Ativo Número Dois (Um Thriller de Espionagem de Lara King — Livro 2)

Lara King #2

by Jack Mars

"Suspense na sua melhor forma."
--Midwest Book Review (sobre "Por Qualquer Meio")
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Do autor best-seller nº 1 do USA Today, Jack Mars (com mais de 10.000 avaliações cinco estrelas), chega uma nova e inovadora série de Lara King, uma órfã treinada desde pequena para se tornar uma das agentes mais eficazes e letais da CIA.

Em ATIVO NÚMERO DOIs (Livro 2), uma trama envolvendo bombas sujas leva a agente da CIA Lara King a uma corrida contra o tempo em cenários urbanos hostis. Mas o jogo vira quando Lara descobre segredos explosivos sobre seus pais e sobre a agência que considera seu lar - revelações que podem desencadear uma guerra dentro dela mesma.

A série Lara King oferece um thriller de espionagem cativante com reviravoltas surpreendentes, prendendo você do início ao fim. Embarque nessa aventura fascinante com uma nova e eletrizante protagonista de ação que vai te manter grudado no livro até altas horas. Fãs de Vince Flynn, Brad Taylor e Lee Child certamente vão se apaixonar.

Outros livros da série já disponíveis!

"Leitores de thriller que apreciam a execução precisa de uma trama internacional, mas buscam profundidade psicológica e um protagonista crível enfrentando desafios profissionais e pessoais, encontrarão nesta história uma leitura emocionante e difícil de largar."
--Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (sobre "Por Qualquer Meio")
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Um dos melhores thrillers que li este ano. O enredo é inteligente e te prende desde o início. O autor fez um excelente trabalho criando personagens bem desenvolvidos e cativantes. Mal posso esperar pela continuação."
--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (sobre "Por Qualquer Meio")
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2025

About the author

Jack Mars is author of the bestselling LUKE STONE thriller series, which include the suspense thrillers ANY MEANS NECESSARY (book #1), OATH OF OFFICE (book #2) and SITUATION ROOM (book #3).

Reviews

[Beach Bum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but could be better

So Lara and the team have to find a terrorist that has lots of material for dirty bombs
Usual team, usual interactions, usual result. And that's where improvements are needed it's just the usual stuff
Where it does improve is around the relationships of the team, especially those towards Kayden. I expect more of this as the books progress, but TBH the storylines themselves need to be less predictable

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Asset Two" by Jack Mars is an adrenaline-fueled spy thriller that plunges CIA Agent Lara King into a high-stakes race against time. In this second installment of the Lara King series, Mars masterfully crafts a narrative filled with intricate plot twists, well-developed characters, and a pervasive sense of urgency. The story kicks off with a chilling threat: dirty bombs scattered across urban landscapes, setting the stage for a relentless pursuit that demands Lara's unwavering focus and expertise. As Lara navigates through shadowy alleys and dangerous locales, she uncovers a web of explosive secrets about her parents and the very agency she serves. This revelation adds a deeply personal dimension to the story, forcing Lara to confront her own identity and allegiances while battling external threats. The narrative tension is palpable as Lara grapples with the moral complexities of her mission, making split-second decisions that could have global consequences.

Lara King emerges as a compelling protagonist, embodying strength, intelligence, and vulnerability. Her character development is a standout feature of the novel, as she evolves from a skilled agent to a complex individual wrestling with her past and future. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the story. The dynamic between Lara and her colleagues adds layers of intrigue, with shifting alliances and hidden agendas keeping the reader guessing. The plot twists are strategically placed, delivering shocking revelations that upend expectations and propel the narrative forward. One particularly impactful twist involves the discovery of a long-buried family secret, which forces Lara to question everything she thought she knew about her parents' involvement with the CIA. Another twist reveals a mole within the agency, creating a sense of paranoia and distrust that permeates every scene. These plot elements are seamlessly woven together, enhancing the overall suspense and keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

The tone of "Asset Two" is dark and gritty, reflecting the high-stakes world of espionage and counterterrorism. Mars expertly balances moments of intense action with quieter, more introspective scenes, allowing the reader to connect with Lara on a deeper level. The author's attention to detail is evident in the vivid descriptions of urban battlegrounds and the technical accuracy of the spycraft. This realism adds authenticity to the story, making the reader feel like they are right there alongside Lara, navigating the dangerous terrain. The novel's themes are particularly resonant, exploring the complexities of loyalty, the blurred lines between right and wrong, and the personal sacrifices required in the name of national security. Lara's internal conflict between her duty to the agency and her desire to uncover the truth about her family forms the emotional core of the story. The book also delves into the moral ambiguities of espionage, questioning the justifications for covert operations and the potential for abuse of power. These themes elevate "Asset Two" beyond a simple action thriller, prompting readers to consider the ethical implications of the spy world.

In conclusion, "Asset Two" is a gripping and thought-provoking spy thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. Jack Mars delivers a compelling narrative with well-developed characters, intricate plot twists, and a pervasive sense of suspense. The novel's exploration of complex themes adds depth and resonance, making it a standout in the genre. If you enjoyed "Asset Two," you might also like Vince Flynn's "American Assassin," Brad Taylor's "One Rough Man," and Lee Child's "Killing Floor." These books share similar elements of high-stakes action, complex characters, and morally ambiguous situations, ensuring a thrilling reading experience.

[Deborah Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read

This book could have been good if there was a person editing the writing. Several places used: "Lana" in place of "Lara". There were several missed spelled words throughout the book. The story was okay. This is not a book I would recommend to someone looking to read a thriller.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a CIA thriller but about Lara who was an orphan and the CIA trained her. She had to solve a mission about someone detonating dirty radioactive bombs. Although a triller it went into her personality and her 14 year old friend who was raised with her, as well as the partners she was assigned to. I learned about conflict going on in the world.

[Anna Hefner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting Terror Plot

Jack Mars has done it again. Agent Lara King is phenomenal in the fast paced terrorist plot to kill hundreds of people all over the EU. You will not put this down till finished! Highly recommend

[Lorraine Woloszyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lara King series are great reads!!

Lara is leaning towards her partner. Maybe partnership isn't so bad after all? They make quite the pair. Together they set out to stop the bombs. A lot of action and suspense.

[Bruce Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and characters

Like any great story, you get to know the characters, then the premise of the story, then the plot, then the ending. The characters all work well both for and against each other. The story is also a good thriller with a good ending. Enjoy.

[Govno Nichevo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was an okay read. Fast paced action thriller, with a multi-skilled (!) protagonist and some able assistants. An easy light read. The eBook could use another round of editing to fix where the wrong word has been used and to cut back on the repetition in some places.

[Tom OConnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story by Mr. Mars . Story was full of action and was under sting how they,we're all over Europe and a story out of today's news. Anyone who likes action stories WILK enjoy this author. Lara King is the new hero.

[Jeff Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asset Two was fantastical!

Another great Jack Mars novel. Asset Two is a story that is one of the main fears in the world today. Nutcases blowing updirty bombs in populated areas. I hope this story never becomes a reality!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book by a great author

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book wasn’t spectacular but this one was a significant improvement.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Single day audio book!

I’m really enjoying the series, Asset 2 is another saving the world mission! The slow burn chemistry between partners - will they won’t they?!?

We will see!!

[John Roach, · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

[Philip Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another great special forces/ops tale. The characters do compliment each other and the writing style is so easy to read. Very good

[Larry Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Liked the book, will go find first and reconnect edition.good author, good content, good flow to the story. You'll like it!!

[Flo Calliham · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL WORK BY JACK MARS

Intriguing and exciting while also revealing more about THE Lara King! Lara and Thomas are both understanding the other far better and that leads to expectation that the “connection” will continue to grow.

[Lorrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook read by Olivia, the AI reader. Aside from the fact that these books are filled with formulaic stereotypes, the AI reading truly made a not-so-good book terrible.

Chapter 4 - ‘eyes’ pronounced ‘ease’
Chapter 5: Mack-in-airy instead of machinery, yet pronounced properly less than 1 minute later
Chapter 23: te-ROAR-rist instead of TAIR-or-rist
Epilogue: ‘loser kid’ pronounced ‘low-zer kid’.

None of these are difficult words, yet AI can’t say them properly.

[Brandi Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars yet the first book was a bit better.