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Rogue Team International #4
Burn to Shine
Rogue Team International joins Joe Ledger in a new, tension-filled mission to stop a wave of bioterrorism from devastating the country.
A covert group is infiltrating the world’s most secure bio-weapons research sites. All across the country, people are acting as human ‘disease bombs’ by infecting themselves and walking into public places. And heavily-armed groups of illegal private soldiers are massing for some unknown strike.
Joe Ledger and the members of Rogue Team International, still reeling from the devastation and heartbreaking losses of their last mission, are forced into relentless action to try and save the country, if not the entire world.
Old enemies are rising and joining forces to hit Joe and his team with one devastating blow after another. What is the end game for all of this madness and terror? Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Joe Ledger has to find a way back from the fires of grief in order to make a stand between these enemies and millions of potential innocent lives. But Joe has allies, too. His team, the vicious fighters of Arklight, and friends who may or may not be entirely human.
A war of darkness and light is coming. Who will stand? Who will fall? And how will anyone ever survive?
A covert group is infiltrating the world’s most secure bio-weapons research sites. All across the country, people are acting as human ‘disease bombs’ by infecting themselves and walking into public places. And heavily-armed groups of illegal private soldiers are massing for some unknown strike.
Joe Ledger and the members of Rogue Team International, still reeling from the devastation and heartbreaking losses of their last mission, are forced into relentless action to try and save the country, if not the entire world.
Old enemies are rising and joining forces to hit Joe and his team with one devastating blow after another. What is the end game for all of this madness and terror? Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and outgunned, Joe Ledger has to find a way back from the fires of grief in order to make a stand between these enemies and millions of potential innocent lives. But Joe has allies, too. His team, the vicious fighters of Arklight, and friends who may or may not be entirely human.
A war of darkness and light is coming. Who will stand? Who will fall? And how will anyone ever survive?
512 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2025
81 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Maberry
518 books7,774 followersJONATHAN MABERRY is a NYTimes bestselling author, #1 Audible bestseller, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, comic book writer, and producer. He is the author of more than 50 novels, 190 short stories, 16 short story collections, 30 graphic novels, 14 nonfiction books, and has edited 26 anthologies. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was a Netflix original series starring Ian Somerhalder. His 2009-10 run as writer on the Black Panther comic formed a large chunk of the recent blockbuster film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His bestselling YA zombie series, Rot & Ruin is in development for film at Alcon Entertainment; and John Wick director, Chad Stahelski, is developing Jonathan’s Joe Ledger Thrillers for TV. Jonathan writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and action; and he writes for adults, teens and middle grade. His works include The Pine Deep Trilogy, The Kagen the Damned Trilogy, NecroTek, Ink, Glimpse, the Rot & Ruin series, the Dead of Night series, The Wolfman, X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate, The Sleepers War (with Weston Ochse), Mars One, and many others. He is the editor of high-profile anthologies including Weird Tales: 100 Years of Weird, The X-Files, Aliens: Bug Hunt, Out of Tune, Don’t Turn out the Lights: A Tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Baker Street Irregulars, Nights of the Living Dead, Shadows & Verse, and others. His comics include Marvel Zombies Return, The Punisher: Naked Kills, Wolverine: Ghosts, Godzilla vs Cthulhu: Death May Die, Bad Blood and many others. Jonathan has written in many popular licensed worlds, including Hellboy, True Blood, The Wolfman, John Carter of Mars, Sherlock Holmes, C.H.U.D., Diablo IV, Deadlands, World of Warcraft, Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Predator, Karl Kolchak, and many others. He the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, and the editor of Weird Tales Magazine. He lives in San Diego, California. Find him online at www.jonathanmaberry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
October 18, 2025
5++ Stars.
No matter the length, Joe Ledger books are never long enough for me.
As always, narrator Ray Porter brings Maberry's genius storyline to life in my imagination with breathtaking clarity.
Many thanks to both of these superstars for the countless hours of thrilling escapism.
Highly recommend.
No matter the length, Joe Ledger books are never long enough for me.
As always, narrator Ray Porter brings Maberry's genius storyline to life in my imagination with breathtaking clarity.
Many thanks to both of these superstars for the countless hours of thrilling escapism.
Highly recommend.
December 1, 2024
My review of Burn to Shine is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Joe Ledger returns in Burn to Shine, the fourth installment in author Jonathan Maberry’s Rogue Team International series. Never a stranger to bioterrorism, Joe Ledger takes on an all-new adventure to combat a mysterious organization infiltrating top-secret biological weapons research facilities around the globe. The stakes have never been higher for Joe Ledger and company, but will they be able to unravel this conspiracy before it’s too late?
Jonathan Maberry throws us immediately into the action, using short chapters to switch rapidly among locations as we learn about human disease bombs who are purposely infecting large groups of people in public settings. Although the abrupt chapters feel rather disorienting at first, the narrative style effectively conveys the far-reaching scope of the bioterrorism threat. It’s also rather satisfying to see how these various plot threads come together in the latter part of the book.
The narration in Burn to Shine switches between Joe Ledger’s first-person account of the action and the third-person perspectives of several other characters. Regrettably, the cast of Burn to Shine is often too large to manage, with many of the characters feeling interchangeable with each other, having similar personalities and dialogue styles. It’s also difficult to keep track of individual characters when everyone has two names, their real name and an often cringeworthy call sign, used throughout the novel.
The author’s choppy writing style is another major impediment to my enjoyment of Burn to Shine. From the jerky sentence structure to the overly brief chapters, everything felt too short for me to be fully drawn into the story. Another issue is the dialogue, which feels like something out of a bad action movie and is often too trite to take seriously.
Altogether, Burn to Shine has an exciting premise but falls short in its execution. Although this was a dud for me, it may appeal to readers looking for their next action thriller.
Joe Ledger returns in Burn to Shine, the fourth installment in author Jonathan Maberry’s Rogue Team International series. Never a stranger to bioterrorism, Joe Ledger takes on an all-new adventure to combat a mysterious organization infiltrating top-secret biological weapons research facilities around the globe. The stakes have never been higher for Joe Ledger and company, but will they be able to unravel this conspiracy before it’s too late?
Jonathan Maberry throws us immediately into the action, using short chapters to switch rapidly among locations as we learn about human disease bombs who are purposely infecting large groups of people in public settings. Although the abrupt chapters feel rather disorienting at first, the narrative style effectively conveys the far-reaching scope of the bioterrorism threat. It’s also rather satisfying to see how these various plot threads come together in the latter part of the book.
The narration in Burn to Shine switches between Joe Ledger’s first-person account of the action and the third-person perspectives of several other characters. Regrettably, the cast of Burn to Shine is often too large to manage, with many of the characters feeling interchangeable with each other, having similar personalities and dialogue styles. It’s also difficult to keep track of individual characters when everyone has two names, their real name and an often cringeworthy call sign, used throughout the novel.
The author’s choppy writing style is another major impediment to my enjoyment of Burn to Shine. From the jerky sentence structure to the overly brief chapters, everything felt too short for me to be fully drawn into the story. Another issue is the dialogue, which feels like something out of a bad action movie and is often too trite to take seriously.
Altogether, Burn to Shine has an exciting premise but falls short in its execution. Although this was a dud for me, it may appeal to readers looking for their next action thriller.
April 28, 2025
I hope Top makes it through the next book. It was good to see Ghost back in action. Joe even mentions Cobbler, who we have heard nothing from in several books. I love you Joe Ledger!
October 14, 2025
Havoc Team goes to Pine Deep.
Nicodemus, currently going by the name Mr October has brought Mother Night back from the dead. And she's more bat shit crazy than before she died.
Joe Ledger and Havoc Team are recovering and licking their wounds from the events of Cave 13. Meanwhile there are biological attacks taking place in various spots in the US. Private militias are gaining strength and arming up, while the media is doing its worst to stir up more fear and hatred among the masses.
l love when Violin shows up in these books.
Nicodemus, currently going by the name Mr October has brought Mother Night back from the dead. And she's more bat shit crazy than before she died.
Joe Ledger and Havoc Team are recovering and licking their wounds from the events of Cave 13. Meanwhile there are biological attacks taking place in various spots in the US. Private militias are gaining strength and arming up, while the media is doing its worst to stir up more fear and hatred among the masses.
l love when Violin shows up in these books.
March 19, 2025
If you've been following the Joe Ledger series, the title will tell you a lot about the antagonist. "Impossible," you'll say! Well, yes, in theory-but has that ever stopped Maberry before?
Burn to Shine throws Joe and his crew into the kind of mess that keeps us (fans of the series) up at night. It’s got action, horror, creepy science, and just enough gallows humor to keep things from getting too bleak.
The team is chasing down militias stockpiling bioweapons and things go sideways fast. Everything leads to Pine Deep - a town that never plays nice. Maberry’s love for weird science and horror classics shines through, and the action never slows down.
In short, it’s a hell of a ride.
Burn to Shine throws Joe and his crew into the kind of mess that keeps us (fans of the series) up at night. It’s got action, horror, creepy science, and just enough gallows humor to keep things from getting too bleak.
The team is chasing down militias stockpiling bioweapons and things go sideways fast. Everything leads to Pine Deep - a town that never plays nice. Maberry’s love for weird science and horror classics shines through, and the action never slows down.
In short, it’s a hell of a ride.
March 5, 2025
Ladies and gentlemen! Everyone!
If you have not read a Joe Ledger book, you are totally missing out. Action packed, so many wonderful and memorable characters.
I swear, the way Maberry writes is the best. The way, you're immersed in what's happening. The way, you have such a fondness for Joe and his dog Ghost and then, everyone else in a supporting and at times main roles, you laugh and cry and live entirely with them. I swear this would be my favorite tv show once (🤞) it gets finalized.
I can't say enough about Maberry who became one of my favorite authors last year. The way all his books (even ones out of the series) intertwine. The way after reading 900+ books last year, the way Maberry's characters stick out in my mind. Ghost and his titanium smile.... Joe and his many attributes.
If you have not read a Joe Ledger book, you are totally missing out. Action packed, so many wonderful and memorable characters.
I swear, the way Maberry writes is the best. The way, you're immersed in what's happening. The way, you have such a fondness for Joe and his dog Ghost and then, everyone else in a supporting and at times main roles, you laugh and cry and live entirely with them. I swear this would be my favorite tv show once (🤞) it gets finalized.
I can't say enough about Maberry who became one of my favorite authors last year. The way all his books (even ones out of the series) intertwine. The way after reading 900+ books last year, the way Maberry's characters stick out in my mind. Ghost and his titanium smile.... Joe and his many attributes.
January 21, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Mar. 4, 2025
Jonathan Maberry’s latest Joe Ledger novel, “Burn to Shine” features Joe and his Rogue Team as they try and intercept a domestic terrorist event while they all are still grieving from the painful losses suffered during their last mission.
“Shine” is definitely not slow in the action department. A dangerous bioweapon is infecting Americans across the country and, once Joe and his team are put on the case, they’re confronted by old enemies, some who were supposed to be dead- and some who might actually still be so. The illness turns those infected into “zombie”-type creatures (for fans of James Dashner’s “The Maze Runner”, think of his Cranks), and, as if that weren’t enough, some dangerous science experiments have turned certain animals into teeth-baring, human-killing hybrids.
Maberry is a new author to me and “Shine” is the fourth novel in the Rogue Team International series, so I was going in completely blind. Although I was able to follow along with the plot and its characters, there were a lot of backstories that I missed out on, and that would’ve likely made this novel more enjoyable for me.
Joe is the narrator, although not the sole one, as we hear from various other characters (of which there are PLENTY), which help to connect all of the labyrinthine plotlines. I enjoyed hearing from the other characters, as I was not familiar with them before this story, and it helped me to sort through the masses of players. There are many elite teams like the RTI that all have their own acronyms. Plus, the individual teams that make up the RTI with all the soldiers who have their birth names plus call signs, that are used interchangeably. The “bad guys” are pretty easy to spot though, so it’s easy to know who to root for. (My favourite character by far, which should surprise no one, is Joe’s dog, Ghost).
Maberry is well-researched and knowledgeable when it comes to weapons and there was quite the variety throughout the novel, as well as fighting styles and methods. There is fist-to-face action on nearly every page, which definitely keeps the reader turning the pages.
“Shine” is written like it could be a movie or streaming series (and it didn’t surprise me when I found out it was soon to become one) and it will definitely find a fan base for those who are interested in the secret-agency action dramas.
Expected publication date: Mar. 4, 2025
Jonathan Maberry’s latest Joe Ledger novel, “Burn to Shine” features Joe and his Rogue Team as they try and intercept a domestic terrorist event while they all are still grieving from the painful losses suffered during their last mission.
“Shine” is definitely not slow in the action department. A dangerous bioweapon is infecting Americans across the country and, once Joe and his team are put on the case, they’re confronted by old enemies, some who were supposed to be dead- and some who might actually still be so. The illness turns those infected into “zombie”-type creatures (for fans of James Dashner’s “The Maze Runner”, think of his Cranks), and, as if that weren’t enough, some dangerous science experiments have turned certain animals into teeth-baring, human-killing hybrids.
Maberry is a new author to me and “Shine” is the fourth novel in the Rogue Team International series, so I was going in completely blind. Although I was able to follow along with the plot and its characters, there were a lot of backstories that I missed out on, and that would’ve likely made this novel more enjoyable for me.
Joe is the narrator, although not the sole one, as we hear from various other characters (of which there are PLENTY), which help to connect all of the labyrinthine plotlines. I enjoyed hearing from the other characters, as I was not familiar with them before this story, and it helped me to sort through the masses of players. There are many elite teams like the RTI that all have their own acronyms. Plus, the individual teams that make up the RTI with all the soldiers who have their birth names plus call signs, that are used interchangeably. The “bad guys” are pretty easy to spot though, so it’s easy to know who to root for. (My favourite character by far, which should surprise no one, is Joe’s dog, Ghost).
Maberry is well-researched and knowledgeable when it comes to weapons and there was quite the variety throughout the novel, as well as fighting styles and methods. There is fist-to-face action on nearly every page, which definitely keeps the reader turning the pages.
“Shine” is written like it could be a movie or streaming series (and it didn’t surprise me when I found out it was soon to become one) and it will definitely find a fan base for those who are interested in the secret-agency action dramas.
July 28, 2025
Man I love this series! Great fast paced action and adventure. Edge of your seat plot and story telling. And just a bit of humor sprinkled throughout to lighten things up. I can’t say enough good things, so just go out and grab book 1 and strap in for the ride. Very recommended
March 24, 2025
This was the 4th book in the spin off of the Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International Novel (otherwise known as RTI). This book follows on the steps of the last book and has the team still recovering from the chaos of their last mission. It just figures that the group is not going to get a break when they become aware of new players taking up the bad guys power vacuum left when they foiled the Cave 13th case.
As those of us that have been along for the entire ride, we know there is a pretty big supernatural element that follows the RTI team. Mr. Church, as we have learned over MANY books is "different"
What does that mean? Who knows, let's just say that he is VERY old, he has been around much longer than humanly possible and at times he can exhibit "strange" powers. If Church is on the "good side" of this equation, then of course, there is a bad guy. That person has many names but in this book is going by Mr. October. Many of us know him as "Nicodemus" and he too has been around much longer than any normal human life time. These men both have agendas that have not been completely spelled out for us - but they have been battling for a very long time.
Without going into spoilers, a main character (not one of the good variety) that we previously thought was dead - heck, change that....she WAS dead (well, kind of)...well, guess what? Yep, you guessed it....definitely not dead...completely. Mr. October has brought her back to be part of his latest plan - a plan that has been in the works for many years. Why does he need this person? Because this person is brilliant, so brilliant that they may be the only one who can deal with the programming and reprogramming of the weapons he is putting in play. There are actually many more reasons, but....no spoilers.
As usual, as we have come to expect in Mr. Mayberry's books, things take off from the very beginning and do not stop until the end. Was this my favorite book in this series? No. But it was still good. I just seemed to have a problem with this newly rejuvenated character. They are obviously completely crazy and I had a hard time trying to not be pulled out of the story with some of their behaviors. But, that could be just me.
Either way, it was a crazy adventure that builds and builds into a tense climax. Again, all things we expect from this series.
As those of us that have been along for the entire ride, we know there is a pretty big supernatural element that follows the RTI team. Mr. Church, as we have learned over MANY books is "different"
What does that mean? Who knows, let's just say that he is VERY old, he has been around much longer than humanly possible and at times he can exhibit "strange" powers. If Church is on the "good side" of this equation, then of course, there is a bad guy. That person has many names but in this book is going by Mr. October. Many of us know him as "Nicodemus" and he too has been around much longer than any normal human life time. These men both have agendas that have not been completely spelled out for us - but they have been battling for a very long time.
Without going into spoilers, a main character (not one of the good variety) that we previously thought was dead - heck, change that....she WAS dead (well, kind of)...well, guess what? Yep, you guessed it....definitely not dead...completely. Mr. October has brought her back to be part of his latest plan - a plan that has been in the works for many years. Why does he need this person? Because this person is brilliant, so brilliant that they may be the only one who can deal with the programming and reprogramming of the weapons he is putting in play. There are actually many more reasons, but....no spoilers.
As usual, as we have come to expect in Mr. Mayberry's books, things take off from the very beginning and do not stop until the end. Was this my favorite book in this series? No. But it was still good. I just seemed to have a problem with this newly rejuvenated character. They are obviously completely crazy and I had a hard time trying to not be pulled out of the story with some of their behaviors. But, that could be just me.
Either way, it was a crazy adventure that builds and builds into a tense climax. Again, all things we expect from this series.
March 9, 2025
It's funny how in all of these interconnected series the people that seem to come back. This one is filled with those, much to Joe Ledger's dismay.
One of the characters that was brought back, really shouldn't have been. The term bat shit crazy comes to mind and even those that knew about the past and what was going on in the present were a bit scared of them, even as one of them thought this person was firmly on their leash.
It seemed like around every turn Joe and his crew were gob smacked by what they learned and the hits they took along the way. At the end, they did what they needed to, once again saving the world, but they also seem more "tired" than usual too. At some point something's gotta give for them.
One of the characters that was brought back, really shouldn't have been. The term bat shit crazy comes to mind and even those that knew about the past and what was going on in the present were a bit scared of them, even as one of them thought this person was firmly on their leash.
It seemed like around every turn Joe and his crew were gob smacked by what they learned and the hits they took along the way. At the end, they did what they needed to, once again saving the world, but they also seem more "tired" than usual too. At some point something's gotta give for them.
June 18, 2025
JM really needs to stop recycling bad guys from his other DMS/RTI books. It's one thing to reference your in-universe novels, but making those characters a sort of deus ex machina to wrap up plot points like you are emailing it in is just a sad fall from such lofty heights. The thing that killed me the most is that the recycled bad guy literally takes dozens of bullets at close range and runs away laughing, but when Church comes in (which also tells me that this is the death knell of RTI), the foe pretty much lays down so he can pump even more bullets into it and call it a day.
I have long felt that Joe and the team have run their course and need to be put to rest, but as long as the money is flowing, then the Rogue Team will continue going.
I have long felt that Joe and the team have run their course and need to be put to rest, but as long as the money is flowing, then the Rogue Team will continue going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2025
Wow.
I'm sitting here, thinking, sixteen years and fourteen books in, what else can I say about any Joe Ledger book that hasn't been said? Then again, how the heck does Maberry, sixteen years and fourteen books in, just keep swinging for the fences and hitting every one out of the park?
This book pulls on strings that Joe unraveled as far back as PATIENT ZERO, the first time we met him, as well as characters from many of the previous novels, as well as pulling in his major side characters, Sam Hunter, Monk Addison, and the Pine Deep people. This one feels like a culmination of plot threads and directions that Maberry has been building to for a very long time.
The Joe Ledger series, pretty much since I finished the first book, has been one of those books that's either a "drop what you're reading and read this now" or "finish whatever you're in the middle of, but this one comes next" reads. I always know Maberry's going to entertain, enrage, and grab me by the feels, and he does so very well this time.
Joe's faced his fair share of world ending events, but this one seemed, somehow, far more dangerous, far more urgent...and far more impossible to overcome.
If I have any complaint at all, it's that Maberry spent a good chunk of the story building the fear and paranoia within the US, and also around the world, but seemed to very quickly de-escalate it toward the end. I didn't dock any stars because I have a feeling that we'll see more of the aftereffects in the fifteenth Ledger book.
This, along with Pratchett's Discworld, Butcher's Dresden Files, Herbert's original Dune trilogy, and Tolkien's Hobbit/LOTR trilogy, round out my top five series of all time.
I'm sitting here, thinking, sixteen years and fourteen books in, what else can I say about any Joe Ledger book that hasn't been said? Then again, how the heck does Maberry, sixteen years and fourteen books in, just keep swinging for the fences and hitting every one out of the park?
This book pulls on strings that Joe unraveled as far back as PATIENT ZERO, the first time we met him, as well as characters from many of the previous novels, as well as pulling in his major side characters, Sam Hunter, Monk Addison, and the Pine Deep people. This one feels like a culmination of plot threads and directions that Maberry has been building to for a very long time.
The Joe Ledger series, pretty much since I finished the first book, has been one of those books that's either a "drop what you're reading and read this now" or "finish whatever you're in the middle of, but this one comes next" reads. I always know Maberry's going to entertain, enrage, and grab me by the feels, and he does so very well this time.
Joe's faced his fair share of world ending events, but this one seemed, somehow, far more dangerous, far more urgent...and far more impossible to overcome.
If I have any complaint at all, it's that Maberry spent a good chunk of the story building the fear and paranoia within the US, and also around the world, but seemed to very quickly de-escalate it toward the end. I didn't dock any stars because I have a feeling that we'll see more of the aftereffects in the fifteenth Ledger book.
This, along with Pratchett's Discworld, Butcher's Dresden Files, Herbert's original Dune trilogy, and Tolkien's Hobbit/LOTR trilogy, round out my top five series of all time.
April 14, 2025
This is the latest of many exciting Joe Ledger adventure stories filled with action, adventure, science fiction and horror. Jonathan Mayberry certainly knows how to weave stories from many points of view leading readers to the eventual denouement of the adventure. The second half of the story was a definite page turner. I gave this story 4 stars instead of my usual 5 star rating for Joe Ledger novels because it seemed to me that the author was conflicted about Miss Mary’s motivations for her behavior & actions. I felt Miss Mary’s story was underdeveloped. Sure, we read about her penchant for gore & violence, but not much about her motivations. Was she “lost”, or did she want to “rule the world” ? We knew who Miss Mary when she was known as “Artemsia Bliss”, but “Miss Mary”, is only a fragment or shadow of her former self. We really don’t know who she became when she was “resurrected”. Secondly, the involvement of Mike Sweeney, Sam Hunter & Antonio Jones was rather too subtle for those readers like me who are not fully versed in Pine Deep stories.
I would highly recommend reading the earlier Joe Ledger novels. Not just the RTI novels, but to the earlier Joe Ledger novels so the readers can become familiar with the multitude of characters in the Joe Ledger universe as well as becoming familiar with many creatures, villains, biological weapons etc that resurface in the Joe Ledger adventures. This would give readers a richer experience & enjoyment of Burn to Shine.
I would highly recommend reading the earlier Joe Ledger novels. Not just the RTI novels, but to the earlier Joe Ledger novels so the readers can become familiar with the multitude of characters in the Joe Ledger universe as well as becoming familiar with many creatures, villains, biological weapons etc that resurface in the Joe Ledger adventures. This would give readers a richer experience & enjoyment of Burn to Shine.
April 19, 2025
Classic Maberry high octane thriller material.
Joe Ledger is back and better than ever. This book seems to represent a moment "catching a breath" for the entire series. Old enemies are resolved, dangling plotlines from years before are snipped and the world order is reset once more.
As always, great action scenes and a plot which continually treads the line between science fact and fiction with a dash of supernatural possiblity tossed in for good measure.
Another treat is a surprise visit to Pine Deep - which never ends well for anybody.
Joe Ledger is back and better than ever. This book seems to represent a moment "catching a breath" for the entire series. Old enemies are resolved, dangling plotlines from years before are snipped and the world order is reset once more.
As always, great action scenes and a plot which continually treads the line between science fact and fiction with a dash of supernatural possiblity tossed in for good measure.
Another treat is a surprise visit to Pine Deep - which never ends well for anybody.
June 24, 2025
Wow! I had almost forgotten why I LOVE these Joe Ledge r thrillers!
Ever since Patient Zero! Tons of action, weird very off beat violent characters and the return to Pine Deep! I have read the last two Rogue Team International thrillers and loved them both. I actually have the first RTI thriller on my Kindle but have not read it yet, but I will. Just getting back into the Chess adventures as well by starting to read "Savage".
Ever since Patient Zero! Tons of action, weird very off beat violent characters and the return to Pine Deep! I have read the last two Rogue Team International thrillers and loved them both. I actually have the first RTI thriller on my Kindle but have not read it yet, but I will. Just getting back into the Chess adventures as well by starting to read "Savage".
March 31, 2025
The only thing better than a new Joe Ledger novel is a new Joe Ledger novel that crosses over into the world of Pine Deep. I binged the Pine Deep books in November 2023 so I was excited to see all those characters intersect with the Joe Ledger world in unexpected ways, with the good and evil in each story facing off for the first time.
Cant wait to see whats next for RTI!
Cant wait to see whats next for RTI!
March 8, 2025
Actual story - 3 stars
Ray Porter, audiobook narrator extraordinaire - 5 stars
I love the Joe Ledger books. This one is not my favorite and yet I did enjoy it. I feel like the author was trying to do too much - tie all of his series together in this one novel and all of the baddies.
Warning for extreme violence and language.
Ray Porter, audiobook narrator extraordinaire - 5 stars
I love the Joe Ledger books. This one is not my favorite and yet I did enjoy it. I feel like the author was trying to do too much - tie all of his series together in this one novel and all of the baddies.
Warning for extreme violence and language.
October 2, 2025
Man... I want to like this. I enjoy the characters, and the action is always fun, but I just feel like Maberry has been recycling his old plots and villains more and more, and I think I might be getting burned out... also, I feel like the main mystery of this series that I'm interested in is the Mr. Church - Nicodemus backstor, and this one gave me nothing...
March 26, 2025
Always fun. Would love a Spinoff about Top. These characters are comfortable, but this book gave me the idea that the end is on the way....
June 13, 2025
Decent edition to the ledger franchise....plenty of action....unfortunately I didn't think it moved the overall story and where it's inevitably heading along a great deal so it felt a bit of a throwaway story that wasn't really needed.
April 9, 2025
If you don't know anything about Maberry you should going into this one. He is a leftist Californian who seems content living under the nanny state and add to that, he wrote this one during the disastrous woke Biden administration, so you can probably guess the direction this installment takes. Of course the big baddies in this one pull one over on the misguided gullible America First militias to get them to follow their plans. Along the way Maberry takes every opportunity to let you know his thoughts that any Gadsden Flag waving American is a fascist white supremacist nazi and he also doesn't skip a step in letting you know that the current trend in America towards constitutional carry is dangerous and that the general public is to scared and dumb to be entrusted with any firearm other than a 38 snub nose revolver.
As for the story itself this is the weakest out of both the DMS & RTI series and goes as far as resurrecting a past foe from the dead, which to me just came off as cheap and unimaginative. I found myself putting it down for a week on multiple occasions with no real interest to return to it other than to just finish it so I can move on to another book on my "to read" list. It's a shame as the DMS series was one of my all time favorites. This one really needed to be "Vetted by Vox".
As for the story itself this is the weakest out of both the DMS & RTI series and goes as far as resurrecting a past foe from the dead, which to me just came off as cheap and unimaginative. I found myself putting it down for a week on multiple occasions with no real interest to return to it other than to just finish it so I can move on to another book on my "to read" list. It's a shame as the DMS series was one of my all time favorites. This one really needed to be "Vetted by Vox".
March 5, 2025
I... just cant do it.
I love parts of the joe ledger series, but in first few chapters we get 2 of the worst things in the series.
Nicodemus, and mother night.
The quasi-magical evil man bent on "chaos" butnreally its being an edgey pseudo religious cunt.
And mother night brought back from the dead. I actually dropped that book and returned it halfway through cause it was such shitty trash. This combo ends up being the turd that keeps on shitting. At least, i will admit, so i am guessing.
Neither villain is worth a god damn, and i dont hqve the patience to try and slog through and find out.
This is especially disappointing as listened to secret missions collection and quite enjoyed that. But revisiting evil magic man who does evil for the sake of evil with no explaination as to why he is evil beyond evil for evils sake, and crazy lady whonwanted to be "powerful" like all the other characters and somehow managed to recruit a bunch of metheads and hobos into super soldier gorilla man zombie army to nearly destroy the usa (and ended up showing mayberrys lack of knowledge on video games and like) jist holds negqtive appeal to me. So maybe next time. I doubt ill really be missing anything, and what is important i can find in a synopsis.
I love parts of the joe ledger series, but in first few chapters we get 2 of the worst things in the series.
Nicodemus, and mother night.
The quasi-magical evil man bent on "chaos" butnreally its being an edgey pseudo religious cunt.
And mother night brought back from the dead. I actually dropped that book and returned it halfway through cause it was such shitty trash. This combo ends up being the turd that keeps on shitting. At least, i will admit, so i am guessing.
Neither villain is worth a god damn, and i dont hqve the patience to try and slog through and find out.
This is especially disappointing as listened to secret missions collection and quite enjoyed that. But revisiting evil magic man who does evil for the sake of evil with no explaination as to why he is evil beyond evil for evils sake, and crazy lady whonwanted to be "powerful" like all the other characters and somehow managed to recruit a bunch of metheads and hobos into super soldier gorilla man zombie army to nearly destroy the usa (and ended up showing mayberrys lack of knowledge on video games and like) jist holds negqtive appeal to me. So maybe next time. I doubt ill really be missing anything, and what is important i can find in a synopsis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2025
Old Enemies Come Back
This book was a bit of a roller coaster for me: really good highs, but also really crappy lows. I'll get the negatives out of the way first. In case you can't tell after reading this book, the author hates the orange man. There's TDS, and then there's whatever Maberry has. Regardless of your political leanings, the not so subtle messaging of the bad guy basically running MAGA from the shadows was as stealthy as a drunk elephant in a glass factory. It was super heavy handed and distracting. Having two previous enemies, Nicodemus and Mother Night, return and team up is a two edge sword. It's always great seeing Nicodemus and getting little hints as to his true nature, and Mother Night being brought back from the dead as a "real life" Joker is awesome, but it's just repeating what's been done before. If you haven't read the author's Pine Deep trilogy, you'll probably be very confused about the third act. The main characters from that series appear and there's a lot of backstory and history that is quickly rushed through. Also, Crow, the main character from Pine Deep, apparently is unable to put two and two together to figure out something is going on in his town. It's baffling how stupid it is. The epilogue is super rushed and short. Multiple side plots, some even left over from the previous book, aren't resolved. Oh did I mention the author hates MAGA and made the bad guys plan to turn everyone into ultranationalist white supremacists and start a civil war? Yeah super subtle and not relevant to today in any way shape or form.
Now onto the good. Joe and the rest of Rogue Team are back and just as good as always, which means they're constantly reacting to situations and getting ambushed despite being the best in the business. Joe's signature sharp wit is ever present, and he doesn't get bogged down in the politics of the Firefall plot, despite the author's clear bias. Nicodemus is still a super creepy immortal with a plan that slowly starts unraveling, which was surprising considering he's normally working in the shadows and has contingency plans for back up plans. Mother Night is even more evil and horrifying than ever. Mengele, the Joker, and a zombie mixed together is a combo we didn't know we needed. Church is Church. But we finally see a connection between him and Nicodemus at the very end. It is a bit frustrating that we don't have more answers about the two of them after almost 20 years. I was convinced Top was going to die, but he lived, which is great, but it's another example of a side plot that goes nowhere.
Overall, it was a pretty good book. Take away the blatant politics, retreading of previous books, and side plots that are forgotten about, and it's not bad. I'm hoping Maberry gets over his TDS and gets back to writing new villians rather than bringing back old ones (aside from Nicodemus) and forcing them into a weird "Orange Man Bad" story.
This book was a bit of a roller coaster for me: really good highs, but also really crappy lows. I'll get the negatives out of the way first. In case you can't tell after reading this book, the author hates the orange man. There's TDS, and then there's whatever Maberry has. Regardless of your political leanings, the not so subtle messaging of the bad guy basically running MAGA from the shadows was as stealthy as a drunk elephant in a glass factory. It was super heavy handed and distracting. Having two previous enemies, Nicodemus and Mother Night, return and team up is a two edge sword. It's always great seeing Nicodemus and getting little hints as to his true nature, and Mother Night being brought back from the dead as a "real life" Joker is awesome, but it's just repeating what's been done before. If you haven't read the author's Pine Deep trilogy, you'll probably be very confused about the third act. The main characters from that series appear and there's a lot of backstory and history that is quickly rushed through. Also, Crow, the main character from Pine Deep, apparently is unable to put two and two together to figure out something is going on in his town. It's baffling how stupid it is. The epilogue is super rushed and short. Multiple side plots, some even left over from the previous book, aren't resolved. Oh did I mention the author hates MAGA and made the bad guys plan to turn everyone into ultranationalist white supremacists and start a civil war? Yeah super subtle and not relevant to today in any way shape or form.
Now onto the good. Joe and the rest of Rogue Team are back and just as good as always, which means they're constantly reacting to situations and getting ambushed despite being the best in the business. Joe's signature sharp wit is ever present, and he doesn't get bogged down in the politics of the Firefall plot, despite the author's clear bias. Nicodemus is still a super creepy immortal with a plan that slowly starts unraveling, which was surprising considering he's normally working in the shadows and has contingency plans for back up plans. Mother Night is even more evil and horrifying than ever. Mengele, the Joker, and a zombie mixed together is a combo we didn't know we needed. Church is Church. But we finally see a connection between him and Nicodemus at the very end. It is a bit frustrating that we don't have more answers about the two of them after almost 20 years. I was convinced Top was going to die, but he lived, which is great, but it's another example of a side plot that goes nowhere.
Overall, it was a pretty good book. Take away the blatant politics, retreading of previous books, and side plots that are forgotten about, and it's not bad. I'm hoping Maberry gets over his TDS and gets back to writing new villians rather than bringing back old ones (aside from Nicodemus) and forcing them into a weird "Orange Man Bad" story.
May 24, 2025
Audiobook (19 hours) narrated by the Ray Porter
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Ray Porter nails it again, this time with a flawless audio. Yay!
The Jonathan Maberry, Ray Porter team come together for another audiobook saga starring Joe Ledger and his team in the fourth installment of the Rogue Team International series.
I appreciate the return of old friends and new as the excitement immediately jumps off the page. Fans of the Ledger series will likely appreciate the new twists and turns in the newest scenario.
I appreciate how Maberry continues to be openly expressive of the mental health of his characters, through his characters. It is a rare series that openly speaks of the traumatic events that happen as trauma in real world situations. I am unsure if Maberry's mental health knowledge comes from personal experience of himself and/or those he is close too, research, or a combination of the two but in 2025 it is refreshing to be able to read characters discuss and talk openly about how they are doing, complete with a therapist. The inclusion of mental health isn't intrusive or 'snow flakey' but real talk that fits well in with the day to day operations of a special operations team that deal with life and death situations, huge losses, traumatic violence, and end of the world situations. This isn't the first time mental health has appeared in the series, although I'm not sure if I have previously mentioned it in either this series or the Joe Ledger series, which this is a spin off of. In any even, it deserves repeating as it is something that Maberry does well and with intention, proving that talking about mental health doesn't soften our hard core military heroes. It is a critical part of life that we all need to take care of, as we do our physical health. Staying on top of it makes us stronger.
If you are in the US and need a therapist, a good place to begin your search is:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
If you are anywhere in the world and need to talk, with or without suicidal ideation, there is a great list of hotlines available here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
For mental health information, visit any of the social media sites, including Twitch, Discord, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram of my favorite online therapist, Dr. Mick:
https://www.twitch.tv/DrMick
https://www.youtube.com/c/drmick
https://discord.com/invite/N5Kenp6
https://www.instagram.com/drmicklive/
https://www.tiktok.com/@drmicktok
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Ray Porter nails it again, this time with a flawless audio. Yay!
The Jonathan Maberry, Ray Porter team come together for another audiobook saga starring Joe Ledger and his team in the fourth installment of the Rogue Team International series.
I appreciate the return of old friends and new as the excitement immediately jumps off the page. Fans of the Ledger series will likely appreciate the new twists and turns in the newest scenario.
I appreciate how Maberry continues to be openly expressive of the mental health of his characters, through his characters. It is a rare series that openly speaks of the traumatic events that happen as trauma in real world situations. I am unsure if Maberry's mental health knowledge comes from personal experience of himself and/or those he is close too, research, or a combination of the two but in 2025 it is refreshing to be able to read characters discuss and talk openly about how they are doing, complete with a therapist. The inclusion of mental health isn't intrusive or 'snow flakey' but real talk that fits well in with the day to day operations of a special operations team that deal with life and death situations, huge losses, traumatic violence, and end of the world situations. This isn't the first time mental health has appeared in the series, although I'm not sure if I have previously mentioned it in either this series or the Joe Ledger series, which this is a spin off of. In any even, it deserves repeating as it is something that Maberry does well and with intention, proving that talking about mental health doesn't soften our hard core military heroes. It is a critical part of life that we all need to take care of, as we do our physical health. Staying on top of it makes us stronger.
If you are in the US and need a therapist, a good place to begin your search is:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
If you are anywhere in the world and need to talk, with or without suicidal ideation, there is a great list of hotlines available here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
For mental health information, visit any of the social media sites, including Twitch, Discord, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram of my favorite online therapist, Dr. Mick:
https://www.twitch.tv/DrMick
https://www.youtube.com/c/drmick
https://discord.com/invite/N5Kenp6
https://www.instagram.com/drmicklive/
https://www.tiktok.com/@drmicktok
August 17, 2025
Rating of 4.75.
Bring on the chaos, carnage and craziness with the new epic Rogue Team International from Jonathan Maberry, Burn to Shine, which takes the reader on another dark and over-the-top ride in a deeply addictive thriller.
After suffering through another set of harrowing losses and intense damage to their already shredded psyche, the members of Rogue Team International are back in the fray. Led by troubled veteran Joe Ledger and the enigmatic Mr Church, Rogue Team International continue to fight against elaborate high-tech threats and other strange occurrences across the world. However, they are unprepared for their next dangerous threat, one that has emerged from the organisation’s combined dark past.
A powerful group of military contractors are expanding their influence across the United States, seeking to cause fear, division and political uncertainty. At the same time, a series of planned attacks have breached and destroyed many of the world’s most secure bio-weapons research facilities, with the stolen diseases and technology being utilised to create chaos and fear through infected humans turned into living disease bombs.
As Ledger and his team try and counter these attacks, their path leads them to the mysterious town of Pine Deep, Pennsylvania, where a multitude of dark secrets are hidden. Teaming up with old allies, new friends, and some of the more dangerous denizens of Pine Deep, Ledger and his team attempt to strike back against their enemies before a catastrophe is unleashed across the country. But can even this deadly and unlikely group of heroes stand up to some of the team’s most dangerous enemies, including a ghost from their past who plans to burn the world to ground?
Jonathan Maberry once again presents a gripping and deeply exciting tale with Burn to Shine. A compelling continuation of his long-running Joe Ledger/Rogue Team International books, Burn to Shine had another great story that continued the author’s ongoing storylines by heavily diving back into the series’ past. An excellent addition to the series that is guaranteed to keep you entertained all the way to the end.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2025/08/17/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Bring on the chaos, carnage and craziness with the new epic Rogue Team International from Jonathan Maberry, Burn to Shine, which takes the reader on another dark and over-the-top ride in a deeply addictive thriller.
After suffering through another set of harrowing losses and intense damage to their already shredded psyche, the members of Rogue Team International are back in the fray. Led by troubled veteran Joe Ledger and the enigmatic Mr Church, Rogue Team International continue to fight against elaborate high-tech threats and other strange occurrences across the world. However, they are unprepared for their next dangerous threat, one that has emerged from the organisation’s combined dark past.
A powerful group of military contractors are expanding their influence across the United States, seeking to cause fear, division and political uncertainty. At the same time, a series of planned attacks have breached and destroyed many of the world’s most secure bio-weapons research facilities, with the stolen diseases and technology being utilised to create chaos and fear through infected humans turned into living disease bombs.
As Ledger and his team try and counter these attacks, their path leads them to the mysterious town of Pine Deep, Pennsylvania, where a multitude of dark secrets are hidden. Teaming up with old allies, new friends, and some of the more dangerous denizens of Pine Deep, Ledger and his team attempt to strike back against their enemies before a catastrophe is unleashed across the country. But can even this deadly and unlikely group of heroes stand up to some of the team’s most dangerous enemies, including a ghost from their past who plans to burn the world to ground?
Jonathan Maberry once again presents a gripping and deeply exciting tale with Burn to Shine. A compelling continuation of his long-running Joe Ledger/Rogue Team International books, Burn to Shine had another great story that continued the author’s ongoing storylines by heavily diving back into the series’ past. An excellent addition to the series that is guaranteed to keep you entertained all the way to the end.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2025/08/17/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
March 12, 2025
Just finished listening to the audio minutes ago. I tried to make those past 3 hours last as long as possible, but alas, all good things must eventually come to an end - and this amazing installment of the Ledger universe from Mr. Mayberry, was truly all things good!!
As a side point, this book feels to me like is best enjoyed after you have gone through Mayberry's back log on the Pine Deep, Monk Addison, and of course Ledger novels. I say this as all of these characters might be a little hard to follow, or appreciate how freaking awesome it is for them to come together, if you haven't read some back story. At the VERY least, you will want to have read the following from the Joe Ledger series: Patient Zero, Dragon Factory, Code Zero, maybe Dogs of War, and Cave 13. That would help tie things together better for those who aren't die hard Mayberry readers.
Ok. So the book itself - gah where do I start!? It was SO good. I loved how it was a bit of a continuation between the last book, Cave 13. We got some questions answered and we also really get a true look at what the 10th Legionair are truly all about, so much worse than Blue Diamond ever was.
Havoc team is still finding their footing after the losses during the last book, and they are attempting to get back into things with a slightly easier / lower risk assignment in the states that quickly goes to hell in a handbag.
We get to see characters that Joe has crossed paths and gone to war with join in on this fight and it's interesting to see them all interact with his team. The good guys evengually pull a last minute win by the skin of their teeth, and suffer some major injuries, but would it even be a Ledger novels without him getting the trap kicked out of him at this point lol. Even though i feel this current team is likely not going to be around for too many more books, I hope there's something to say about them for many moons to come!
As a side point, this book feels to me like is best enjoyed after you have gone through Mayberry's back log on the Pine Deep, Monk Addison, and of course Ledger novels. I say this as all of these characters might be a little hard to follow, or appreciate how freaking awesome it is for them to come together, if you haven't read some back story. At the VERY least, you will want to have read the following from the Joe Ledger series: Patient Zero, Dragon Factory, Code Zero, maybe Dogs of War, and Cave 13. That would help tie things together better for those who aren't die hard Mayberry readers.
Ok. So the book itself - gah where do I start!? It was SO good. I loved how it was a bit of a continuation between the last book, Cave 13. We got some questions answered and we also really get a true look at what the 10th Legionair are truly all about, so much worse than Blue Diamond ever was.
Havoc team is still finding their footing after the losses during the last book, and they are attempting to get back into things with a slightly easier / lower risk assignment in the states that quickly goes to hell in a handbag.
We get to see characters that Joe has crossed paths and gone to war with join in on this fight and it's interesting to see them all interact with his team. The good guys evengually pull a last minute win by the skin of their teeth, and suffer some major injuries, but would it even be a Ledger novels without him getting the trap kicked out of him at this point lol. Even though i feel this current team is likely not going to be around for too many more books, I hope there's something to say about them for many moons to come!
July 8, 2025
I dunno, I keep reading these, even though they're often dumbly macho (the number of times we're treated to stupidly crude similes here, or that one character mutters some version of "go f--- yourself," which I guess we're still supposed to find endearing, or that these supposed genius organizers and scientists engage in suggestive conversations that 14-year-old boys might find below them, is off the charts), with a whole lot of posturing about Joe Ledger's weaponry (there's seriously a paean to his fighting knife toward the end) and so just so much lore that from time to time I lose track of exactly which other bit of the Maberryverse is getting referenced. (The ridiculous character names don't help, though at least they're memorable.) And the plot is basically the same one every time out--the adversary, which often tends to come from the same interrelated cluster of big bads, who I guess are all Facebook friends, just wants to cause chaos, frequently through some plot to release a variety of weaponized biotoxins in a mass-casualty event. Still feels like Patient Zero, the very first entry in this whole series, did it best.
That said, Maberry keeps you, or at least me, turning the pages. He's got excellent monsters (though, weirdly, we get LOTS of buildup here of two in particular we've encountered before, but both are dispatched fairly unceremoniously) and generally tricksy plots that feature numerous moves and countermoves. And I do have to give him credit for the focus on trauma here, that old cod-Nietzschean notion about those who look into the abyss. So at least the macho thrills come with a price. That's what I'm telling myself, at least. I actively resented myself while reading this and admitted I'll probably read the next one. Which, already scheduled for spring 2026 (March 10, to be precise), the closing scene sets up. I regret to inform you that I will most probably be there.
That said, Maberry keeps you, or at least me, turning the pages. He's got excellent monsters (though, weirdly, we get LOTS of buildup here of two in particular we've encountered before, but both are dispatched fairly unceremoniously) and generally tricksy plots that feature numerous moves and countermoves. And I do have to give him credit for the focus on trauma here, that old cod-Nietzschean notion about those who look into the abyss. So at least the macho thrills come with a price. That's what I'm telling myself, at least. I actively resented myself while reading this and admitted I'll probably read the next one. Which, already scheduled for spring 2026 (March 10, to be precise), the closing scene sets up. I regret to inform you that I will most probably be there.
March 20, 2025
If I remember correctly, my last review of the earlier book in this series ended with a question towards myself, do I need to read anymore of this series?
Damn, this book answers that question too well, in fact it knocked the query out of the proverbial park!
Joe Ledger and his team of warriors are at their absolute best here, battling to keep a nation (read: USA) hellbent on extreme responses steady, racing against paranormal and high-science threats at the same time. Damn, this was a ride, a ride that made me read this book at a stretch, over unslept nights.
Maberry, in his signature fashion, has sprinkled in characters from his other books here. I'm sure that the readers of his Pine Deep trilogy would love seeing their protagonists return and fight alongside Joe.. As I didn't read those books, it carried little weight for me.
Great book. I'm only giving this a 4 because the ending felt abrupt, I'd have loved a bit more meaningful ending of the big bad undead wolf. It just felt like the writer is keeping things to himself for the next book.
Eagerly awaiting the next one as it's touted to be the origin story for Mr. Church!
Damn, this book answers that question too well, in fact it knocked the query out of the proverbial park!
Joe Ledger and his team of warriors are at their absolute best here, battling to keep a nation (read: USA) hellbent on extreme responses steady, racing against paranormal and high-science threats at the same time. Damn, this was a ride, a ride that made me read this book at a stretch, over unslept nights.
Maberry, in his signature fashion, has sprinkled in characters from his other books here. I'm sure that the readers of his Pine Deep trilogy would love seeing their protagonists return and fight alongside Joe.. As I didn't read those books, it carried little weight for me.
Great book. I'm only giving this a 4 because the ending felt abrupt, I'd have loved a bit more meaningful ending of the big bad undead wolf. It just felt like the writer is keeping things to himself for the next book.
Eagerly awaiting the next one as it's touted to be the origin story for Mr. Church!
February 28, 2025
"Burn To Shine" by Jonathan Maberry is a compelling read that expertly weaves together multiple timelines and narrators, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling. Each timeline is intricately developed, allowing readers to dive deep into the world that Maberry has crafted.
The choice to use multiple narrators adds depth to the narrative, providing varied perspectives and keeping the storyline dynamic and engaging. The narrators each bring a unique voice, contributing to a multifaceted plot that grips you from the start.
Maberry is well-known for his skill in crafting explosive action sequences, and "Burn To Shine" is no exception. The action is intense and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Each scene is vividly depicted, immersing you fully in the thrilling events.
The book culminates in a cliffhanger ending that leaves you eagerly anticipating what comes next. Maberry’s ability to leave readers hanging perfectly sets the stage for future installments, making "Burn To Shine" a must-read for fans of ongoing series.
The choice to use multiple narrators adds depth to the narrative, providing varied perspectives and keeping the storyline dynamic and engaging. The narrators each bring a unique voice, contributing to a multifaceted plot that grips you from the start.
Maberry is well-known for his skill in crafting explosive action sequences, and "Burn To Shine" is no exception. The action is intense and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Each scene is vividly depicted, immersing you fully in the thrilling events.
The book culminates in a cliffhanger ending that leaves you eagerly anticipating what comes next. Maberry’s ability to leave readers hanging perfectly sets the stage for future installments, making "Burn To Shine" a must-read for fans of ongoing series.
March 11, 2025
Joe Ledger is back! Woohoo!
This time around he and the rest of RTI are up against an old foe, with the help of some longtime friends.
Since I follow Jonathan Maberry on social media, I knew some of Joe's old friends would be reentering the picture so to speak, so over the first part of winter I re-read the entire Pine Deep Trilogy, and I introduced myself to Monk Addison in Maberry's book INK. All of these characters were refreshed in my memory and I was super pumped to see how they all came together here.
Maberry did not let me down, nor did the incredible Ray Porter, the narrator. There were many brutal scenes and of course everyone from RTI and everyone from Pine Deep were at risk of not making it out of alive. You're going to have to read this one to find out if they all did.
Lastly , this one ends on a note that sets up what I believe is the meat of the next book, and that would be Church's origin story.
I CAN'T WAIT!!
This time around he and the rest of RTI are up against an old foe, with the help of some longtime friends.
Since I follow Jonathan Maberry on social media, I knew some of Joe's old friends would be reentering the picture so to speak, so over the first part of winter I re-read the entire Pine Deep Trilogy, and I introduced myself to Monk Addison in Maberry's book INK. All of these characters were refreshed in my memory and I was super pumped to see how they all came together here.
Maberry did not let me down, nor did the incredible Ray Porter, the narrator. There were many brutal scenes and of course everyone from RTI and everyone from Pine Deep were at risk of not making it out of alive. You're going to have to read this one to find out if they all did.
Lastly , this one ends on a note that sets up what I believe is the meat of the next book, and that would be Church's origin story.
I CAN'T WAIT!!
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