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Paladin of Shadows #5
A Deeper Blue
Sequel to Ghost , Kildar , Choosers of the Slain and Unto the Breach .
Heart-sick over the deaths of so many of his Keldara followers, and one in particular, former SEAL Mike Harmon, hero of Ghost , Kildar and Choosers of the Slain , decides to sit this one out. WMDs headed for the US no longer matter to the Kildar. But when his best friend and intel specialist both are seriously wounded in an ambush aimed at him, the Kildar gets his gameface back on. Mike has always said that he's not a nice guy, and he's about to prove it to a boatload of terrorists and Colombian drug dealers. Set in the Bahamas and Florida Keys, A Deeper Blue is a fast moving thriller that never slows down from the first page. With the return of some old faces, the action-packed novel proves, once again, the adage that sometimes it takes some very bad people to do good things.
Heart-sick over the deaths of so many of his Keldara followers, and one in particular, former SEAL Mike Harmon, hero of Ghost , Kildar and Choosers of the Slain , decides to sit this one out. WMDs headed for the US no longer matter to the Kildar. But when his best friend and intel specialist both are seriously wounded in an ambush aimed at him, the Kildar gets his gameface back on. Mike has always said that he's not a nice guy, and he's about to prove it to a boatload of terrorists and Colombian drug dealers. Set in the Bahamas and Florida Keys, A Deeper Blue is a fast moving thriller that never slows down from the first page. With the return of some old faces, the action-packed novel proves, once again, the adage that sometimes it takes some very bad people to do good things.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2007
130 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
John Ringo
101 books1,830 followersJohn Ringo is a prolific author who has written in a wide variety of genres. His early life included a great deal of travel. He visited 23 foreign countries, and attended fourteen different schools. After graduation Ringo enlisted in the US military for four years, after which he studied marine biology.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.
He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 26, 2021
7/4/17 3rd reread. Another enjoyable installment in this unique series.
December 6, 2013
I can't give this series any sort of lucid and rational recommendation as I am a little conflicted about my enjoyment of them but the more I read these books, the more I come to think this is John Ringo's 21st Century equivalent to Robert Howard's Conan - a 'Boys (Man's)Own Adventure' for Modern Times.
Where readers in the 30's were scandalized by the archetypal but brutish exploits of the Cimmerian and his unapologetically thieving ways and dalliances with thinly veiled ladies of the bodacious sort, current PC bosom-heavers are disgusted by the unenlightened actions and desires of the protagonist who is essentially the modern, military version of Conan - an action orientated, military tech proficient ex Navy Seal hero who is highly partial to Beers, Babes, Bullets and Bondage and not necessarily in that order.
As a self-identified liberal, I'd find it hard to explicitly argue the merits of this series to someone who shares my general point of view in regards to (baseline) feminism and pacifism etc... but as someone whose traveled and lived around the world from birth, I realize that evil does exist and sometimes demands to be terminated with all prejudice and that men and women while all sharing universal humanist traits blah blah are different from one person to another, proclivity wise and there's just something primally enjoyable about good destroying evil in such spectacular fashion, if that good does have an admitted dark side to it.
I don't know - I have a hard time with idiots who fawn all over these books like some righteous birthright of evolutionary psychology but I feel the same discomfort from hand wringing, moral-relativist twits who 'deplore the sexual politics and violent war mongering' of this series but still can't get enough of the Walking Dead and Crossed etc...
All I can say is I had a huge grin on my face for most of this series even if a large majority of those were an incredulous grimace at the audacity of Ringo (read his own comments about this series - interesting) to 'go there' and virtually everyone who who I've enjoyed debating and talking about issues with seemed to share my perverse enjoyment of these books - even if their loved ones were just as horrified by these..... which of course just makes these even more of a perverse pleasure.
Where readers in the 30's were scandalized by the archetypal but brutish exploits of the Cimmerian and his unapologetically thieving ways and dalliances with thinly veiled ladies of the bodacious sort, current PC bosom-heavers are disgusted by the unenlightened actions and desires of the protagonist who is essentially the modern, military version of Conan - an action orientated, military tech proficient ex Navy Seal hero who is highly partial to Beers, Babes, Bullets and Bondage and not necessarily in that order.
As a self-identified liberal, I'd find it hard to explicitly argue the merits of this series to someone who shares my general point of view in regards to (baseline) feminism and pacifism etc... but as someone whose traveled and lived around the world from birth, I realize that evil does exist and sometimes demands to be terminated with all prejudice and that men and women while all sharing universal humanist traits blah blah are different from one person to another, proclivity wise and there's just something primally enjoyable about good destroying evil in such spectacular fashion, if that good does have an admitted dark side to it.
I don't know - I have a hard time with idiots who fawn all over these books like some righteous birthright of evolutionary psychology but I feel the same discomfort from hand wringing, moral-relativist twits who 'deplore the sexual politics and violent war mongering' of this series but still can't get enough of the Walking Dead and Crossed etc...
All I can say is I had a huge grin on my face for most of this series even if a large majority of those were an incredulous grimace at the audacity of Ringo (read his own comments about this series - interesting) to 'go there' and virtually everyone who who I've enjoyed debating and talking about issues with seemed to share my perverse enjoyment of these books - even if their loved ones were just as horrified by these..... which of course just makes these even more of a perverse pleasure.
August 12, 2011
A Deeper Blue by John Ringo
Terrorists are intent on bringing VX gas to the United States to kill civilians. Mike Harmon/Jenkins stands in their way.
The emotional deprivation that Mike feels in this book provides a more complete picture of this larger than life hero. He demonstrates more depth in his caring for his friends.
That being said, once again we are immersed in non-stop lethal action with solid criticism of our government’s approach on terrorism. Ringo writes outstanding action books laced with cynical critiques of political correctness.
Amidst all the action and storyline, Ringo points out that all the terrorist action against the United States has been carried out by young Arab males. His character regards the lack of profiling of this type of person as sheer insanity, paramount to suicidal.
Ringo’s books are always entertaining and fill a definite niche when I need a kick ass, no prisoners, righteously indignant hero. Surprisingly the books can be thought provoking as well. Sadly this seems to be the end of the series featuring The Ghost/Kildar.
Once again this is not a book for kids, there is not as much rough sex but is is somewhat explicit but it fits with the plot of the book.
I recommend this book.
Terrorists are intent on bringing VX gas to the United States to kill civilians. Mike Harmon/Jenkins stands in their way.
The emotional deprivation that Mike feels in this book provides a more complete picture of this larger than life hero. He demonstrates more depth in his caring for his friends.
That being said, once again we are immersed in non-stop lethal action with solid criticism of our government’s approach on terrorism. Ringo writes outstanding action books laced with cynical critiques of political correctness.
Amidst all the action and storyline, Ringo points out that all the terrorist action against the United States has been carried out by young Arab males. His character regards the lack of profiling of this type of person as sheer insanity, paramount to suicidal.
Ringo’s books are always entertaining and fill a definite niche when I need a kick ass, no prisoners, righteously indignant hero. Surprisingly the books can be thought provoking as well. Sadly this seems to be the end of the series featuring The Ghost/Kildar.
Once again this is not a book for kids, there is not as much rough sex but is is somewhat explicit but it fits with the plot of the book.
I recommend this book.
August 2, 2016
A guilty pleasure, comic book plot, bad guys and slightly less bad "good" guys. Won't strain your brain, call it summer beach reading. 3 Stars.
June 3, 2010
A terrorist plot for a major attack on American soil brings Mike out of a major depression. High octane speedboat chases, some torture of terrorists, some rape and torture of his secretary, (who really loves the rough stuff), makes this an exciting read.
Warning graphic sex and violence.
Warning graphic sex and violence.
February 3, 2017
Another fast paced adventure as the Kildar and his band of mercenaries race to stop acts of terrorism in Florida.
Read
February 1, 2021A Deeper Blue is the fifth and possibly final novel in this series. Mike, Kildar, Jenkins is in a self-induced drunken stupor at the start of this novel, emotionally incapacitated by the loss of a loved one in the previous book (spoiler?). Unfortunately, islamic terrorists have teamed up with drug runners in the Caribbean to attempt to import VX nerve gas to the continental US, and perpetrate a WMD attack. When the President calls, Mike won't answer, so his second in command, Adams, and some of the intel and combat teams head to Florida to work with the CIA, FBI, ATF, and all the alphabet soup you can eat to try to stop the terrorists.
When Adams and Vanner, the Kildar's intel chief, are shot in a raid that turns into a trap, Mike must rouse himself from his caravanserai and head for the States to avenge them and continue the operation. There's lots of great action on the high seas, as the Mountain Tigers take to cigarette boats to pursue the smugglers, others fast-rope onto a freighter to interrogate the crew, and Katya "Cottontail" impersonates a Girls Gone Wild coed to infiltrate the drug lord's yacht.
True to form, no surprises here. Action-packed fun for mature audiences only.
When Adams and Vanner, the Kildar's intel chief, are shot in a raid that turns into a trap, Mike must rouse himself from his caravanserai and head for the States to avenge them and continue the operation. There's lots of great action on the high seas, as the Mountain Tigers take to cigarette boats to pursue the smugglers, others fast-rope onto a freighter to interrogate the crew, and Katya "Cottontail" impersonates a Girls Gone Wild coed to infiltrate the drug lord's yacht.
True to form, no surprises here. Action-packed fun for mature audiences only.
February 1, 2020
Just about readable. This one sees our morally challenged (and that's just me being lenient)
hero tackling terrorists who want to use VX gas on US cities, starting with Florida Keys.
The usual sex and violence follow- there's an irritating bimbo who keeps screaming "Wow,
I love the Bahamas!" Over the top terrorists and there's Harmon's unhealthy obsession with
Britney Spears in which reference is made to Harmon's fantasies involving the singer.
The action scenes in this book aren't even exciting-just boring.
This was the last book I read in this series and I started reading my stock of SuperBolan and Stony Man novels.
I've actually enjoyed Ringo's novels in other series he's written but this remains a very poor
offering relying on graphic sex as a selling point. I would rather take up the cudgels then sit
through any more of this guff.
hero tackling terrorists who want to use VX gas on US cities, starting with Florida Keys.
The usual sex and violence follow- there's an irritating bimbo who keeps screaming "Wow,
I love the Bahamas!" Over the top terrorists and there's Harmon's unhealthy obsession with
Britney Spears in which reference is made to Harmon's fantasies involving the singer.
The action scenes in this book aren't even exciting-just boring.
This was the last book I read in this series and I started reading my stock of SuperBolan and Stony Man novels.
I've actually enjoyed Ringo's novels in other series he's written but this remains a very poor
offering relying on graphic sex as a selling point. I would rather take up the cudgels then sit
through any more of this guff.
July 24, 2021
What do I think about Ringo's Paladin books?
Gotta start with the dislikes, the book is a thing for guys who like to screw kids. No matter how you slice it, it just is not my thing. But I like the rest of the books just fine. I like action, smart women and that he uses women for important jobs. So many writers forget women have brains, unless they are assassins of course. Ringo can write, that's for sure.
Gotta start with the dislikes, the book is a thing for guys who like to screw kids. No matter how you slice it, it just is not my thing. But I like the rest of the books just fine. I like action, smart women and that he uses women for important jobs. So many writers forget women have brains, unless they are assassins of course. Ringo can write, that's for sure.
March 8, 2025
Constantly love the way he writes a bad man trying so hard to not let his demons just take over and, most importantly that he slips up regularly to show it’s impossibly difficult. But, he never gives up. And, amazingly he never pretends or claims to be a good man. He knows he’s a monster just trying with all he has to keep what little human he has at the front.
And his demons locked deep deep down in the dungeons of his soul.
And his demons locked deep deep down in the dungeons of his soul.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2020
This is a fun and very politically-incorrect mil-fic thriller, the fifth in a six-book series. I rate them all around 3½ stars, and since I have rounded some of the others down to 3 stars, I am rounding this one up to 4 stars. It is a page-turner and I liked that it includes an appendix with "Recommended Accompanying Music" for each chapter.
February 10, 2021
i really liked this book. it was cool that they brought a character back from the first book. it did have a plot hole that i wish was explored more, one of the info people found out the mike was ghost and i wish they had gone more into that or had at lest addressed it in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
incredible story
This is an incredible story from a master storyteller. The combat sequences are great, if a little overblown. Mr. Ringo, if you read this, keep up the good work and do another in this series.
This is an incredible story from a master storyteller. The combat sequences are great, if a little overblown. Mr. Ringo, if you read this, keep up the good work and do another in this series.
July 31, 2019
"Good" guys win and bad guys lose
Kelsey in a funk but comes back strong when terrorist target Disney. Starts a bit slow but hits cruising speed before racing to the finish.
Kelsey in a funk but comes back strong when terrorist target Disney. Starts a bit slow but hits cruising speed before racing to the finish.
August 16, 2024
Kildar #5
I bought these back when they came out. Still a great read. Worlds changed up some since they were released. Russians are still in conflict with neighbors.
I bought these back when they came out. Still a great read. Worlds changed up some since they were released. Russians are still in conflict with neighbors.
August 17, 2013
I've enjoyed this series, to the extent that I feel bad that I'm at the end of it (there is a 6th book, but it was written six years later, has a different author and appears to bear little resemblance to the other 5). So I had high hopes for this one.
Well, there was plenty of action. I'm talking swashbuckling action at Disneyworld. The setting returns to Florida, where Ringo is at home. Lots of water, boats, helicopters, boats, and water.
I like it when the good guys are just this side of being gods. When they don't get killed, when they're not too tired to go the extra mile, when they keep it simple. These books are graphic novels without the graphics - the people are comic book heroes. I like that fine.
BUT ...
In order to put the good guys into a position to fly half way around the world and get involved in Florida and the Bahamas, the people who are already there have to, um, get out of the way first. That's my first nit to pick with this book. They have to make the FBI, DEA, BATF, and US Army look incompetent in order to run roughshod over the landscape.
My second nit to pick is that this is the fourth Al Qaeda / islamist plot against either the US or the Keldara in the series (I think that the Albanians in book 3 were the exception). By the time we get to the fourth time, the response by the good guys feels like treating the symptoms while not managing the disease. These plots are hatched pretty far along, but we aren't getting back to the source of them. Shouldn't we be picking up some intel that these things are coming from [pick one: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, etc]? Shouldn't we be focusing on either the funding or the braintrust for the next four plots, and trying to isolate and defeat that?
I mean, it is a problem if you run out of bad guys for the good guys to make sausage out of, but somewhere between eliminating them and ignoring them is a lot of room for action by people who are as insightful as Mike Harmon and his crew.
My last nit is that I really like J and don't find as much time on stage for him as I want.
Those niggling complaints aside, I get a great kick out of these stories, and just about everything else by Ringo. I skip the parts that don't have battles - the sex scenes and the political speeches. The military action, and the cool toys, that part I enjoy the most.
Keep it light, action lovers, and this story will entertain you.
Well, there was plenty of action. I'm talking swashbuckling action at Disneyworld. The setting returns to Florida, where Ringo is at home. Lots of water, boats, helicopters, boats, and water.
I like it when the good guys are just this side of being gods. When they don't get killed, when they're not too tired to go the extra mile, when they keep it simple. These books are graphic novels without the graphics - the people are comic book heroes. I like that fine.
BUT ...
In order to put the good guys into a position to fly half way around the world and get involved in Florida and the Bahamas, the people who are already there have to, um, get out of the way first. That's my first nit to pick with this book. They have to make the FBI, DEA, BATF, and US Army look incompetent in order to run roughshod over the landscape.
My second nit to pick is that this is the fourth Al Qaeda / islamist plot against either the US or the Keldara in the series (I think that the Albanians in book 3 were the exception). By the time we get to the fourth time, the response by the good guys feels like treating the symptoms while not managing the disease. These plots are hatched pretty far along, but we aren't getting back to the source of them. Shouldn't we be picking up some intel that these things are coming from [pick one: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, etc]? Shouldn't we be focusing on either the funding or the braintrust for the next four plots, and trying to isolate and defeat that?
I mean, it is a problem if you run out of bad guys for the good guys to make sausage out of, but somewhere between eliminating them and ignoring them is a lot of room for action by people who are as insightful as Mike Harmon and his crew.
My last nit is that I really like J and don't find as much time on stage for him as I want.
Those niggling complaints aside, I get a great kick out of these stories, and just about everything else by Ringo. I skip the parts that don't have battles - the sex scenes and the political speeches. The military action, and the cool toys, that part I enjoy the most.
Keep it light, action lovers, and this story will entertain you.
February 8, 2017
Mike and the Keldara are in the Caribbean and Central Florida to prevent a bunch of terrorist attacks against the tourism industries. They once again kick ass and take names and Mike is able to recover from losing the love of his life Gretchen which I think is probably the weakest part of the whole series.
November 2, 2022
Now we've got terrorists are intent on bringing VX gas to the United States. Fortunately we've got Mike Harmon to stands in their way.
We get a deeper look into the psyche of Mike Harmon and the depth of his caring for his friends and family. While he is a larger than life hero, he is a complex human being.
That being said, once again we are immersed in non-stop lethal action with solid criticism of our government’s approach on terrorism.
I do love the fact that Ringo’s books are always entertaining and fill a definite niche when you need a kick ass, no prisoners, righteously indignant hero. Surprisingly the books can be thought provoking as well.
Once again this is not a book for kids, there is not as much rough sex but is is somewhat explicit but it fits with the plot of the book.
We get a deeper look into the psyche of Mike Harmon and the depth of his caring for his friends and family. While he is a larger than life hero, he is a complex human being.
That being said, once again we are immersed in non-stop lethal action with solid criticism of our government’s approach on terrorism.
I do love the fact that Ringo’s books are always entertaining and fill a definite niche when you need a kick ass, no prisoners, righteously indignant hero. Surprisingly the books can be thought provoking as well.
Once again this is not a book for kids, there is not as much rough sex but is is somewhat explicit but it fits with the plot of the book.
September 30, 2011
Book five sees the usual gang take on smugglers and terrorists trying to bring off a nerve gas attack in Florida. But there’s a twist. Events in Unto the Breach have left Mike in deep depression. As he works on that, he isn’t afraid to step on toes in order to get things done.
This one is quite a ride, and my vague familiarity of the territory (the Keys, mainland Florida and the Bahamas) made it all flow smoothly. The culture shock between “by the book” US law officialdow and “get it done” Keldara is played for lots of laughs. Reading between the lines, though, there is an astute critique of current US anti terrorism efforts and the debate surrounding them.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1180
This one is quite a ride, and my vague familiarity of the territory (the Keys, mainland Florida and the Bahamas) made it all flow smoothly. The culture shock between “by the book” US law officialdow and “get it done” Keldara is played for lots of laughs. Reading between the lines, though, there is an astute critique of current US anti terrorism efforts and the debate surrounding them.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1180
February 24, 2014
This book couldn't quite keep pace with the previous installment; coming down from the excitement and action of the battle with the Chechens. Don't get me wrong, it was a good story, just not as much going on with the Keldara as in prior chapters. Our poor hero struggles to overcome his grief in losing Gretchen. It never fails that the main male character in these types of novels never has a lasting relationship. The woman either leaves or gets killed, more often the later. I am and am not looking forward to the next book in the series seeing as it may be the last. If that is the case I'll have to delve into his other works.
October 29, 2018
Again, this series (exc. bk 1) is one of my guilty pleasures. At least, it answered one of my unasked questions, "what happens when he meets one of the ones he rescued in book #1?"
Mike H. is still tortured by his mental ghosts, still a dead shot, still putting his life on the line to save innocents from Muslim terrorists, and still has an unrealistic attraction for women. He has some redeeming characteristics, primarily that he knows that he's *this* close to being a horrible monster, and doesn't really want to become that.
Mike H. is still tortured by his mental ghosts, still a dead shot, still putting his life on the line to save innocents from Muslim terrorists, and still has an unrealistic attraction for women. He has some redeeming characteristics, primarily that he knows that he's *this* close to being a horrible monster, and doesn't really want to become that.
April 7, 2008
The latest installment of the Paladin of Shadows is high on action and low on sex, and I like it that way. This time Mike goes after a terrorist attack on American soil. Only for the first time, he doesn't want to answer the call of duty from the President because the love of his life was killed in the previous novel, and he is drinking himself into a stupor.
Good action sequences, rough on some of his female operatives, but well done.
Good action sequences, rough on some of his female operatives, but well done.
January 20, 2011
Ringo is technically a good writer, but this is teen-aged, misogynistic pulp. If the harem of teen-virgins and the gratuitous sexual torture scenes had been edited out, I could have enjoyed the book and excused the rest of the silly distractions of a writer who has no idea how any military outfit runs and fills gaps with poison fingernails, fast cars and tiger emblems.
Your time would be better spent with authors like Dick Couch or reading Starship Troopers.
Your time would be better spent with authors like Dick Couch or reading Starship Troopers.
April 20, 2014
The character development significantly improved from the last couple of books in this series. I was fascinated how the author used existing world threats, correlated with the glacial speed of bureaucratic decision making for another thrill ride. I found myself excited to see this new Kildar cut through the red tape and approach each mission with a clear headedness and necessary foresight to achieve various levels of success. I am now anxiously waiting to the next novel in the series.
January 5, 2011
See Ghost for overall review. For some reason, I've re-read this one 3 or 4 times. Because it was handy, because I needed bedtime reading, because I wanted to read about the Kildar and his Kildara - and it stood up to re-reading every time. Nice, sturdy war-candy re-readables. What more can you ask for? I won't be giving these away.
December 31, 2012
The Kildar out-Bonds James Bond. ;-)
I always enjoy the reality-based commentary on the government, media, etc. Ringo is one of my all-time favorite authors.
Note: this series is for mature audiences. If you're looking for equally well-written action/military/Sci-Fi, with less-graphic violence and sex, try his "Looking Glass" series.
I always enjoy the reality-based commentary on the government, media, etc. Ringo is one of my all-time favorite authors.
Note: this series is for mature audiences. If you're looking for equally well-written action/military/Sci-Fi, with less-graphic violence and sex, try his "Looking Glass" series.
January 26, 2016
Mike Jenkins aka Kildar is called back into action again. This time, Islamic terrorists have brought barrells of powdered nerve gas to an underwater hiding spot off the Bahamas and it is his job is to find that place and halt any attacks on America especially since it is rumored one of the targets is Disney World.
June 15, 2015
This forms a new plot arc (or closes the series), and well… it's a change of pace. Some might even call it jumping the shark, bringing the setting to the USA, and ignoring a lot of the cultural notes for counter-terrorism and gun-wanking.
YMMV.
YMMV.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews