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The Blades: SAS Special Operations Force #1
The Blades: London
THE BLADES: LONDON is part 4 of 6 in THE BLADES - SAS SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCE short story series following Corporal Danny ‘Feathers’ Archer’s career from his first days as a member of the British Special Air Service Sabre Squadron Bravo Seven troop.
The Blades: London is approximately 27,000 words (85 printed pages) and a great short read.
Late August 2001, Zara Scott, The British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Al Qaeda analyst stationed in Pakistan returns to London with credible intelligence on several British born radicalised Islamic Jihadist terrorist cells having trained in Afghanistan at Osama Bin Laden’s training camps. Zara believes they have returned to the UK to mount a large scale terrorist attack on London. With MI5 and the Metropolitan Police’s Anti-Terrorism SO15 unit refusing to act on her intelligence she turns to Major Tom, head of SAS Bravo Squadron for help.
Archer’s Bravo Seven troop is on rotation with the Counter Revolutionary Wing as part of the SAS Counter-Terrorism watch at Regents Park Barracks, the troop find themselves caught up in a unsanctioned operation to grab the four suspects and gain intelligence on the potential attack.
After uncovering further intelligence of a serious threat, they are left to mount an operation to defeat the terrorist’s plans to carry out a large scale suicide bombing attack at one of London’s biggest tourist landmarks on a busy August Bank Holiday Monday.
The Blades: SAS Special Operations Force six part short series follows Archer’s patrol across a series of fictional missions based on actual SAS global theatre operations as a prequel to the full length BLADES novels to be released from this summer by author Josef Black.
Please note: Contains strong language which some readers may find offensive and graphic descriptions of violence.
Written and Edited in British English
The Blades: London is approximately 27,000 words (85 printed pages) and a great short read.
Late August 2001, Zara Scott, The British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Al Qaeda analyst stationed in Pakistan returns to London with credible intelligence on several British born radicalised Islamic Jihadist terrorist cells having trained in Afghanistan at Osama Bin Laden’s training camps. Zara believes they have returned to the UK to mount a large scale terrorist attack on London. With MI5 and the Metropolitan Police’s Anti-Terrorism SO15 unit refusing to act on her intelligence she turns to Major Tom, head of SAS Bravo Squadron for help.
Archer’s Bravo Seven troop is on rotation with the Counter Revolutionary Wing as part of the SAS Counter-Terrorism watch at Regents Park Barracks, the troop find themselves caught up in a unsanctioned operation to grab the four suspects and gain intelligence on the potential attack.
After uncovering further intelligence of a serious threat, they are left to mount an operation to defeat the terrorist’s plans to carry out a large scale suicide bombing attack at one of London’s biggest tourist landmarks on a busy August Bank Holiday Monday.
The Blades: SAS Special Operations Force six part short series follows Archer’s patrol across a series of fictional missions based on actual SAS global theatre operations as a prequel to the full length BLADES novels to be released from this summer by author Josef Black.
Please note: Contains strong language which some readers may find offensive and graphic descriptions of violence.
Written and Edited in British English
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2014
93 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Josef Black
3 books23 followersJosef Black's books are now listed under:
http://goodreads.com/joblack
http://goodreads.com/joblack
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 25, 2015
Despite its length I felt that the book served as an excellent appetiser for the author's other works. It dealt with things in a believable way, from the way that the individuals acted and spoke to each other to the contact with the enemy. It made no attempt to glamourise things, or to sweep things out of sight. You do get given an insight into the politics being played out behind the scenes, and how the hands of those at the sharp end are almost tied by regulations.
June 20, 2014
Fantastic Read
while I normally would not pay for a novella I must say "BUY THESE BOOKS!!!" They are superb. I read a lot of military fiction and non-fiction and I must say that this author was either involved in SAS, has an inside source or has been made privy to actual ops. These books are written with enough suspense to keep turning page after page wanting to find out what happens to Archer band
the team but also have more than just a touch of real world authenticity to make you feel like this s@#t actually happened. No over the top nonsense, but again, still a page Turner! I read Thor, Flynn, Jack Murphy, the Arisen series, etc and if you read any of those authors these short stories are for you!
I can only hope that the author keeps this character and his mates around for a long time to come. Well done sir.
while I normally would not pay for a novella I must say "BUY THESE BOOKS!!!" They are superb. I read a lot of military fiction and non-fiction and I must say that this author was either involved in SAS, has an inside source or has been made privy to actual ops. These books are written with enough suspense to keep turning page after page wanting to find out what happens to Archer band
the team but also have more than just a touch of real world authenticity to make you feel like this s@#t actually happened. No over the top nonsense, but again, still a page Turner! I read Thor, Flynn, Jack Murphy, the Arisen series, etc and if you read any of those authors these short stories are for you!
I can only hope that the author keeps this character and his mates around for a long time to come. Well done sir.
April 21, 2015
Well done indeed. Loved the ending......This book is a collection of six novellas, but put together it makes a very enjoyable action read. The reader feels he is getting a very inside look into the SAS. Written in very much of an English slang, but that is part of the charm.
As soon as it was done I knew I had to find other Blade books and I did:
. Okay, I am set. Put this book into my Entitle que right off the bat.
If you like Stephen Leather or Freddy Hansen, then you will love this Josef Black and his Blades.
Since Strikeback is entering it's final season, maybe someone could make a cable series of The Blades.
Did I mention I loved the ending?
As soon as it was done I knew I had to find other Blade books and I did:
. Okay, I am set. Put this book into my Entitle que right off the bat.If you like Stephen Leather or Freddy Hansen, then you will love this Josef Black and his Blades.
Since Strikeback is entering it's final season, maybe someone could make a cable series of The Blades.
Did I mention I loved the ending?
February 4, 2015
A bit too short, but great action and a good read.
March 4, 2017
Awesome
I just loved everything about this book...ok it isn't up there with the literary greats...but for its type...and holding within its genre...it's a bloody good read...and I totally loved the characters which the author developes much more in book two...some of which chapters have me roaring with laughter...yes I bought book two immediately after the completion of this book...so eager was I to continue being swept along with "Tiger" Lane and his team....One could say it's like binge watching your favourite TV show...Highly recommended
I just loved everything about this book...ok it isn't up there with the literary greats...but for its type...and holding within its genre...it's a bloody good read...and I totally loved the characters which the author developes much more in book two...some of which chapters have me roaring with laughter...yes I bought book two immediately after the completion of this book...so eager was I to continue being swept along with "Tiger" Lane and his team....One could say it's like binge watching your favourite TV show...Highly recommended
November 6, 2019
Loved all three books (with the sole exception of Zara's Game). A few typos but I did not mind. The stories were very well crafted and the books very hard to put down. Would give it 10 stars if I could.
Wish the author was still around. He had announced the release in 2018 of new novels (Tiger Sanction among others) but Mr Black dropped off the face of the earth around that time.
His books are no longer available to purchase on AMZ (print or Kindle), and his website is no longer up.
Does anyone know what happened to him or a way to get in touch?
Cheers,
Wish the author was still around. He had announced the release in 2018 of new novels (Tiger Sanction among others) but Mr Black dropped off the face of the earth around that time.
His books are no longer available to purchase on AMZ (print or Kindle), and his website is no longer up.
Does anyone know what happened to him or a way to get in touch?
Cheers,
May 16, 2017
The Blades
The training, the Camaderie, the staunch loyalty, the military boys' joshing each other....suspense, humor and seriousness and ending with 9/11. A must read.
The training, the Camaderie, the staunch loyalty, the military boys' joshing each other....suspense, humor and seriousness and ending with 9/11. A must read.
January 13, 2019
Lingo lost me...
Not much of a story. The British military lingo was lost on me, so I didn't u understand much of their conversation . Eh.
Not much of a story. The British military lingo was lost on me, so I didn't u understand much of their conversation . Eh.
December 5, 2023
Good escapism
Enjoyed this it's good for escapism if you have a good mind that you can imagine these things in it you can escape in it
Enjoyed this it's good for escapism if you have a good mind that you can imagine these things in it you can escape in it
June 11, 2021
First, there is a lot of cursing in this book. If that offends you, do not read it.
It helps to know a little about the SAS and military terminology before reading this book. There are references to "Two Two" (22 SAS Regiment) and "Hereford" that I had to look up, as well as references to different uniforms. It also helps to know British slang, as there is a lot of that in the book.
The book itself is pretty good. I am not sure how realistic the missions are, as some seem rather over-the-top. Then again, this is the SAS, so it is possible the SAS really does do those things. The writing is crude (in a "blunt," not a "juvenile," way), but it fits the characters.
In general, this is a good military fiction book. Not outstanding, but well worth reading.
It helps to know a little about the SAS and military terminology before reading this book. There are references to "Two Two" (22 SAS Regiment) and "Hereford" that I had to look up, as well as references to different uniforms. It also helps to know British slang, as there is a lot of that in the book.
The book itself is pretty good. I am not sure how realistic the missions are, as some seem rather over-the-top. Then again, this is the SAS, so it is possible the SAS really does do those things. The writing is crude (in a "blunt," not a "juvenile," way), but it fits the characters.
In general, this is a good military fiction book. Not outstanding, but well worth reading.
April 30, 2015
Interesting story about Danny "Feathers" Archer and his entrance into the world of the SAS Special Operations group. There is a lot of action in various places around the world, mostly fighting Al Qaeda cells. This book almost reads like the 'after action' report before it is edited for language and the removal of classified or extraneous information.
October 25, 2015
really enjoyed this short story; a little different from the usual military storyline as the author focuses on the dynamics and camaraderie between the team, rather than the specifics of the operation. look forward to the next in the series!
September 1, 2016
Another gem of a book, I love this genre, as I saw in another review the book captures the comrade the of the team, which I like to thing is typical of the British army' gallows humour, currently reading the next book in the series and loving it!
April 21, 2016
Numerous typos and some of the speech I felt like I needed a translator app.
March 16, 2016
Too many, annoying typos, learn to use, commas, correctly
April 13, 2017
Another great read Josef ,
better hurry with the new ones as I'm now on the last book Dagger .
Carnt wait for the new ones .
better hurry with the new ones as I'm now on the last book Dagger .
Carnt wait for the new ones .
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews