Jihadi Apprentice

The WMD Files #2

by David Bruns, J.R. Olson

A “ripped from the headlines” thriller about one of the most complex – and personal – national security issues of our modern world. When FBI Special Agent Liz Soroush leads a raid on a local Minneapolis night club to capture a suspected terrorist recruiter, she ends up with a dead suspect and a community up in arms. But instead of a reprimand, she gets promoted to run a brand-new Joint Terrorism Task Force. The new threat is “jihadist mobilization,” young people in Minneapolis being radicalized to fight for terrorist groups like Al-Shabab and ISIS. As Liz digs deeper into the shadowy world of homegrown radicalism, she realizes the real threat has been in plain sight all along. But knowing about an attack and stopping one are two different things. From the Two Navy Guys military veteran writing team that brought you Weapons of Mass Deception , comes a fascinating and disturbing story of manipulation, exploitation, and youth identity in modern America.

Genres: Thriller

321 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2016

About the author

David Bruns (www.davidbruns.com) has served as an officer on a US Navy nuclear-powered submarine and traveled the world as a high-tech corporate itinerant. Today, he writes futuristic speculative fiction, contemporary thrillers, and everything in between.

He is the creator of the sci-fi/fantasy series, The Dream Guild Chronicles, the military sci-fi thriller Invincible, and co-author of The SynCorp Saga corporate sci-fi series. A graduate of the prestigious Clarion West Writer’s Workshop, his short fiction has appeared in more than two dozen spec fic venues, such as Compelling SciFi and Future Chronicles.

In his spare time, he co-writes national security thrillers with retired naval intelligence officer, JR Olson. Their next book, Rules of Engagement, will be released by St. Martin’s Press in June 2019.

Reviews

[Carmen Amato · Rating 5 out of 5]

The centerpiece of the story is the recruitment of Aya, a Muslim teen in Minneapolis, by Imaan, a Somali folk singer who uses her fame within the global Somali diaspora to recruit terror cells. Their interpersonal dynamics draw on the Somali community’s search to find its footing in American society in Minneapolis; Imaan is easily able to exploit the restless Aya and put words in her mouth. But Imaan is being manipulated as well, and we see up close and personal how terrorist leaders ruthlessly use others to advance their creed.

Ranged against Imaan and her shadowy puppetmaster are three US officials we met in the authors’ WEAPONS OF MASS DECEPTION; an workaholic FBI agent, a Navy officer with a covert operations background, and an intelligence officer with an unlikely working relationship with an Iranian counterpart. They each have a piece of the puzzle when it comes to hunting terrorists and stopping recruitment, but are operating blind for the most part, digging up fragmentary information, encountering red herrings, and coping with competing agendas. The job takes its toll, notably on the romance between the FBI agent and the Navy officer. Even the secondary characters are well drawn and relatable. In particular, a female Mossad agent makes a powerful cameo that illustrates the risk of collecting intelligence in the terrorists’ territory.

The pacing is terrific, the situations are believable, and the action keeps up a truly unrelenting tempo. The last quarter of the book is like dominoes falling; you can’t help but keep reading. The only problem with JIHADI APPRENTICE is that the next book with this cast of characters won’t be here soon enough.

[Stasybg]

In the interest of disclosure, I received an eBook from the authors in exchange for an honest review and I'll try to do it to the best of my ability. It has been some time since I've read an action/thriller. Not because I don't like them, but because I am choosy this way. I expect too much. Fortunately I found what I was looking for and more in this book. Fast pace, that 's a must. Believable, grabbing plot, that keeps you guessing. Wait, before you say that goes without saying - no, it does not - as witnessed by all the inane books I've left unread recently. There is authenticity here - from the chain of command and inter-agency cooperation described to the weapons, protocols and military toys. I enjoyed reading this book although the picture it paints is chilling - this could easily happen, in fact, it's already happening. My only beef is that the characters are a bit one-dimensional, but I guess there being so many of them, it's unavoidable.

[Lynn Hallbrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book on instafreebie and got it because the "blurb" sounded intriguing. I was not disappointed.

This is a mixture of Law Enforcement, International Intrigue, and Military genres.

FBI Special Agent Liz Soroush is assigned to head a task force. Her main job is to discover what exactly why there is an increase in home-grown terrorists in the Twin Cities area. The data supports it being males of a certain age but sometimes life isn't that simple.

I really enjoyed how the authors showed the different viewpoints. This helped me to see the bigger picture.

Note: This is the second book in the series and in a way can stand alone. However, I think if I'd read the first one, I would have a better understanding of the background and relationships between the main characters.

Warning: There is Violence, Adult Language as well as Adult Situations.

[Darren Bourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came upon this book inadvertently as I had noticed the cover of another book by this author that I had on my tablet was a sequel, which meant that I should start reading this one at the beginning.

Jihadi Apprentice is the second book of David Bruns that I have been fortunate enough to read. This book follows the development of the three characters that were introduced to us in Weapons of Mass Deception - a workaholic FBI agent (Liz Sourash), a Navy officer with a covert operations background, and an intelligence officer with an unlikely working relationship with an Iranian counterpart.

Very Tom Clancy-esque in its approach as a political-military thriller, the narrative drives forward as the authors carefully build the narrative tension to a perfect climax. Jihadi Apprentice follows one young woman’s dark journey of recruitment and ultimate manipulation to turn her against the only country she’s ever known. A plausible tale of how a disenfranchised citizen could be enticed to cause death and destruction in their home country.

As far as rating this book, I would easily give this book a solid four out of five stars and believe that this series would be an instant favorite for the readers of Tom Clancy and "The Hunt for Red October".

As with most of my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents worth.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jihadi Apprentice: A National Security Thriller (The WMD Files Book 2) my seventh read from authors David Bruns & J.R. Olson. Well-written with well-developed, memorable characters. An outstanding, a great page-turning thriller that could be torn from the world’s current headlines. Strongly reminiscent of the writing of Tom Clancy & of the best work of Andrew Watts. Narrator Aimee Kuzenski's narration adds to the book’s enjoyment. An exciting, enjoyable read. I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." I can’t wait to read the next book, Rules of Engagement: A Novel (The WMD Files Book 3) . The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. This is the second book of the MMW Files. I thought this was an excellent listen, but a little on the short side. My favorite from this series is still the third in the series, Rules of Engagement. This one centers around a series of terror cells around the world that aim to cause demonstrations and chaos during a timed protest. As the story builds we find out there is more than meets the eye to the protests. I think the character development from the authors is excellent, and they do a good job jumping from local to local seamlessly. Overall an excellent addition to the series.

[William McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5. The second in a four-book series. The authors are from the Minneapolis/ Saint Paul area. In the first book, terrorists targeted the Vikings stadium during a football game. This one is about the disaffected children of Somali immigrants. The Twin Cities has a large Somali population. Despite being born in the U.S., members of the second generation often find themselves being treated rudely and suspiciously because of their complexions, clothing, traditions, and religion. That makes them ripe for radicalization and recruitment by terrorist organizations. This novel deals with a group of teen girls who are convinced to commit an act of terrorism at another MSP landmark.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would like reading this. The title made me think twice and I just am not into this type of book...I told myself. Well, WRONG, I could not put this down. David Bruns and J.R. Olson are new to me. Believe me when I tell you, these men know what they are writing about and it is so on target in today's world. Makes you think and send a few worry niggles through you but you will love the story line. So very interesting and well written.

[Walter Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough research. Thought-provoking plot.

If you are considering reading Jihadi Apprentice (WMD Files #2), and have not yet read Weapons of Mass Deception (WMD Files #1, you will wish you had. Jihadi Apprentice can stand on its own, but the continuing cast of first-rate characters are worth reading all four of the books in this series in the proper order.
This is a plausible tale of how terrorists could recruit American-born Somali youth to cause death and destruction, and increase racial tensions within the USA.

[Jan Mastenbroek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. Slow, not convincing

Too much background narrative with little in depth character development. Scenario is interestingly hypothetical as a thread in the story, but the motive for the final betrayal to the “cause” is vague and unconvincing. The story flies off on many tangents that are irrelevant and just page fillers. A waste of reading time even when skimming through; does not work for me.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book raises an interesting question about how American society fails to integrate American born young Muslims who do not have an experience of the 'American dream.' They walk between cultures not being able to identify with their ancestral culture and are discriminated against by the American culture. Where are they to find a cause that inspires them to which they can swear allegiance?

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It is a frightening adventure. This the first book I have read by David Bruns and was very impressed. It is a timely subject and a very interesting read. I won this book by answering a trivia question. Thank you to Amazon books , David Bruns, and J.R. Olson for the win! Pick up a copy. It's a good read.

[hernandez perez]

I like the continued development of the characters and the look at young Americans can feel marginalized and become radicalized. It was a good read

[Fire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jihadi Apprentice is an amazing adventure into the the mind of a terrorist organization and one wild ride. Terrorists are always looking for a new angle to go about undetected and when the recruit the most unlikely natural born US citizen to their forces things get interesting. As she is taught what her mission is and how she must carry it out things intensify.

The US government is always watching for potential terrorists, but they will never see her coming. The government is on high alert but where will the next attack take place? Can it be stopped in time?

When well coordinated attacks across the globe start all at once will the world leaders be able to stop the attacks in time? Or will the terrorists have the upper hand and succeed in creating chaos and destruction.

Jihadi Apprentice is one amazing ride, it is faced paced and full of action. It was hard to put this book done, had I started it earlier in the day, I probably would have finished it all in the first night. This story hooks you from the beginning and doesn't let go.

5 out of 5 Stars!

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think there was any way Weapon of Mass Destruction could be topped, but it happened with Jihadi Apprentice. FBI Agent Liz Soroush story is one that seems to good but still believable, however the rest of the book could be pulled straight from the nightly news today. In a surprising turn this book uses mostly female characters on both sides, FBI agent Liz Soroush, chosen to find and stop the terror cells before they could do anything by making friends in the Muslim neighborhoods. Also the sect that builds in Minneapolis by Aya a Muslim teen and the friends she finds for the Somali singer, Imaan who turns the girls into a terror cell.
If you are a fan of Clancy or of that kind of military/political thriller this is the action packed, non stop, page turning book for you.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed every book I have read by David Bruns, I knew I would probably not be able to stop reading this book until I finished. I was right. What an incredible mix of realistic characters, realistic and plausible scenario and engrossing story.
A great read and I am looking forward to many more from David.

I received a free advanced review copy of Jihadi Apprentice in exchange for a fair review. I highly recommend this book and put my money where my mouth is by supporting authors I like. I have also pre-ordered the Kindle edition.

[PJ Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frightening book about the recruitment of teenagers by terrorist cells.
The characters on both sides were well described, though not were particularly likeable, possibly due to the actions they took during the story.
It was an intricate plot that went deep into the minds of the terrorists and showed their reasoning.
Well paced with a fair amount of action throughout, it's a really interesting political thriller, well worth a read.
*This was an ARC from the author, my opinions are my own.*