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Sleeper #2
Sleeper: The Red Storm: Sleeper, Book 2
1943. Sleeper spy Will Starling has been drafted in to the SOE, joining forces with the French Resistance in the fight against the Nazis; but Will's memory is fractured, and only occasional flashbacks reveal fragments of his past. Despite this, he has not forgotten his pledge to find and rescue his sister, Rose - if she is still alive. When his mission in France is compromised, Will suspects he's been betrayed.
Back in London he hears that VIPER are in league with the Axis powers and are developing a new and deadly weapon. As he and MI5 agent Anna Wilder set out to destroy it, their every move is anticipated by their enemies. Who is the mole in the British Secret Service? As they close in on VIPER's Swiss headquarters, it seems no one can be trusted. Are Will and Anna able to prevent the unleashing of the Red Storm that will bring mass destruction on a scale even the Nazis haven't dreamt of?
While Will tries to save the world, Rose has become the key to VIPER's future plans and is drugged to dull her kinetic powers. But Rose faces danger from an unexpected enemy and her time is running out.
Back in London he hears that VIPER are in league with the Axis powers and are developing a new and deadly weapon. As he and MI5 agent Anna Wilder set out to destroy it, their every move is anticipated by their enemies. Who is the mole in the British Secret Service? As they close in on VIPER's Swiss headquarters, it seems no one can be trusted. Are Will and Anna able to prevent the unleashing of the Red Storm that will bring mass destruction on a scale even the Nazis haven't dreamt of?
While Will tries to save the world, Rose has become the key to VIPER's future plans and is drugged to dull her kinetic powers. But Rose faces danger from an unexpected enemy and her time is running out.
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First published May 24, 2018
14 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Fennell
4 books8 followersJ.D. was born in Belfast at the start of the Troubles, and began writing stories at a young age to help understand the madness unfolding around him. A lover of reading, he devoured a diverse range of books – his early influences include Fleming, Tolkien, Shakespeare and the Brontës.
He left Belfast at the age of nineteen and worked as a chef, bartender, waiter and later began a career in writing for the software industry.
These days he divides his time between Brighton and London, where he lives with his partner and their two dogs.
He left Belfast at the age of nineteen and worked as a chef, bartender, waiter and later began a career in writing for the software industry.
These days he divides his time between Brighton and London, where he lives with his partner and their two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 14, 2018
What a rollercoaster of a ride ‘Sleeper, The Red Storm’ is! I was almost breathless reading it. Will is everyman’s hero: resourceful, principled and flawed and, as he battles to seek justice and prevent worldwide destruction he has the suaveness of James Bond and the youthfulness of an eighteen-year-old Harry Potter. I loved him! JD Fennell’s second adventure must surely put him on the map for anyone who likes crime, adventure, fantasy and mystery.
October 25, 2018
Wow!! I feel like I’ve been on a whirlwind adventure with James Bond in a Dan Brown novel set during World War 2. JD Fennell has written a page turning, exciting tale that has me tapping my fingers waiting on the next book in the series.
Sleeper: The Red Storm is the second book in a new action adventure series featuring Will Starling, a young man on a mission to discover the truth. In book one, Sleeper, ‘sixteen-year-old Will Starling is pulled from the sea with no memory of his past. In his blazer is a strange notebook with a bullet lodged inside: a bullet meant for him’. As the story continues, Will gets caught up in a race against a time. With the help of MI5, his search for his family continues and he makes discoveries along the way that could determine the future of his life and that of many, many others.
As we return to his story, Will is now eighteen years of age. Time has moved on but the search for the truth and for his sister Rose continues. With the assistance of Anna Wilder, his colleague in MI5, Will had battled the evil organisation VIPER previously. Now Will has suspicions that VIPER may have raised it’s head again, as he feels his safety is under threat. As the war continues around him, Will, now an SOE agent, throws in his lot with the French Resistance to assist in the collapse of the Nazi regime. As the situation becomes heated up, Will has to fight for his survival, and the lives of others, as he is now fighting a faceless enemy and that of the German army.
When Will finally makes his way back to London, and MI5, it becomes clear that there is a double agent in their midst. Teaming up with Anna again, they go on a journey that takes them from London, to Switzerland and Rome, as they become entangled in the unearthing of an evil plan, one that is intent on destroying the world as they know it.
Can Will survive the far-reaching tentacles of the VIPER organisation? Can his strength and determination assist him in finally making the discovery of what really happened to his family? Can he find Rose?
JD Fennell has written a novel that, for me, was pure escapism. I was thrilled and excited as I read about spies, moles, assassins, strange monks, scary ladies and so much more. Having started this series with book two, I was able to follow the story with ease, but I do think it would be better to read them in order, purely because it’s so enjoyable and is one fast-paced and riveting read. The characters are brilliantly portrayed and I could feel the hairs rise, as I was reading about certain rather despicable, and shall we say, unnamed individuals.
Sleeper:The Red Storm is a book that is packed with twists and turns, with an intrepid hero who is fearless and dauntless. It is a book that, I think, crosses both the adult and YA readership. It would seriously make for a fabulous movie on the big screen, as Will takes on the enemy in his own heroic ways. Will makes tough discoveries, as he battles the villainous VIPER, but his pure strength of character and purpose keeps driving him forward, driving him ever closer to the truth.
Enigmatic. Refreshing. Pure Entertainment and Excitement.
Sleeper: The Red Storm is the second book in a new action adventure series featuring Will Starling, a young man on a mission to discover the truth. In book one, Sleeper, ‘sixteen-year-old Will Starling is pulled from the sea with no memory of his past. In his blazer is a strange notebook with a bullet lodged inside: a bullet meant for him’. As the story continues, Will gets caught up in a race against a time. With the help of MI5, his search for his family continues and he makes discoveries along the way that could determine the future of his life and that of many, many others.
As we return to his story, Will is now eighteen years of age. Time has moved on but the search for the truth and for his sister Rose continues. With the assistance of Anna Wilder, his colleague in MI5, Will had battled the evil organisation VIPER previously. Now Will has suspicions that VIPER may have raised it’s head again, as he feels his safety is under threat. As the war continues around him, Will, now an SOE agent, throws in his lot with the French Resistance to assist in the collapse of the Nazi regime. As the situation becomes heated up, Will has to fight for his survival, and the lives of others, as he is now fighting a faceless enemy and that of the German army.
When Will finally makes his way back to London, and MI5, it becomes clear that there is a double agent in their midst. Teaming up with Anna again, they go on a journey that takes them from London, to Switzerland and Rome, as they become entangled in the unearthing of an evil plan, one that is intent on destroying the world as they know it.
Can Will survive the far-reaching tentacles of the VIPER organisation? Can his strength and determination assist him in finally making the discovery of what really happened to his family? Can he find Rose?
JD Fennell has written a novel that, for me, was pure escapism. I was thrilled and excited as I read about spies, moles, assassins, strange monks, scary ladies and so much more. Having started this series with book two, I was able to follow the story with ease, but I do think it would be better to read them in order, purely because it’s so enjoyable and is one fast-paced and riveting read. The characters are brilliantly portrayed and I could feel the hairs rise, as I was reading about certain rather despicable, and shall we say, unnamed individuals.
Sleeper:The Red Storm is a book that is packed with twists and turns, with an intrepid hero who is fearless and dauntless. It is a book that, I think, crosses both the adult and YA readership. It would seriously make for a fabulous movie on the big screen, as Will takes on the enemy in his own heroic ways. Will makes tough discoveries, as he battles the villainous VIPER, but his pure strength of character and purpose keeps driving him forward, driving him ever closer to the truth.
Enigmatic. Refreshing. Pure Entertainment and Excitement.
October 28, 2018
The Red Storm starts off with an impressive opener which is a perfect introduction to Will Starling who is one of the most courageous, fictional, eighteen years olds I have ever met. Filled with a boys own sense of bravado, Will encounters more danger than is physically possible, from being unceremoniously dumped out of a moving aeroplane, to being covered in a poisonous red mist, there is never a moment when he doesn't rise to the challenge of being a vital part of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the eventful latter years of WW2.
Set in 1943, The Red Storm continues, some two years after where Sleeper, the first book in the series, left off. Will is now a little older, possibly a little wiser, but no less determined to get to the truth of what happened to his family and especially to his younger sister, Rose. That Rose's story intertwines with that of Will makes for really interesting reading and is no less exciting.
The story moves along at a cracking pace and is filled with more twists and turns than I am at liberty to speak about without giving too much away. However, the historical nature of the story, set as it is in 1943, comes across, as does the constant danger which Will encounters as he tumbles from one adventure to another. The author has created some fabulous characters, some are downright creepy, Father William springs to mind, whilst others, like Will's companion and co-agent, Anna Wilder add some necessary depth to what is , after all , quite a dark story.
I raced through the book, carried along by the speed and momentum of the writing, and of Will's ability to always be in the centre of the action. Even though this is the second book with events from the first story alluded to in the story, it is still possible to read read The Red Storm as a standalone story.
Set in 1943, The Red Storm continues, some two years after where Sleeper, the first book in the series, left off. Will is now a little older, possibly a little wiser, but no less determined to get to the truth of what happened to his family and especially to his younger sister, Rose. That Rose's story intertwines with that of Will makes for really interesting reading and is no less exciting.
The story moves along at a cracking pace and is filled with more twists and turns than I am at liberty to speak about without giving too much away. However, the historical nature of the story, set as it is in 1943, comes across, as does the constant danger which Will encounters as he tumbles from one adventure to another. The author has created some fabulous characters, some are downright creepy, Father William springs to mind, whilst others, like Will's companion and co-agent, Anna Wilder add some necessary depth to what is , after all , quite a dark story.
I raced through the book, carried along by the speed and momentum of the writing, and of Will's ability to always be in the centre of the action. Even though this is the second book with events from the first story alluded to in the story, it is still possible to read read The Red Storm as a standalone story.
August 8, 2018
I read the first book, sleeper and dubbed it as a bit of Jason Bourne mixed with The 39 Steps but featuring teenagers! Someone else called it Jason Bourne crossed with Da Vince Code, which makes sense because of the mystical element to the story. In the second book, the point of view changes from Will, who is now 18 when we meet him again, to a couple of other characters briefly, but mostly it's Will's story. There are some really intriguing developments in this second book, new faces, old faces, more people getting killed, racing against the enemies who are piling up to stop VIPER's and the Nazi's latest schemes, find Will's sister Rose if she's still alive, and stay alive himself when everyone seems to be trying to kill him. I did get a little confused between two of the baddies at one point, but it was a minor issue and didn't stop me from enjoying the adventure. I'm only bummed that I have to wait at least another year for the next book in the series!
April 15, 2019
So, this is the second in the Sleeper series, the first book was a great introduction to the main protagonist and hero, Will Starling. This second book continues and the impetus to stop VIPER is getting more urgent and of paramount importance.
I have to say I really enjoyed the first book and the second is fabulous. The setting is the early 1940’s and sees Will, a specially trained teen, flying from London to France to help with the Resistance. Will still has a problem with his memory, it’s only when something triggers certain memories does he start to recall things. There is still a lot he has to recall…
So essentially this is a two birds, one stone mission…save Rose and defeat VIPER…!!! Yeah, that’s not going to be easy. Rose is Wills sister, these siblings have a certain skill set. When I say you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of either of them I really do mean it. Rose is very special and her skills in the wrong hands, well…
I really enjoy this story, at times it has the feel of a young James Bond and I think this is why the setting and time of the story work so well, well they do in my opinion. I do occasionally get a feel of a steampunk aspect to the story, I loved reading his genre quite a few years ago, and it does have some basic elements of that style.
This is a mix of espionage, spy, save the world thriller that has been done in a really good way. It is full of fast-paced action, loads of adventure and by the edge of your pants thrills and spills, throw in a couple of secret agents, some double-crossing and you have an. explosive and exciting read.
There is a good sense of urgency to plot and this adds to the quick pace of the story, with some brilliant details and also some historical events to keep the reader in the right time. By the end of the book I still want more, yes the story came to a satisfactory conclusion, I hope there is more to come in this series.
This is a book that I would recommend to readers who like action-packed, fast-paced, adventure, espionage and save the world from the evil organisation type of books.
I have to say I really enjoyed the first book and the second is fabulous. The setting is the early 1940’s and sees Will, a specially trained teen, flying from London to France to help with the Resistance. Will still has a problem with his memory, it’s only when something triggers certain memories does he start to recall things. There is still a lot he has to recall…
So essentially this is a two birds, one stone mission…save Rose and defeat VIPER…!!! Yeah, that’s not going to be easy. Rose is Wills sister, these siblings have a certain skill set. When I say you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of either of them I really do mean it. Rose is very special and her skills in the wrong hands, well…
I really enjoy this story, at times it has the feel of a young James Bond and I think this is why the setting and time of the story work so well, well they do in my opinion. I do occasionally get a feel of a steampunk aspect to the story, I loved reading his genre quite a few years ago, and it does have some basic elements of that style.
This is a mix of espionage, spy, save the world thriller that has been done in a really good way. It is full of fast-paced action, loads of adventure and by the edge of your pants thrills and spills, throw in a couple of secret agents, some double-crossing and you have an. explosive and exciting read.
There is a good sense of urgency to plot and this adds to the quick pace of the story, with some brilliant details and also some historical events to keep the reader in the right time. By the end of the book I still want more, yes the story came to a satisfactory conclusion, I hope there is more to come in this series.
This is a book that I would recommend to readers who like action-packed, fast-paced, adventure, espionage and save the world from the evil organisation type of books.
October 24, 2018
This book is definitely left on a cliff hanger and I am eagerly awaiting the next Will Starling instalment to see what happens! This book really has it all going on: action, war, enemies, friendships, romance, spies, conspiracies, betrayal and so much more. If you like a book that grips you straight away, throws you into the story and keeps up the pace throughout, then give this book a go.
November 3, 2018
I read J.D. Fennell's first novel, Sleeper last year, describing it in my review as a 'gripping and often dark story that surprised me several times and managed to keep me guessing' and I have eagerly been anticipating this sequel ever since.
Sleeper: The Red Storm takes place two years after the events in the first book and in that time, Will Starling, the teen spy has become a man. He may still only be 18 but he's seen - and done - things that many men would blanch at. When the novel opens, he is working with the Resistance in France but the disastrous outcome of a mission sees him back in London where he is reunited with some old faces. I loved Anna Wilder in the first book, she plays an important role in the story and her skills and training put her on an equal footing with Will so I was delighted to see the pair reunited here. Things have moved on for them both during the time they have spent apart but their previously close relationship means there is still a bond between them and they make a formidable team. Will might be back with friends and colleagues he knows well but as their enemies seem to be one step ahead of every investigation, he fears they may have been compromised by a mole.
Sleeper: The Red Storm is even darker and more intense than the first book with Will and Anna's continuing fight against two separate genocidal enemies; the Nazis and VIPER potentially exerting a terrible toll on them both. The effects of Will's mysterious past, combined with the terrible atrocities he has witnessed means he has become a more complex figure and some of his actions are really quite shocking. J.D. Fennell leaves his readers in little doubt as to the dehumanising side of war as many of the characters carry out acts that would once have horrified them, with barely a pause. It's true that they have become more ruthless and more skilled but at what eventual personal cost? Although most of the book follows Will, there are some chapters where we finally learn more about his missing sister, Rose and what has happened to her. Her very dangerous abilities juxtapose with her obvious vulnerabilities to make her a fascinating character and it's truly heartrending to see what she has been forced to endure.
Will and Anna race to stop VIPER unleashing a terrible weapon on the world and the blistering pace of the plot sees the action move to various locations, each of which is brought vividly albeit sometimes ominously to life. I devoured Sleeper: The Red Storm in a few hours and spent much of that time with my heart in my mouth. There is so much cause for tension in the book that it should probably come with a health warning for those of a nervous disposition! The obvious danger from both VIPER and the Nazis is further exacerbated by the constant sense that Will is being undermined by somebody he should be able to trust. The high octane climax to the novel is a thrilling delight to read and the conclusion is just breathtaking and has left me desperate to read the next book in the series.
I would strongly recommend reading Sleeper first to truly appreciate J.D.Fennell's storytelling arc because this world he has created is just extraordinary. He has combined the excitement of an action-packed thriller and an engrossing historical narrative with some intriguing touches of science fiction and filled his novel with some truly memorable characters. Sleeper: The Red Storm is a compelling and fresh wartime espionage drama; I wholeheartedly recommend it and can't wait to read the next instalment!
Sleeper: The Red Storm takes place two years after the events in the first book and in that time, Will Starling, the teen spy has become a man. He may still only be 18 but he's seen - and done - things that many men would blanch at. When the novel opens, he is working with the Resistance in France but the disastrous outcome of a mission sees him back in London where he is reunited with some old faces. I loved Anna Wilder in the first book, she plays an important role in the story and her skills and training put her on an equal footing with Will so I was delighted to see the pair reunited here. Things have moved on for them both during the time they have spent apart but their previously close relationship means there is still a bond between them and they make a formidable team. Will might be back with friends and colleagues he knows well but as their enemies seem to be one step ahead of every investigation, he fears they may have been compromised by a mole.
Sleeper: The Red Storm is even darker and more intense than the first book with Will and Anna's continuing fight against two separate genocidal enemies; the Nazis and VIPER potentially exerting a terrible toll on them both. The effects of Will's mysterious past, combined with the terrible atrocities he has witnessed means he has become a more complex figure and some of his actions are really quite shocking. J.D. Fennell leaves his readers in little doubt as to the dehumanising side of war as many of the characters carry out acts that would once have horrified them, with barely a pause. It's true that they have become more ruthless and more skilled but at what eventual personal cost? Although most of the book follows Will, there are some chapters where we finally learn more about his missing sister, Rose and what has happened to her. Her very dangerous abilities juxtapose with her obvious vulnerabilities to make her a fascinating character and it's truly heartrending to see what she has been forced to endure.
Will and Anna race to stop VIPER unleashing a terrible weapon on the world and the blistering pace of the plot sees the action move to various locations, each of which is brought vividly albeit sometimes ominously to life. I devoured Sleeper: The Red Storm in a few hours and spent much of that time with my heart in my mouth. There is so much cause for tension in the book that it should probably come with a health warning for those of a nervous disposition! The obvious danger from both VIPER and the Nazis is further exacerbated by the constant sense that Will is being undermined by somebody he should be able to trust. The high octane climax to the novel is a thrilling delight to read and the conclusion is just breathtaking and has left me desperate to read the next book in the series.
I would strongly recommend reading Sleeper first to truly appreciate J.D.Fennell's storytelling arc because this world he has created is just extraordinary. He has combined the excitement of an action-packed thriller and an engrossing historical narrative with some intriguing touches of science fiction and filled his novel with some truly memorable characters. Sleeper: The Red Storm is a compelling and fresh wartime espionage drama; I wholeheartedly recommend it and can't wait to read the next instalment!
November 4, 2018
Speed, danger and intense excitement is the order of the day for this book, the second outing for Will Starling. The Second World War is raging across Europe, the truly evil organisation, VIPER, is developing terrifying weapons, and Will seems to be the target for every kind of attack. Part thriller, part dangerous fantasy, this is a book where no one is who he or she seems to be, and there is danger everywhere for Will and Anna whose combat skills and quick thinking must meet every eventuality. There is also a large element of mystery as Will tries to recover memories of a family destroyed, his former life erased, and the possibility of his sister, alive but held by enemies, to be rescued. This is not a novel for the overly nervous, but all those who like their adventure fast moving and uncompromising will find much to enjoy here. I am very grateful to the publishers for supplying me with a copy of this totally involving book.
The adventure starts with Will in the company of two members of the French Resistance, Emile and Claudette, as they carry out an audacious act of sabotage involving sophisticated explosives. This is an introduction to the weaponry, fast cars and close shaves that Will must survive in order to forward the fight against Nazis who are in possession of much of France. While he feels sadness for those who do not survive the fight, this is the utterly ruthless way of this novel, where the body count is high, though the violence is largely impersonal. As he travels back to Britain, he realises that he regrets the death of the man who saved him early in “Sleeper”, and he takes some pleasure in avenging at least one wrong action. Anna Wilder reappears, and becomes a companion in adversity, fighting alongside him, but essentially unattainable. There is no time for romance as new weapons emerge, memories are evoked and survival is always a precarious challenge. Very few can be trusted, and even the apparently slow to act can be allies in the fight. Underlying all the fast action of the main story is a careful tale of a character whose very existence becomes a matter of speculation, and whose particular abilities make her both an agent of change and a target of many. Can Will manage the constant challenges he is faced with as well as the need to discover the truth?
Set against the background of the great buildings of Europe, this is a focused description of the fight in a world wide war, as well as fighting forces of evil with a personal agenda. There are hints of H.G.Wells “War of the Worlds” as a terrifying weapon is used, and hope of freedom fades. This is a powerful picture of wartime, with the extra dimension of fantasy danger; an inventive thriller, full of fast paced action, when evil is tackled head on. I enjoyed its challenges, and the varied ways Will deals with situations. Fennell’s style is sharp, purposeful and never allows the story to drag. Recommended for fans of Ian Fleming, this is an action thriller with some fascinating twists and superb plotting.
The adventure starts with Will in the company of two members of the French Resistance, Emile and Claudette, as they carry out an audacious act of sabotage involving sophisticated explosives. This is an introduction to the weaponry, fast cars and close shaves that Will must survive in order to forward the fight against Nazis who are in possession of much of France. While he feels sadness for those who do not survive the fight, this is the utterly ruthless way of this novel, where the body count is high, though the violence is largely impersonal. As he travels back to Britain, he realises that he regrets the death of the man who saved him early in “Sleeper”, and he takes some pleasure in avenging at least one wrong action. Anna Wilder reappears, and becomes a companion in adversity, fighting alongside him, but essentially unattainable. There is no time for romance as new weapons emerge, memories are evoked and survival is always a precarious challenge. Very few can be trusted, and even the apparently slow to act can be allies in the fight. Underlying all the fast action of the main story is a careful tale of a character whose very existence becomes a matter of speculation, and whose particular abilities make her both an agent of change and a target of many. Can Will manage the constant challenges he is faced with as well as the need to discover the truth?
Set against the background of the great buildings of Europe, this is a focused description of the fight in a world wide war, as well as fighting forces of evil with a personal agenda. There are hints of H.G.Wells “War of the Worlds” as a terrifying weapon is used, and hope of freedom fades. This is a powerful picture of wartime, with the extra dimension of fantasy danger; an inventive thriller, full of fast paced action, when evil is tackled head on. I enjoyed its challenges, and the varied ways Will deals with situations. Fennell’s style is sharp, purposeful and never allows the story to drag. Recommended for fans of Ian Fleming, this is an action thriller with some fascinating twists and superb plotting.
November 5, 2018
This time, we have a similar vibe as to the first part, all the story is still set during World War II, but this story has different goals. The protagonist of this novel is still Will, but in this book, we have a second person, adding to the story. I really liked Rose’s story, I think it is really sinister and very intriguing, and I really liked reading about her. This novel keeps some of the earlier characters, but at the same time, it adds a very wide variety of new characters. I think it is really needed because the mortality rate is very high in this book. 😀 😀 😀 Will is still my favourite, even though his assassin skills keep improving, his near-death experiences are even more extreme, he still has this charm about him and whatever he does. 😀 This book always keeps me on the edge. 😀
I really liked the way J.D turned the narrative of this book. We still have the same historical war feeling, but at the same time, this novel has a lot of futuristic aspects. I like it, but it makes me wonder, what is going to happen in the next book because at the moment I prefer that historical feeling over lasers and fancy spaceships… There is already plenty of those kinds of books. 😉
The plot of this book never stays still, Will keeps running and the action never stops. Every chapter has something new, unexpected turns and twists didn’t allow me to get comfortable with a particular scenario, and that’s what kept me glued to this book. I am pretty sure that the reader could understand what is going on without reading the first part, but to fully understand Will’s and other character’s backgrounds, I would recommend reading the first book as well.
The writing style didn’t change much, it is still very well researched, detailed but at the same time easy and pleasant to read. The chapters are pretty short and fly pretty fast. I really liked that the author chose different settings for the book, I liked reading about different countries and it’s people. The ending is concluding this part very nicely but at the same time left me very curious and intrigued by the upcoming books.
So, to conclude, if you like spy stories, filled with action, great characters and incredible adventures, you have to read this book! I really hope that one day the movies will be made because these books are perfect for the big screen. 🙂 This is one of my favourite series, and I can’t wait to read the next book. 🙂 Enjoy!
I really liked the way J.D turned the narrative of this book. We still have the same historical war feeling, but at the same time, this novel has a lot of futuristic aspects. I like it, but it makes me wonder, what is going to happen in the next book because at the moment I prefer that historical feeling over lasers and fancy spaceships… There is already plenty of those kinds of books. 😉
The plot of this book never stays still, Will keeps running and the action never stops. Every chapter has something new, unexpected turns and twists didn’t allow me to get comfortable with a particular scenario, and that’s what kept me glued to this book. I am pretty sure that the reader could understand what is going on without reading the first part, but to fully understand Will’s and other character’s backgrounds, I would recommend reading the first book as well.
The writing style didn’t change much, it is still very well researched, detailed but at the same time easy and pleasant to read. The chapters are pretty short and fly pretty fast. I really liked that the author chose different settings for the book, I liked reading about different countries and it’s people. The ending is concluding this part very nicely but at the same time left me very curious and intrigued by the upcoming books.
So, to conclude, if you like spy stories, filled with action, great characters and incredible adventures, you have to read this book! I really hope that one day the movies will be made because these books are perfect for the big screen. 🙂 This is one of my favourite series, and I can’t wait to read the next book. 🙂 Enjoy!
February 7, 2019
Will Starling is back with a bang. In the previous book, Sleeper, sixteen-year-old Will was pulled from the depths of the sea with no memory of who he was before. The only clue he had to the remnants of his life was a notebook that carried secrets some were willing to kill for and others willing to die for. The story progressed and pieces of the past and of his family returned. As the Blitz tore everything apart, Will was followed by The Pastor, a vicious killer intent on getting his hands on the secrets in the notebook. Now, in this latest instalment, The Red Storm, Will is in the midst of fighting VIPER, a ruthless organisation who will destroy everything. When two of his friends are murdered, Will returns to London, where old allies await him, including agent Anne Wilder. With a sinking hope but a rising determination, Will must stop VIPER and fulfil the promise of finding his sister before time runs out.
Will Starling is a hero you just can’t help but root for. He is brave, courageous, intelligent and loyal. Within moments of reading the first chapter, you’re hooked into his story. I’m weary of saying too much about the book because I don’t want to give anything away. What I can say though is that ending blew me away. What a cliff-hanger!! I was flabbergasted for the rest of evening. Really looking forward to reading the next instalment.
Author J D Fennell depicts his characters’ losses, victories and battles with depth and atmosphere poured into the prose. Brilliant as ever, he grabbed me straight away with The Red Storm. It’s brimming with emotion, adventure, excitement and so much more! Just perfection.
As each chapter carries the reader further into the twisting story, the more intense and suspenseful it becomes. You just couldn’t ask for more! A wonderful next instalment!!
Exciting. Suspenseful. Brilliant.
Will Starling is a hero you just can’t help but root for. He is brave, courageous, intelligent and loyal. Within moments of reading the first chapter, you’re hooked into his story. I’m weary of saying too much about the book because I don’t want to give anything away. What I can say though is that ending blew me away. What a cliff-hanger!! I was flabbergasted for the rest of evening. Really looking forward to reading the next instalment.
Author J D Fennell depicts his characters’ losses, victories and battles with depth and atmosphere poured into the prose. Brilliant as ever, he grabbed me straight away with The Red Storm. It’s brimming with emotion, adventure, excitement and so much more! Just perfection.
As each chapter carries the reader further into the twisting story, the more intense and suspenseful it becomes. You just couldn’t ask for more! A wonderful next instalment!!
Exciting. Suspenseful. Brilliant.
November 6, 2018
The Red Storm is the sequel to the successful dystopian action thriller Sleeper. There is definitely a notable change in Will in this book. He appears to be more ruthless and less inclined to dither in the pool of emotions. People fall to the side, die and disappear, and yet Will glosses over each event, because his eye is on his goals.
There is a new dangerous threat in this book. At first Will thinks his enemies are talking in some kind of strange code when they reference a storm coming, until he encounters the Red Storm in person, then he realises just how big the threat is.
Meanwhile as Will is set on his own course and targets, the reader finds out what is happening to his sister. The story of Rose is disturbing, especially when it comes to the procedures she has to go through. She is so important to the enemy camp that they are willing to go to any length to get what they want, regardless of her young age.
I am not going to go into any more details, so you can discover this highly explosive and fast-paced read for yourselves. It is a read I would recommend to readers who are looking for an author who is able to combine a multitude of genres and create a new exciting read.
The action is cranked up even higher in this book, which I didn’t think was possible after Sleeper, but Fennell brings even more to the table this time. He also ends the book on one heck of a cliffhanger, which means we will probably…hopefully be reading more about Will in the future.
It’s a complex dystopian action thriller with the vibe of a war and spy novel. It ‘s non-stop action from start to finish – it’s one hell of a ride.
*I received a copy courtesy of the publisher*
There is a new dangerous threat in this book. At first Will thinks his enemies are talking in some kind of strange code when they reference a storm coming, until he encounters the Red Storm in person, then he realises just how big the threat is.
Meanwhile as Will is set on his own course and targets, the reader finds out what is happening to his sister. The story of Rose is disturbing, especially when it comes to the procedures she has to go through. She is so important to the enemy camp that they are willing to go to any length to get what they want, regardless of her young age.
I am not going to go into any more details, so you can discover this highly explosive and fast-paced read for yourselves. It is a read I would recommend to readers who are looking for an author who is able to combine a multitude of genres and create a new exciting read.
The action is cranked up even higher in this book, which I didn’t think was possible after Sleeper, but Fennell brings even more to the table this time. He also ends the book on one heck of a cliffhanger, which means we will probably…hopefully be reading more about Will in the future.
It’s a complex dystopian action thriller with the vibe of a war and spy novel. It ‘s non-stop action from start to finish – it’s one hell of a ride.
*I received a copy courtesy of the publisher*
November 6, 2018
Continuing the adventure, SLEEPER: THE RED STORM by J D Fennell swept me up into a dangerous whirlwind with characters that truly got under my skin.
Will Starling, now eighteen years old, is still determined to uncover the truth about his past and find his sister, Rose. Working with MI5, Will is battling enemies on every front, from Nazis to the evil Viper organisation who are developing a deadly weapon that would destroy the world as we know it. But who can Will really trust and will he survive long enough to protect his sister and discover the truth about his family?
Gripping, hypnotic, and dangerously exciting SLEEPER: THE RED STORM by J D Fennell is a spy thriller with a difference, perfectly combining a James Bond feel with paranormal elements to keep you hooked from the very beginning. This is the second book in this series and I highly recommend you read the series from the beginning (Sleeper) to get the most from these characters and to experience the plot as a whole. Reading this book kept my nerves tingling as Will raced against time to stop his enemies and I felt invigorated and part of the drama as I turned each page.
SLEEPER: THE RED STORM by J D Fennell is an exhilarating story with a main character that is flawed, dangerous, and utterly captivating, and I cannot wait for more from this extremely talented author. This book is a must for thriller and spy fans everywhere.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Will Starling, now eighteen years old, is still determined to uncover the truth about his past and find his sister, Rose. Working with MI5, Will is battling enemies on every front, from Nazis to the evil Viper organisation who are developing a deadly weapon that would destroy the world as we know it. But who can Will really trust and will he survive long enough to protect his sister and discover the truth about his family?
Gripping, hypnotic, and dangerously exciting SLEEPER: THE RED STORM by J D Fennell is a spy thriller with a difference, perfectly combining a James Bond feel with paranormal elements to keep you hooked from the very beginning. This is the second book in this series and I highly recommend you read the series from the beginning (Sleeper) to get the most from these characters and to experience the plot as a whole. Reading this book kept my nerves tingling as Will raced against time to stop his enemies and I felt invigorated and part of the drama as I turned each page.
SLEEPER: THE RED STORM by J D Fennell is an exhilarating story with a main character that is flawed, dangerous, and utterly captivating, and I cannot wait for more from this extremely talented author. This book is a must for thriller and spy fans everywhere.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
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November 12, 20182 years on from when we first met Will in Sleeper, the war continues and this book is set between London and Europe. With some familiar characters as well as some new ones, we specifically learn more about Will’s sister Rose, who is forefront in his mind as he is desperate to find her.
Sleeper: The Red Storm continues the fast pace of it’s predecessor – Sleeper, following Will as he embarks on another mission to prevent Viper from creating a weapon able to destroy the world. If you are a fan of Sleeper I am in no doubt that you will love this novel which follows Will in his journey of espionage. Now at 18 Will is an established and respected spy, an uprising star of British Intelligence.
Whereas I felt that Sleeper was aimed at a much younger audience, this sequel seems to have matured with its central protagonist. The main characters of Will and Anna, progressing into the second book are naturally more developed as their back stories become known. This book ended with a bang as I was left recovering from an almighty (and wholly unexpected) twist in the concluding pages.
Overall an entertaining read, at times a little outlandish and a stretch for my imagination but not so for the more open teen mind I am sure. Furthermore I do think the Sleeper series would translate terrifically to the big screen or possibly a TV drama series in the mode of 24!
Sleeper: The Red Storm continues the fast pace of it’s predecessor – Sleeper, following Will as he embarks on another mission to prevent Viper from creating a weapon able to destroy the world. If you are a fan of Sleeper I am in no doubt that you will love this novel which follows Will in his journey of espionage. Now at 18 Will is an established and respected spy, an uprising star of British Intelligence.
Whereas I felt that Sleeper was aimed at a much younger audience, this sequel seems to have matured with its central protagonist. The main characters of Will and Anna, progressing into the second book are naturally more developed as their back stories become known. This book ended with a bang as I was left recovering from an almighty (and wholly unexpected) twist in the concluding pages.
Overall an entertaining read, at times a little outlandish and a stretch for my imagination but not so for the more open teen mind I am sure. Furthermore I do think the Sleeper series would translate terrifically to the big screen or possibly a TV drama series in the mode of 24!
November 21, 2018
Fast paced and wonderful, I truly enjoyed this book.
October 14, 2021
“Sleeper: The Red Storm” (STRS) is follow up novel to “Sleeper” the hugely entertaining debut novel by David Fennell (writing as J D Fennell).
Set in 1943, two years after the events of “Sleeper”, amnesiac Will Starling returns to face off against the evil VIPER organisation. Will must travel across England, France, and Switzerland to thwart VIPER’s plans to unleash not one but two terrifyingly destructive weapons upon the world all while continuing to search for his missing sister (a storyline introduced at the end of “Sleeper”). Add to that double agents with MI6 are betraying Will’s every move; can Will overcome the immense odds stacked against him?
STRS is again a non stop thrill ride that reads like a James Bond movie. Fast, furious, frenetic, a little bit over the top, but just incredibly entertaining.
A returning cast of characters maintains the continuity of the books and STRS further develops Will’s background.
With shock ending that, while foreshadowed is brilliantly hidden, you can’t help but think there is at least one more Will Starling story to be told…and I for one hopes it is eventually written.
STRS is a wonderful adventure from first page to last and gets 4 against all odds secret missions out of 5.
Set in 1943, two years after the events of “Sleeper”, amnesiac Will Starling returns to face off against the evil VIPER organisation. Will must travel across England, France, and Switzerland to thwart VIPER’s plans to unleash not one but two terrifyingly destructive weapons upon the world all while continuing to search for his missing sister (a storyline introduced at the end of “Sleeper”). Add to that double agents with MI6 are betraying Will’s every move; can Will overcome the immense odds stacked against him?
STRS is again a non stop thrill ride that reads like a James Bond movie. Fast, furious, frenetic, a little bit over the top, but just incredibly entertaining.
A returning cast of characters maintains the continuity of the books and STRS further develops Will’s background.
With shock ending that, while foreshadowed is brilliantly hidden, you can’t help but think there is at least one more Will Starling story to be told…and I for one hopes it is eventually written.
STRS is a wonderful adventure from first page to last and gets 4 against all odds secret missions out of 5.
August 31, 2018
Perhaps if I’d read the first book in the series it might have made more sense, but unfortunately I didn’t. The book seems to be a mixture of genres with Nazis and British agents fighting some kind of James Bond enemy type organisation. The characters were not fully developed and there was little back story without the first book to get to know them. Not for me but fans of Raiders of the Lost Ark or Dan Brown will probably love it.
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