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PRIMAL #0.4
PRIMAL Mirza
PRIMAL Mirza is a novella in the PRIMAL series. It reveals the back-story of Mirza Mansoor, a former Indian Special Forces soldier turned PRIMAL operative.
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The year is 1999 and tensions between Pakistan and India are at breaking point. When critical intelligence prompts a cross border raid Indian Para Commandos arrive too late to prevent the deployment of a team of Lashkar terrorists. Mirza Mansoor, a Special Group operative and his partner Himesh Arjun, are all that stands between highly trained jihadists and their sinister objectives. As they track their quarry from the mountains of Kashmir to India’s capital they realize that terrorism is not the only threat they face. In the poverty-stricken slums of New Delhi crime and terror have free reign, greed is king, life is cheap, and heroes are few and far between.
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FROM THE AUTHOR
This story is set just after the Kargil war between India and Pakistan, the closest these two nuclear-armed states have come to full-scale conflict. Having been defeated at Kargil, ISI and terrorist proxies escalated operations against India, which culminated in the 2008 Mumbai attack, resulting in over 600 casualties. During this time, the NSG, India’s lead counter-terrorism response unit, was severely under-resourced and -equipped. It’s in this setting of extreme contrasts, corruption, and terrorist threat that I’ve crafted a backstory for one of PRIMAL’s favorite characters.
***
The year is 1999 and tensions between Pakistan and India are at breaking point. When critical intelligence prompts a cross border raid Indian Para Commandos arrive too late to prevent the deployment of a team of Lashkar terrorists. Mirza Mansoor, a Special Group operative and his partner Himesh Arjun, are all that stands between highly trained jihadists and their sinister objectives. As they track their quarry from the mountains of Kashmir to India’s capital they realize that terrorism is not the only threat they face. In the poverty-stricken slums of New Delhi crime and terror have free reign, greed is king, life is cheap, and heroes are few and far between.
***
FROM THE AUTHOR
This story is set just after the Kargil war between India and Pakistan, the closest these two nuclear-armed states have come to full-scale conflict. Having been defeated at Kargil, ISI and terrorist proxies escalated operations against India, which culminated in the 2008 Mumbai attack, resulting in over 600 casualties. During this time, the NSG, India’s lead counter-terrorism response unit, was severely under-resourced and -equipped. It’s in this setting of extreme contrasts, corruption, and terrorist threat that I’ve crafted a backstory for one of PRIMAL’s favorite characters.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2014
88 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Jack Silkstone
27 books164 followersI won’t lie, I’m just like every other guy on the planet. I love action movies, first person shooters, fast cars, technology, guns, cool kit and of course beautiful women. I grew up with Dirk Pitt, Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne, Doom, Wolfenstein, Commando Comics, James Bond, Rambo, The Predator and more. As a young man I have embraced Counter Strike, Half-life, The Bourne Series, Top Gear, Call of Duty the list goes on and on. Coupled with my military experience this seething mass of adrenalin-fueled testosterone has evolved into PRIMAL.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 14, 2024
Good, quick story. Excellent thriller.
May 29, 2014
I like this approach by Jack, telling solo stories on key characters in the PRIMAL series. Mirza's background story is very convincingly told by Jack. Mirza is India's version of Jack Bauer (24). He gets things done, with very little to work with. No James Bond stuff here, but we get to see more of Mirza's character. We can see why he was selected to join the elite PRIMAL organization. I will be looking forward to more individual stories on several other PRIMAL characters. After reading all the PRIMAL books I have come to know these characters. I would like to learn more.
June 18, 2019
A super well written book. Full of thriller and action. It had its comedy moments, especially with Atal, and it made the book more enjoyable. I loved Rambo series, The Terminator I & II and RoboCop 1, and I was looking for something with that kind of action, real and believable, even if it's an SCI-fiction like The Terminators and RoboCop, and I can see I've found my best new action-thriller series in PRIMAL. I LOVED IT SO MUCH AND RECOMMEND IT TO ALL ACTION-THRILLER LOVERS.
July 27, 2025
2.75. There is a mystery embedded that kept me reading the book, but the lack of detail and depth of personalities of the characters leaves the story lacking. The over the top action was almost laughable at times as some actions performed were only to be done with the aid of CGI or in a computer game. Also, just aspoiler alert, the use of the F-word doesn't make a story more exciting or masculine or anything but full of a word that could have used a different exclamation.
January 1, 2019
I got a compendium and this was the first book, it was a good, quick and exciting read.
Mirza is a very relatable person, and the plot moved along well, interesting and probably somewhat realistically. It gave a unique view into life in the slums of Delhi.
Mirza is a very relatable person, and the plot moved along well, interesting and probably somewhat realistically. It gave a unique view into life in the slums of Delhi.
June 9, 2019
A very interesting read, with action to keep me wanting to turn the pages. I liked the way Silkstone introduced this Mirza character. He just didn’t plot him in the story, he showed us what he was made of, what his true character was.5
December 16, 2018
Loved seeing Mirza in action prior to joining PRIMAL. But this prequel left some unfinished business on the table. Wonder when Silkstone will follow it up?
December 31, 2018
Nice tight story.
September 4, 2021
Surprise
A story that will surprise you. It surprised me. It is a story of what takes place when you have corruption in high places.
A story that will surprise you. It surprised me. It is a story of what takes place when you have corruption in high places.
April 28, 2019
I was surprised to be drawn into the story as quickly and deeply as I was and I can only attribute this to a fine writing style. The main characters were fleshed out and believable despite the fact that the heroes weren’t of American descent, as the bulk of these types of stories generally are. The feelings and attitudes between Pakistan and India were a mirror image of my subconscious impressions, adding believability to the entire story. I especially liked Atal, the young streetwise kid that proves good can come out of even the most adverse conditions. All in all, a very well written commando-style action/adventure for all ages.
December 30, 2015
A character background novel for the PRIMAL series, this book focuses on Mirza, an Indian special forces operative. Given the current international political climate, if anti-Islamic terrorist sentiment raises your blood pressure, stay away from this book; the plot is basically Pakistanian Islamic terrorists versus corrupt local Indian police versus Indian special forces. I was a little taken aback that a story set in India would be so similar in feel as other more "Western" special forces novels, but that's probably a reflection on my prejudices rather than the fact that the author isn't Indian.
Decent read, 3 stars.
Decent read, 3 stars.
January 3, 2016
I really enjoyed the gritty yet realistic telling of war, betrayal and corruption. Mirza is a good guy despite the horrific things he does. His care for Atal says a lot about him. The fact that he can recognise and utilise local assets makes him a valuable team member who gets things do.
I was sorry to see the other two burka clad warriors die and am hoping to pick up on revenge later on in the series.
I cannot wait to start reading the next.
Definitely a high paced, action filled series you must read.
I was sorry to see the other two burka clad warriors die and am hoping to pick up on revenge later on in the series.
I cannot wait to start reading the next.
Definitely a high paced, action filled series you must read.
December 4, 2017
Very interesting military thriller/ black ops
I'm starting with the prequels to the Primal series, although I have already read Origins that was a while ago so I am starting over and have started with Primal Mirza and will move on to Primal Inception next . I like reading books in chronological order rather then published order. Anyhow if you in joy black ops stories and movies .I would say to give Primal series a go. They are very good and interesting reads !!!!!
I'm starting with the prequels to the Primal series, although I have already read Origins that was a while ago so I am starting over and have started with Primal Mirza and will move on to Primal Inception next . I like reading books in chronological order rather then published order. Anyhow if you in joy black ops stories and movies .I would say to give Primal series a go. They are very good and interesting reads !!!!!
August 22, 2015
Good story
What has happened to editing? I saw at least six glaring typos. Spell check is not your friend. Glaring mistakes take a good book and turn it into the amateur hour. Please take this as constructive criticism. It could have been a great read if it were not for the barbs of inept editors.
What has happened to editing? I saw at least six glaring typos. Spell check is not your friend. Glaring mistakes take a good book and turn it into the amateur hour. Please take this as constructive criticism. It could have been a great read if it were not for the barbs of inept editors.
June 21, 2014
Jack did it again. Another action packed, well written, researched, explosive story. Mirza background reads like a mixture Tom Clancy and Jason Bourne adventure. You can feel the grit, you can smell the cordite, blood,and local aromas. Smooth and flowing story.
August 31, 2014
My first book by Jack Silkstone.
It was pretty good and I might check out some other book in the Primal series.
It's not top of the list though, so we'll see if I remember it in a few months. :)
If you like action-packed stuff, this is probably for you.
It was pretty good and I might check out some other book in the Primal series.
It's not top of the list though, so we'll see if I remember it in a few months. :)
If you like action-packed stuff, this is probably for you.
August 28, 2014
Excellent
Excellent
Great action, intrigue,intensity and character development. all in a city and country that has all the elements from the highest to the lowest imagine
Excellent
Great action, intrigue,intensity and character development. all in a city and country that has all the elements from the highest to the lowest imagine
August 27, 2016
Book had a slow start and the prose seemed elementary. Eventually it became a really good action thriller. I almost quit reading it. If you feel the same, I suggest you stay with it until everyone is in India.
September 16, 2015
Action packed
Loaded with described action scenes that make you believe you're there with them. The novel gives the feel of what the communities at like. The author could work a little more on what the feeling and emotions are going on with the characters.
Loaded with described action scenes that make you believe you're there with them. The novel gives the feel of what the communities at like. The author could work a little more on what the feeling and emotions are going on with the characters.
September 19, 2015
Excellent, fast action anti-terrorist fighters!
From the very beginning, Silkstone grabs the reader's interest and doesn't turn loose until the end. Lots of action, violence, blood and inhumane actions from pure evil beings. Real-life characters grab your heart strings.
From the very beginning, Silkstone grabs the reader's interest and doesn't turn loose until the end. Lots of action, violence, blood and inhumane actions from pure evil beings. Real-life characters grab your heart strings.
August 14, 2016
This is a well developed beginning for Mirza.
Character development was well done and there is plenty of action, along with the taking on of corrupt officials. I look forward to more in this series!
Character development was well done and there is plenty of action, along with the taking on of corrupt officials. I look forward to more in this series!
July 30, 2014
Well thought out!
different cast of characters then in most soldier stories. easy to follow even with the names being difficult. hope more will follow
different cast of characters then in most soldier stories. easy to follow even with the names being difficult. hope more will follow
January 28, 2015
This was really a fun read, can't wait to dive into the rest of the series.
June 30, 2015
Haven't read the Primal series yet but can't wait to get started. This view into one of the characters will no doubt increase my enjoyment of the books. I enjoyed this read immensely.
August 26, 2015
What isn't to like about a special ops story that features ... wait for it ... several heroic Indian (as in the country) men?
August 27, 2015
It read like the synopsis that lures you to watch a movie - fast and gripping! But what came as disappointment was the characterization that deprived me of the feel of having read a good novel.
September 4, 2015
Energy
Fast paced and full of action. Interesting story line in a country few write about. Story development was brisk without excessive details. Great chance of pace.
Fast paced and full of action. Interesting story line in a country few write about. Story development was brisk without excessive details. Great chance of pace.
January 18, 2016
Interesting
The book is interesting enough to keep me wanting to get back to it. I will look forward to reading the others.
The book is interesting enough to keep me wanting to get back to it. I will look forward to reading the others.
February 7, 2016
light reading...written by a non-indian author...but still written from Indian perspective
April 14, 2017
First of a boxed set. Setting starts in India but it is about a soldier who is sent to other locations outside India. This may be a very interesting set of books to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews