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LAST SON OF THE WAR GOD
In the backcountry of Idaho, a tribe of men are hunting and killing with a dream of returning the world to an earlier time. A time when courage and prowess in the field determined a man's worth. A time when the strong took what they wanted, and the weak cowered in fear.
Mike Bryant has come to the wilderness to die. Tired of the trappings of modern life, his will to live has run out. But when he crosses paths with a group of warriors who challenge him, he suddenly finds purpose. Mike is no ordinary man. Frozen and given up for dead, an inner core of rage ignites a fury few have seen and lived. Deep in the White Cloud Mountains, a demon is awakening. The Last Son of The War God was forged in the storm of blood and fire. And now he's angry.
Service to the War God requires few rules. Rituals are optional, and the code consists of less than one might expect. But if there is one thing the War God will not tolerate, it's an imposter. A false disciple unworthy of worship at the alter of blood. And when his gaze casts upon them, punishment is always due. The War God has chosen his champion, one of his favorite sons. And by the time the dust settles, one thing will be clear. If you choose the War God as your deity, you had better have what it takes to measure up. Consequences are eternal.
Mike Bryant has come to the wilderness to die. Tired of the trappings of modern life, his will to live has run out. But when he crosses paths with a group of warriors who challenge him, he suddenly finds purpose. Mike is no ordinary man. Frozen and given up for dead, an inner core of rage ignites a fury few have seen and lived. Deep in the White Cloud Mountains, a demon is awakening. The Last Son of The War God was forged in the storm of blood and fire. And now he's angry.
Service to the War God requires few rules. Rituals are optional, and the code consists of less than one might expect. But if there is one thing the War God will not tolerate, it's an imposter. A false disciple unworthy of worship at the alter of blood. And when his gaze casts upon them, punishment is always due. The War God has chosen his champion, one of his favorite sons. And by the time the dust settles, one thing will be clear. If you choose the War God as your deity, you had better have what it takes to measure up. Consequences are eternal.
236 pages, Paperback
Published August 19, 2019
67 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 2, 2020
Surprise. Random discovery. It was entertaining. Bloody, violent, awful, but entertaining. If you like revenge stories where the bad guys get what they deserve then you will like this. A little bit of Rambo and Die Hard mixed together.
December 17, 2021
Too Easy!
A bunch of warrior wanna-bees kidnaps Mike in order to add some spice to their human hunting game. Unfortunately for them, Mike is the best-of-the-best special operator. He manages to escape confinement and to discover these "good ol' boys" consider themselves alpha males and hunt people down to indulge in the spoils - particularly with women.
These weekend warriors are no match for Mike, and while they think he is running scared in the wilderness, Mike has actually turned the tables and will not stop hunting them until they are all dead.
Martin does a good job of guiding us through all the mistakes the men make and all the things that Mike does well. But it was all too easy for Mike to hunt his quarry. I kept thinking that something was going to happen to truly challenge Mike - but no.
Delusional thinking was not only reserved for the hunters, but Mike is also deluded in thinking that he is the son of the War God, and it is his responsibility to put these guys down because they have angered the War God. He kills off all but two of the hunters and covers his tracks - I mean really covers his tracks. A year later he decided the two should not be allowed to live and takes them out.
The FBI has a suspicion but not enough evidence. Oddly, he apparently belongs to some organization of guys like him (assassins) and is reprimanded for going a bit too far - makes us look bad.
This is an okay book but it would have been better if Mike had some better-skilled opponents. The book is set up that this could be the first in a series but nothing yet.
A bunch of warrior wanna-bees kidnaps Mike in order to add some spice to their human hunting game. Unfortunately for them, Mike is the best-of-the-best special operator. He manages to escape confinement and to discover these "good ol' boys" consider themselves alpha males and hunt people down to indulge in the spoils - particularly with women.
These weekend warriors are no match for Mike, and while they think he is running scared in the wilderness, Mike has actually turned the tables and will not stop hunting them until they are all dead.
Martin does a good job of guiding us through all the mistakes the men make and all the things that Mike does well. But it was all too easy for Mike to hunt his quarry. I kept thinking that something was going to happen to truly challenge Mike - but no.
Delusional thinking was not only reserved for the hunters, but Mike is also deluded in thinking that he is the son of the War God, and it is his responsibility to put these guys down because they have angered the War God. He kills off all but two of the hunters and covers his tracks - I mean really covers his tracks. A year later he decided the two should not be allowed to live and takes them out.
The FBI has a suspicion but not enough evidence. Oddly, he apparently belongs to some organization of guys like him (assassins) and is reprimanded for going a bit too far - makes us look bad.
This is an okay book but it would have been better if Mike had some better-skilled opponents. The book is set up that this could be the first in a series but nothing yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
I am perfectly willing to believe that Clay Martin is so tough, he can drive ten-inch nails through seasoned oak beams just by striking them with his forehead. However, this comes at a cost, you know - apparently, there's not much room left for brains in there.
I mean, take this novel - basically, your "The Hills Have Eyes" scenario rewritten as "The Most Dangerous Game". The hero is plot-armored to the gills, there's no suspense, because it's obvious nothing bad will happen to him. He's abducted by a bunch of good ole boys (going on to prove that potatoes are the most advanced lifeform in Idaho, I guess), which leads to a case of one Second Amendment partisan wiping out several others like him. So, ironically, all good, a fine blue-on-blue (or, in this case, red-on-red) occurrence, pity it's fictional. But for all his toughness, Clay Martin couldn't write his way out of a wet paper bag. He seems to believe spelling and grammar are for the weaklings, and even knowing such a word as "syntax" marks me as an irredeemable citified librul. He tries, he reaches for "big" words (like, you know, high school level), only to misspell and misuse them, because peanut brain.
And then, to round out the experience, the publisher decided to throw in a few chapters from another novel by Clay-man. Wherein Mr. Martin decided to supplement his writing disability with political prophecy. Hoo boy, MAGA bingo incoming. What a treat to mouthbreathers!
I mean, take this novel - basically, your "The Hills Have Eyes" scenario rewritten as "The Most Dangerous Game". The hero is plot-armored to the gills, there's no suspense, because it's obvious nothing bad will happen to him. He's abducted by a bunch of good ole boys (going on to prove that potatoes are the most advanced lifeform in Idaho, I guess), which leads to a case of one Second Amendment partisan wiping out several others like him. So, ironically, all good, a fine blue-on-blue (or, in this case, red-on-red) occurrence, pity it's fictional. But for all his toughness, Clay Martin couldn't write his way out of a wet paper bag. He seems to believe spelling and grammar are for the weaklings, and even knowing such a word as "syntax" marks me as an irredeemable citified librul. He tries, he reaches for "big" words (like, you know, high school level), only to misspell and misuse them, because peanut brain.
And then, to round out the experience, the publisher decided to throw in a few chapters from another novel by Clay-man. Wherein Mr. Martin decided to supplement his writing disability with political prophecy. Hoo boy, MAGA bingo incoming. What a treat to mouthbreathers!
May 15, 2021
Mike Bryant was tired. After his many years in service to our country, multiple tours in the Middle East, Marines, Special Forces, Green Berets, and hours upon hours in a sniper hide waiting for the perfect shot. His country abandoned him; handing over his walking papers with a hearty so long. Retreating to the Idaho wilderness intending to eat a 10mm, unaware that a different ending was in store for him. A vile group of cannibalistic men claimed this area for their hunting grounds; hunting and butchering human captives. Their corrupted minds believing the world would return to barbarism and with it the ability to take whatever they wanted without consequence. Confident, they saw Mike as their next victim. They could not have imagined how wrong they were.
April 19, 2020
Extremely enjoyable!
I found this story to be really enjoyable if you like the genre! If your of a weak constitution, stay away. The story is about Mike a former soldier who had decided to go off into the wilderness to kill him self. But when he stops in a little town to get a drink, but he’s roofied and abducted, taken to a remote woods and a large group of men who like to hunt people. Lots of people. But these hunters have made a devastating mistake! Mike is a former military black ops operator, a true killing machine! Mike believes the God of War has sent him to punish these pretenders.
I found this story to be really enjoyable if you like the genre! If your of a weak constitution, stay away. The story is about Mike a former soldier who had decided to go off into the wilderness to kill him self. But when he stops in a little town to get a drink, but he’s roofied and abducted, taken to a remote woods and a large group of men who like to hunt people. Lots of people. But these hunters have made a devastating mistake! Mike is a former military black ops operator, a true killing machine! Mike believes the God of War has sent him to punish these pretenders.
March 14, 2021
The clichés were hot and heavy and started almost immediately.
Apparently when the author watched Deliverance and Rambo, he thought they were documentaries of present day rural America.
plot: Ex-very-special-forces protagonist is heading innawoods to off himself, because life is tough, maaaan. For this purpose he carries the best equipment money can buy, sniper rifle, scope, handgun, boots, you name it. He promptly runs into the cast from Deliverance, times two, and they're totally into cannibalism. They're lead by the local sheriff, because the author has seen Rambo too. There are tracking dogs. Did I mention the author has seen Rambo?
Apparently when the author watched Deliverance and Rambo, he thought they were documentaries of present day rural America.
plot: Ex-very-special-forces protagonist is heading innawoods to off himself, because life is tough, maaaan. For this purpose he carries the best equipment money can buy, sniper rifle, scope, handgun, boots, you name it. He promptly runs into the cast from Deliverance, times two, and they're totally into cannibalism. They're lead by the local sheriff, because the author has seen Rambo too. There are tracking dogs. Did I mention the author has seen Rambo?
April 9, 2021
Like a modern day Rambo: First Blood, but with less indiscriminate full-auto fire into crowds of local cops.
A group of psychotic wannabee-alpha-males in the hills of Montana have been running their own special hunting parties for years. Led by a upper league asshole sheriff, the group has been disappointed with their recent conquests. Upon seeing Mike, a new face in the small town, they take a chance on snatching up one last victim for the season. Unfortunately for them, this prey is far from anything they've ever dealt with. It is now they who become the prey. They thought they were the disciples of the war god, but the true warrior has come to show them their folly.
A group of psychotic wannabee-alpha-males in the hills of Montana have been running their own special hunting parties for years. Led by a upper league asshole sheriff, the group has been disappointed with their recent conquests. Upon seeing Mike, a new face in the small town, they take a chance on snatching up one last victim for the season. Unfortunately for them, this prey is far from anything they've ever dealt with. It is now they who become the prey. They thought they were the disciples of the war god, but the true warrior has come to show them their folly.
August 31, 2023
Loved It!
I had high expectations for this book when I read the synopsis, and it delivered. The action was detailed and fast paced. The balance of power in the story shifted dramatically and fatally. The age old story of the hunter becoming the prey could not have been illustrated any better.
A retired, well trained killing machine going against a gang of murderous yokels was like an NBA superstar going against a high school JV team.
I liked the pacing of the story, it kicked into gear early on and did not relent. I’ll be looking for other work from this writer, and I look forward to re-reading this book in the near future.
A job well done, Clay Martin!
I had high expectations for this book when I read the synopsis, and it delivered. The action was detailed and fast paced. The balance of power in the story shifted dramatically and fatally. The age old story of the hunter becoming the prey could not have been illustrated any better.
A retired, well trained killing machine going against a gang of murderous yokels was like an NBA superstar going against a high school JV team.
I liked the pacing of the story, it kicked into gear early on and did not relent. I’ll be looking for other work from this writer, and I look forward to re-reading this book in the near future.
A job well done, Clay Martin!
November 4, 2021
Manhunt
Talk about fast and furious -light and dark-watch your back -killer elite-
You had to have been there to learn how to do all that interesting
Skillful destruction- to stop and think,plan and implement the revenge needed
For that whole group- it was really a fantastic trip.
But remember it only a book!
Talk about fast and furious -light and dark-watch your back -killer elite-
You had to have been there to learn how to do all that interesting
Skillful destruction- to stop and think,plan and implement the revenge needed
For that whole group- it was really a fantastic trip.
But remember it only a book!
November 28, 2022
Very brutal book about a cult in Idaho made up of men who kidnap people, and let them go in the mountains, all for the thrill of chasing and hunting them down. They bite off more than they can chew when they attempt to try this on a retired member of Special Operations. This book is ferocious and thrilling, at less than 200 pages it’s also a short read.
May 5, 2020
Loved it. Brutal, gory and macho but the right amount and relevant given the story setting. Read it pretty much in one sitting, couldn’t really put it down.
Recommended for fans of military hero action stories and revenge.
Recommended for fans of military hero action stories and revenge.
Read
May 27, 2023There's only one response to evil
Great story , easy read, hard to put down. Martin draws from his vast knowledge base and real world experiences to craft a story about the only way to deal with the darkest evils and pays honor to true warriors.
Great story , easy read, hard to put down. Martin draws from his vast knowledge base and real world experiences to craft a story about the only way to deal with the darkest evils and pays honor to true warriors.
March 31, 2025
Interesting story, terrible editing
Interesting, simplistic story, fairly well written. Premise is possible, disturbing and a bit depressing. As others have noted, the editing is terrible.
Interesting, simplistic story, fairly well written. Premise is possible, disturbing and a bit depressing. As others have noted, the editing is terrible.
March 26, 2021
Another excellent book by Clay Martin!
June 28, 2021
It's no Brothers Karamazov but it was a fun read and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would
March 5, 2022
Mr Martin is a good writer.
This was a good read. Four stars for a small handful of awkward phrases, but very minor. I enjoyed it.
This was a good read. Four stars for a small handful of awkward phrases, but very minor. I enjoyed it.
August 18, 2022
Well written just not a great plot
September 28, 2022
As good as the First Blood story
November 15, 2023
Good book that starts slow , but quickly speeds up and keeps you reading . Tried and tested story that this one keeps you riveted. Well written and a must read
June 13, 2024
INTENSE. Read it in about four days/nights. A special forces background is recommended - in order to avoid the shock of what our warriors are really capable of.
August 16, 2024
Bad ass book can't wait to see what happens next.
February 3, 2018
I had a long time go by between buying the book and reading it. I did read the Kindle version. I had forgotten any previous hype and started reading the book.
I was initially put off by the opening, but that changed rather quickly. To me it was reminiscent of "The most dangerous game" a book and movie written and made between WWI and WWII. I then wanted to see the changes and modernization. I was rewarded! It turned out to be a great book with tons of detail and I like detail. This book held my interest and kept me up.
I usually like my fiction to closely follow historical events, this does not. This book does support itself, so historical context is not needed.
It is pretty fast moving and I always knew where I was in the plot. many small zigs and sags, but not enough to throw the reader of track.
Definitely a action book. Five Star Action Book.
I was initially put off by the opening, but that changed rather quickly. To me it was reminiscent of "The most dangerous game" a book and movie written and made between WWI and WWII. I then wanted to see the changes and modernization. I was rewarded! It turned out to be a great book with tons of detail and I like detail. This book held my interest and kept me up.
I usually like my fiction to closely follow historical events, this does not. This book does support itself, so historical context is not needed.
It is pretty fast moving and I always knew where I was in the plot. many small zigs and sags, but not enough to throw the reader of track.
Definitely a action book. Five Star Action Book.
March 3, 2019
Regardless of the quality of the storyline, the writing is awful. Paragraphs that run on for pages, telling rather than showing, missing or inappropriate dialogue punctuation as well as sentence punctuation issues. All of these detract severely from the story and the readers enjoyment and understanding.
To the author, you have inserted a significant amount and creativity in your work. Your work is your baby, and reflects on you. At least take the time to make it as good as you can before putting it out for readers. Use an editor, and make the changes they suggest, and, for goodness sake, please take the time to critically read your story before you throw it to the wolves.
To the author, you have inserted a significant amount and creativity in your work. Your work is your baby, and reflects on you. At least take the time to make it as good as you can before putting it out for readers. Use an editor, and make the changes they suggest, and, for goodness sake, please take the time to critically read your story before you throw it to the wolves.
January 4, 2018
Fun Read
Enjoyed the book, especially the author's note at the end. This would have been a five star review except for the grammatical and spelling errors. But I can't fault him too much, for he is a warrior, and that fact shone through, and clinched it for me. If, by any chance, you read this, Mr. Martin, know that we are indebted to you. Thank you for your service, and I'm hoping you write again soon!
Enjoyed the book, especially the author's note at the end. This would have been a five star review except for the grammatical and spelling errors. But I can't fault him too much, for he is a warrior, and that fact shone through, and clinched it for me. If, by any chance, you read this, Mr. Martin, know that we are indebted to you. Thank you for your service, and I'm hoping you write again soon!
January 13, 2018
Interesting story!
I have followed Clay Martin on You Tube and Gun Digest for a while. I liked his reviews and recommendations. I did not agree with the change in the story from killing his subjects out right to making it a game and punishing them as he did so. I do not believe a man of Clay’s background would have chosen the more difficult solution. Still interesting and liked the fact he used weapons he has previously reviewed and recommended.
I have followed Clay Martin on You Tube and Gun Digest for a while. I liked his reviews and recommendations. I did not agree with the change in the story from killing his subjects out right to making it a game and punishing them as he did so. I do not believe a man of Clay’s background would have chosen the more difficult solution. Still interesting and liked the fact he used weapons he has previously reviewed and recommended.
January 4, 2020
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway and the following is my honest review.
I am halfway through. Lots of violence. Lots of information about how to be a top notch killing machine. I am halfway through and I feel like I did wrong and am on the run from this guy as well.
I will finish this, somehow. All the action sequences make it a quick read.
this book is for you if you like reading about vengeance killing by former military snipers.
I am halfway through. Lots of violence. Lots of information about how to be a top notch killing machine. I am halfway through and I feel like I did wrong and am on the run from this guy as well.
I will finish this, somehow. All the action sequences make it a quick read.
this book is for you if you like reading about vengeance killing by former military snipers.
December 15, 2018
Please, may we have some more?
Dead serious. Former military but not apex. I can recognize the be when it's going down, mostly. People caught in the act deserve retribution on the spot. This country has come under the control of pushers and politicians. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. For the loss of your brothers, I mourn with you.
Dead serious. Former military but not apex. I can recognize the be when it's going down, mostly. People caught in the act deserve retribution on the spot. This country has come under the control of pushers and politicians. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. For the loss of your brothers, I mourn with you.
November 19, 2020
Gripping story, at times visceral, very tense and electrical. Loved this! I wish there were more books like this, because I certainly learned a lot from reading this. It seems obvious to me that the author has a wide range of experience and this book is almost a blueprint for surviving in a desperate situation. Plus, I really hated the "bad guys"!
December 19, 2017
A "one of the best" books!!
This is about the real thing. If you like justice in it's rawest form and bad ass good guys with the old school drive of winning however necessary, then this book is for you. I only can hope for more.
This is about the real thing. If you like justice in it's rawest form and bad ass good guys with the old school drive of winning however necessary, then this book is for you. I only can hope for more.
January 14, 2018
Excellent. DOL.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews