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John Rain #5
Extremis
Previously published as The Last Assassin
Even for an average citizen, a love triangle is dangerous business. For assassin John Rain—“one of the most compelling lead characters in the genre” (USA Today)—it’s going to be downright deadly.
When Rain learns that his former lover, Midori, has been raising their child in New York, Rain senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even for redemption.
But Midori and the child are being watched by Rain’s enemies, and Rain’s sudden appearance puts them in terrible danger. To save them, Rain is forced to use the same deadly talents he had been hoping to leave behind. With the help of Tatsu, his one-time nemesis in the Japanese FBI; and Dox, the former Marine sniper whose good ol’ boy persona masks a killer as deadly as Rain himself, Rain races against time to bring his enemies into the open and eliminate them forever.
Extremis was previously published as The Last Assassin, the fifth in the bestselling John Rain assassin series.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2006
985 people are currently reading
2240 people want to read
About the author
Barry Eisler
87 books3,045 followersBarry Eisler spent three years in a covert position with the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, then worked as a technology lawyer and startup executive in Silicon Valley and Japan, earning his black belt at the Kodokan Judo Institute along the way. Eisler’s award-winning thrillers have been included in numerous “Best Of” lists, have been translated into nearly twenty languages, and include the #1 bestsellers Livia Lone, The Night Trade, and The Killer Collective. Eisler lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and, when he's not writing novels, blogs about national security and the media. www.barryeisler.com
Series:
* John Rain
Series:
* John Rain
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
February 23, 2017
Good story
Don't like this many killings, maybe I'm old female. But like the all the exotic place he goes and looking up those places and learning about them. Meantime learning little about the knifes characters using. He prepares in detail for what he's going to do, but every time something goes wrong, thankfully he has good friends around him to help. Melodrama, love triangle and sex are all in this book.
Don't like this many killings, maybe I'm old female. But like the all the exotic place he goes and looking up those places and learning about them. Meantime learning little about the knifes characters using. He prepares in detail for what he's going to do, but every time something goes wrong, thankfully he has good friends around him to help. Melodrama, love triangle and sex are all in this book.
April 9, 2021
I’d just finished a thriller featuring a character who put me in mind of John Rain. Maybe I should check out the next book in the Rain series, I thought. I’d last read a book from this set, The Detachment, about a year ago, though in truth I didn’t much enjoy it. In a mess of a plot, events just seemed random and jumbled to the extent I felt Eisler had maybe come to the end of the line with this character. But I do like the complexity of Rain: he’s conflicted about what he does (killing people) and the books spend quite a bit of time delving into the inner thoughts of the man – in this regard, it’s much richer than most action orientated thriller series I’ve invested time in.
Anyway, as I checked the list of books in this series I realised I’d missed one along the way (not unusual for me – I often read series in random order) so I decided to give that one a go. Good decision! This episode turned out to be, in my view, the best one of the lot. The cast list comprises a whole gang of interesting people from earlier books, including two lovers: one current and one past. In short, Rain finds out that his former lover is living in New York with his child and that she is in danger. He must try to help. To do this decides he needs to concoct and execute a daring plan.
As always, the detail here is meticulous, from the descriptions of how weapons are obtained (and the fine detail of the actual hardware) to the layout of key sites and a walk through of the plan itself. You know there will be problems along the way, but where’s the fun in following something that plays out exactly as expected? Just as importantly, we are inside Rain’s head as he calculates what actions he needs to take and why. It’s a complex, multi-site story but one that’s never so confusing that I lost the plot; Eisler keeps a tight rein on things and I was with him all the way.
The tension is never less than fully cranked up here but events follow logically and the interaction between the key players is deftly and sympathetically handled. Whilst the story itself ties up a number of loose ends in this series the book also provides the best insight yet into the psyche of John Rain. In many ways it might have been a brilliant book in which to have ended the series, but instead the author gives a clear lead that there is (at least) one more adventure to come.
I’ll no doubt go on to finish this series – after all, there’s only been one bad book so far – as I’ve had my appetite whetted anew. I’ll be surprised if I find anything there to beat this one though.
Afternote
At the end of this audio version, Barry Eisler – who’d competently competed the reading of the book – referenced his website and commented that here photos could be found of places featured in his books. On inspection, I was delighted to see that this was broken down by book and included not just broad street views but close ups of actual coffee houses and shops mentioned in this particular text. I wish more authors would do this, I know what I’m reading is fiction but what a great way of adding some additional colour and authentic texture to the tale. I loved it!
http://www.barryeisler.com/photo_la.php
Anyway, as I checked the list of books in this series I realised I’d missed one along the way (not unusual for me – I often read series in random order) so I decided to give that one a go. Good decision! This episode turned out to be, in my view, the best one of the lot. The cast list comprises a whole gang of interesting people from earlier books, including two lovers: one current and one past. In short, Rain finds out that his former lover is living in New York with his child and that she is in danger. He must try to help. To do this decides he needs to concoct and execute a daring plan.
As always, the detail here is meticulous, from the descriptions of how weapons are obtained (and the fine detail of the actual hardware) to the layout of key sites and a walk through of the plan itself. You know there will be problems along the way, but where’s the fun in following something that plays out exactly as expected? Just as importantly, we are inside Rain’s head as he calculates what actions he needs to take and why. It’s a complex, multi-site story but one that’s never so confusing that I lost the plot; Eisler keeps a tight rein on things and I was with him all the way.
The tension is never less than fully cranked up here but events follow logically and the interaction between the key players is deftly and sympathetically handled. Whilst the story itself ties up a number of loose ends in this series the book also provides the best insight yet into the psyche of John Rain. In many ways it might have been a brilliant book in which to have ended the series, but instead the author gives a clear lead that there is (at least) one more adventure to come.
I’ll no doubt go on to finish this series – after all, there’s only been one bad book so far – as I’ve had my appetite whetted anew. I’ll be surprised if I find anything there to beat this one though.
Afternote
At the end of this audio version, Barry Eisler – who’d competently competed the reading of the book – referenced his website and commented that here photos could be found of places featured in his books. On inspection, I was delighted to see that this was broken down by book and included not just broad street views but close ups of actual coffee houses and shops mentioned in this particular text. I wish more authors would do this, I know what I’m reading is fiction but what a great way of adding some additional colour and authentic texture to the tale. I loved it!
http://www.barryeisler.com/photo_la.php
November 12, 2008
I've placed myself on partial library restriction while I work through some of the books I have stacked at home. I've had this one sitting around for over a year. This was the only one that I hadn't yet read in the John Rain series.
I agree with others who have said the books in this series got progressively better. Eisler's honing his craft for sure. I read them all jumbled up out of order, which I don't recommend. This book in particular would have been hard to grasp without knowing all the characters and their shared histories.
I had forgotten how good Eisler is at writing dialogue. Very witty and on point. This was (bad pun ahead) a very well-executed (groan!) plot. By the time you get to the last 75 pages, you can't stop reading.
The only thing that bugs me is the way Delilah thinks John Rain is some great catch. He's certainly a guy you'd want on your side. When it comes to his relationships with women, however, he really puts the "ass" in assassin!
I agree with others who have said the books in this series got progressively better. Eisler's honing his craft for sure. I read them all jumbled up out of order, which I don't recommend. This book in particular would have been hard to grasp without knowing all the characters and their shared histories.
I had forgotten how good Eisler is at writing dialogue. Very witty and on point. This was (bad pun ahead) a very well-executed (groan!) plot. By the time you get to the last 75 pages, you can't stop reading.
The only thing that bugs me is the way Delilah thinks John Rain is some great catch. He's certainly a guy you'd want on your side. When it comes to his relationships with women, however, he really puts the "ass" in assassin!
April 11, 2018
Extremis is probably my favorite of the John Rain series. (thus far, anyway!) The partnership of Rain and Dox solidified here, and those two scoundrels had me laughing hysterically from beginning to end.
When big, burly sniper Dox was reminded a normal person should be traumatized and he ran out of a public men's room shouting much too literally "I'm scared! I'm scared!", I thought I might die choking on the Mexican Coke I was drinking. (That pure sugar cola is better than sex, my friends)
If you haven't found Barry Eisler's books yet, YOU ARE MISSING OUT. Go get one of his books, make it the next on your reading list. You're welcome.
When big, burly sniper Dox was reminded a normal person should be traumatized and he ran out of a public men's room shouting much too literally "I'm scared! I'm scared!", I thought I might die choking on the Mexican Coke I was drinking. (That pure sugar cola is better than sex, my friends)
If you haven't found Barry Eisler's books yet, YOU ARE MISSING OUT. Go get one of his books, make it the next on your reading list. You're welcome.
July 18, 2017
The "Iceman" is definitely back along with Dox and Delilah. Good action. He isn't going to retire.
August 12, 2022
The Rain books keep the action coming. The only thing I could fault is the string of the most attractive women he always seems to pick up. First Midori, then Naomi and then Delilah all find his charms irresistible. Now one helps him get back another! That's the only taint so far otherwise great reading!
December 16, 2015
Japanese yakuza + Chinese triads + long-time enemies make for a complex thriller that can only be solved by John Rain, Barry Eisler's Japanese-American assassin. Let's hope the title of the book is incorrect, and that the reader has not seen the last of John Rain.
Spellbinding. Page turner. You will not see the twist at the end coming
Spellbinding. Page turner. You will not see the twist at the end coming
August 16, 2017
4.5 stars. This one was fantastic. Dox was once again brilliant. The relationship between Tatsu and Rain was so emotional. The action here was fun. I thought what Delilah did was sheisty, and she was pretty much an asshole. Midori was also quite the bitch and I'm not sad to see her go. On to the next.
October 6, 2013
I read this under its original title, The Last Assassin.
The early John Rain novels were really great. The later work was very good. (Difference between 5 stars and 4 stars.)
The early John Rain novels were really great. The later work was very good. (Difference between 5 stars and 4 stars.)
August 28, 2023
The Last Assassin / Extremis is the 5th book in the John Rain series. Only two titles this time, as Eisler had more control of his work than before. This one wrapped up some loose ends and comes to a potential series conclusion, but is otherwise average.
Goodreads mentions this was a Barry Award nominee (named for a reviewer, not Eisler himself) in 2007 for best thriller. The only site I can find listing nominees and winners doesn't mention this book under either title.
I liked the character of Dox, though he is very 2D in this book. Rain, on the other hand, spends a lot of the story reacting and not thinking - digging himself deeper and deeper. Also, I wasn't convinced by the "love triangle" in the description. Jealousy screws some things up, but it's not really the focus.
Being such an excellent place to wrap up the series, I am very likely to do so. There are more novels with Rain, including two sequels, two prequels?, and two where his story intersects with other Eisler characters. Maybe I'll bump into a fellow reader who convinces me that book 6, or 8, or 10 is a must-read. Maybe I'll finally watch the Keanu Reeves show, mentioned after my first reread of the first book.
Goodreads mentions this was a Barry Award nominee (named for a reviewer, not Eisler himself) in 2007 for best thriller. The only site I can find listing nominees and winners doesn't mention this book under either title.
I liked the character of Dox, though he is very 2D in this book. Rain, on the other hand, spends a lot of the story reacting and not thinking - digging himself deeper and deeper. Also, I wasn't convinced by the "love triangle" in the description. Jealousy screws some things up, but it's not really the focus.
Being such an excellent place to wrap up the series, I am very likely to do so. There are more novels with Rain, including two sequels, two prequels?, and two where his story intersects with other Eisler characters. Maybe I'll bump into a fellow reader who convinces me that book 6, or 8, or 10 is a must-read. Maybe I'll finally watch the Keanu Reeves show, mentioned after my first reread of the first book.
August 1, 2024
This was another great read in the John Rain series.
In the last book, John discovered that he had fathered a son with Midori. Unfortunately, his enemies know it too and are watching her, hoping that John will show up and they will then be able to take him out. Due to unforeseen events, John ends up putting Midori and his son in even more danger.
John must now figure out how to protect them, but he has to deal with not only the men from Tokyo, but now also with the Chinese. How will the woman John has been involved with after Midori play into this.
This was a real "page turner" and John Rain must use all his wits to try to get thru this. John is like a cross of John Wick and Jack Reacher so the action rarely ends.
In the last book, John discovered that he had fathered a son with Midori. Unfortunately, his enemies know it too and are watching her, hoping that John will show up and they will then be able to take him out. Due to unforeseen events, John ends up putting Midori and his son in even more danger.
John must now figure out how to protect them, but he has to deal with not only the men from Tokyo, but now also with the Chinese. How will the woman John has been involved with after Midori play into this.
This was a real "page turner" and John Rain must use all his wits to try to get thru this. John is like a cross of John Wick and Jack Reacher so the action rarely ends.
July 23, 2017
This was my first Barry Eisner and being #5 in the series there are some things I have missed but this was still an exciting read.
May 29, 2014
John Rain has an unusual profession - he's a paid assassin. And he is very good at his job. But this assignment is a little different. Instead of being hired to kill some high-profile crime boss, he is out to protect his own family. Traveling from Barcelona to Tokyo to NYC, Rain sets out to outsmart some very powerful people in the Yakuza crime syndicate. The pacing of this book is fast and furious - very fun to listen to and hard to put down. I was especially amazed at the amount of realistic detail in the book about how Rain would scope out a location or plan a mission. So much detail that it made me wonder what about Barry Eisler's background. Sure enough, he used to work for the CIA. Great mystery!
April 6, 2016
I love Eisler's style. I usually don't care much for first-person narratives, but occasionally an author makes first-person work. Eisler was able to make 1st person work in this John Rain novel. But reading a Barry Eisler novel is a lot like Chicago weather: wait five minutes, and everything will change dramatically. Even the POV changes as Eisler switches seamlessly between first and third person. If you love a fun and fast read, this book is for you.
January 15, 2018
Barry
Without ruining it for everyone else, I love you and hate you Barry. Seriously, good book and great series so far.
Without ruining it for everyone else, I love you and hate you Barry. Seriously, good book and great series so far.
September 24, 2021
Quick thoughts: An big improvement over the last book, which was the most weak of the series thus far. My chief complaint was the storyline with Deliliah and Midori. I was so frustrated by it that I stopped reading for 3 weeks and seriously considered DNF-ing. I have previously finished these books in a couple of days so to put it down and actively avoid it is meaningful for me. Delilah's behavior seemed so out of character and as if it was inserted just to create drama or a mechanism to effect a desired change (won't say more to avoid spoilers). Once I muscled through that section (by skipping and skimming) I quite enjoyed the rest of the book and am eager to continue the series.
June 23, 2023
5 stars
After five John Rain books, it probably goes without saying: I love this series.
I liked the love triangle, but I really enjoy Rain's interactions with Dox, Delilah, and Tatsu. Like the past couple of books, Rain has to rely more and more on his "team." Eisler really does well with the interplay of these characters. His detail is always perfect.
These books are fun, exciting spy thrillers. Describing the fifth book in a series is moot, but I really liked this one.
After five John Rain books, it probably goes without saying: I love this series.
I liked the love triangle, but I really enjoy Rain's interactions with Dox, Delilah, and Tatsu. Like the past couple of books, Rain has to rely more and more on his "team." Eisler really does well with the interplay of these characters. His detail is always perfect.
These books are fun, exciting spy thrillers. Describing the fifth book in a series is moot, but I really liked this one.
June 24, 2019
One of my favorite John Rain books.
March 7, 2023
Characters keep progressing
March 12, 2018
A.K.A "The Last Assassin".
April 5, 2017
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; APRIL 2, 2017
Narrator: Barry Eisler
I could do without Midori re-entering the scene but this installment still kept my interest despite my dislike of love triangles. I refuse to read them in Romances so there'd be no way I'd tolerate them in my non-romance genre. Two of the 3 always do something dumb and the 3rd (the guy, of course) is always clueless.
What saved this from being a wallbanger (the only reason I miss paperbacks! My Samsung is too precious to take my irritations out on) is that Delilah is totally kickass and together with Dox, they saved the book. Rain is growing on me, finally, but I still have no desire to go back and relisten to the first three books. I peeked at my Kindle books to see how long Delilah lasts and
I'm looking forward to listening toThe Detachment (#7) because Ben Treven and Larison join in. Woohoo!
I love it when it's team action rather than just one lone guy. He's always carrying a ton of baggage and it gets a tad too heavy for me without some team members to help.
Narrator: Barry Eisler
I could do without Midori re-entering the scene but this installment still kept my interest despite my dislike of love triangles. I refuse to read them in Romances so there'd be no way I'd tolerate them in my non-romance genre. Two of the 3 always do something dumb and the 3rd (the guy, of course) is always clueless.
What saved this from being a wallbanger (the only reason I miss paperbacks! My Samsung is too precious to take my irritations out on) is that Delilah is totally kickass and together with Dox, they saved the book. Rain is growing on me, finally, but I still have no desire to go back and relisten to the first three books. I peeked at my Kindle books to see how long Delilah lasts and
I'm looking forward to listening toThe Detachment (#7) because Ben Treven and Larison join in. Woohoo!
I love it when it's team action rather than just one lone guy. He's always carrying a ton of baggage and it gets a tad too heavy for me without some team members to help.February 27, 2018
This is by far one of the best John Rain novels yet. Barry Eisler had created a very strong and dangerous team that Rain has assembled over the books, with Delilah and Dox each adding their own take to the situation at hand. Eisler has always been excellent at building suspense, but this book took that to a whole new level when John finds that Midori has been with a child without his knowing. John tries to go see them, only to realize that enemies have been watching him, and that is when things get interesting.
The emotional complexities that build in this book with John's continued relationship with Delilah, and his wanting a normal life with his past love Midori certainly help build the suspense in this book, but it is John Rain knowing what he is, and knowing that he may never get out of that life that fuels this story's climax. The fact that a character such as John Rain would even mention suicide in this book shows how much he is willing to risk to save the ones he loves. That speaks volumes about the kind of character he has evolved into since first being introduced in "Killing Rain".
John continues to grow as a character, but this book shows how much he wants to get out of his line of work, but cannot help but be drawn back in. These characters act very much the way humans would in certain situations, and Barry Eisler has always been excellent at showing the reader an unsuspecting side of his characters, but this series is essentially about the redemption of John Rain, and I look forward to seeing how his character evolves over the next book!
Listened to this on audiobook, and I absolutely love it when authors read there own work. I feel like we can get a better sense of who these characters are because they are the ones who created them, and can show us a different side of them than another narrator could.
Barry Eisler has always been one of my favorite authors, and he continues to impress with each book he puts out!
The emotional complexities that build in this book with John's continued relationship with Delilah, and his wanting a normal life with his past love Midori certainly help build the suspense in this book, but it is John Rain knowing what he is, and knowing that he may never get out of that life that fuels this story's climax. The fact that a character such as John Rain would even mention suicide in this book shows how much he is willing to risk to save the ones he loves. That speaks volumes about the kind of character he has evolved into since first being introduced in "Killing Rain".
John continues to grow as a character, but this book shows how much he wants to get out of his line of work, but cannot help but be drawn back in. These characters act very much the way humans would in certain situations, and Barry Eisler has always been excellent at showing the reader an unsuspecting side of his characters, but this series is essentially about the redemption of John Rain, and I look forward to seeing how his character evolves over the next book!
Listened to this on audiobook, and I absolutely love it when authors read there own work. I feel like we can get a better sense of who these characters are because they are the ones who created them, and can show us a different side of them than another narrator could.
Barry Eisler has always been one of my favorite authors, and he continues to impress with each book he puts out!
January 10, 2014
What I like about reading a Barry Eisler novel is that he always has a good story, fun characters, and without fail I learn a new word or two.
The Last Assassin, although it has many of the same characters from the previous novels (see here), but there was one significant difference which frankly I didn't care for. My first three novels have all been written in first person POV. I liked that all of the John Rain novels were written in that same POV. Eisler is one of the few thriller writers who uses first person. In this novel I noticed that he changed.
In the last assassin Eisler switches back and forth from first person POV with Rain then third person for the two female characters, Midori and Delialah. It was off-putting to say the least. J.A. Konrath uses the same technique in his Jack Daniels series and I didn't like it when he did it. Eisler did not make me change my views on the technique.
One good thing, . . . I think the series has seen the last of Midori, and I say "Glad to see her gone." Never liked her.
As for the words I learned, there were two:
Vertiginous - characterized by or suffering from vertigo or dizziness - inclined to frequent and often pointless change : inconstant - causing or tending to cause dizziness -
: marked by turning : rotary
Eponymous - (of a person) being the person after whom a literary work, film, etc., is named the eponymous heroine in the film of Jane Eyre - (of a literary work, film, etc.) named after its central character or creator The Stooges' eponymous debut album - giving one's name to something, as a tribe or place.
Both great to know. I hope I can remember them.
There were also some compelling passages. Not sure what it was about this line, but I found myself nodding my head agreeing with the sentiment:
She stood up and gave me a long, tight hug. I caught a hint of the perfume she wore, a scent I’ve encountered nowhere else and that I will always equate with her. There were people around, but we were suddenly kissing passionately.
It was always like this when we’d been apart for a while, and sometimes even when we hadn’t been. There was just something about the two of us that wouldn’t let us keep our hands off each other. Whatever it was, sometimes it was overpowering.
I wasn't going to highlight this passage but the last line really got me. It made me bust out in a smile.
She leaned over and straddled me and then I was inside her and I’d never felt anything so good. I thought, Fuck, not again, not without a condom, and it was the most fleeting and inconsequential thought I’ve ever had in my life.
Finally, other than the words, the great writing, the exciting story and the compelling characters I got to remember the blurb I read on Schrodinger's Cat. If you are not familiar with the experiement, it's worth knowing about.
The Last Assassin, although it has many of the same characters from the previous novels (see here), but there was one significant difference which frankly I didn't care for. My first three novels have all been written in first person POV. I liked that all of the John Rain novels were written in that same POV. Eisler is one of the few thriller writers who uses first person. In this novel I noticed that he changed.
In the last assassin Eisler switches back and forth from first person POV with Rain then third person for the two female characters, Midori and Delialah. It was off-putting to say the least. J.A. Konrath uses the same technique in his Jack Daniels series and I didn't like it when he did it. Eisler did not make me change my views on the technique.
One good thing, . . . I think the series has seen the last of Midori, and I say "Glad to see her gone." Never liked her.
As for the words I learned, there were two:
Vertiginous - characterized by or suffering from vertigo or dizziness - inclined to frequent and often pointless change : inconstant - causing or tending to cause dizziness -
: marked by turning : rotary
Eponymous - (of a person) being the person after whom a literary work, film, etc., is named the eponymous heroine in the film of Jane Eyre - (of a literary work, film, etc.) named after its central character or creator The Stooges' eponymous debut album - giving one's name to something, as a tribe or place.
Both great to know. I hope I can remember them.
There were also some compelling passages. Not sure what it was about this line, but I found myself nodding my head agreeing with the sentiment:
She stood up and gave me a long, tight hug. I caught a hint of the perfume she wore, a scent I’ve encountered nowhere else and that I will always equate with her. There were people around, but we were suddenly kissing passionately.
It was always like this when we’d been apart for a while, and sometimes even when we hadn’t been. There was just something about the two of us that wouldn’t let us keep our hands off each other. Whatever it was, sometimes it was overpowering.
I wasn't going to highlight this passage but the last line really got me. It made me bust out in a smile.
She leaned over and straddled me and then I was inside her and I’d never felt anything so good. I thought, Fuck, not again, not without a condom, and it was the most fleeting and inconsequential thought I’ve ever had in my life.
Finally, other than the words, the great writing, the exciting story and the compelling characters I got to remember the blurb I read on Schrodinger's Cat. If you are not familiar with the experiement, it's worth knowing about.
September 12, 2009
At the end of the last John Rain book, Killing Rain, our half-Japanese hero discovered that an affair with the daughter of one of his victims resulted in a baby boy. At the beginning of installment #5, Rain learns that his son is living with his mother Midori in New York City, oblivious to the fact that Rain's yakuza enemies from Japan have her under constant surveillance. Rain, himself, has fallen in love (or as close to love as an emotionally detached trained killer can be) with a fellow assassin, the beautiful Israeli, Delilah. Torn between escaping his life of murder, and establishing a relationship with his son, Rain sets out to destroy the yakuza boss and regain his freedom. To do so, Rain must return to Japan to his dying mentor, and solicit the help of the irreverant and sometims obnoxious, but always loyal sniper, Dox. As with all the books in the Rain series, this one is filled with fight scenes, brutal murders, and tricky surveillance gadgets. But more so than the others, Rain really develops in this one as a human being - determined to remain dispassionate, but tormented by his conscience. The quote on the back of this one got it right - it truly is "the best one yet!"
March 21, 2015
(Previously published as "The Last Assassin")
I so enjoyed Tom Wood's series with Victor, that I went looking for another to feed my fix/need.
I stumbled across Barry Eisler and have read the entire 8-book series. And was very pleased. As such, this is the same review for all 8 books.
The author reads his own work, and after listening to Tom Wood's series with Rob Shapiro as the wonderful narrator, this took me a while to adapt to the reading style.
But don't let that dissuade you. Barry Eisler does a really really fine job of narrating, and you get to hear the different personalities, and understand who is who pretty quickly.
Barry Eisler has a nice knack of leading the reader on, enticing them to continue the story, and understand the predicaments the protagonist (John Rain) finds himself in. In addition, the growth of the character is wonderful. Kudos to Barry Eisler, and his real-life background that leads him to be able to write this well (check out his website as well!).
As I mentioned above, I have read all 8 books. Once I got through book 1, I could not put down the entire series.
I liked this series so much, I'd love to meet the author, and can't wait to read more of his works as well.
I so enjoyed Tom Wood's series with Victor, that I went looking for another to feed my fix/need.
I stumbled across Barry Eisler and have read the entire 8-book series. And was very pleased. As such, this is the same review for all 8 books.
The author reads his own work, and after listening to Tom Wood's series with Rob Shapiro as the wonderful narrator, this took me a while to adapt to the reading style.
But don't let that dissuade you. Barry Eisler does a really really fine job of narrating, and you get to hear the different personalities, and understand who is who pretty quickly.
Barry Eisler has a nice knack of leading the reader on, enticing them to continue the story, and understand the predicaments the protagonist (John Rain) finds himself in. In addition, the growth of the character is wonderful. Kudos to Barry Eisler, and his real-life background that leads him to be able to write this well (check out his website as well!).
As I mentioned above, I have read all 8 books. Once I got through book 1, I could not put down the entire series.
I liked this series so much, I'd love to meet the author, and can't wait to read more of his works as well.
July 5, 2011
I just stumbled onto this book in my local library and given the pressures on my time the last month, almost returned it unread. But I took to reading it over the last weekend, and boy, it turned out to be a surprisingly good read. Tight in its plotting, just about the right length, and populated with characters that can, perhaps, grow on you, this book was a happy experience. Indeed the only thing is that there is a bit too much of killing - some avoidable and some not - that sort of detracts from the overall effect.
John Rain is a conflicted master of the black arts trying to get away from his mercenary past but tied down by too many strands that keep pulling him back in. In this story too, enemies from his past chase him. Using some ingenuity, some incredible contacts who give him all the firepower he needs, and a bit of luck, Rain comes out intact and successful. But he is faced with the bigger question of is this what he wants in life? A question that the author may resolve in his own way.
In any event, I will read the earlier books and look forward to finding out how the story pans out.
John Rain is a conflicted master of the black arts trying to get away from his mercenary past but tied down by too many strands that keep pulling him back in. In this story too, enemies from his past chase him. Using some ingenuity, some incredible contacts who give him all the firepower he needs, and a bit of luck, Rain comes out intact and successful. But he is faced with the bigger question of is this what he wants in life? A question that the author may resolve in his own way.
In any event, I will read the earlier books and look forward to finding out how the story pans out.
June 8, 2013
Another winner from Eisler. (from Amazon) Japanese-American assassin John Rain would like to get out of the killing business in his fifth action-filled outing (after 2005's Killing Rain), see the son he's only just learned of and perhaps try to reconnect with Midori, the child's mother. But first there's the little matter of the Japanese gangster Yamaoto and Yamaoto's Chinese triad allies, who are watching over Rain's son in New York City, not to mention Delilah, the beautiful Mossad agent who shares Rain's occupation and his bed. Seizing the initiative, Rain enlists the aid of his super-sniper friend, Dox, in a campaign to remove Yamaoto. Rain and allies clash with their many powerful foes in combat scenes full of lovingly detailed descriptions of knives, guns and other martial paraphernalia. Amid the threats to life, limb and loved ones, Rain finds time to enjoy good food, better whiskey and even better sex. While most of the action takes place in Japan, Eisler handles all the story's locales, including Manhattan and Barcelona, with considerable aplomb.
January 18, 2013
Yet another exceptional chapter the life of John Rain. The end twist of the previous book is the prominent plot device in this book. Rain is conflicted between the life he leads and the life he wishes to lead. Agian, Eisler has created real conflict and humanity in a character that most people would consider a monster - a for hire assassin. The book continues to show Rain's distrust of the world, but it is evident that the events of previous novels have changed him in ways that he didn't even think were possible. There are a couple of "over-the-top" momemts, but for the most part the book is extremely "real". The book was paced just as well as the prior entries and the ending was extremely emotional. Excellent read, but I would recommend at least starting at least one if not two books prior if you haven't read any of the Rain novels.
December 7, 2015
Mr. Eisler has a new fan.
Every once in a while as I browse my local library, I pick up a novel by an author I’m unfamiliar with. I am looking for someone new. More times than not, I am disappointed.
Not this time.
I recently picked up my first novel by Barry Eisler, “The Last Assasin.” And loved it.
I did think it was a bit slow-moving early on but perhaps that was because I was unfamiliar with John Rain, Dax and the backstory.
However, this book has everything I like: Good crisp writing, action, LOTS of twists and turns, especially the last 50 pages with likeable characters I identified with.
This is the first book I’ve read by Mr. Eisler. It definitely will NOT be my last.
Every once in a while as I browse my local library, I pick up a novel by an author I’m unfamiliar with. I am looking for someone new. More times than not, I am disappointed.
Not this time.
I recently picked up my first novel by Barry Eisler, “The Last Assasin.” And loved it.
I did think it was a bit slow-moving early on but perhaps that was because I was unfamiliar with John Rain, Dax and the backstory.
However, this book has everything I like: Good crisp writing, action, LOTS of twists and turns, especially the last 50 pages with likeable characters I identified with.
This is the first book I’ve read by Mr. Eisler. It definitely will NOT be my last.
January 18, 2009
A John Rain novel. John rain is an assassin. He discovers that he has a child that he did not know about. John goes to see his child and realizes that the Japanese mafia has hired the Chinese mafia to follow and watch John’s Ex girlfriend and child. The Japanese mafia has put a hit out on John. John decides that the only way to protect his son is to take out the head of the Japanese mafia. The writing style is great but the storyline drags a little bit.
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