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Forsaken Mercenary #2
Absolution
Redemption exists but the price must be paid in blood.
Daniel Hunt is still searching for answers to his past. Along the way, he stumbled across The Order, an ancient society credited for toppling Earth.
His search will take him into the Badlands where a former member of the Pack Protocol has made her home. Except all is not as it seems in the small town and war is in the air.
To survive the emerging forces Daniel will have to come to peace with his past. Allies will need to be found and formed. A far greater threat than anyone could have imagined approaches on the blood moon.
This one's for those who need to escape reality if only for a bit, for the space lovers, and the adventure takers. Grab your MK II and hold on tight, it's about to get crazy. Click the buy button now!
Daniel Hunt is still searching for answers to his past. Along the way, he stumbled across The Order, an ancient society credited for toppling Earth.
His search will take him into the Badlands where a former member of the Pack Protocol has made her home. Except all is not as it seems in the small town and war is in the air.
To survive the emerging forces Daniel will have to come to peace with his past. Allies will need to be found and formed. A far greater threat than anyone could have imagined approaches on the blood moon.
This one's for those who need to escape reality if only for a bit, for the space lovers, and the adventure takers. Grab your MK II and hold on tight, it's about to get crazy. Click the buy button now!
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2019
457 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Yanez
226 books534 followersInternational bestselling author, check.
USA Today bestselling author, check.
Writing wild tales since 2012, check, check.
I'm Jonathan, a husband, father, and writer. I write because that's what I was born to do and I love doing it. Because of the support from awesome people like you, I get to do it full-time.
Connecting with fellow lovers of the written word is important to me so please join the Pack via my website at www.jonathan-yanez.com where you can grab an exclusive story or hang out with us at www.facebook.com/groups/jonathansread...
Hope you decide to stay in touch,
Jonathan
USA Today bestselling author, check.
Writing wild tales since 2012, check, check.
I'm Jonathan, a husband, father, and writer. I write because that's what I was born to do and I love doing it. Because of the support from awesome people like you, I get to do it full-time.
Connecting with fellow lovers of the written word is important to me so please join the Pack via my website at www.jonathan-yanez.com where you can grab an exclusive story or hang out with us at www.facebook.com/groups/jonathansread...
Hope you decide to stay in touch,
Jonathan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 20, 2019
“You don’t have to let your past define who you are today.”
The science, Absolution is chock full of imaginative technological exploits. The characters are pure types. They are also powerful. What really made this book great was the marvelous style of Yanez. His pacing and scene cutting is...Sharp! Daniel’s past is revealed bit by bit but not all of it, with painful revelations. He comes to terms with them and decides what his present is going to be about. There are epic scenes, like out of a western movie, ferocious battles..face-to-face with the worst this broken society has to offer. With surprising and unexpected turn of events, some incognitas solved..the twists were very disturbing, and the ending..Wow! A very good, fast moving installment, with touching moments. Onto Fury, next in line!
The science, Absolution is chock full of imaginative technological exploits. The characters are pure types. They are also powerful. What really made this book great was the marvelous style of Yanez. His pacing and scene cutting is...Sharp! Daniel’s past is revealed bit by bit but not all of it, with painful revelations. He comes to terms with them and decides what his present is going to be about. There are epic scenes, like out of a western movie, ferocious battles..face-to-face with the worst this broken society has to offer. With surprising and unexpected turn of events, some incognitas solved..the twists were very disturbing, and the ending..Wow! A very good, fast moving installment, with touching moments. Onto Fury, next in line!
May 20, 2022
The next installment in the Forsaken Mercenary Series 🔥
We get a little more back story on our MC Daniel. I like the Mad Max vibes and the New Vagas setting
We get a little more back story on our MC Daniel. I like the Mad Max vibes and the New Vagas setting
June 26, 2019
Great Storyline
Wow more twists and turns than a country lane lol. Totally enjoyed this one and looking forward to Fury so get cracking lol
Wow more twists and turns than a country lane lol. Totally enjoyed this one and looking forward to Fury so get cracking lol
June 12, 2019
Absolution - a review by Rosemary Kenny
*some spoilers*
With shades of Jason Bourne and Dan Brown's books, Absolution is Book 2 in the Near Future Thriller, Forsaken Mercenary series by Jonathan Yanez.
MC Daniel (Danny) Hunt has issues with a past he cannot fully remember - until the interrogation of Echo, an enemy agent held in The Vault's cell at the Phoenix Base is extended, to link Danny and Echo together mentally. The shock to the former is when he 'remembers' himself, Echo and another assassin, Samantha, all working together on Mars, under the control of an evil group, the Immortal Corporation. After Danny's partner Amber was murdered by Echo, for 'betraying' the Corporation's mission, Samantha also went 'awol' to the town of Cecile in the Badlands.
With rapidly impending doom from another ancient group, The Order, (using their Cyber Hunters to try and capture Danny and rescue Echo, despite not being sure who to trust), Danny must seek out Samantha and organise something he thought he'd never agree to - to support Immortal Corps and to take the fight to Mars! An all-action sequel to Book 1, that leads seamlessly into Book 3, Absolution s sure to be a 5-star, 'what if...? near-future winner. Get your copy asap!
*some spoilers*
With shades of Jason Bourne and Dan Brown's books, Absolution is Book 2 in the Near Future Thriller, Forsaken Mercenary series by Jonathan Yanez.
MC Daniel (Danny) Hunt has issues with a past he cannot fully remember - until the interrogation of Echo, an enemy agent held in The Vault's cell at the Phoenix Base is extended, to link Danny and Echo together mentally. The shock to the former is when he 'remembers' himself, Echo and another assassin, Samantha, all working together on Mars, under the control of an evil group, the Immortal Corporation. After Danny's partner Amber was murdered by Echo, for 'betraying' the Corporation's mission, Samantha also went 'awol' to the town of Cecile in the Badlands.
With rapidly impending doom from another ancient group, The Order, (using their Cyber Hunters to try and capture Danny and rescue Echo, despite not being sure who to trust), Danny must seek out Samantha and organise something he thought he'd never agree to - to support Immortal Corps and to take the fight to Mars! An all-action sequel to Book 1, that leads seamlessly into Book 3, Absolution s sure to be a 5-star, 'what if...? near-future winner. Get your copy asap!
June 21, 2019
Awesome!
Loved it at just as much as I did the first book in the series, and am very much looking forward to the third.
Loved it at just as much as I did the first book in the series, and am very much looking forward to the third.
May 11, 2020
This book sees Daniel Hunt still seeking the answers he wants after losing his memory 5 years ago. More than that though, he now knows that he was in love, and that the woman he loved was killed in cold blood, and he wants to know why.
This book becomes a brutal hunt for the people that can give him answers, as well as trying to get some vengeance for her death.
Daniel has learnt that he used to be part of a pack of 7, working for an organisation called Immortal Corp, and, that after she disagreed with their philosophy, Immortal Corp had his Fiancé, who was also one of the Pack, killed.
Having hunted down Echo, one of the people responsible, he now wants more answers about who he is, and who he was, and how he lost his memory, and why they killed Amber.
However, as he is trying to find these answers with the help of an organisation called Phoenix, and a woman called Monica who works for Phoenix, Monica’s Father, a prominent Professor for the group is kidnapped.
At the same time, Daniel learns the location of another pack member, Samantha (Sam), who may have also been responsible for Ambers death. This is where the book goes from crunching a few heads type of combat, to full scale carnage.
I don’t want to give too much away, but when Daniel meets up with Sam, the other member of his Pack, after obligatory story, there is a fight scene that occurs, with the 2 of them on one side, and a full-scale force on the other. It is one of the most incredible, brutal, absolutely ruthless, and incredible combat scenes I have ever read in a book.
The description of the combat includes basically every form of combat you can imagine, with firearms, RPGs, Swords, Axes, Knives, multiple forms of martial arts, it is just one of the most brutal and intense combat scenes I think I have read in a long time. And it is so well written, with such exceptional descriptive work, so you feel like you are standing there watching the blows land, the bullets strike, the swords slash, and the axes cleave. At the end of the battle you find yourself all tensed up, turning page after page, just whipping through it to see what comes next, it is epic.
One of the things I am really impressed about with this Author and the writing style, and his skill in writing, is that even though you feel you are in the middle of this epic combat scene, that is brutal, gripping, thrilling, but, while it is seriously violent, Yanez does not go over the top as some people are want to do, and be ridiculously graphic. Whilst there is descriptive work on the damage done to people, it is within a certain boundary so that it has a certain standard, not becoming stupidly excessive with blood and gore just for the sake of pointless impact.
Instead, Yanez has used clever writing to create outstanding fight scenes that are just mesmerising, and leave you in stunned awe.
The other great aspect of this book is that it is not just a blood bath of super soldiers running around slaughtering things, it actually has a really good story, and some great Characters, with some good Character development.
One of the great aspects of the X-Men series was the Character development and the backstories, and Yanez has done a very similar thing here, in that Daniel is similar in a way to Wolverine, with his ability to take massive amounts of damage and yet heal, like nothing had happened. Daniel also has super strength and speed, but unlike Wolverine, he has the ability to stop and think Tactically and Strategically, whereas Wolverine just likes to shred anything that moves when he is in a berserker rage.
This makes Daniel a very unique Character, and rather remarkable on a battle field.
As we get to know more and more of Daniel through each of his encounters, we learn more of his background and his character, learning that he is someone of strong ethical and morale standards, and it is really easy to like his character and want to know more. The world building that surrounds the character is brilliant, with these shadowy organisation’s and hints at all sorts of things, (No Spoilers), with each book giving us just a little bit more, and also giving us new characters to explore new aspects of the Universe Yanez has created, and to open up more of the story.
Each of the Characters is just exceptionally well written, and a lot of fun.
Overall, this is an action-packed thrill ride that makes a Bond film look like a play school story, or the Bourne films like going for a walk in the garden. The Characters are just outstanding, and there is a very clever, well developed storyline that keeps you wanting more, with a wonderful Universe for the story to play out in.
If you haven’t already gotten into this, now is the time to, it’s just AWESOME!!!!
This book becomes a brutal hunt for the people that can give him answers, as well as trying to get some vengeance for her death.
Daniel has learnt that he used to be part of a pack of 7, working for an organisation called Immortal Corp, and, that after she disagreed with their philosophy, Immortal Corp had his Fiancé, who was also one of the Pack, killed.
Having hunted down Echo, one of the people responsible, he now wants more answers about who he is, and who he was, and how he lost his memory, and why they killed Amber.
However, as he is trying to find these answers with the help of an organisation called Phoenix, and a woman called Monica who works for Phoenix, Monica’s Father, a prominent Professor for the group is kidnapped.
At the same time, Daniel learns the location of another pack member, Samantha (Sam), who may have also been responsible for Ambers death. This is where the book goes from crunching a few heads type of combat, to full scale carnage.
I don’t want to give too much away, but when Daniel meets up with Sam, the other member of his Pack, after obligatory story, there is a fight scene that occurs, with the 2 of them on one side, and a full-scale force on the other. It is one of the most incredible, brutal, absolutely ruthless, and incredible combat scenes I have ever read in a book.
The description of the combat includes basically every form of combat you can imagine, with firearms, RPGs, Swords, Axes, Knives, multiple forms of martial arts, it is just one of the most brutal and intense combat scenes I think I have read in a long time. And it is so well written, with such exceptional descriptive work, so you feel like you are standing there watching the blows land, the bullets strike, the swords slash, and the axes cleave. At the end of the battle you find yourself all tensed up, turning page after page, just whipping through it to see what comes next, it is epic.
One of the things I am really impressed about with this Author and the writing style, and his skill in writing, is that even though you feel you are in the middle of this epic combat scene, that is brutal, gripping, thrilling, but, while it is seriously violent, Yanez does not go over the top as some people are want to do, and be ridiculously graphic. Whilst there is descriptive work on the damage done to people, it is within a certain boundary so that it has a certain standard, not becoming stupidly excessive with blood and gore just for the sake of pointless impact.
Instead, Yanez has used clever writing to create outstanding fight scenes that are just mesmerising, and leave you in stunned awe.
The other great aspect of this book is that it is not just a blood bath of super soldiers running around slaughtering things, it actually has a really good story, and some great Characters, with some good Character development.
One of the great aspects of the X-Men series was the Character development and the backstories, and Yanez has done a very similar thing here, in that Daniel is similar in a way to Wolverine, with his ability to take massive amounts of damage and yet heal, like nothing had happened. Daniel also has super strength and speed, but unlike Wolverine, he has the ability to stop and think Tactically and Strategically, whereas Wolverine just likes to shred anything that moves when he is in a berserker rage.
This makes Daniel a very unique Character, and rather remarkable on a battle field.
As we get to know more and more of Daniel through each of his encounters, we learn more of his background and his character, learning that he is someone of strong ethical and morale standards, and it is really easy to like his character and want to know more. The world building that surrounds the character is brilliant, with these shadowy organisation’s and hints at all sorts of things, (No Spoilers), with each book giving us just a little bit more, and also giving us new characters to explore new aspects of the Universe Yanez has created, and to open up more of the story.
Each of the Characters is just exceptionally well written, and a lot of fun.
Overall, this is an action-packed thrill ride that makes a Bond film look like a play school story, or the Bourne films like going for a walk in the garden. The Characters are just outstanding, and there is a very clever, well developed storyline that keeps you wanting more, with a wonderful Universe for the story to play out in.
If you haven’t already gotten into this, now is the time to, it’s just AWESOME!!!!
July 10, 2019
Daniel Hunt is a guy who can’t remember anything about himself beyond the last five years. He knows he was some kind of fighter, either for the bad guys or the good guys. So far, it appears that he might have been working for the bad guys. This would be the Immortal Corporation. He’s found out that he was part of an elite team that did whatever the Immortal Corp. wanted them to do. Sometimes that involved killing a lot of people, many innocent of anything wrong. Daniel is slowly encountering other members of his old team, and while they can’t believe he has lost his memory, they are slowly giving him a picture of who he was.
At the moment he is with an Earth faction called the Phoenix. These are a group of people who desire to bring Earth back to the way it was. A scientist has developed a way to grow a plant in the almost dead dirt that now covers the once green and lush planet Earth. If the can successfully transfer his planting process to the Earth, then it might give humanity a chance to resettle their planet. The only problem right now, is that the scientist has been captured by the Immortal Corp. Daniel has promised the scientist’s daughter to fo and rescue him.
But, first he must track down a red haired wild woman (Samatha or Sam) who was part of his previous Immortal Corp. team. Sam was said to have arrived in an Earth city in the middle of a desert that was previously ruled by a vicious gang. She apparently wiped out that gang almost single-handedly so that is more evidence that this is one of his former pack members. He needs to find her and talk. He’s just wants to know more about who he is and why the Immortal Corp. decided they needed to kill his former wife(?). While Amber was also a member of the pack, she had developed a conscience and was thinking that what they were doing for the Immortal Corp. wasn’t all that necessary and certainly wasn’t good for the innocent people they killed. The Immortal Corp., lead by three specific people, ordered Echo and Sam to kill Amber! Echo did the job while Sam refused and therefore she had to flee the Immortal Corporation.
So, Daniel manages to get a shuttle to take him near the city of Cecile where Sam is supposed to be. He doesn’t know if she’ll accept him or what his reception is going to be like. The pilots taking him to Cecile thing he’s crazy for going anywhere near the place. Stiil, he must go to find more information about who he is and why. He’s already getting the idea that the immortal Corporation must be taken down and the sooner, the better.
Pretty good story and pretty good writing. So far I like these books. They’re certainly better written than a few books I have just read. I can see this story going on for much longer and I’ll continue reading these books.
At the moment he is with an Earth faction called the Phoenix. These are a group of people who desire to bring Earth back to the way it was. A scientist has developed a way to grow a plant in the almost dead dirt that now covers the once green and lush planet Earth. If the can successfully transfer his planting process to the Earth, then it might give humanity a chance to resettle their planet. The only problem right now, is that the scientist has been captured by the Immortal Corp. Daniel has promised the scientist’s daughter to fo and rescue him.
But, first he must track down a red haired wild woman (Samatha or Sam) who was part of his previous Immortal Corp. team. Sam was said to have arrived in an Earth city in the middle of a desert that was previously ruled by a vicious gang. She apparently wiped out that gang almost single-handedly so that is more evidence that this is one of his former pack members. He needs to find her and talk. He’s just wants to know more about who he is and why the Immortal Corp. decided they needed to kill his former wife(?). While Amber was also a member of the pack, she had developed a conscience and was thinking that what they were doing for the Immortal Corp. wasn’t all that necessary and certainly wasn’t good for the innocent people they killed. The Immortal Corp., lead by three specific people, ordered Echo and Sam to kill Amber! Echo did the job while Sam refused and therefore she had to flee the Immortal Corporation.
So, Daniel manages to get a shuttle to take him near the city of Cecile where Sam is supposed to be. He doesn’t know if she’ll accept him or what his reception is going to be like. The pilots taking him to Cecile thing he’s crazy for going anywhere near the place. Stiil, he must go to find more information about who he is and why. He’s already getting the idea that the immortal Corporation must be taken down and the sooner, the better.
Pretty good story and pretty good writing. So far I like these books. They’re certainly better written than a few books I have just read. I can see this story going on for much longer and I’ll continue reading these books.
September 1, 2020
I just love Sam!
She is one tough lady, and her city is amazing, Daniel is coming into his own rhythm of learning about his past, building his present and trying to decide his future, if there is one. Finding some strange allies along the way seems to fit his character, with no real memory of his past he can take everything new, as is and judge for himself without the burden of Immortal brainwashing. I love his characters path, so far. I'm glad Preacher showed up,but WOW, did not see that coming! Preacher brings with him out of this world information...literally, and with the mission for Monica successful, he may have to join with his mortal enemy, for a moment of time. Extremely hard decisions being made and I'm excited to see just where this storyline is going.
She is one tough lady, and her city is amazing, Daniel is coming into his own rhythm of learning about his past, building his present and trying to decide his future, if there is one. Finding some strange allies along the way seems to fit his character, with no real memory of his past he can take everything new, as is and judge for himself without the burden of Immortal brainwashing. I love his characters path, so far. I'm glad Preacher showed up,but WOW, did not see that coming! Preacher brings with him out of this world information...literally, and with the mission for Monica successful, he may have to join with his mortal enemy, for a moment of time. Extremely hard decisions being made and I'm excited to see just where this storyline is going.
October 12, 2019
I could have given it 5
The only thing stopping me was the stilted writing style of Yanez. I’ve read his books before but don’t recall this. Another thing that kinda bugged me was his switching from Imperial to metric measurements from the first book to the second. Now Americans using metrics is something I could rant about for a long time but suffice it to say, I don’t like it, at all. That is all.
The only thing stopping me was the stilted writing style of Yanez. I’ve read his books before but don’t recall this. Another thing that kinda bugged me was his switching from Imperial to metric measurements from the first book to the second. Now Americans using metrics is something I could rant about for a long time but suffice it to say, I don’t like it, at all. That is all.
June 15, 2021
Daniel discovers more puzzle pieces behind Amanda's death
Daniel discovers more puzzle pieces behind Amanda's death
Daniel's mission discover Who's behind Amanda's death and punish them for it. Along the way many battles will be fought, new friends will be made (Including a voice inside his head) and old friends will be found, as Daniel discovers he is no longer alone and some things are worth fighting for!
Daniel discovers more puzzle pieces behind Amanda's death
Daniel's mission discover Who's behind Amanda's death and punish them for it. Along the way many battles will be fought, new friends will be made (Including a voice inside his head) and old friends will be found, as Daniel discovers he is no longer alone and some things are worth fighting for!
November 7, 2025
We got to see more of the world and learned a lot more about his past than I expected. I thought the author would drag it out over several books, but the plot seems to be moving really fast.
The tech is pretty basic, for a story set 1,000 years in the future. Only a few differences, otherwise everything is identical. But the dystopian story makes that somewhat believable. So, it's just an action story with vague sci-fi backdrops.
The tech is pretty basic, for a story set 1,000 years in the future. Only a few differences, otherwise everything is identical. But the dystopian story makes that somewhat believable. So, it's just an action story with vague sci-fi backdrops.
July 20, 2019
What a read
I loved this book so much and I am buying the next one in the series. I love the character development and realistic approach that the author brings to the characters, now all I have to do is buy the next book.
I loved this book so much and I am buying the next one in the series. I love the character development and realistic approach that the author brings to the characters, now all I have to do is buy the next book.
August 5, 2019
Good read
Another winner. Great characters and storyline. Expert weaving of plots and character interactions. Old enemies, new enemies become friends or become shaky allies. Enjoy the read.
Another winner. Great characters and storyline. Expert weaving of plots and character interactions. Old enemies, new enemies become friends or become shaky allies. Enjoy the read.
June 28, 2020
Good follow up
Another good read in this series and an i enjoyed how it was all mixed up with bringing back some of Daniels past . It also had some good fight scenes and a few unexpected turns in plot to keep the story lively.
Another good read in this series and an i enjoyed how it was all mixed up with bringing back some of Daniels past . It also had some good fight scenes and a few unexpected turns in plot to keep the story lively.
May 2, 2021
What a great series
Great series, The more books that are written the deeper I want to go, interesting characters, the plot only gets better with turns that you wouldn’t expect, can’t wait to the next book.
Great series, The more books that are written the deeper I want to go, interesting characters, the plot only gets better with turns that you wouldn’t expect, can’t wait to the next book.
September 15, 2021
The plot thickens.
In this ongoing thrill fest we are taken deeper down the rabbit hole in the quest for Daniel to get to the bottom of his origins. The thrilling ending sets the stage for an even greater adventure than he has ever imagined.
In this ongoing thrill fest we are taken deeper down the rabbit hole in the quest for Daniel to get to the bottom of his origins. The thrilling ending sets the stage for an even greater adventure than he has ever imagined.
August 21, 2022
Summary: Standard YA stuff, a bit too super hero like for my taste
Plotline: Jumbled, not sure it was thought through
Premise: simple, growing when it needs to
Writing: Too the point, simple
Ending: Straight into the next book
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Jumbled, not sure it was thought through
Premise: simple, growing when it needs to
Writing: Too the point, simple
Ending: Straight into the next book
Pace: Never a dull moment!
May 24, 2023
A Combination of Bourne Identity and One Monster After Another
A good story of people discovering who they are as well as figuring out who the real villains are. Truly a combination of the two books I mentioned above set in a future time.
A good story of people discovering who they are as well as figuring out who the real villains are. Truly a combination of the two books I mentioned above set in a future time.
July 31, 2019
A great continuation of this story. Daniel learns more about his past and helps an old team mate deal with a threat to her family.
September 8, 2019
A very entertaining read...
A great story and a real page turner. I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this series. A well deserved 5 stars.
A great story and a real page turner. I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this series. A well deserved 5 stars.
October 12, 2019
Daniel learns a bit about his past and meets old friends and new enemies. A fantasic read
January 25, 2020
Good book 2
And yay there were axes involved...
Now that was Beast I like this book I'm all three book 3 thanks John for a universe Epic N scale..
And yay there were axes involved...
Now that was Beast I like this book I'm all three book 3 thanks John for a universe Epic N scale..
March 28, 2020
A real page turn hard to put down because want to see what happens next.
July 1, 2020
Good
July 15, 2020
Stakes rise as our hero continues his journey
March 9, 2021
Interesting
Interesting concept, I enjoy the storyline and the complex relationships. Looking forward to reading more. This is escapism and I'm enjoying it.
Interesting concept, I enjoy the storyline and the complex relationships. Looking forward to reading more. This is escapism and I'm enjoying it.
April 11, 2021
Mindwarping
I really like the way the author Sculpts the action in t his book you don't see what's coming next
I really like the way the author Sculpts the action in t his book you don't see what's coming next
July 29, 2022
Very good!
July 27, 2025
2nd book of the series and it's full of action and discovery. cant wait to read the next one.
October 2, 2025
Just as good as the first book, I only wish they were longer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews