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Jason Bourne #15
The Bourne Evolution
America's most enduring hero, Jason Bourne, returns in a propulsive, fresh story for the Bourne canon that tests old skills--and uncovers new ones.
After the death of his lover in a mass shooting, secret agent Jason Bourne is convinced that there is more to her murder than it seems. Worse, he believes that Treadstone--the agency that made him who he is, that trained him--is behind the killing. Bourne goes rogue, leaving Treadstone behind and taking on a new mission to infiltrate and expose an anarchist group, Medusa.
But when a congresswoman is assassinated in New York, Bourne is framed for the crime, and he finds himself alone and on the run, hunted by both Treadstone and the tech cabal that had hired him. In his quest to stay one step ahead of his enemies, Bourne teams up with a journalist, Abbey Laurent, to figure out who was behind the frame-up, and to learn as much as he can about the ever-growing threat of the mysterious Medusa group.
As more and more enemies begin to hunt Bourne, it's a race against the clock to discover who led him into a trap...and what their next move may be.
After the death of his lover in a mass shooting, secret agent Jason Bourne is convinced that there is more to her murder than it seems. Worse, he believes that Treadstone--the agency that made him who he is, that trained him--is behind the killing. Bourne goes rogue, leaving Treadstone behind and taking on a new mission to infiltrate and expose an anarchist group, Medusa.
But when a congresswoman is assassinated in New York, Bourne is framed for the crime, and he finds himself alone and on the run, hunted by both Treadstone and the tech cabal that had hired him. In his quest to stay one step ahead of his enemies, Bourne teams up with a journalist, Abbey Laurent, to figure out who was behind the frame-up, and to learn as much as he can about the ever-growing threat of the mysterious Medusa group.
As more and more enemies begin to hunt Bourne, it's a race against the clock to discover who led him into a trap...and what their next move may be.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2020
835 people are currently reading
2789 people want to read
About the author
Brian Freeman
61 books3,092 followersBrian Freeman is a New York Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride and Frost Easton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his "you are there" settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots. Brian was also selected as the official author to continue Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series, and his novel THE BOURNE EVOLUTION was named one of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020 by Kirkus.
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
June 18, 2023
With Brian Freeman we have gotten the second continuation writer for a character originally created and written by Robert Ludlum, who is sadly no longer among us. Jason Bourne not unlike his British version with similar initials has gotten a succesfull tv-series with Richard Chamberlain and 5 successful movies in cinema.
Like James Bond Jason has been updated to modern times and it seems to work for both of them.
Jason Bourne has left Treadstone and has been charged with shooting a congresswomen and all intelligence services are hunting him relentlessly.
Abby Laurent a journalist for an upstart online magazine wants to meet a mystery man who can add to her knowledge of what is going on when she gets assaulted and almost killed. Her saviour is the assassin called Cain and she quickly finds that this man is vastly more.
Both of them are hunted and yet they are hunting themselves and are getting closer to the source that exploits great tech companies and social media companies with a single purpose namely redistribution of power.
The one loose thread is a man called Jason Bourne.
A new chapter of adventures for Jason Bourne is now being written by Brian Freeman, he does deliver in spades and his writing is not too shabby either.
An excellent entry in what by now can be called the Bourne universe with book series like Treadstone and Blackbriar filling in more of this world in which Jason Bourne and his kind live and operate to keep evil at bay.
In this next 6 months we get another Bourne & Blackbriar novel so far we are getting spoiled.
Like James Bond Jason has been updated to modern times and it seems to work for both of them.
Jason Bourne has left Treadstone and has been charged with shooting a congresswomen and all intelligence services are hunting him relentlessly.
Abby Laurent a journalist for an upstart online magazine wants to meet a mystery man who can add to her knowledge of what is going on when she gets assaulted and almost killed. Her saviour is the assassin called Cain and she quickly finds that this man is vastly more.
Both of them are hunted and yet they are hunting themselves and are getting closer to the source that exploits great tech companies and social media companies with a single purpose namely redistribution of power.
The one loose thread is a man called Jason Bourne.
A new chapter of adventures for Jason Bourne is now being written by Brian Freeman, he does deliver in spades and his writing is not too shabby either.
An excellent entry in what by now can be called the Bourne universe with book series like Treadstone and Blackbriar filling in more of this world in which Jason Bourne and his kind live and operate to keep evil at bay.
In this next 6 months we get another Bourne & Blackbriar novel so far we are getting spoiled.
August 5, 2020
5 stars to The Bourne Evolution. The novel is extraordinary.
September 16, 2020
First up I did say to myself, "What are you doing reading a Bourne book?" Why, because at the very least there's the danger of Matt Damon running across my mental imagining of the storyline. Given the years of watching and occasional re-watches. Yikes, was I in danger of pre determining my response? After all, big shoes to fill!
I always like to read a book before the movie but is that even possible with the film franchises reeking havoc with my expectations.
So how did I go?
Freeman has obviously taken on the mantle of Ludlum of with gusto and this Bourne addition proves that. As to my worries? Well they were not as front and center as I'd feared.
A Penguin Putnam ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
I always like to read a book before the movie but is that even possible with the film franchises reeking havoc with my expectations.
So how did I go?
Freeman has obviously taken on the mantle of Ludlum of with gusto and this Bourne addition proves that. As to my worries? Well they were not as front and center as I'd feared.
A Penguin Putnam ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
June 19, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
This is definitely not the version of Jason Bourne from the original novels, nor the version played by Richard Chamberlain in the TV Movie back in the 80's. This is definitely the Bourne of the latest batch of movies.
A terrorist group known as Medusa is taking over Big Tech, through the machinations of a beautiful dominatrix. A social network is actually taking over the will of many people. Naturally, Medusa wants a piece of that.
Jason finds himself framed for a mass shooting in which his wife is killed. Everybody is after him, he doesn't know what is going on, but of course, he finds a smoking hot journalist to help him out.
Fast paced, if not the most believable novel.
This is definitely not the version of Jason Bourne from the original novels, nor the version played by Richard Chamberlain in the TV Movie back in the 80's. This is definitely the Bourne of the latest batch of movies.
A terrorist group known as Medusa is taking over Big Tech, through the machinations of a beautiful dominatrix. A social network is actually taking over the will of many people. Naturally, Medusa wants a piece of that.
Jason finds himself framed for a mass shooting in which his wife is killed. Everybody is after him, he doesn't know what is going on, but of course, he finds a smoking hot journalist to help him out.
Fast paced, if not the most believable novel.
June 27, 2020
The Bourne Evolution pays a respectful tribute to The Bourne Identity while introducing Jason Bourne into the modern era in a fresh and exciting manner, rather than simply rehashing the elements of the prior Jason Bourne stories. The Bourne Evolution factors in the influence of Big Data companies and software in this day and age, with a shadowy organization known as Medusa that is hellbent on causing anarchy through social and data exploitation of individuals. Jason Bourne is the one man standing between Medusa and world domination with an undeniably strong weapon, technology.
The Bourne Evolution retains the grounded and realistic elements one reads in Robert Ludlum’s novels, with vivid sceneries and intriguing developments in plot that come with surprising twists in the narrative to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and glued to the book. The idea of a phone app having the power of manipulating its users with non-state actors and tech cabals behind the scenes pulling the strings is a drop of fresh blood into the genre of action thrillers. Moreover, many elements of the plot are grabbed right from major events in the news, lending to the authentic vibe of the story.
The action is worthy of Jason Bourne’s reputation as a badass, with realistic and exciting shootouts, foot-chases, and fisticuffs. There is no dull moment in the book, as Bourne navigates from Canada to US, seeking the head of Medusa through infiltration and secrecy, aided by a Canadian journalist, Abbey Laurent. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and it is handled extremely well by Mr. Freeman. Medusa employs a femme fatale, one that ranks high in the deadliest provocative characters ever written. Miss Shirley. Definitely a vicious match for the prowess of Jason Bourne.
There is no shortage of wow moments in the book, whether pertaining to Bourne’s ingenuity in espionage tradecraft or straight up action sequences, the shocking revelations, or moments that come full circle in the storyline with a beautiful finesse. I would say The Bourne Evolution puts Jason Bourne back on the list of the deadliest characters in literature today, and definitely establishes him as a protagonist that readers would want to read more of. The ending definitely hints as Jason Bourne’s return. A must-read for all action thriller lovers. It doesn’t need any prior Jason Bourne books to be read, it introduces Bourne in the modern age.
The Bourne Evolution retains the grounded and realistic elements one reads in Robert Ludlum’s novels, with vivid sceneries and intriguing developments in plot that come with surprising twists in the narrative to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and glued to the book. The idea of a phone app having the power of manipulating its users with non-state actors and tech cabals behind the scenes pulling the strings is a drop of fresh blood into the genre of action thrillers. Moreover, many elements of the plot are grabbed right from major events in the news, lending to the authentic vibe of the story.
The action is worthy of Jason Bourne’s reputation as a badass, with realistic and exciting shootouts, foot-chases, and fisticuffs. There is no dull moment in the book, as Bourne navigates from Canada to US, seeking the head of Medusa through infiltration and secrecy, aided by a Canadian journalist, Abbey Laurent. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and it is handled extremely well by Mr. Freeman. Medusa employs a femme fatale, one that ranks high in the deadliest provocative characters ever written. Miss Shirley. Definitely a vicious match for the prowess of Jason Bourne.
There is no shortage of wow moments in the book, whether pertaining to Bourne’s ingenuity in espionage tradecraft or straight up action sequences, the shocking revelations, or moments that come full circle in the storyline with a beautiful finesse. I would say The Bourne Evolution puts Jason Bourne back on the list of the deadliest characters in literature today, and definitely establishes him as a protagonist that readers would want to read more of. The ending definitely hints as Jason Bourne’s return. A must-read for all action thriller lovers. It doesn’t need any prior Jason Bourne books to be read, it introduces Bourne in the modern age.
March 10, 2023
Funny how a lot of books I have read lately have a blurb "Bourne for the new Millineum" Well, Now we officially have the Real Bourne for the new Millennium!! The book was everything I have been hoping for. Bourne is back and better than ever. LUDLUM would be proud. Part Ludlum books, part movies all Bourne. The story, setting and pace were great and had me in the wsge of my seat. Cannot wait until the next one!!
August 29, 2020
This is the first book I've read by Freeman and it was fantastic. His Bourne is in the vain of Matt Damon's Bourne and it works incredibly well.
March 18, 2021
I absolutely loved Ludlums Jason Bourne series and read the first one by Lustbader. But then I thought, no more. #PenguinPublishingGroup and #GPPutnamsSons gave me this arc of Brian Freemans The Bourne Evolution. I must say that I was most pleasantly surprised how good it were. Freeman has caught the charater dead on and writes like Ludlum is back. Great work and I hope there will be more to come. Thanks also to #Edelweiss and the author @bfreemanbooks
September 21, 2024
I enjoyed this one and it was the perfect book for my day. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns....and I just have to mention the satisfaction that came at the end. I love when karma gets a shot. S0 4 stars.
August 8, 2020
THE BOURNE EVOLUTION, the latest novel in the Jason Bourne saga opens with two occurrences that are eerily close to both recent and current events. The first is a mass shooting that takes place in Las Vegas, very similar to the tragedy that occurred there during the Country Music concert back in 2017. In the novel, it is an antique car show and goes down as the worst mass shooting incident in U.S. history. Sixty-six were reported dead but there is some discrepancy over that number possibly being sixty-seven. We will return to this in a bit.
Next, in NYC a French-Canadian Reporter named Abbey Laurent is attending a speech given by local Congresswoman Sofia Ortiz --- who bears a stunning resemblance to the outspoken and occasionally extreme NYC Congresswoman we all know lovingly as AOC. Ortiz is speaking out against Big Tech and their role in every American's personal data. She doesn't get too far before she is taken out by a sniper's bullet right in front of Ms. Laurent.
One thing that both of these events have in common is that certain influential people want to lay that blame on a well-known assassin who goes simply by the name of Cain. We know him better as Jason Bourne and, no, he did not commit either of these acts. Bourne attempts to reach out to his oldest friend from the Treadstone days, Scott DeRay, but he won't have anything to do with Jason. Bourne has been burned by everyone and every organization he has known and he is completely on his own. He does not plan to go away quietly and intends to do whatever he has to do to discover who is setting him up and why. This starts with Jason paying a visit to Quebec City with his target being Abbey Laurent, who has no idea that she herself is a target for assassination. In true Bourne fashion, he avoids some close calls and gets Abbey Laurent out of Canada, but not before she witnesses one of her closest friends being murdered right in front of her.
Bourne initially takes Laurent as a semi-hostage but eventually comes fully clean to her by letting her know his side of things and that he does not trust anyone. He also assures her that not only did 'Cain' not assassinate Congresswoman Ortiz but he actually was the one who knocked Laurent out of the way during the post-assassination melee as a second bullet was intended to take her out as well. Together, the two now working in tandem get back to NYC where they target an attorney Laurent knows who may be part of the group known as Medusa that may be behind all of this. His name is Carson Gattor and Laurent plays him well by alerting him that she may have a contact who needs legal help, a source inside Medusa. Bourne later plays himself as he meets with Gattor letting him know he is working on ferreting out a mole inside of Medusa. Of course, this puts a target right on Gattor's back and he will be dead before they can find out much from him. In fact, he is just one in a line of important and connected people who out-played their hand with Medusa and needed to be eliminated.
Bourne meets with his old friend Scott DeRay to assure him that he is not a traitor or working with Medusa. He also needs the assistance of Scott's new employer, Carillon, specifically from a tech standpoint as he and Laurent need to figure out what the relationship is between Medusa and the high-tech firm Prescix software. Things go sideways in NYC when an ex-colleague of Bourne's named Benoit locates he and Laurent at their safe house on assignment to take them out. Their bond is deeper than that and Bourne and Benoit come to an impasse agreement --- that is until a bullet takes off Benoit's head, a bullet intended again for Bourne.
Bourne and Laurent's next trek leads them to Las Vegas, where all the action initially started. It is here where they will get many of the answers they need about Medusa and Prescix and that includes finding out that there is enough firepower between the two to start a war. It is also in Las Vegas where Bourne will find out the truth about his ex-lover, Nova, who was the sixty-seventh victim of the Vegas mass shooting. Things won't end here as the action sets everything up for a final showdown in the Caribbean where all will come clear. If it sounds like a lot, this review does not even scratch the service. The action is non-stop and it makes for some breathless reading. I cannot remember having this much fun before with a Jason Bourne novel.
Author Brian Freeman was 'born' to take on this series --- pun definitely intended. No knock to the other authors who have written Jason Bourne novels --- they are all great. Frankly, it's nearly impossible to write a bad Bourne story. However, what Freeman has done here is freshen the series up. It's the literary equivalent of when Daniel Craig took over the film persona of James Bond. It wasn't Sean Connery and it wasn't trying to be. The Jason Bourne of THE BOURNE EVOLUTION isn't weighed down as much by the past and all the people who have done him wrong, we know the guy has been screwed by pretty much everyone he's ever worked for or with, we've already gone down that road. This Bourne is exciting and interesting, using his unique skill-set for himself in a more contemporary setting without missing a step. The evolution is upon us and I cannot wait to see what Brian Freeman does next with this legendary literary character!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
Next, in NYC a French-Canadian Reporter named Abbey Laurent is attending a speech given by local Congresswoman Sofia Ortiz --- who bears a stunning resemblance to the outspoken and occasionally extreme NYC Congresswoman we all know lovingly as AOC. Ortiz is speaking out against Big Tech and their role in every American's personal data. She doesn't get too far before she is taken out by a sniper's bullet right in front of Ms. Laurent.
One thing that both of these events have in common is that certain influential people want to lay that blame on a well-known assassin who goes simply by the name of Cain. We know him better as Jason Bourne and, no, he did not commit either of these acts. Bourne attempts to reach out to his oldest friend from the Treadstone days, Scott DeRay, but he won't have anything to do with Jason. Bourne has been burned by everyone and every organization he has known and he is completely on his own. He does not plan to go away quietly and intends to do whatever he has to do to discover who is setting him up and why. This starts with Jason paying a visit to Quebec City with his target being Abbey Laurent, who has no idea that she herself is a target for assassination. In true Bourne fashion, he avoids some close calls and gets Abbey Laurent out of Canada, but not before she witnesses one of her closest friends being murdered right in front of her.
Bourne initially takes Laurent as a semi-hostage but eventually comes fully clean to her by letting her know his side of things and that he does not trust anyone. He also assures her that not only did 'Cain' not assassinate Congresswoman Ortiz but he actually was the one who knocked Laurent out of the way during the post-assassination melee as a second bullet was intended to take her out as well. Together, the two now working in tandem get back to NYC where they target an attorney Laurent knows who may be part of the group known as Medusa that may be behind all of this. His name is Carson Gattor and Laurent plays him well by alerting him that she may have a contact who needs legal help, a source inside Medusa. Bourne later plays himself as he meets with Gattor letting him know he is working on ferreting out a mole inside of Medusa. Of course, this puts a target right on Gattor's back and he will be dead before they can find out much from him. In fact, he is just one in a line of important and connected people who out-played their hand with Medusa and needed to be eliminated.
Bourne meets with his old friend Scott DeRay to assure him that he is not a traitor or working with Medusa. He also needs the assistance of Scott's new employer, Carillon, specifically from a tech standpoint as he and Laurent need to figure out what the relationship is between Medusa and the high-tech firm Prescix software. Things go sideways in NYC when an ex-colleague of Bourne's named Benoit locates he and Laurent at their safe house on assignment to take them out. Their bond is deeper than that and Bourne and Benoit come to an impasse agreement --- that is until a bullet takes off Benoit's head, a bullet intended again for Bourne.
Bourne and Laurent's next trek leads them to Las Vegas, where all the action initially started. It is here where they will get many of the answers they need about Medusa and Prescix and that includes finding out that there is enough firepower between the two to start a war. It is also in Las Vegas where Bourne will find out the truth about his ex-lover, Nova, who was the sixty-seventh victim of the Vegas mass shooting. Things won't end here as the action sets everything up for a final showdown in the Caribbean where all will come clear. If it sounds like a lot, this review does not even scratch the service. The action is non-stop and it makes for some breathless reading. I cannot remember having this much fun before with a Jason Bourne novel.
Author Brian Freeman was 'born' to take on this series --- pun definitely intended. No knock to the other authors who have written Jason Bourne novels --- they are all great. Frankly, it's nearly impossible to write a bad Bourne story. However, what Freeman has done here is freshen the series up. It's the literary equivalent of when Daniel Craig took over the film persona of James Bond. It wasn't Sean Connery and it wasn't trying to be. The Jason Bourne of THE BOURNE EVOLUTION isn't weighed down as much by the past and all the people who have done him wrong, we know the guy has been screwed by pretty much everyone he's ever worked for or with, we've already gone down that road. This Bourne is exciting and interesting, using his unique skill-set for himself in a more contemporary setting without missing a step. The evolution is upon us and I cannot wait to see what Brian Freeman does next with this legendary literary character!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
March 21, 2020
One of my favorite authors has always been Robert Ludlum. I have read everything he has ever written and eagerly awaited his new ones. The Bourne series was one of the best and will live as a literary testament to his memory. I was crushed when he passed away and thought his genre was doomed.
I was wrong. Brian Freeman has taken one of the most exciting iconic characters of our times and made him his own. I was thrilled to hear that this author was taking this challenge on and after reading this first entry I was impressed. It has it all...excitement, action, adventure, romance and is right on to current events that will have you looking at your computer profiles in a different light. This one should definitely be on your summer reading list!
This book is due to be released in July, 2020. Highly recommended!
I was wrong. Brian Freeman has taken one of the most exciting iconic characters of our times and made him his own. I was thrilled to hear that this author was taking this challenge on and after reading this first entry I was impressed. It has it all...excitement, action, adventure, romance and is right on to current events that will have you looking at your computer profiles in a different light. This one should definitely be on your summer reading list!
This book is due to be released in July, 2020. Highly recommended!
September 26, 2020
Can't think of how many stars for a book I have to pull out of as the sexual fantasy aspect is off the charts gross for my tastes. This story has some interesting technology company themes going for it as well as the lone crusader theme. So...I like some of this book but am nauseated by a chunk of it. What to do? I guess I like my action clean and wholesome. If you like kinky you may like this book.
I made it to 39% but I guess I will pass forward to see how it ends. 3 stars will have to suffice for the Cain/Bourne story partnering with interesting female journalist character.
Library Loan
I made it to 39% but I guess I will pass forward to see how it ends. 3 stars will have to suffice for the Cain/Bourne story partnering with interesting female journalist character.
Library Loan
September 13, 2021
Jason Bourne returns in the Ludlumverse 3.0 reboot in Brian Freeman’s The Bourne Evolution, revamped for the current day socio-political climate, and is a fun espionage action thriller. The legendary amnesiac assassin’s character has been retconned from most of his previously known backstory and actions, being different from Eric Van Lustbader’s Bourne books, Ludlum’s original trilogy, and the movies, while still being a treat for fans of all those previous versions of Bourne. This new ‘fresh start’ for the character is not disappointing as the plot with its large-scale Ludlum-esque conspiracy is timely for our era and a certain plot element is a relevant concept for spy thrillers in our time that hits close to reality.
When a politician is assassinated and Bourne is framed for it, he kicks off the story by going on the run, being hunted by multiple parties including his former employers(The legendary black ops unit Treadstone), and an anarchist secret group – Medusa – which he was formerly a part of, and even his current employers – a tech cabal consisting of the CEOs of the top tech companies in the world. Like any classic Ludlum thriller, The Bourne Evolution hits all the right spots with the paranoia loaded dramatic tale filled with double-crosses and triple-crosses, chaos, confusion, mystery, intrigue, secret societies, damaged but exceptionally over the top characters, bloody action sequences, hand to hand martial combat, intricate espionage tradecraft, international travel and locales, and all the cinematic glamor and dazzle of the exciting side of this genre.
This was surely an interesting story, but it made me feel like it was a James Bond movie rather than a Jason Bourne book at many moments. Not to mention, the action sequences were missing all the weaponized techno detail readers like me would expect in an action thriller, but considering Robert Ludlum himself didn’t go into the techno detail about weapons in his writing, I guess Bourne fans would not be bothered with this. In a way, this is a good starting point for readers to get into the Bourne books, especially if they haven’t yet read the previous versions of the literary Jason Bourne as the tales and development built by Robert Ludlum and then by Eric Van Lustbader seem to be erased here, keeping only the basic core elements of the character and aging him to the 30s/40s fit and fighting physique that seems standard for many action thriller protagonists.
The plot revolves around a Russian-backed shadowy anarchist group manipulating the public towards politically divisive extremes using tech platforms. Social media, online algorithms, suggestive behavior modification, data analysis, user manipulation, and other existing tech which are largely used by marketers and businesses is amped up here with a fictional app that can predict people’s choices before they make them, which is actually a suggestive and persuasive system, plays a big part in the story. Riots, political violence, social hate, and divisiveness are shown on an intense level in this thriller which I’d consider dystopian fiction if not for many similar real-world incidents during 2020 and 2021.
Bourne, who’s constantly on the run, teams up with Abigail Laurant, a Canadian journalist, to dig at the heart of the conspiracy he’s trapped within when her life becomes the target of Medusa and even Treadstone. The chemistry between them makes the story move away from the action-thriller genre in many moments and towards a possibly needless romance, but it’s well done in standard Ludlumesque dramatic fashion. Caught between old friends, former colleagues, a lost past, and as a fall guy for an elaborately orchestrated plot that weaves in a smooth narrative for the readers, Brian Freeman’s first entry to the series shows that this version of Jason Bourne is a smart, tough, suave and classy, damaged yet heroic, and a ruthlessly interesting protagonist for fans of the spy action thriller genre to watch out for.
Moving from Canada to the US and then to the Bahamas and Scotland, this globetrotting thriller has all the excitement and entertainment to please classic Ludlum fans, Matt Damon’s cinematic Bourne fans, and any thriller reader who’s new to the character. A minor situation I noticed in this book was that most of the characters are hyper-sexualized to extents that felt excessive compared to the action thrillers I’d normally like to read, but I can’t complain as I am a fan of action-thriller franchises like Strike Back(The TV Show) and the James Bond movies.
The main antagonist, Shirley, is a deadly femme fatale who seduces and dominates people into serving her and kills her victims with effortless ease. While a damaged, psychotic, constantly perverted, maniacally murderous lunatic, she proves a challenge for Bourne in many instances. Though I didn’t like an antagonist like her and wondered why Bourne struggled against this villain, she’s weirdly both an entertaining and odd foe against the legendary assassin.
Hardcore fans of the action-thriller genre who like the weaponized techno detail in their reading might be better off not reading this book, while the thriller and espionage fiction fanbase who enjoy reading wildly exciting tales but hate seeing the weaponry and firearms details in books would probably love this story. Considering all the richly exotic locations used in this story, if used in a movie, they would probably cost enough to bankrupt the budget of a Bond movie or be spent in an explosive hour-long Michael Bay action sequence or within mere minutes in a CGI loaded Marvel movie, but it’s definitely entertaining. Though long and dramatic, The Bourne Evolution is a complete story that closes all the plot points in an intricately woven narrative and can be read as a standalone thriller, and I’ll be reading the next book in the series, The Bourne Treachery sometime this year, probably long after it releases.
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When a politician is assassinated and Bourne is framed for it, he kicks off the story by going on the run, being hunted by multiple parties including his former employers(The legendary black ops unit Treadstone), and an anarchist secret group – Medusa – which he was formerly a part of, and even his current employers – a tech cabal consisting of the CEOs of the top tech companies in the world. Like any classic Ludlum thriller, The Bourne Evolution hits all the right spots with the paranoia loaded dramatic tale filled with double-crosses and triple-crosses, chaos, confusion, mystery, intrigue, secret societies, damaged but exceptionally over the top characters, bloody action sequences, hand to hand martial combat, intricate espionage tradecraft, international travel and locales, and all the cinematic glamor and dazzle of the exciting side of this genre.
This was surely an interesting story, but it made me feel like it was a James Bond movie rather than a Jason Bourne book at many moments. Not to mention, the action sequences were missing all the weaponized techno detail readers like me would expect in an action thriller, but considering Robert Ludlum himself didn’t go into the techno detail about weapons in his writing, I guess Bourne fans would not be bothered with this. In a way, this is a good starting point for readers to get into the Bourne books, especially if they haven’t yet read the previous versions of the literary Jason Bourne as the tales and development built by Robert Ludlum and then by Eric Van Lustbader seem to be erased here, keeping only the basic core elements of the character and aging him to the 30s/40s fit and fighting physique that seems standard for many action thriller protagonists.
The plot revolves around a Russian-backed shadowy anarchist group manipulating the public towards politically divisive extremes using tech platforms. Social media, online algorithms, suggestive behavior modification, data analysis, user manipulation, and other existing tech which are largely used by marketers and businesses is amped up here with a fictional app that can predict people’s choices before they make them, which is actually a suggestive and persuasive system, plays a big part in the story. Riots, political violence, social hate, and divisiveness are shown on an intense level in this thriller which I’d consider dystopian fiction if not for many similar real-world incidents during 2020 and 2021.
Bourne, who’s constantly on the run, teams up with Abigail Laurant, a Canadian journalist, to dig at the heart of the conspiracy he’s trapped within when her life becomes the target of Medusa and even Treadstone. The chemistry between them makes the story move away from the action-thriller genre in many moments and towards a possibly needless romance, but it’s well done in standard Ludlumesque dramatic fashion. Caught between old friends, former colleagues, a lost past, and as a fall guy for an elaborately orchestrated plot that weaves in a smooth narrative for the readers, Brian Freeman’s first entry to the series shows that this version of Jason Bourne is a smart, tough, suave and classy, damaged yet heroic, and a ruthlessly interesting protagonist for fans of the spy action thriller genre to watch out for.
Moving from Canada to the US and then to the Bahamas and Scotland, this globetrotting thriller has all the excitement and entertainment to please classic Ludlum fans, Matt Damon’s cinematic Bourne fans, and any thriller reader who’s new to the character. A minor situation I noticed in this book was that most of the characters are hyper-sexualized to extents that felt excessive compared to the action thrillers I’d normally like to read, but I can’t complain as I am a fan of action-thriller franchises like Strike Back(The TV Show) and the James Bond movies.
The main antagonist, Shirley, is a deadly femme fatale who seduces and dominates people into serving her and kills her victims with effortless ease. While a damaged, psychotic, constantly perverted, maniacally murderous lunatic, she proves a challenge for Bourne in many instances. Though I didn’t like an antagonist like her and wondered why Bourne struggled against this villain, she’s weirdly both an entertaining and odd foe against the legendary assassin.
Hardcore fans of the action-thriller genre who like the weaponized techno detail in their reading might be better off not reading this book, while the thriller and espionage fiction fanbase who enjoy reading wildly exciting tales but hate seeing the weaponry and firearms details in books would probably love this story. Considering all the richly exotic locations used in this story, if used in a movie, they would probably cost enough to bankrupt the budget of a Bond movie or be spent in an explosive hour-long Michael Bay action sequence or within mere minutes in a CGI loaded Marvel movie, but it’s definitely entertaining. Though long and dramatic, The Bourne Evolution is a complete story that closes all the plot points in an intricately woven narrative and can be read as a standalone thriller, and I’ll be reading the next book in the series, The Bourne Treachery sometime this year, probably long after it releases.
For more long-form book reviews, check out - www.kronosananthsimha.com/book-blog/
June 9, 2021
Vintage Bourne is back. After a few sluggish and far fetched books this is a much better sequel. The story also is a fresh start and one can start reading without needing to refer back to previous books. A little slow in the initial few chapters but the pace picks up well.
July 23, 2020
Fans of the Bourne movies should pick this up asap! Freeman has taken an iconic character and updated him and the scenario he's got to deal with to today in a way that had me turning the pages. This opens with a shooting in Las Vegas that leaves Bourne's wife dead and then moves on to the shooting of a congresswoman who is about to make a big announcement about big tech. Why on earth would Bourne be blamed? Well, that's what he wants to know and he teams up with a terrific partner in Abby who is, of all things, a journalist. Together they uncover an anarchist group code named Medusa, an evil app named Prescix, and a villain named Miss Shirley who- gotta tell you- is something else altogether. This takes Bourne and Abby around the world (there will be some great visuals when this hits the screen); they make a wonderful pair with just the right amount of bite in their repartee. No spoilers from me but this is one of those ripped from the headlines ones that will make you take another look at who has access to your phone, laptop, bank records, and so on. I haven't read a Bourne book in years (no offense to Eric Van Lustbader) preferring to simply see the movies but I'm glad I read this. Bourne came across as fresh and vital. The violence is what it is but Freeman handles it well. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. Glad I read this one and now I'm looking forward not only to the movie but also to another installment. Highly recommend for thriller readers.
September 8, 2020
I am so happy Mr. Freeman took over this series and brought it back to what it was supposed to be. Unfortunately, the last few installments from Mr. Lustbader were subpar at best. Mr. Freeman’s first entry in the series brought us back to what we got when Mr. Ludlum first brought us the series. It had action, suspense, and was an all around page turner.
Overall the story and plot was excellent. A congress Woman is killed by a sniper, and Jason Bourne is framed for the crime. He fights to clear his name while three entities are trying to killing him including the government, his ex employers, and a shadowy organization called Medusa. His main enemy from Medusa, Miss Shirley, is a formable and down right scary adversary.
Mr. Freeman kept the book moving with lots of action and movement. About the only knock was the typical Freeman twist was pretty obvious. Not to worry though, it does not take away from the enjoyment of the novel. Overall this was a great restart to the series. I can’t wait for the next installment. If you left the series, it is time to come back and enjoy the series again.
Overall the story and plot was excellent. A congress Woman is killed by a sniper, and Jason Bourne is framed for the crime. He fights to clear his name while three entities are trying to killing him including the government, his ex employers, and a shadowy organization called Medusa. His main enemy from Medusa, Miss Shirley, is a formable and down right scary adversary.
Mr. Freeman kept the book moving with lots of action and movement. About the only knock was the typical Freeman twist was pretty obvious. Not to worry though, it does not take away from the enjoyment of the novel. Overall this was a great restart to the series. I can’t wait for the next installment. If you left the series, it is time to come back and enjoy the series again.
August 5, 2020
Brian Freeman brings Bourne back to life in all his original glory
The author not only gets the gist of Bourne‘s identity exactly right but also manages to seamlessly transfer the character into the here and now. Ludlum’s Bourne has always been hugely influenced by the times he lived in and Freeman swiftly follows him in that tradition. Power struggles and geopolitical manipulation in a Silicon-Valley-esque world of Big Data vs privacy protection form the thematic backdrop of Brian’s impressive first Bourne outing. The plot is complex and twisted. the action is visceral and cinematic and the characters feel so real that they practically leap from the page. Thanks to Brian Freeman the Bourne saga is in good hands again and I can’t wait to find out what he comes up with next.
The author not only gets the gist of Bourne‘s identity exactly right but also manages to seamlessly transfer the character into the here and now. Ludlum’s Bourne has always been hugely influenced by the times he lived in and Freeman swiftly follows him in that tradition. Power struggles and geopolitical manipulation in a Silicon-Valley-esque world of Big Data vs privacy protection form the thematic backdrop of Brian’s impressive first Bourne outing. The plot is complex and twisted. the action is visceral and cinematic and the characters feel so real that they practically leap from the page. Thanks to Brian Freeman the Bourne saga is in good hands again and I can’t wait to find out what he comes up with next.
January 25, 2024
It was an entertaining read for sure, but I felt that the writing style was just not for me. It felt that at parts it was slow while at others it felt rushed. There wasn't a consistency in it, and it made it hard to love it. Again, entertaining story, and I will most likely read it again. Maybe a second go at it would make it better.
July 6, 2020
Freeman isn't a Ludlum, nor Lustbader, but he does a fine job picking up the Bourne legacy mantle. Full of the same fast paced adventure, with the well loved style of Jason Bourne. I will read more of Freeman's work outside the Bourne Series
August 10, 2020
THE BOURNE EVOLUTION, the latest entry in the Jason Bourne saga, opens with two incidents that are eerily close to both recent and current events. The first is a mass shooting that takes place in Las Vegas, very similar to the tragedy that occurred there during the country music concert back in 2017. In the novel, it is an antique car show and goes down as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. Sixty-six individuals are reported dead, but that number may actually be 67. We will return to this discrepancy later.
Next, in New York City, French-Canadian reporter Abbey Laurent is attending a speech given by local congresswoman Sofia Ortiz, who bears a stunning resemblance to the outspoken AOC. Ortiz is speaking out against Big Tech and their role in every American's personal data. She doesn't get too far before she is taken out by a sniper's bullet right in front of Abbey.
Certain influential people want to lay blame on a well-known assassin who simply goes by the name Cain. We know him better as Jason Bourne…and, no, he did not commit either of these acts. He attempts to reach out to his oldest friend from his Treadstone days, Scott DeRay, but Scott won't have anything to do with him. Bourne has been burned by everyone and every organization he has known, so he is completely on his own. Nevertheless, he does not plan to go away quietly and intends to do whatever it takes to discover who is setting him up and why. He begins by paying a visit to Quebec City and to Abbey, who has no idea that she herself is a target for assassination. In true Bourne fashion, he avoids some close calls and gets her out of Canada, but not before she witnesses one of her closest friends being murdered right before her eyes.
Bourne initially takes Abbey as a semi-hostage, but eventually lets her know his side of things and that he does not trust anyone. He also assures her that not only did he not assassinate Ortiz, but that he actually was the one who knocked Abbey out of the way during the post-assassination melee as a second bullet was intended to take her out as well. The two are now working in tandem to get back to NYC, where they target an attorney Abbey knows who may be part of the group known as Medusa, which she suspects is behind all of this. Abbey plays Carson Gattor well by alerting him that she may have a contact, a source inside Medusa, who needs legal help. Bourne later plays himself as he meets with Carson, letting him know that he is working on ferreting out a mole inside Medusa. Of course, this puts a target right on Carson’s back, and he will be dead before they can find out much from him. In fact, he is just one in a long line of important and connected people who have outplayed their hand with Medusa and must be eliminated.
Bourne meets with Scott to assure him that he is not a traitor or working with Medusa. He also needs the assistance of Scott's new employer, Carillon, specifically from a tech standpoint as he and Abbey must figure out the relationship between Medusa and the high-tech firm Prescix. Things go sideways in NYC when an ex-colleague of Bourne, Benoit, locates him and Abbey at their safe house on an assignment to take them out. Their bond is deeper than that, and Bourne and Benoit come to an impasse agreement --- that is, until a bullet takes off Benoit's head, which again was intended for Bourne.
Bourne and Abbey's next trek leads them to Las Vegas, where they will get many of the answers they need about Medusa and Prescix. This includes finding out that there is enough firepower between the two to start a war. It is also in Las Vegas where Bourne will learn the truth about his ex-lover, Nova, who was the 67th victim of the Vegas mass shooting. It all culminates in a final showdown in the Caribbean, where everything will come to light. If it sounds like a lot, this review does not even scratch the surface. The action is non-stop and makes for some breathless reading. I cannot remember having this much fun with a Jason Bourne novel.
Brian Freeman was “born” to take on this series (pun definitely intended). In THE BOURNE EVOLUTION, Bourne isn't weighed down as much by the past and all the people who have done him wrong. We've already gone down that road. This Bourne is exciting and interesting, using his unique skill set for himself in a more contemporary setting without missing a step. The evolution is upon us, and I cannot wait to see what Freeman does next with this legendary character.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Next, in New York City, French-Canadian reporter Abbey Laurent is attending a speech given by local congresswoman Sofia Ortiz, who bears a stunning resemblance to the outspoken AOC. Ortiz is speaking out against Big Tech and their role in every American's personal data. She doesn't get too far before she is taken out by a sniper's bullet right in front of Abbey.
Certain influential people want to lay blame on a well-known assassin who simply goes by the name Cain. We know him better as Jason Bourne…and, no, he did not commit either of these acts. He attempts to reach out to his oldest friend from his Treadstone days, Scott DeRay, but Scott won't have anything to do with him. Bourne has been burned by everyone and every organization he has known, so he is completely on his own. Nevertheless, he does not plan to go away quietly and intends to do whatever it takes to discover who is setting him up and why. He begins by paying a visit to Quebec City and to Abbey, who has no idea that she herself is a target for assassination. In true Bourne fashion, he avoids some close calls and gets her out of Canada, but not before she witnesses one of her closest friends being murdered right before her eyes.
Bourne initially takes Abbey as a semi-hostage, but eventually lets her know his side of things and that he does not trust anyone. He also assures her that not only did he not assassinate Ortiz, but that he actually was the one who knocked Abbey out of the way during the post-assassination melee as a second bullet was intended to take her out as well. The two are now working in tandem to get back to NYC, where they target an attorney Abbey knows who may be part of the group known as Medusa, which she suspects is behind all of this. Abbey plays Carson Gattor well by alerting him that she may have a contact, a source inside Medusa, who needs legal help. Bourne later plays himself as he meets with Carson, letting him know that he is working on ferreting out a mole inside Medusa. Of course, this puts a target right on Carson’s back, and he will be dead before they can find out much from him. In fact, he is just one in a long line of important and connected people who have outplayed their hand with Medusa and must be eliminated.
Bourne meets with Scott to assure him that he is not a traitor or working with Medusa. He also needs the assistance of Scott's new employer, Carillon, specifically from a tech standpoint as he and Abbey must figure out the relationship between Medusa and the high-tech firm Prescix. Things go sideways in NYC when an ex-colleague of Bourne, Benoit, locates him and Abbey at their safe house on an assignment to take them out. Their bond is deeper than that, and Bourne and Benoit come to an impasse agreement --- that is, until a bullet takes off Benoit's head, which again was intended for Bourne.
Bourne and Abbey's next trek leads them to Las Vegas, where they will get many of the answers they need about Medusa and Prescix. This includes finding out that there is enough firepower between the two to start a war. It is also in Las Vegas where Bourne will learn the truth about his ex-lover, Nova, who was the 67th victim of the Vegas mass shooting. It all culminates in a final showdown in the Caribbean, where everything will come to light. If it sounds like a lot, this review does not even scratch the surface. The action is non-stop and makes for some breathless reading. I cannot remember having this much fun with a Jason Bourne novel.
Brian Freeman was “born” to take on this series (pun definitely intended). In THE BOURNE EVOLUTION, Bourne isn't weighed down as much by the past and all the people who have done him wrong. We've already gone down that road. This Bourne is exciting and interesting, using his unique skill set for himself in a more contemporary setting without missing a step. The evolution is upon us, and I cannot wait to see what Freeman does next with this legendary character.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
March 2, 2022
Brian Freeman is one of those favored Minnesota authors of crime and mayhem that I enjoy. I read one of his novels that took place in Florida with an entirely different set of characters (though the protagonist of that story, Cab Bolton showed up in Freeman's Alter Ego, the last Jonathan Stride novel I've read) and wasn't nearly as good as the Stride stories. Therefore it was with some trepidation that I ordered The Bourne Evolution. I needn't have worried.
Freeman did a good job in writing a Bourne sequel. At times it seemed almost poetry, and I write that sincerely, no sarcasm. All too often sequels to highly successful novel's such as Ludlum's Bourne novels are lacking. Not so Freeman's Bourne Evolution. My only problem with it is that I read it out of order and now need to read Treachery, which came just before Evolution. Oh well, something to look forward to.
Freeman did a good job in writing a Bourne sequel. At times it seemed almost poetry, and I write that sincerely, no sarcasm. All too often sequels to highly successful novel's such as Ludlum's Bourne novels are lacking. Not so Freeman's Bourne Evolution. My only problem with it is that I read it out of order and now need to read Treachery, which came just before Evolution. Oh well, something to look forward to.
July 15, 2020
Fabulous
I’ve always enjoyed the Bourne movies more than the books. Ludlum was a good author but there was a lot of language and the flow of the storylines was slow. Brian Freeman has changed all that! This is definitely 5 star. I loved it. The storyline hooked you in and you couldn’t stop. Minimal language that felt natural and not forced. Felt like it was the same Jason Bourne we know and love, but better writing!
I’ve always enjoyed the Bourne movies more than the books. Ludlum was a good author but there was a lot of language and the flow of the storylines was slow. Brian Freeman has changed all that! This is definitely 5 star. I loved it. The storyline hooked you in and you couldn’t stop. Minimal language that felt natural and not forced. Felt like it was the same Jason Bourne we know and love, but better writing!
November 25, 2020
What a great read. I hesitated to read this, as the films are so goo, but this was a film in its own right.
April 27, 2021
A generous rating of four stars.
First Jason Bourne tale I have read in many years. Interesting and the conclusion, while predictable, was interesting. Looking forward to the next story in this series.
First Jason Bourne tale I have read in many years. Interesting and the conclusion, while predictable, was interesting. Looking forward to the next story in this series.
May 15, 2022
Yes, just like a Bourne movie. A little long, as are all this type thriller, but I enjoyed the read.
June 6, 2024
I like the Jason Bourne series. I could read them all day
February 28, 2021
Ever so much better than Lustbader. Really a 3.5.
June 27, 2020
Thank you to author Brian Freeman for this FREE Kindle copy of The Bourne Evolution. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
Well written and paced, Jason is at it again. An easy, fun read, with plenty of action. This man is UNstoppable!
Well written and paced, Jason is at it again. An easy, fun read, with plenty of action. This man is UNstoppable!
Read
May 18, 2021When I was first reading this book I thought that it wasn't going to be that good. But after reading the first chapters then it started to get good. So yes, I think that this was a very good book. What I really liked about this book was that Jason Bourne was always in a bad situation, but always got out of it. That is why I really like this book. This book had lots of big jumps and twists to it. At the beginning of each chapter it had some type of plot twist of jump to it. My favorite character in this book was for sure Jason Bourne. I really liked him the most out of every one else because he was the main character. And most of the time it was about him. All the things that he did in this book was just awesome. Like when Jason had to take out a whole team of 12 and then run miles to get away because he was shot. Parts like this in the book really make me like Jason the most. The character that i hated the most would have to be Noah Vosen. I didn't like this guy because he was always trying to take out Jason. He always had a plan to take him out and put him in jail. That's why I don't like him in the story. In all, I really liked the book. The beginning isn't too exciting but once you get into it, it gets very good. I really love this book and plan on reading more Jason Bourne books. I rate this book a 9/10!
August 22, 2020
Nope. Just not good enough. This genre may have had its day.
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