Chaos

by Iris Johansen

The #1 New York Times bestselling author introduces CIA agent Alisa Flynn, who is willing to go rogue if it means catching the most heartless band of criminals she's ever encountered.

When CIA agent Alisa Flynn flaunts the rules by breaking into a mansion in the middle of the night, she skillfully circumvents alarms and outwits guards only to find herself standing in billionaire Gabe Korgan's study… busted by Korgan himself. This could cost her her job unless, in a split second, she can turn the tables and try to convince him to join her on the most important mission of her life.

In a ripped-from-the-headlines plot, schoolgirls in Africa have been kidnapped, and Alisa knows that Korgan has the courage, financial means, and high-tech weaponry to help rescue them. With so many innocent lives hanging in the balance, what she doesn't reveal is that one of those schoolgirls is like a little sister to her. But when the truth gets out, the stakes grow even higher.

Calling in additional assistance from renowned horse whisperer Margaret Douglas, Alisa and Gabe lay their plans, only to see them descend into chaos as the line between right and wrong wavers before them like a mirage. Every path is strewn with pitfalls, each likely to get them – or the hostages – killed. But with the help of a brave team and a horse with the heart of a warrior, they might just get out of this alive.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Romance, Romantic Suspense

409 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Iris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.

She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.

IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.

http://www.irisjohansen.com

Reviews

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latest novel by Iris Johansen. In it, she introduces a new female character, Alisa Flynn.

Chaos begins with a school in Africa being taken over by a militia group. A man by the name of Masenak has taken over St. Eldon’s Academy for girls and has kidnapped many of the students. One of them is a girl by the name of Sasha Lawrence.

Sasha has an affinity for horses. Some might said she is a horse whisperer. After her capture, Masenak treats Sasha differently than the other girls. He wants Sasha in charge of the horses he stole when he took the girls. He is especially interested in the horse named Chaos.

When Alisa Flynn finds out her protégé, Sasha, who she loves like a sister is taken, she knows she must get her back. She also knows she can't do it alone. As a CIA agent, Alisa is capable of tracking the culprits but she needs help saving Sasha and all the other girls that were kidnapped too.

Alina will ask help from billionaire Gabe Korgan to aid her in her quest. She wants Sasha safe and out of harm's way.

Korgan has never met anyone like Alina. She intrigues him. He is known as a renaissance man. He is always inventing or developing something that amazes the world. However, this time he is the one who is amazed by Alina.

Nice Romantic Suspense novel! It had me turning the pages quickly. The addition of Sasha and her relationship with horses especially Chaos, made me read faster.

Alisa and Korgan made a good team in every way. Margaret and Juno were excellent secondary characters.

Cliffhanger: No

3.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Grand Central Pub in exchange for an honest review.

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[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book!!! I've read almost every book this author has written and have loved every one of them and have many favourites, but this one is a cut above the rest!!! Iris johansen knocked it out of the park with this tale! Her characters are always complexed and multi dimensional and the villians evil and the epitome of the worst monsters imaginable and this book was no different except that instead of one villain their was two and both were equally sick twisted bastards! I loved our two main characters the multi million and inventor Gabe Kogan who's charismic and a total alpha type hero who's sensuality is second to none and he's a perfect hero to our heroine CIA agent and a women who was recruited by the CIA at only 14 years old Alisa Flynn has dealt with some really despicable monsters in the past but Jorge Masenak and Marcus Reardon are both evil twisted pricks who rape and abuse girls for pleasure. Also margaret douglas and her beautifully gifted dog juno are back!! I love this duo so much! And theirs also the self proclaimed Indiana Jones John Gilroy who is kogan's go to get it done guy,and my new obsession!! And then theirs the star of this story the brave and extraordinary Sasha, ward of alisa and one of the girls stolen from St. Eldons Academy for girls to be used for ransom. But masenak discovers real quick that sasha has a gift with training horses . Sasha has been able to communicate telepathically with animals since she was a little girl,something very few people know. Her life and her class mates lives depend on her ability to get The wild and untamed Chaos a beautiful and proud and pure Roman Nisean horse who is a rare breed known for their strength and speed tamed and ready to win a race. But Chaos isn't your typical horse he believes himself to be a king and his intelligence is phenomenal !! I loved this beautiful boy!!! He wanted only to protect sasha and their rides together bring them both joy and freedom.From the beginning he wanted to stomp the villains!! No one writes a thriller like Iris Johansen!! I'm one of her biggest fans!! I can't wait for her next book!! Until next time Loves💗💋

[La Crosse County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris Johansen is one of my favorite authors, and I am a big horse lover, so imagine my excitement when I saw the cover of Chaos by her! What I really like about this author is that she has ways of putting characters that she has used before in past books into her new books. In this story, the recurring character she uses is Margaret Douglas, a well-known horse whisperer!

CIA agent Alisa Flynn needs help from billionaire Gabe Korgan in finding missing schoolgirls in Africa who have been kidnapped. When asking for his help, she does not let on as to just how important one of the missing girls is to her. This book has many plot twists and turns...and of course, lots of "chaos."

It takes place at a horse farm...and this is where Margaret, the horse whisperer, and one very special horse, help in the very important mission of trying to save the girls. You will also find out there is more than one meaning to the word "chaos" in this book as well.

If you have never read Iris Johansen, I strongly suggest that you give her a try!

Find this book and other titles within our catalog.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read three connected series by Iris Johansen, Eve Duncan, Kendra Micheals and Catherine Ling, it was nice to meet a new protagonist,. This thrilling story does have a brief cameo by Eve Duncan and an extended role by Margaret Douglas. I am more than familiar with the brilliant horse whisperer as she was the primary protagonist in No Easy Target, and she was also in at least six of the Eve Duncan series titles, including Hunting Eve and Shadow Play.

However, this book introduces CIA Agent Alisa Flynn who often writes her own rules. As this book opens, Alisa is in Morocco and is clearly breaking into billionaire Gabe Korgan's study. She is not sure how she was noticed by the guard dogs, as her planning was flawless. At first she waits and hopes they become silent, but in just moments she hears his voice. She's caught! Always a quick thinker, Alisa has a plan in mind. Can she get Korgan to help her in a dangerous mission?

And what a mission! Schoolgirls in Africa are being kidnapped, and one of the missing girls is someone that she views as a sister. Alisa is after a man named Jorge Masenak. Through careful research Alisa has learned that Masenak is a common enemy between them. She is more than confident that she can get Korgan to work with her to rescue the girls.

One of the girls, Sasha, is truly gifted. Even though held prisoner, she managed to release some special horses and this has truly angered Masenak. Sasha is said to be a horse whisperer. As things turn out, someone else called into play once Korgan agrees to work with Alisa, and that is Margaret Douglas, a renowned horse whisperer. Can the three lay a trap and rescue the girls - and the horses - and catch Masenak?

Certainly none of this will be easy, thus this book lays the groundwork for a a thrilling new title by Iris Johansen. Chaos reigns in the efforts that take them deep into the jungles of Africa as they track the missing girls. This book is not for the faint of heart. The girls are grossly mistreated, even as Alisa was when she was much younger. Yet, if you want a story that will keep you turning pages long into the night, go no further, Chaos will fit the bill. All of Johansen's books I have read thus far have romance in them, and this book is no different.

Chaos is a fabulous book and would make a great series! I would love to see where Alyssa and Korgan can go from there, and of course, I love how Johansen ties in characters from previous series. Despite its length, this book was a one-sitting read for me! Johansen makes her books quite like a movie with action, drama and compelling characters. I am eager for whatever next she has in store for her readers.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[LInda L]

I'm not giving this book stars because I know it was an important, popular book, but I just didn't like it. I struggled along for 200 pages, but after that I just skimmed. I did read the ending -- from the horserace on. I was so disappointed in myself -- I've read a lot of her Eve Duncan books and loved them, but this one? it just wasn't for me. So sorry, Iris.

[Shelleen Toland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had aa hard time getting into this book. I didn't really care for any of the characters.
When CIA agent Alisa Flynn flaunts the rules by breaking into a mansion in the middle of the night, she skillfully circumvents alarms and outwits guards only to find herself standing in billionaire Gabe Korgan's study… busted by Korgan himself.
In a ripped-from-the-headlines plot, schoolgirls in Africa have been kidnapped, and Alisa knows that Korgan has the courage, financial means, and high-tech weaponry to help rescue them.
Calling in additional assistance from renowned horse whisperer Margaret Douglas, Alisa and Gabe lay their plans, only to see them descend into chaos as the line between right and wrong wavers before them like a mirage.
A school in Africa being taken over by a militia group. A man by the name of Masenak has taken over St. Eldon’s Academy for girls and has kidnapped many of the students. One of them is a girl by the name of Sasha Lawrence. I hated Masenak. But the one thing that irritated me by the author was her constant use of his threatening Sasha. In almost every paragraph that they are in together. I knew it was going to be the next sentence before i even read it.
sorry that i could not get into this book as I do like this author.
I received the book from Grand Central Publising and NetGalley for review.

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.

Imagine having the means to do everything necessary to save someone precious to you but to be restricted in your actions, to have your hands tied together, unable to do anything for ethical reasons. To do anything against those established rules would only result in your termination, in punishments that may affect you for the rest of your life, from banishment to imprisonment. How much would you risk doing what you deem is right? How far would you go to save such a person? When is crossing the line condonable? Author Iris Johansen (Eve Duncan series, The Ugly Duckling) returns with a brand-new stand-alone thriller introducing readers to a new female agent who will do anything to stop clandestine criminals and save someone close to her heart.

What is Chaos about? The story follows CIA agent Alisa Flynn in her rogue attempt to save schoolgirls in Africa who were kidnapped by criminals Jorge Masenak and Leo Baldwin. To do so, she infiltrates a highly securitized mansion where she, unfortunately, gets caught by the billionaire owner Gabe Korgan. Once she exposes her dilemma to him, she invites him into joining her cause. She ultimately manages to spark his interest in her and piques his curiosity in her quest. She then obtains his financial support and gains access to his high-tech weaponry, giving her everything she needs to begin a search-and-rescue mission accompanied by a renowned horse whisperer. However, her focus is mostly on saving a particular girl named Sasha Nalano on top of saving the hostages from their unfortunate impediment.

This turned out to be one of those “it’s not you, it’s me” thing. The premise in itself seemed intriguing, if you don’t look too closely into it, but then once you actually dive into the story and realize its structure, its themes, and its execution, the flaws start stacking up. The story alternates between Alisa’s point of view, surrounded by the crew she’s formed to save the schoolgirls, and Sasha’s point of view, as Alisa’s protégé, a hostage that the enemy has taken an interest in for her talent to “speak” to horses. Why this angle was taken is beyond me but one should always expect horses to be important in the story when there is one on the cover… The scarce action sequences are also separated by dialogue-heavy sequences where characters discuss their plans, who they are, and why they do what they do. This pacing never really works since there’s barely anything truly interesting in these characters to even care about.

If it wasn’t enough that these characters were developed with little attention, depicted with the complexity of cardboard boxes, and showcasing few charming characteristics that could allow a reader to connect with them, the story was also filled with far-fetched ideas that never flourished in any way whatsoever. Especially all things related to horses. Had I known the pivotal and quintessential attention the author would give for them and the silly concept about talking to animals, I wouldn’t have gotten myself into this trap. And then there’s the romance facet of this novel which greatly affected the story’s integrity for me. While there’s a central exposition of the horrors of rape interwove into the antagonist’s playbook, there’s also a sexually-tense love story blooming between the billionaire and the CIA agent that couldn’t lack more tact and elegance in the midst of it all. There’s really very little that could’ve redeemed this novel and it didn’t help that the author had an odd fetishism for exclamation marks (!) in the narration. Honestly, this just wasn’t for me.

Chaos is a tedious romantic thriller following a rogue CIA agent’s journey to saving kidnapped schoolgirls from rapists and torturers with a fascination for horses.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me a copy for review!

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed. I thought this story needed less chit chat between characters and a little more action.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 1 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

Overdone, overworked and over-long. This needed an aggressive editor, to shorten it mainly by getting rid of so much unnecessary drivel. CIA agent Elisa Flynn goes rogue when her agency refuses to rescue a group of young girls who have been kidnapped by Jorge Masenak, a monster who with his lover Leo Baldwin and his army proceed to rape, torture and kill these girls as young as ten, daughters of wealthy businessmen and influential diplomats. It is a thoroughly disgusting and horrifying storyline. Johansen does not spare the visuals. One of the girls is Sasha who Elisa had found in a circus taking care of and riding the horses. She is now a smart and capable fifteen.
Elisa buys the horses and sponsors Sasha Nalano Lawrence at the St. Eldon Academy in Morocco, Africa.

Elisa hacks into the system at Gabe Korgan palace in Morocco, to get information on Masenak. He catches her and a peculiar relationship evolves between them as they agree to go after the girls and Masenak. What follows is a long drawn out tale, with ridiculous dialogue between Elisa and Gabe, and between Sasha and the Nisean horse Chaos. Sasha is a horse whisperer. Nisean horses are extinct. The dialogue between Sasha and Chaos is like that of educated humans, though immature.
Completely unbelievable. Masenak is crazy about horses, had heard about Chaos and wants him to run in the annual race he runs against rival Marcus Reardon another reprehensible man who also tortures and rapes young people. The group that Korgan assembles includes a former Special Services operative who Gabe worked with, John Gilroy. Both Elisa and John had been trained by the same groups, Native American trackers and Philippinos, famous for their abilities of fading into the jungle. Also assisting is Margaret Douglas and her dog Juno, (Margaret can talk to animals.) from other series by Johansen.

They rescue the girls who have been severely traumatized, shared nightly among the men, and were chained to posts in a tent. Sasha who had free rein because Masenak threatened to torture or kill the girls and or the horses, if she failed to obey, manages to coat the chain with a compound that makes the metal brittle and will break easily when they are ready, smuggled in by Gilroy. But Masenak manages to get away with Sasha, and flies to his castle Julbadar in the Atlas Mountains. So another rescue is planned, Korgan having fallen in love with Elisa, and being willing to do anything to make her happy. One of the most overdone elements of the story is the contentious and sexually tense dialogue between the two. Elisa is petulant, argumentative and childish in her wanting to rescue Sasha and the girls, and her attraction to Korgan. He, as a recognized genius who invents new gadgets and concepts nearly daily, doesn't like to be shown up, as in her ability to hack into his computer. They dick about through nearly the entire story, finally having sex near the end, and with his declaring his love and intent to stick with her to the end. Drivel. There is a fairy-tale ending. Completely predictable, no surprises and nothing creative. It is so frustrating when I look forward to a book and it turns out to be dreadful. I think I have finished with Johansen.

[Lorraine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book in a nutshell: Dr Doolittle meets a Harlequin romance, sprinkled with the torture and rape of children (or “incidents” as described in the book) and a horse named Chaos. This was a painful read.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

After 128 pages. I gave up. This book is too much like Eve Duncan’s books and are quite annoying. They are in a jungle and they are in tents and Maldava seems too much like locations in Eves books. The dialogue is the same as the Eve series. The characters argue non stop about who’s best to do something and try to control each other and from the first paragraph it’s about the sexual tension of the characters. Again much like the characters in Eves books. At this point I’m hoping that she doesn’t blow the Kendra series. I use to really like this author but she needs some new material.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say that I absolutely hated this disappointing book, it was so tedious, boring and repetitive. The characters kept saying the same things over and over and over again. The main character Alisa is an insufferable, belligerent, demanding, strident bitch who is constantly complaining and blaming. Korgan is a ridiculous caricature of a cheesy romance novel hero. And the exclamation points! So many exclamation points! It's how you know something is supposed to be exciting!

The only likeable characters are Chaos, Nightshade, Juno, and Gilroy. I liked the gimmick of the telepathic communication with the animals, but this is a "thriller" in which there are very few thrills, and those are all at the very end of the book.

I couldn't wait to be done with this book and the only reason I didn't abandon it partway through (I really, really wanted to!) is that once I start a book, I am compelled to finish it. It was a waste of time though.

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHHH!! I have loved Iris Johansen forever and am obsessed with her Eve Duncan series. But I was super excited to start a new series with new characters. Alisa Flynn and Gabe Korgan were amazing. Their chemistry was palpable but the amazing suspense in the story took the cake. What an amazing start to this series!

Iris Johansen is an amazing storyteller near and dear to my heart. I fell in love with her romantic suspense stories and never looked back. Alisa and Gabe were absolutely fabulous. I loved their banter and the way their chemistry coupled with the suspense in the story. It was an added bonus. Overall, I loved this story and can't wait for more from these characters and this author in the future!

I would like to thank the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review! 4 stars! ~Ratula ❤

[Peg · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with writers in long time series, each book becomes a boiler plate with minor changes. True to former books, the characters are arrogant and petulant. It gets old.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

When her adopted younger sister is kidnapped from boarding school, CIA operative Alisa Flynn throws all the rules out the window. She begins by circumnavigating top notch security to break into the residence of billionaire genius Gabe Korgan, only to be caught by the man himself. She knows she has to convince him to help, even if it costs her career.

When he learns of schoolgirls having been kidnapped in northern Africa, Gabe realizes he and Alisa now have a mutual enemy and Gabe has the means, skills, and equipment to help. There are many innocents to save so Alisa keeps her personal reasons for taking on this mission to herself at first, but soon the truth inevitably comes out and emotions between Alisa and Gabe become very charged.

Even after calling in backup from their very skilled friends, Alisa and Gabe’s carefully laid plans are impossible to perfect in an ever-changing situation. The whole team’s bravery will be tested if they have any hope of succeeding and saving the hostages.

This book was definitely a lot farther from my usual fare than I expected it to be. To be perfectly honest, this one was a bit of a slog for me. The action was rather few and far between with lots of buildup that just got tedious and didn’t hold my attention. I expected a lot more suspense from this as a thriller. Gabe was an interesting character with a ton of achievements, but he never came off as arrogant to me and was actually quite likable. Alias on the other hand, though skilled, had way too much arrogance and her ‘I can do things on my own, I’m the one in charge’ attitude was extremely off-putting, especially given the fact that she was the one begging for Gabe’s help. I didn’t really understand what he saw in her. Sure, Gabe and Alisa had chemistry and sexual tension, but I think that was mostly down to the danger and stress of their situation. I couldn’t really see them as a couple unless Alisa made some serious changes, but as it stood she seemed too determined to do things herself, just for the sake of saying she didn’t need help, to ever be a partner in a real relationship. Overall, Alisa was too petulant and conceited for me to like her or root for her, and all under the guise of her being a strong, independent woman. I just don’t buy it; independence and strength don’t have to be arrogant.

After all that buildup, I thought the ending was a bit flat and there was also an odd overuse of exclamation marks. I guess this was to tell me I should be thrilled because I really wasn’t. it’s very rarely in me to DNF, but it did take me a while to get through this one. Others may like this one, it just wasn’t quite doing it for me. As my first read from this author, I’ll probably still try something else of hers, but this will not a be a reread or a keeper for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I want to say a huge thank you to the publisher Grand Central Publishing,the author Iris Johansen, for send me a copy of it to read and review as well as saying I'm so sorry for getting to it a bit late. Now on to what I thought of it :Fast pace right from the very start, amazing characters , and the storyline and plot was exciting and thrilling as well as suspenseful , with a bit of romance mixed in .

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is the same as all the other just with new characters. A strong wayward woman asking for help from a genius of a man with money. Why do I keep reading her books? I have no idea!

[Sonja · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't do it. The battle of egos was just too much. This book had an interesting story line but the dialogue between the characters just didn't work for me.

[Soo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes:

I enjoyed the story much more than I thought I would. =) Nice mix of action, animal love and characters that I loved getting to know. The story is more of a thriller with a side of romance. Most of the romance is a bit rushed/etc but it works within the story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaos is a thrilling ride. CIA agent Alisa Flynn is super talented, smart and confident in her abilities but not so great with feelings. Billionaire Gabe Korgan has a brain that never stops. He gets bored easily. These two need to work together if they don’t kill each other first. The chemistry between them is palpable. This is an incredible tale filled with non-stop action, moments of terrifying fear and an incredible conclusion. I’m looking forward to future adventures with these characters. Thrilling romantic suspense at its very best.

[asha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had issues with suspension of disbelief and the plot didn't really grip me, so maybe it just wasn't the kind of book for me

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Utterly improbable and unbelievable but engaging and interesting.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrenaline-pumping, fast-paced, and suspenseful!

In this first instalment in the Alisa Flynn series, Chaos, Johansen has written an action-packed thrill ride that introduces the highly intelligent CIA Special Operative Flynn who with the help of her friend, the animal whisperer, Margaret Douglas, and the billionaire inventor, Gabe Korgan, is on the hunt for a group of mercenaries who have kidnapped a group of rich, young girls, a stable full of thoroughbred horses, and Alisa’s ward, Sasha Lawrence from the St. Eldon’s Academy with disturbingly nefarious purposes in mind.

The writing is edgy and crisp. The characters are persistent, ruthless, and unique. And the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish as it submerges you in a menacing, chilling tale full of violence, deception, corruption, mayhem, danger, control, power, murder, and a sliver of the supernatural.

Overall, Chaos is a tortuous, pacey, exciting mystery that’s sure to be a new fan favourite with its creative, well-drawn characterization, heightened sense of urgency, and thrilling conclusion.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn (burlingtonbiblio) · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW
First off, Iris Johansen is a go to author for me. She never disappoints. Her storytelling always has me on the edge of my seat.

I was completely absorbed in this book. My heart wrenched for the school girls. Heads up- The details of their hostage experience are graphic and horrific. The tenacity of Alisa and her dedication in saving these girls at any cost pulled me in. I was engrossed from start to finish.

The criminal Masenak is evil and twisted. The atrocities he inflicts on his prisoners will make you want to scream and yell. You will want vengeance for those he has hurt. Such is the talent of the author that for me, Masenak’s arrogance dripped off the page and his dialogue felt dirty to read.

The author intertwines the personal histories of each of the characters giving the reader a glimpse of their hearts. It was these interludes that gave depth to the characters and made them more real to me, their past traumas and triumphs that led them to this moment in time.
While the main theme is the rescue of the school girls the author delves into a number of topics; orphans, telepathy, technological warfare, African cartels, friendship, veterans, romance, feminism..... every reader will feel drawn to some aspect of this book.

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like to rate Iris Johansen much higher. I have read her books since her days writing contemporary romance under the Loveswept imprint. She was always a go to author. She always wrote so well with great chemistry. Now, she writes a lot with her son. Is it harder to write good romantic chemistry with ones offspring? Especially a son? I know that I hated watching shows with romance/sex in them with my father in the room.

This book had a great set up and plot. But I just didn't feel the romantic chemistry, the thrills of the action and adventure, etc, that I expected. Color me underwhelmed.

[Geoff · Rating 1 out of 5]

The NYT book readers are a compassionate lot. This is the work of a best selling author? It reads like something co authored by Enid Blyton and Jacki Collins.
The characters are two dimensional, at best, the heroines all have so many talents and skills that you lose track, and the villians only lack handlebar moustaches to enable you to distinguish them from Jack Lemon's Professor Fate in The Great Race.
A bit of Rex Harrison's Dr Dolittle skills so the virtuous side can telepathically communicate with animals, and we're off for 400+ cliche rich pages of disappointment.
I have read this book so that you don't have to.

[Brandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love this author, however this book is filled with young girls being kidnapped, beaten, raped, and beheaded. I am not finishing it and am incredibly disappointed.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up skimming pages. Couldn't finish it.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was awful, mostly dialogue and hardly any action. I have always liked Iris Johansen’s books but this wasn’t even in the ballpark.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the beginning a little hard to follow and visualize, perhaps because of the technology? Love the connections between people and animals.