UAV

Horizon's Wake #1

by Lincoln Cole

When mercenaries kidnap two drone operators and the software to pilot drones anywhere in the world, Kate Allison is called to action to try and stop them before they target civilians. She teams up with the unlikeliest of partners, Lyle Goldman, who developed the security system protecting the software. Unfortunately, Lyle is also the scapegoat his employer is using to blame for the attack, and he is wanted by the FBI. Can they stop this attack and clear Lyle's name?

Genres: Thriller

174 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2015

About the author

Lincoln Cole

Lincoln Cole is a Columbus based author who enjoys traveling and has visited many different parts of the world, including Australia and Cambodia, but always returns home to his pugamonster puppy, Luther, and family. His love for writing was kindled at an early age through the works of Isaac Asimov and Stephen King and he enjoys telling stories to anyone who will listen.

Reviews

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read most of Lincoln’s works, it was highly supposed this is a beginning of a great series! Top ex mercenary gal and a mundane and ordinary man on the run from the FBI who is unfortunate enough to be mixed up in a terrorist coup by a mercenary Corp!
I hope there’s more character background in book 2, as it was lacking here, being it a Novella.
What a fast action pack way to start!

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I love Lincoln Cole as a writer! This novel was short but fast paced and intricate and amazing!! :-)

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great when you choose a book from a new author and within a few pages know it's going to be a fun read. I thought the opening action scene was particularly excellent and I was gripped. This is a fast paced thriller with an excellent and very contemporary plot about drones and the danger they provide if they fall into the wrong hands.
There is a good mix of characters and I always enjoy a strong female protagonist, simply because in most of the thrillers I read they are confined to more minor roles. There are some grey areas about who is good or bad, especially early in the book but towards the end it is a page turning race against time to chase down the bad guys.
If you enjoy action packed thrillers, this will be for you. I plan to read more by this author.

[J.B. Trepagnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced, techno thriller with a strong, female protagonist. I really liked Kate. She has her mission, she's smart, snarky, and she gets stuff done.

I'm on the fence on how I feel about drones. For surveillance, I'm okay with them. For dropping bombs on targets with civilian casualties, not so much. This book explores that. What happens when the people programming our surveillance drones leave a backdoor in? With everything going on in the media right now, it's quite a scary scenario.

Also, I think this book shows a great range by this author. I've read the majority of the Raven's peak books and prequels. There, you've got a paranormal series with demons and exorcism. The mysticism and dogma behind the words spoken to banish demons in that series seems well researched. The same with this book, even though it is a totally different premise. It's not just "bad guys hack drones, good guys save the day". We see a well researched plot about how it's possibly very easy for a group to get into any drone given the right virtual environment and a logical explanation of how it's stopped.

I see where this book has been updated to book 1 since I purchased it, so I'm guessing there will be a book 2. It will be interesting to see what happens to Kate, Lyle, and Helen and if Beck makes another appearance

[Bonnye Reed]

author gift

[Richard Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In today’s media, there always seems to be a story about a small drone being spied where it does not belong: one flies near the White House, one comes close to a passenger airplane, one hovers over a major sporting event. In UAV, Lincoln Cole deals with the more threatening aspect of this new technology: a large drone carrying missiles falling into the wrong hands, for use against a civilian population.

Without giving away the plot twists, the story pits a formidable female agent and a software engineer against a group intent on obtaining control of a U.S. military drone carrying a deadly payload. Their nemesis moves in the shadows – are they terrorists, soldiers for a foreign government, or something else? The duo race against time to find the target of the group, and a way to defeat them.

With a deft touch, Lincoln Cole meshes the personal lives of the major characters with the novel’s action, in a manner which doesn’t slow the breakneck speed of the story but still manages to bring the characters to life.

UAV is reminiscent of a James Rollins adventure, and I found myself staying up with it into the night, until I finished it. A very good read.

[Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced and very enjoyable read. Once I started I wasn't able to stop until I had completely finished it. The pace continues to build as it goes until it reaches a strong climax.

It isn't way too long, only about one-hundred and sixty pages, but it tells the entire story with a strong arc.

[Elena Alvarez Dosil · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...

I was offered a copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review.

A band of mercenaries kidnap two drone operators and gets access to a software to control drones all over the world. Fearing that they will be used to kill civilians, Kate Allison will try to stop them, and will count with Lyle Goldman's help, who has been caught in the middle of it and framed for murder.

This is a relatively short novel but it is action packed, without a moment of boredom. For stories like this one I am used to longer novels, but Lincoln Cole has been able of capturing a quite complex story in under 4 hours. I would have liked more developed characters, but with this short length it was just not possible, and I think Cole is leaving things for us to discover in future books. The end of the book felt a bit rushed, but in general, there are not many idle moments. If you are looking for a thriller with an almost instant gratification, this is your book.

Stephanie Dillard  did a great job with voices, and especially with accents. Her narration was clear and expressive, and it was an added value to the text.

This is my second book by Lincoln Cole, since I have first read Ripples Through Time, which I also recommend. They are completely different books, but I see that Lincoln Cole excels at several styles. One thing is sure: you will see more reviews of his books here.

[Walter Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge, drones, (a different) revenge, and lots of mayhem

This is a novella. I read it in one sitting, with one short break. It was a great read, with two very strong female characters, one of the most evil bad guys (and an equally vile sidekick) I have come across in recent reading, and several other main characters who make bad decisions.
Upon finishing reading the book, I had a few minutes to catch my breath, A couple of “improbable” plot elements knocked (in my head) for attention, and I have to admit that I could have written about them, but Lincoln Cole has a gift for writing fast-moving, nerve-wracking, shocking, and compelling action, and he gets all five stars

[Annemarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't usually read military/mercenary inspired books. It wasn't really my style, and there was too little character development for my liking. The character development that was there, was too sudden, which persons just completely changing over the course of a few pages, without any actual reason for it whatsoever.

[Fred Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally could not stop

I picked this up to read a chapter or two and then get Spence work done. Right. Didn’t stop until I was done.

There is a lot of action and it is a page turner.

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

UAV: Horizon's Wake #1

Pure Brilliance and strategy in this magnificent technothrilker. Complex and adrenaline pumping action, suspence, and adventure rockets through the pages of this international event. I loved it!!!!!

[kathy gartlan · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't like it

[Tricia Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I got a bit confused with the story at the beginning but did like it. Will read again to understand it better

[Stan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read!

This novel is not part of my favorite genre. It did however, have me hooked a few chapters in. I enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it to everyone.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning thriller showing what could happen if drones fall into the wrong hands. Lincoln Cole at his best.

[S. Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victor leads a mercenary for hire team with questionable morals and an eye on profits. Helen has recently joined, filling her dead sister’s spot, until she can figure out what actually happens. The details are a mystery.

Jack and Beck are drone pilots, living and working in isolation in a fake trailer park a half hour outside of Las Vegas. Boredom leads to a bit of hacking and an unauthorized night off.
Lyle is a software developer who discovered a back door into a program he developed for the government. His best friend Pete suddenly died and a mysterious woman takes him on the run.
I took off one star because I thought that for the amount of time we spend with the baddies, it would have been nice to learn why they are bad. This ensemble story uses the omniscient third person to show action from nearly every point of view. It was a great approach to get bits of backstory and show things that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. I also think it was difficult to know who the protagonist was since that bad guys carried equal weight. A theme of moral ambiguity also added a bit to the uncertainty. Getting a bit of story from someone’s point of view allows the reader access to the character’s inner workings, but to shift point of view so often can detract from deeply learning a character.

I chose this same method, third person omniscient, for my first novel. I felt that I wanted to tell the story of a colony rather than the story of a person within the colony. I think doing so made it hard for some readers to connect. People like to see the world from a fresh point of view when the read. Perhaps that it why I feel critical about it. I received a free audible code for this book in exchange for an honest review.

The characters were not flat, by any stretch of the imagination. Each point of view was distinct and self-motivated within the larger story. Beck is my favorite character. Francis is the one I like to hate.

Don’t let my rant on POV keep you from an exciting tech thriller. There was plenty of action and intrigue and the myriad of characters all wove together nicely. The end leaves a time little team of heroes ready to untangle the last loose thread, a plot hook dangling out there, begging for its sequel.

[Ian Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lincoln Cole's UAV is a real bloke's story. Non-stop action, an intricate plot full of devious twists and turns which keeps the reader mesmerized until the final page. His IT expertise is to the fore, computer programming and hacking dominate the story. Not being a computer whiz I found everything very believable.
The first three chapters jump from Pakistan to locations in the US. A multitude of characters is rapidly introduced to lay the groundwork for a rapidly developing plot. I did find myself back-tracking at times to refresh my memory, bUAVut this is often the case when I start a novel.
A sinister plot develops to hack computers and commandeer drones to carry out a deadly attack on a small US town. The reasons behind this attack and the motives of the unscrupulous perpetrators are slowly revealed. No price is too high. In a game of high stakes there will be casualties.
Some novels become labored and slow to develop. This is definitely not the case with UAV. It is more a case of blink and you'll miss it. UAV is bound to appeal to most male readers and I'm sure some females would also enjoy this action packed read. I know I did.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Things will never go back to normal."
This relatively short book packs more thrills, action and excitement into its pages than many over twice it's length. After the first few minutes, I found myself totally absorbed and listened to the book in one sitting.
From the very start, we are thrown right into the lives, and situational locations, of numerous protagonists and the story takes us to meet seemingly unconnected people in scattered places. But all quickly converge into one of the fastest paced, exciting books I have read/ heard. And it is quite terrifyingly believable.

This quickly changing cast of characters throws an enormous weight of voice diffentiation on narrator, Stephanie Dillard, and she does an amazing job, bringing life to each person as well as keeping the text fast flowing. My only criticism of her performance is the rendering of the much featured Cockney, Francis: I am not sure what accent she has given him but it certainly never came out of London. Overall, though, she was magnificent and added enormously to the power of the book.
This is one book I can honestly recommend to all who enjoy ruthless action, combined with tense excitement. I will personally be looking out for more by this author, Lincoln Cole

[Valerie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fast-paced and action-packed, with multiple interesting twists. It was a nice departure from most thrillers, since the story never really got bogged down by over-development (looking at you, Jason Bourne).
The use of drones as a plot mechanic felt very modern, and the way it’s woven into the plot didn’t feel forced. In other words, it wasn’t “gimmicky”. The dialogue was entertaining as well, although I could have done with one or two less “he said/she said” tags… But for the most part I didn’t notice them, since I was more focused on what was happening and on what the characters were saying. There weren’t really any moments where I didn’t believe a character would speak the way they did in the story, which unfortunately happens all too often in most other books.
In conclusion, if you like thrillers or you’re just in the mood for a quick, fun read, pick this one up! I promise you’ll be happy that you did.

[Patrice Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of author Lincoln Cole's work. I've read Ripples in Time and Second Chances. Lincoln has managed to not only write intimate, sorrowful and hopeful stories, but also edge of your seat, modern action thrillers. How many writers can do that? UAV is a damn cool story focusing on a female heroine (agent) and a s-ware engineer who face an enemy determined to not only control a US Military drone, but use it against our own country. This doesn't sound like a made-up story, it sounds pretty realistic to me. The story takes you all across the world and encompasses a variety of characters.

The writing is crisp with a steady pace, the characters interesting and three-dimensional and the story fresh. Although I can easily see how guys would gravitate to this story, as a woman, I also found it compelling. I started and finished in one sitting. Highly recommend.

[John Desain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a fast paced techno-thriller with a sense of the modern world. It follows the arcing story of three perhaps not so innocent groups of people that range in intent from the mischievous to the down right disturbingly evil. You have your military, your villains, your hackers, and your mysterious benefactors. The plot revolves around trying to hijack unmanned drones for less than peaceful purposes and the one woman that is determined to stop it from happening. The story hints that more nefarious things lurk unexplained just off story. The violence isn't too heavy and the plot doesn't over stay its welcome. If you enjoy fast paced reads with a rapidly unfolding plot then give this one a try.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

UAV begins as a series of seemingly unrelated vignettes set in Pakistan, Nevada, Utah, and Washington State, and ends up in a nail-biting climax that involves all the characters the reader met earlier on. It combines very contemporary problems, such as drone warfare, hackers and counter-hackers with basic human conflicts to create a riveting story.

This story is well-crafted and fast-paced – a good thriller with interesting and varied characters, some fascinating electronics, and lots of snappy patter. It isn’t my usual genre, but I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended!

[Steven Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great military/black ops/action thriller. Reminiscent of Tom Clancy, with characters on both the good and bad sides that you can relate too. Mr. Cole's story takes off fast and keeps going at a strong pace. Good use of descriptive writing keeps the reader right in the middle of the action. You can almost feel the knife sinking into the flesh. Finally, a clever plot line brings the full package together for a good read that will not disappoint.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A somewhat convoluted, though still entertaining story about drones. Sort of a role reversal, where a woman abducts a guy about to be arrested for a crime he didn't commit. Some mercs are going to use drones to destroy a building, and these two have to stop them. For a short book, there's a lot going on.

I felt like it was the second book in a series, but it was still pretty good.

[Barbara D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uav: Book One, Horizon's Wake' by Lincoln Cole is a very well written techno thriller novel with an interesting and fast-paced plot loaded with tension.
The story touches upon a very sensitive and a contemporary matter of concern: the unmanned aerial vehicles' (UAVs) vulnerability to hacking.
This is a solid thriller that will keep you turning pages until the very end. I enjoyed this novel very much and would highly recommend it.

[MHBallsych · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Can't say enough good things about this military techno thriller tale! It's an absolute page turner. The characters are exceptionally real and the plot line is first rate! I guarantee once you start reading this book that you won't put it down until it's finished! Lincoln Cole is now on my short list of must read authors. Bravo!

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about Drones! My husband will love this book and I will tell him about it! This book was very interesting to me. I enjoyed the flying adventure I got from this book. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Ryan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very quick and fast paced. The action scenes were very well written and pretty awesome! There were a few that were better than others but I have to say The best one was the opening action scene and you just knew the book was going to be very quick and full of action. I don't want to give away too much about the plot however it is pretty cool and quite techie but I give the author a lot of credit because he did not bother us down with details or science that would in my case, make me uninterested. It had a good mix of characters and I really did enjoy this book. Looking forward to seeing where the series goes next. I hope that the other books will be released in the audiobook format. I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher, author or narrator in exchange for an honest review from audiobook boom.