or Romance, but this was awesome. I definitely recommend this book
I enjoyed this book and the series very much. The characters are interesting and complex, the story moves along and each book flowed into the next. I'm looking forward to the fifth one.