The Kill Box

Tyce Asher #2

by Hunter Ripley Rawlings

The United States has been invaded. The Russians have seized control. Now US Marine hero Tyce Asher has one final mission—to make America free again—in this explosive series from Lt. Col. Hunter “Rip” Ripley Rawlings

Genres: Thriller

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

Lieutenant Colonel Hunter Ripley "Rip" Rawlings IV is a Marine Corps infantry and Reconnaissance Officer with 22-years of service. With ten deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, CJTF-HOA, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia to name a few. He has a primary MOS of Infantry and secondary MOS of LAV Reconnaissance Officer. He served in billets from Scout Platoon Commander, FAST Commander up to Infantry Battalion Commander.

Reviews

[Andreas Tornberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great follow up to the first novel , Assault by Fire. Like the first book the story is thrilling and action packed with well developed characters and vivid battle scenes. H. Ripley Rawling reminds me a lot of Tom Clancy and Mark Greaney, can't wait for more Tyce Asher stories.

Thanks to the author, Kensington and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyce Asher is back, finally. It's been a long wait. H. Ripley Rawlings latest book The Kill Box is a fantastic read. Full of action, espionage, hardship and doom. I had almost forgotten what the book was about but was thrown into it from the first chapter. Then it was impossible to put down. Sadly now I have to wait a year to see how it will go. Once upon a time I red Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy and thought that no one will write a book as good. But that is what Rawlings has done. If you like this type of scenario you could also check out some of the books by William W. Johnstone, he has written quite a few with invasion of US territory as a theme. those are rather good as well. But once again Rawling has created a great series that will stand for many years. Highly recommended. I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley and @pinnaclepublishers for giving me this advance copy and @rip.rawlings.author for writing this stuff. Well done sir. #NetGalley #TheKillBox #HRipRawlings

[Andreas Tornberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great follow up to the first novel , Assault by Fire. Like the first book the story is thrilling and action packed with well developed characters and vivid battle scenes. H. Ripley Rawling reminds me a lot of Tom Clancy and Mark Greaney, can't wait for more Tyce Asher stories.

Thanks to the author, Kensington and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

[John Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, another home run by Rawlings!!!! This is the sequel to “Assault By Fire” and I honestly didn’t think it would match up but boy was I wrong!! The story picks up where the Assault left off with the 150th doing what it can against the Russians. There will be a couple of new characters pitted against Asher and the gang that will get your blood boiling! One being the “Leopard”. Without giving too much away, I will just say that by the end of the book, you will want to take a shot at the “Leopard”!

There was a few times that had me shaking my head and wanting to scream at Lt. Col Asher and Gunny Dixon!! If I could have reached through the pages and shook them to their senses I would have! This book is fast paced for sure and you will not want to put it down!! The last battle in the book had me wanting to jump in and get in there with the 150th and cut heads! Do yourself a favor and grab you a copy of “The Kill Box”! You won’t be sorry!!

[Nick Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second in a series depicting the aftermath of a Russian invasion into the US. There is still military resistance to the Russian juggernaut but it is in selected areas and not going well.
The author is retired military and certainly knows his stuff, he was ably assisted by the talented Mark Greaney in their book “Red Metal” but this is a solo effort and it does show. Character flow and plotting feels weak, as does the fact that the characters have dialogue that is there to inform the reader rather than move the plot along.
Tyce Asher is leading a force of US troops, trying to cause damage and stay alive, but while they are given a mission to stop a train packed with chemical weapons, they are being pushed into a trap (a kill box). Can Tyce and his troops survive to save the day?
You can see H Ripley Rawlings trying to find situations where he can demonstrate his experience and tactical knowledge and this element works well, but he is let down by his characterisation and plotting here. You can see how he worked so well with Mark Greaney.

[Thomas Pulaski · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY CR@P!!! What an adventure!!! Damn, I am still a little speechless. Just finished and there are a lot of thoughts racing around my head. I guess I'll start by putting it this way: You REALLY need to read this book!!! It was so fun and so well written!!
MY IMPRESSIONS:
The characters came alive. This is a very engaging story. The plot was rich and I really felt like I was in the book. I love it when a book can do that to you. The evilness of the antagonist still has me reeling. Damnation, 'the' antagonist is hard core bad.
THE PLOT:
Okay, so this is a book that could be read alone, but possibly you should get the 1st one in the series called "Assault by Fire." The book is basically about a Russian invasion of America, kind of like the movie Red Dawn. While that's a good comparison, it's not really the same. The main characters don't know everything that's going on, and the book doesn't bog down with a lot of big strategy. It's about the people on the ground. The Kill Box begins after the Russians have a foothold in America and are attempting to consolidate their gains. They have a thorn in their side though. A Marine Corps officer named Tyce Asher. He has a band of mountainmen and troops left over who have fled into the hills to avoid the Russian conventional forces. The plot revolves around a Russian mission to try to quickly end/kill the bigger American units still fighting around NY and NC. Tyce is asked to stop their plot and he has to really extend his reach and put his men out on a limb to do so.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
Tyce is a REALLY cool character. We don't get to know all about him (yet?), lots of who he is is still kind of unknown. But we do get to see him kind of thorough the eyes of his girlfriend (?) Navy Commander Victoria Remington. He has several flaws, but not the typical stuff. He is missing part of his leg from combat and very visibly suffers from PTSD. He self doubts a lot, but his troops seem to rally his courage and together they prevail against the odds.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!
I got an e-copy from NetGalley in order to give a fair review.

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kill Box, by Lt Col. H. Ripley Rawlings, is the second book in his Tyce Asher series and it's quite the the tale. I haven't read the first book which you should definitely do before reading The Kill Box. I mean, you can start with the second book as I did, but you'll be lost in the beginning. To say I had no idea what was happening in the beginning is a massive understatement. After about 50 pages enough details are given to I had the gist of what was occurring. Despite being lost at the start I couldn't put it down.

Russia has invaded the United States but most of the action in The Kill Box is centered in and around West Virginia. Russia controls the skies, has taken over the Pentagon, broken prisoners of of the Super-Max prison in Colorado and have seized control of chemical weapons. Russia plans to use the chemical weapons against the 10th Mountain Division who are giving the Russians fits in the northeast. The Kill Box revolves around the hunt for the weapons, as well as a mole in Asher's command.

The Kill Box is a fantastic story with non-stop action and even better characters that'll make you crave the next book.

Thank you to Lt. Col. Rawlings, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for privilege to read an advanced copy of The Kill Box

[Julie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

No military/political thriller author depicts battlefield tactics and execution better than H. Ripley Rawlings.As a retired Marine Lt.Colonel now, Rawlings gleaned his expertise from decades spent on the battlefield, in action. He conveys that knowledge so accurately, it’s seen in the acid smoke of the battlefield, with the smell of burning fuel and flesh. The visualization of a strafing run and the destruction caused by the low release of hundreds of small drag bombs. The deadly mayhem of a sniper’s weapon. The depictions are so realistic, I wonder if they could trigger a PTSD attack. I know they raised the hair on my nape.

We stood up and took notice of Rawlings detailed writings of warfare in RED METAL, a Mark Greaney co-authored book. The quality of his writing and battlefield knowledge was re-emphasized in ASSAULT BY FIRE. THE KILL BOX cements the recognition of Rip Rawlings as the leader in military tactics and execution in the military thriller genre of today. I say it again, all that experience with those post engagement reports that former US military,turned authors, had to write has given them the edge in description depiction so accurate it provides instant visualization.

This novel picks up where ASSAULT BY FIRE left off. The US is a nation at war with the Russians. Sporadic use of nukes in key regional areas allowed the Russians to gain the upper hand. They overran Washington, D.C. and audaciously took over the Pentagon. How? They formulated a sophisticated computer using the components of 300 Play Stations to simulate various wartime variables in arriving at options of how to battle the Americans. Hubris though often lends itself to defeat in the end. Nothing beats actual battlefield knowledge and experience. The Russians learn the hard way.

Lt.Colonel Tyce Asher returns from success in smuggling the Vice President of the United States into Canada where a government in absentia is established. With the takeover of the White House, the President is presumed dead.Lt.Colonel Asher commands and oversees a ragtag group of weekend warriors, the West Virginia National Guard, a Bethesda Naval Hospital medical unit with their portable hospital, various Ranger Special Ops, and the local citizenry of the Mountaineer State who are as deadly as a trained sniper. But it is a group in need of two vital elements of any army - ammunition and food resources. Asher is on the hunt to resupply his troops.

Two Russian spies, posing as American officers, create mayhem however. Both are with Russian intelligence. One is a Russian Special Forces commander, the other a SVR special forces major, Stacey Van Andersson, a professional sniper, a counterpart of our Navy SEALs, and a sleeper. An extremely deadly female soldier who betrays American soldiers as she poses as one. Added to this deadly duo is Major Uintergrin of the Russian Chem- Bio Brigade. These three pose the greatest danger and threat to American Forces.

Rawlings creates the capable female, a beguiling flirt, who is actually a deadly assassin. A superb study in the female antagonist who cuts a swathe through the rank and file males over juiced on testosterone. In fact Rawlings has created an array of capable, kick ass women who you would not want to encounter in a back alley. There is doubt as to who would walk out alive. From a naval surgeon,to a Russian intelligence Mata Hari, a do or die machine gun weapons platoon Staff Sergeant from the Bronx, and an oversexed female mayor who learned in her crib how to persuade and bamboozle males to do her bidding. All of them provide added color and a vital role within the main plot of the story.

The plot centers on one aspect that has everyone’s blood run cold. Bio-chemical warfare. Be it pathogens from Fort Dietrich or chemicals like sarin from the Military Proving Ground in Utah, the introduction of either into the equation is not good news. Lt.Colonel Asher learns his most deadly mission is to stop a train enroute to the east coast that carries a cache of the deadly Sarin onboard. Russians assaulted and stole the chemical weapon from a holding facility in Utah. The Russian secret cell are employed to halt this suspected assault to stop the Russians.

Rawlings writes a superb and gripping novel of what could plausibly happen in this day and age of anything goes. There is a deep streak of patriotism within THE KILL BOX. In all of Rawlings’ writings thus far. He depicts the men and women in uniform as I remembered them from my residence in Washington, D.C. Willing to step forward and give their lives if needed to save our nation from enemies, domestic or foreign. To move forward, no matter the obstacle to achieve the mission.

Rip Rawlings also gives us some insight into the fighting women of the military future. It’s seen in the qualities of the lethal Russian sniper posing as an American intel officer. The dedication of the American naval surgeon is an exemplary depiction of the true commitment medical personnel make in today’s military. The same for the staff sergeant overseeing weaponry who fights on in spite of severe injury and loss of limbs. The determination to fight the enemy is even seen in the local town mayor who persuades the local top shooter to take out the WV governor who has sided with the Russians.

I love Rawlings depiction of American women willing to give their all in challenging any enemy of our nation. In addition to rendering a terrific depiction of female fighters alongside their male counterparts, Rawlings writes one hell of a battle scene. It is fabulous! The book’s title derives from this last stance of hold the fort.

The ending is the best! He sets the stage for the next book of the ongoing saga of Tyce Asher. And he finishes up with a set of A/F 18 Hornets singing the Mighty Mouse theme-“Here I Come to Save the Day!” I’m looking forward to the next appearance of Tyce Asher who epitomizes the best found in a US soldier, particularly a Marine! Thriller readers will love the battlefield fights, the courage displayed, the audacity revealed and a damn good story! Well done Lt. Col. Rip Rawlings, 5* rating!

[SteVen Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review – The Kill Box – H. Ripley Rawlings IV
I first took notice of retired Marine Lt. Colonel H. Ripley Rawlings when he co-authored “Red Metal” with Author Mark Greaney. No military action thriller author depicts battlefield tactics and execution better than Lt. Colonel Rawlings. His detailed writings of warfare are not only impressive, but extremely vivid and realistic. Rawlings’ first standalone book “Assault by Fire” was a decent read but Rawlings’ second standalone “The Kill Box”, exceeded my expectations. The quality of his ‘storytelling’ improved, and his battlefield knowledge was re-emphasized in The Kill Box. This second novel cements his recognition as the leader in military tactics and execution in the military thriller genre of today. It’s obvious that former military, turned authors, write descriptive and accurate depictions of combat that provides instant and accurate visualization. The story is about a Russian invasion of America and reminds me of the 1984 film, “Red Dawn.” The storyline begins after the Russians have control on American soil and are attempting to strengthen their gains, but they have one major problem to deal with; a tough and hard-hitting Marine named Tyce Asher! Asher has a band of courageous ‘weekend warriors’ who fled into the hills during the Russian attack. The plot revolves around the Russians trying to finish off the larger American military units still fighting, but Asher and his ‘merry band of patriot rebels’ have something to say about the “Russkies” invading their land. So, let the ‘throw downs’ (battles) begin! Rawlings writes a brilliant and gripping military action thriller of what could plausibly happen in present day. Nothing beats actual battlefield knowledge and experience in military battle scenes and Rawlings displays that in this must-read novel. He depicts the men and women in uniform in this narrative as willing to step forward and give their lives if needed to save our nation from enemies, domestic or foreign. To move forward, no matter what, to achieve the mission. And Lt. Colonel Rawlings gives us some first-hand ‘insider’ insight into the fighting men and women of the military in The Kill Box. It is one military action thriller you don’t want to miss. Action Thriller readers will love the battlefield fights, the courage displayed, and the audacity revealed by a heartily “Leatherneck” Marine named Tyce Asher! Thank you NetGalley, Lt. Col. “Rip” Rawlings and the publisher Pinnacle for the electronic ebook Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC). #TheKillBox #NetGalley

[Lonnie Mixell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kill Box, by Hunter Ripley Rawlings, is a non-stop thrill ride! It is the second book in a series about a group of military heroes that are fighting against a Russian invasion of the USA. The characters are thrown into near insurmountable situations and have to rise to the challenge of surviving the day.
Sadly, the author, Mr. Rawlings, does a great job of getting the reader invested in the lives of the characters and has to allow some to fall victim to the onslaught of violence being forced on them.
This is not a story where the good guys are backed into a corner and pull off the impossible to walk away with only cuts and bruises. It is a story showing the amazing patriotism and courage of our armed forces.
I will be counting the days until the third book in the series comes out, so I can see what faces our heroes next!

[Benjamin Drayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Book Two Outshines Book One - HARD TO DO!

Finally a new author in military fiction! What a read. For fans of Clancy, Thor, Flynn, Greaney, etc. this series is for you. FYI - I paid for the book and I get itching in exchange for this review. I’m simply taking a couple of minutes to express my sincere thanks for the hours of entertainment I received from the author. Well done sir, thank you for your service and thank you for a very, very enjoyable book!

[Tonya Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional novel.
My initial thoughts are: first-rate characters and a very cool plot. Well written too. I took note of LTC Rawlings when he co-authored another exciting war novel, Red Metal with brilliant spy-thriller author Mark Greaney. That book read like an old school Tom Clancy (think Red Storm Rising) and had me hoping for more from that duo. This second in the Tyce Asher series builds upon the first and is an even better and more intriguing plot. I generally like to read nautical/naval fiction, but since the main character is a Marine, it still fits my druthers. The story is a continuation from the first novel, where then Russians wait for a perfect set of circumstances: nuke reduction, curtailment of the 2nd Amendment and U.S. forces drawn into another overseas war; then strike the U.S. In book #2, the Kill Box, the hero and quite a few amazing heroines (including a tough USN Doc) join forces to battle the occupying Russians. Rawlings writes very very well, and I am especially taken by his female characters, none of whom are wooden or are the fall down w/o the male character types. In fact, w/o giving spoilers I must say the femme fatale is quite a study in antagonists and had me flipping the page to see what would become of her. This novel puts Rawlings among the best story tellers in military and thriller fiction: Brad Thor, Jack Carr, Vince Flynn, etc. Anyhow: I'm hooked. Sign me up for the next installment!

[Adam Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy follow up to the first novel about the Russian invasion of the USA. Again , Rawlings delivers an exciting page turner following the 150th and Col Asher’s campaign against the Russians in West Virginia/ Virginia. However , this time there is a a chemical threat they must stop .

I love these novels because they’re different . I love the thriller genre but it does get a little redundant.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy fast-paced military thrillers with high level military detail, this book is for you! Non-stop action from the beginning to the end and it helps that Rip is a military veteran with an enormous amount of experience. Rip rights scenes that make you feel like bullets are ripping by your head! Fans of Vince Flynn, Kyle Mills and Brad Taylor will love this book. Highly recommend you read Assault by Fire because this book picks up where that book ended. Excellent book, excellent series!

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good follow-up to the first story in the series. I’d recommend reading the first book to become familiar with the Russian invasion, the politics, and the resistance characters. An excellent “what-if” as well as commentary on society. Good character development on both sides of the conflict. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[William Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just had the opportunity to read an ARC of "The Kill Box", the latest military thriller from Lt. Col. H. Ripley Rawlings IV. This book, published under the Kensington imprint and graciously provided to me by the publisher, is Rawlings' follow up to "Assault by Fire." Both books are notable for their gritty attention to military detail and the tactics and strategy associated with modern military combat. The premise for this series of books (it appears there will be more) is a Russian conventional invasion and conquest of the continental United States. This book, like its predecessor, is characterized by intense action and a fast paced narrative as surviving U.S. troops in the continental U.S., aided by assorted armed citizenry, play havoc with the Russian' plans for a quick victory and relatively peaceful occupation. Much of the narrative in this book focuses on a mysterious Russian plan to use chemical weapons seized in the Western United States in some kind of obscure but lethal strike against surviving resistance on the east coast. The protagonist, Tyce Asher, commanding a small fragment of survivors of the 10th Mountain Division links events in the books and provides continuity for the reader. I am a fan of this sub-genre of fiction, and while I would not say that this series is the absolute best available right now, it is certainly in contention. I look forward to the next volume in the series.

[Matt Hardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

High speed thriller. Rawlings stomps on the gas from the first page and never flirts with the brake. Well written, boots on the ground tale that puts the reader right there with the 150th as the hits keep coming.

Highly recommend.

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

You won’t find a grittier, more descriptive military thriller anywhere. Rip Rawlings has the goods, translating his military experience into amazingly cinematic novels and thriller connoisseurs are the grateful recipients of this gift.

Make sure to check out the full review

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as sure as Country Roads will take you home, it has arrived: the continuation of the gripping saga of a live invasion and military occupation of the continental U.S. that started with ASSAULT BY FIRE (2020). In the (nascent) aftermath of COVID-19, where everything is about 'returning to normal', THE KILL BOX asks readers to imagine what is normal? And what would be normal under a foreign occupation? And what does it mean to be American under foreign occupation? It's an apt parallel to defying British tyranny and a timely look at a vast country with apostate invaders while US forces are leaving Afghanistan after nigh on 20 years of warfare.

It's 2 months after ASSAULT BY FIRE and like MONEY TRAIN (1995) proffered, nothing stops the money train. Just that there's a Russian train heading from Colorado, filled with component Sarin. But once Tyce Asher commits, things derail rather quickly. Can he stop the Sarin Train? If the red occupation, Russian war machine and a metal behemoth heading west weren't enough, a new wrinkle, a skilled deep cover operative, code named Panther, to deal with Tyce Asher and his ragtag band of resistance fighters in the Allegheny Mountains and West Virginia, surfaces. This comes in the form of a female sniper on a dangerous mission defying the deadly terrain and the treacherous quagmire of politics and rebuilt social network of American resistance.

Returning to rally the valley is mostly the same team from ASSAULT BY FIRE, including Trigger, a cunning canine with more combat experience than most members of the motley crew of the 150th Cav Regiment, USANG. This is a boon, as a train full of trouble is headed for West Virginia, and things are about to get hairy. Before you can say 'Odin, dva, tri', you'll be hip deep in hard hitting combat. Akin to Belleau Wood, the Devil Dogs are taking it to the enemy with some help from the great white North. Oh Canada! Regaled with the likes of Himmelmann maneuvers, shout-outs to THE SOUND AND THE FURY (1929), DIE HARD (1988), and of course the eponymous KILL BOX, advanced infantry tactics, when used by Russian - improperly applied, certainly, sub par, naturally - Rip Rawlings delivers a one-two punch that'll leave you gasping.

Sniped, stabbed, shot--Tyce Asher takes a lickin' but keeps on ticking. Just like the Marines in Fallujah, Asher with the 150th walk through hell to try to save the day, and under the heavy thumb of Russians they do more with less. Akin to a barebones RED STORM RISING (1986), THE KILL BOX turns the Shenandoah Valley into the Fulda Gap and lets it RIP. Literally. Under the watchful eye of a Russian occupation, Asher has 99 Problems and a sniper is one. Out of the frying pan and into the fire is how good leaders (and novels) are shaped and THE KILL BOX forges ahead, making ya wonder and hope what's next in store for Tyce Asher and America. Box out just in case, but Rip Rawlings doesn't miss.

THE KILL BOX hits shelves on 9.28.2021

[David Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited a full day to fully digest the story before I wanted to write a review (without spoilers).

I compare reading this action-packed story to swimming in the ocean. Before you know it, the tide has you in its embrace and struggle all you want, the story will draw you in. Even if you had planned to read for just a few minutes, you found yourself immersed and carried along by the plot and characters.

The plot... is it feasible that the Russians would plan to take over the United States? I would put that as unlikely, but has that scenario been considered? Damn right they have thought about it! The Kill Box is the novel that follows Assault by Fire and continues as Tyce Asher continues to dig in his heels and lead a likeable crew into a resistance force to be reckoned with. Tyce takes a beating like a Don Bentley character, and keeps on going. Determination, training and fortitude clearly drive this man, and enables others to rise to the occasion. An admirable leader.

I'm envious with the ease Rip creates his world and endears you to the characters with (apparent) minimal effort. The action scenes play like a movie in your mind as your turn the pages and stay up reading past your bedtime. I can't recommend The Kill Box enough for fans of action adventure, the military or the thriller genre. You will NOT be disappointed.

Bravo Zulu, Rip. I eagerly look forward to the next installment in the series!

Dave

[Steven Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read

This second installment in the Col. Tyce Asher series packed one helluva punch from beginning to end, picking up where the first book, “Assault by Fire”, left off. As the CO of what remains of the 150th Cav., now made up of a mix of Marines, Soldiers and Navy Corpsmen, Tyce Asher brilliantly leads the remaining American forces in West Virginia against the hordes of invading Russian Military. Rawlings has done an incredible job developing what’s become a fantastic new military thriller series, and I can’t wait for the story continue, and hopefully to read about how our brave war fighters take back America.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing war against the Russians on U.S. ground

This book continues the saga started in ASSAULT BY FIRE in which the Russians used a computer to invade the U.S. by sea, land and air.

Marine Tyce Asher leads his motley crew of National Guard troops, Navy medics, Rangers, and homegrown patriots in their war against the Russians that have invaded their corner of West Virginia.

New characters are added including a deadly mole, and the Russians plan a horrific cross-country trip that Asher and his troops must stop no matter what the cost.

I will definitely be looking forward to the next installment of this series. I hope it doesn't take another year to come out.

I highly recommend this book and ASSAULT BY FIRE to readers that enjoy military thrillers, espionage sagas, books with tons of action or just well-written books.

I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

[Jeff Siegmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Rawlings read. Definitely won't be my last.

This book is #2 in series. Red Dawn on steroids. The US has been invaded by Russian forces and military forces fight for the survival of the country.

You have it all, spies, chemical warfare, snipers, Patriots. What's not to love about that.

[John Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of The Kill Box by H. Ripley "Rip" Rawlings in exchange for my review. Rip knows how to write military thriller novels. Book two continues the saga where Russia has invaded the USA and is trying to quite all pockets of resistance. The good guys resist with grit and detrmination and lessons learned from conflicts where the other side were the insurgents. Keep them coming Rip! Highly recommended. .#TheKillBox #NetGalley

[Grace French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is riveting and will keep you on your toes until the last page. The characters continue to be well developed and are written in a way to visualize them without any difficulty. The plot is fascinating and so believable that by the end of the book you should feel both concern and pride for our country and how we always come out on top. I love the tension between the characters particularly the two lead female characters and Tyce. The author’s writing skill is evident when he is portraying the relationships between these characters I just mentioned. It’s very difficult to show the nuances of female personalities with respect to a male personality, and Rawlings does it seamlessly. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book, and I know that when you read the Kill Box you’ll feel the same way and want to know what happens next.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment of the Tyce Asher series picks up right book one, Assault by Fire, left off. Tyce and The 150th are engaging the Russian evaders the best they can. They are called on a special mission by the Vice President, who is hiding out in Canada, to commandeer a train the Russians are sending to the front lines filled with chemicals do use on US soldiers. While Tyce is trying to deal with that situation, he comes to find out he might also have a traitor within his group. It is up to Tyce to stop the train and flush out the traitor.

I thought this was a very good follow up to Assault by Fire. As with Assault By Fire, there is plenty of action to keep you engaged as a reader. Since this book picks up right after Assault By Fire ends, I do recommend that you read the book 1st.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Rawlings does go very in-depth describing anything having to do with the military from units to vehicles to weapons. While some people might find this fascinating, for me it tended to be a little overkill. That was about the only flaw is all of this book. As I mentioned there was plenty of battles and action. He developed the characters he previously introduced, and the new characters were very intriguing. The Russian mole was a complex well developed character who keep you guessing on what their true motives were.

This book is a must read for fans of Red Dawn and anyone interested in a universe where Russia invades the United States. The end of the book left the door wide open on how the series will progress. I can’t wait to check it out. Thank you to @NetGalley @Kensingtonbooks and @RipRawlings for an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Todd Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

The Kill Box is a hard hitting military strategy masterclass in the form of a novel. There are few writers, if any, in the game today that do a better job of explaining battlefield tactics in a more entertaining way than Rip Rawlings.

This skill was on full display in Rip’s first novel ASSAULT BY FIRE and he took it to another level in the second installment. His combination of larger scale explanations coupled with subtle nuances as seen by an individual helps the reader recreate a complex scenario in their mind. Add that to the high intensity action and interpersonal dynamics within the platoon and you have a solid plan of attack to craft a hell of a thriller.

Make sure to check out the full review

[Ben Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm finished and loved this book. GREAT plot and I loved the characters. We get some more background and get deeper into the main characters, but the evil B$#&^ enemy is the one you'll love to hate. The story arc is much more involved than book #1, and kept me riveted. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[KK · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Ripley Rawlings’ writing style; however, this book isn’t as strong as his other two. Pros for this book: intriguing main characters, interesting story line/premise, and fun (and detailed action). Cons: lack of wrapped up storylines (too much of a cliffhanger there at the end), underdeveloped villain, and the book “jumps” at times. (As a readier I’m like, wait, what happened? How are we jumping ahead like this?!)

Spoilers ahead so stop if you haven’t read! Plot notes: Blue shoots the Governor at the Mayor’s request…and then kills the Sheriff when the sheriff turns the gun on him. This storyline is wholly undeveloped. Why? What is going on? But none of this is resolved in this book. Which is frustrating as I think this is intriguing, but we need to know more. Don’t leave us hanging!

Diaz is hurt but a sniper. Ned Blake is killed by a sniper (and has pretty much no talking time in the book). Diaz is out most of the book. Gunny is with Tyce most of the book but survives a bombing improbably! The sniper, Stacey/Stazia is a double agent and her story line is interesting but her character is a bit annoying as the story wears on. Then the book just “ends” - we don’t know what has happened with Stacey/Stazia other than she survives, Tyce survives, and Tyce stops the train. This book gets all of the characters’ story lines down the road but isn’t a finished plot line. That bothered me…

The sections with the dying general are great - especially Victoria’s connection with him. I wish the entire book wrapped up the storyline well because Rawlings’ writing is really compelling with a lot of the characters.

So future books I guess we’ll see Tyce figure out that Stacey/Stazia is the mole…at least I hope so! The book ends with Tyce blaming (wrongly) a nurse as the mole because Stazia said the nurse was the mole…but Victoria pushes back and says that the nurse couldn’t have been the mole…

Also we find out Blue was firing blanks. He has his gun cleaned by soldiers and they tell him that the blanks messed up his gun barrel. So we are left with questions - did he use blanks on the Governor? Did he fail to kill Stazia because of the blanks? Why did Mayor Holly put the blanks in there?

And we are left wondering about the 60 million in gold? Why was it on the train? What does General Tympkin want with the gold from the mint?

[Gary Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads review, ‘The Kill Box’ by Lt. Col. H. Ripley Rawlings IV (USMC Ret.).

‘The Kill Box by Lt. Col. H. Ripley Rawlings IV is a A fun smooth read. However, it does not have the same chutzpah as the movie Red Dawn (1984) which tackled the same subject. Russia invades America. Though of course I have to state that as a kid in the 1980s the Cold War and the threat (driven by media and government) that the Russians were planning an invasion of the west. So perhaps the media reality had a lot more palpable currency. Anyway the book is about one particular aspect of the invasion. There is I assume more to come or indeed perhaps it’s already been published. There are now a plethora of ex military writing novels after twenty years of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. So the ideas are flying 24/7. One can see how with the current anti-Russian wave over the war in Ukraine that Russia is once again propped up as the Axis of Evil (Bush's State of the Union address on January 29, 2002). Right now there are plenty of books being written about the invasion of Ukraine. ‘The Kill Box’ is playing to an audience that crosses traditional political boundaries. In that the left would traditionally view this novel as ‘crazy’. Yet, with the overwhelming anti-Russian media tsunami this book possibly has the power to unite a fractured reading community. A fun and easy read. There is no way I could recommend this novel to anyone as the political minefield and the cult of offence makes sure that the freedom of opinion is under attack by the very same political mouths who promote the value and greatness of free speech. It’s an important novel in the sense that the novel runs up against the topical narrative and at the same time confuses the left because they hate the right but cannot reconcile their dissonance. Just look at someone like Meghan McCain who is a leading conservative but strung out by leftist leanings. Bought at Big W Library for $5.00. Enjoy.