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Mace Mason #2
Survive to Fight
Sunday Times-Bestselling Author: If you're a pirate looking for prey, best steer clear of Matt Mason's daughter . . . "A wonderfully engaging protagonist." ―Adam Hamdy, author of Black 13
Matt "Mace" Mason is attempting to put the army behind him, building a life for himself training anti-poaching forces on a Kenyan game reserve. He's looking forward to meeting up with his eldest child, Jo, who's graduated naval college and taken a summer job working on a billionaire's yacht in the Red Sea.
But then he receives a call informing him that Jo's boat is missing, likely abducted by Somali pirates. Mason must call in favors from old contacts as he follows Jo's trail. She isn't the target of the abduction, so she won't be worth keeping by the pirates for long. But she is still Matt Mason's daughter, and she knows she needs to survive to fight . . .
From a seventeen-year SAS veteran who operated in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global hotspots, served as a bodyguard to major celebrities, and appears on the British series SAS: Who Dares Wins, this is an action-packed thriller starring a hero like no other.
Matt "Mace" Mason is attempting to put the army behind him, building a life for himself training anti-poaching forces on a Kenyan game reserve. He's looking forward to meeting up with his eldest child, Jo, who's graduated naval college and taken a summer job working on a billionaire's yacht in the Red Sea.
But then he receives a call informing him that Jo's boat is missing, likely abducted by Somali pirates. Mason must call in favors from old contacts as he follows Jo's trail. She isn't the target of the abduction, so she won't be worth keeping by the pirates for long. But she is still Matt Mason's daughter, and she knows she needs to survive to fight . . .
From a seventeen-year SAS veteran who operated in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global hotspots, served as a bodyguard to major celebrities, and appears on the British series SAS: Who Dares Wins, this is an action-packed thriller starring a hero like no other.
400 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2023
46 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 12, 2022
This book is filled to the brim with action that will keep you gripped until the very last page, trust me, I read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down! I haven’t read the first book in this series but I don’t think it took anything away from the experience of reading book two first. I will be going back to read book one though because I need more Matt Mason in my life. You can absolutely tell that this series is written from real life experiences, and it’s that authentication that really keeps you glued to the pages.
Definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR asap! Thank you so much to Sophie Ransom PR and Hodder & Stoughton for having me on the blog tour and sending me copies of the book to review.
Definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR asap! Thank you so much to Sophie Ransom PR and Hodder & Stoughton for having me on the blog tour and sending me copies of the book to review.
June 12, 2022
Full on high octane and adrenaline fueled thriller, but a story with heart covering real life issues, basically just sit back, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.
Whilst the story moves at a fast pace, it is constructed in a way which heightens the tension and you may think in someways the plot is straight forward, however, the author cleverly takes the book in different directions with twists just at the right moment and some which are totally unexpected, which keeps you on your toes as you read on,
Whilst this appears to be an all action thriller, it is nothing if the story line does not back this up in terms of realism, here the author (it seems to me) uses his own experiences and that shows in the writing and on the pages, plausibility is the key as you read on, in essence you have differing story lines threads running throughout the book cleverly interweaved, I got the feeling that the storyline thread and issues raised are close to the authors heart as they should be to all
A story is nothing though without the characters to bring the this all to life, here you get the sense that the author is playing on his past and bringing together characters who you can relate to and add that level of believeability in not only their actions but their mannerisms and the way that they go about the job in hand, Mason comes across as a well considered character who weighs up the danger and the consequences, then in his daughter Joanna you have a fiercely strong independent woman able to assess a given situation, someone who remains calm under the strongest of pressure, in addition you get a terrific sense of place and feel for the locations you can picture these in your minds eye, again seemingly drawing on the authors past.
This maybe a work of fiction, however it also plays on real life and highlights some of the horrors still at play in certain parts of the world, it is fair to say that at times it can be a hard read, but then so are the attrocitites still being perpertated and carried out, there is clearly a line between right and wrong, usually with money and greed at its root, you also sense that the author wanted to raise awareness and bring these issues to the fore
However, it is definitley a read in which you can invest yourself not only in the characters but in the story as a whole. One thing which struck me as I read the book was the sense of realism and authenticity brought by the authors background, you can relate and believe in every action undertaken, you just know that yes this could happen, the author has clearly led a varied and interesting life and is bringing all this to the fore in the writing
An author that knows how to engage the reader, how to grab their attention and how to keep up the tension and drama, it is written in a way which forces you to keep on reading without the over use for cliffhanging chapter endings, the story and narrative is strong enough to make it a compelling and interesting read
This is so much more than all out action thriller, it is an outstanding read, well thought out, considered, with a superbly constructed plot, executed with aplomb on the page
This will appeal to all who like to be entertained, defintley one of the years top reads and one which i would highly recommend 5*
Whilst the story moves at a fast pace, it is constructed in a way which heightens the tension and you may think in someways the plot is straight forward, however, the author cleverly takes the book in different directions with twists just at the right moment and some which are totally unexpected, which keeps you on your toes as you read on,
Whilst this appears to be an all action thriller, it is nothing if the story line does not back this up in terms of realism, here the author (it seems to me) uses his own experiences and that shows in the writing and on the pages, plausibility is the key as you read on, in essence you have differing story lines threads running throughout the book cleverly interweaved, I got the feeling that the storyline thread and issues raised are close to the authors heart as they should be to all
A story is nothing though without the characters to bring the this all to life, here you get the sense that the author is playing on his past and bringing together characters who you can relate to and add that level of believeability in not only their actions but their mannerisms and the way that they go about the job in hand, Mason comes across as a well considered character who weighs up the danger and the consequences, then in his daughter Joanna you have a fiercely strong independent woman able to assess a given situation, someone who remains calm under the strongest of pressure, in addition you get a terrific sense of place and feel for the locations you can picture these in your minds eye, again seemingly drawing on the authors past.
This maybe a work of fiction, however it also plays on real life and highlights some of the horrors still at play in certain parts of the world, it is fair to say that at times it can be a hard read, but then so are the attrocitites still being perpertated and carried out, there is clearly a line between right and wrong, usually with money and greed at its root, you also sense that the author wanted to raise awareness and bring these issues to the fore
However, it is definitley a read in which you can invest yourself not only in the characters but in the story as a whole. One thing which struck me as I read the book was the sense of realism and authenticity brought by the authors background, you can relate and believe in every action undertaken, you just know that yes this could happen, the author has clearly led a varied and interesting life and is bringing all this to the fore in the writing
An author that knows how to engage the reader, how to grab their attention and how to keep up the tension and drama, it is written in a way which forces you to keep on reading without the over use for cliffhanging chapter endings, the story and narrative is strong enough to make it a compelling and interesting read
This is so much more than all out action thriller, it is an outstanding read, well thought out, considered, with a superbly constructed plot, executed with aplomb on the page
This will appeal to all who like to be entertained, defintley one of the years top reads and one which i would highly recommend 5*
October 26, 2022
top-notch read. i am not going, to get into the narrative, per se, here.
my rating is based on am retired military and worked just like "mace" as a contractor in the middle east before getting injured/disabled.
if a surgeon wrote a novel about the medical field and another doctor read it; they can tell. the words, phrases, vernacular and storyline and comments that make it "feel" real.
that is the case here. top-notch story and, from my perspective; you read this and say "mr. billingham has done that "been" there".
many (most in my opinion) are not of this insightful caliber and writing. they just go with bombs, girls, guns and "a" boat and just insert some type of action and story.
i read the (#2) first. go, figure.
my rating is based on am retired military and worked just like "mace" as a contractor in the middle east before getting injured/disabled.
if a surgeon wrote a novel about the medical field and another doctor read it; they can tell. the words, phrases, vernacular and storyline and comments that make it "feel" real.
that is the case here. top-notch story and, from my perspective; you read this and say "mr. billingham has done that "been" there".
many (most in my opinion) are not of this insightful caliber and writing. they just go with bombs, girls, guns and "a" boat and just insert some type of action and story.
i read the (#2) first. go, figure.
June 23, 2022
Excellent storyline fast paced.. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. This was an excellent read. Thoroughly recommended
March 23, 2025
Outstanding. Just great escapism. Alot of the best flavours of all the McNab/Chris Ryan books rolled into one. Looking forward to the next one
June 1, 2022
You know what? This book really wasn't what I was expecting at all. And yet, it also was. You know how sometimes when you get an action hero they can be over the top, all guns blazing, shoot first, ask questions later kinds of characters? It can make for some impressive and memorable fight scenes, but you know, deep down, the violence and impact of the shootouts is there for effect only. It doesn't add to the progression of the story, just makes everything tense and exciting. With Survive to Fight, I found myself reading a story which has no shortage of tense, action filled pages, but which was also far more considered and measured than many of its counterparts. It showed a reflection of the training the author has had, whereby action is taken only as necessary, not to make for an overwhelmingly exciting cliffhanger scene ending.
That's not to say that the book is lacking in action. Far from it. With poaching, piracy and hostage taking, alongside the very believable and worrying international problem of human trafficking, there are plenty of pulse thumping moments to entertain the serious action fan. And as an action hero, Matt Mason is as good as they come. Fierce, loyal and completely dedicated, he's exactly the kind of person you'd want on your side. When we first meet him in this book he is working on a game reserve in Mozambique, working hard to try to stop poachers from slaughtering the elephant herd. These scenes are fraught, fast and believable, and truly sad. We get a real measure of the man as he hunts down the poachers, but also in his actions afterward. His commitment to his team in the midst of a real threat to life, tells you all you need to know if, like me, you are meeting him for the first time. And I liked Mason. Liked his attitude and the way he fought hard for those around him, keeping cool and thinking tactically, and never afraid to follow where the trail may lead. And that is quite some way from home. Quite fortuitous as it turns out.
There is a secondary thread to this book, one which does tie in to the poaching story as those who are shipping the stolen ivory around the world are also dealing in a very different kind of shipment. Anything to get their own goods safely across some very dangerous seas. This comes to impact Mason in a way that no-one could have seen coming and one that puts one of his own family in danger. Parts of this story are hard to read but not in an overly graphic way. It is more that as we delve further into the world of people trafficking, you know that the author has not captured even a fraction of the depravity of the people smugglers or the sheer hell that those who are taken have to endure. It made me angry, made me want to see justice being done and to see Mason succeed in holding all of the bad guys to account.
The book is infused with a real sense of authenticity, with scenes that compelled me to read onward and kept me completely invested in the characters and story. Mason isn't the only person whose perspective we get during the book, there is also that of his daughter who is working on a yacht sailing off the east coast of Africa. Know if you know anything of sea travel on that eastern coast you know that this is just asking for trouble. It leads to moments of apprehension and expectation, knowing something bad will happen and, more or less, what that bad thing will be. There are still surprises in store though and not everything in the book played out in quite the way I expected.
If you like character led action thrillers, with a great sense of authenticity that really captures your attention, it's definitely worth reading this book. I'm off to find out what I missed in book one now. I can see me being with Matt Mason for the long hall.
That's not to say that the book is lacking in action. Far from it. With poaching, piracy and hostage taking, alongside the very believable and worrying international problem of human trafficking, there are plenty of pulse thumping moments to entertain the serious action fan. And as an action hero, Matt Mason is as good as they come. Fierce, loyal and completely dedicated, he's exactly the kind of person you'd want on your side. When we first meet him in this book he is working on a game reserve in Mozambique, working hard to try to stop poachers from slaughtering the elephant herd. These scenes are fraught, fast and believable, and truly sad. We get a real measure of the man as he hunts down the poachers, but also in his actions afterward. His commitment to his team in the midst of a real threat to life, tells you all you need to know if, like me, you are meeting him for the first time. And I liked Mason. Liked his attitude and the way he fought hard for those around him, keeping cool and thinking tactically, and never afraid to follow where the trail may lead. And that is quite some way from home. Quite fortuitous as it turns out.
There is a secondary thread to this book, one which does tie in to the poaching story as those who are shipping the stolen ivory around the world are also dealing in a very different kind of shipment. Anything to get their own goods safely across some very dangerous seas. This comes to impact Mason in a way that no-one could have seen coming and one that puts one of his own family in danger. Parts of this story are hard to read but not in an overly graphic way. It is more that as we delve further into the world of people trafficking, you know that the author has not captured even a fraction of the depravity of the people smugglers or the sheer hell that those who are taken have to endure. It made me angry, made me want to see justice being done and to see Mason succeed in holding all of the bad guys to account.
The book is infused with a real sense of authenticity, with scenes that compelled me to read onward and kept me completely invested in the characters and story. Mason isn't the only person whose perspective we get during the book, there is also that of his daughter who is working on a yacht sailing off the east coast of Africa. Know if you know anything of sea travel on that eastern coast you know that this is just asking for trouble. It leads to moments of apprehension and expectation, knowing something bad will happen and, more or less, what that bad thing will be. There are still surprises in store though and not everything in the book played out in quite the way I expected.
If you like character led action thrillers, with a great sense of authenticity that really captures your attention, it's definitely worth reading this book. I'm off to find out what I missed in book one now. I can see me being with Matt Mason for the long hall.
May 24, 2022
Survive to Fight is a good, solid follow up to the impressive first in this series with an interesting storyline and a good plot.
Ivory smuggling is a lucrative business but so too are other things and Wang Li Lan of the Wang Trading Company is never one to miss out on an opportunity to expand. Unfortunately for her ex-special forces soldier Matt Mason, on a private security contract at the Niassa Game Reserve in Mozambique has other ideas.
I found Survive to Fight easy to get into and it moved along at a good pace, the plot highlighted real issues and the characters were well written making it an interesting read from start to finish.
Although the second in a series this could easily be read as a standalone novel
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy for review purposes, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
Ivory smuggling is a lucrative business but so too are other things and Wang Li Lan of the Wang Trading Company is never one to miss out on an opportunity to expand. Unfortunately for her ex-special forces soldier Matt Mason, on a private security contract at the Niassa Game Reserve in Mozambique has other ideas.
I found Survive to Fight easy to get into and it moved along at a good pace, the plot highlighted real issues and the characters were well written making it an interesting read from start to finish.
Although the second in a series this could easily be read as a standalone novel
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy for review purposes, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
May 13, 2022
Initially I found this a little hard to follow as locations moved around the world but once a few connections were made the book flowed brilliantly. Plenty of action and deception with likeable characters who were not afraid to pull some punches as they solve a kidnapping and crush a smuggling ring. I really enjoyed this book, thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
December 21, 2022
I enjoyed first book but this is better lots of initial threads & adventures of Matt Mason.
Of all celebs writing books majority will be ghost written but the ghost writer gets little or no credit. But putting another another author as co writer of this is a very decent thing to do. So excellent book & excellent honest spirit
Of all celebs writing books majority will be ghost written but the ghost writer gets little or no credit. But putting another another author as co writer of this is a very decent thing to do. So excellent book & excellent honest spirit
July 24, 2022
Light reading
Full of adventure twists and turns.
Sometimes you didn’t know what was fiction and what was drawn on real life experiences.
Bravo!!
Full of adventure twists and turns.
Sometimes you didn’t know what was fiction and what was drawn on real life experiences.
Bravo!!
January 23, 2024
Title: Survive to Fight by Billy Billingham
Review:
Billy Billingham's "Survive to Fight" plunges readers into the heart of a thrilling narrative, where courage, loyalty, and a relentless pursuit of justice wrestle against the backdrop of global dangers and moral dilemmas. Through the eyes of Mason, the protagonist, Billingham crafts a tale not only of survival but of the indomitable spirit to do what's right, even when faced with unimaginable challenges.
Mason, a character as complex as he is courageous, embodies the quintessential hero who finds himself ensnared in a web of criminality and peril. His unwavering commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable, specifically the elephants targeted by ivory traffickers, serves as a poignant commentary on the real-world crisis of wildlife poaching. Billingham masterfully uses Mason's moral compass as a guiding light in the story, illustrating the power of integrity over indifference.
The narrative arc concerning Mason's daughter's kidnapping introduces a visceral, heart-wrenching dimension to the story, testing Mason's resolve like never before. It's a testament to Billingham's skillful storytelling that the reader is drawn so deeply into Mason's turmoil. The decision to report the ivory, despite the personal cost, underscores a profound message about the importance of protecting the innocent and the environment, resonating deeply with contemporary global issues.
Billingham's background in the special forces is palpable throughout the novel, lending authenticity and grit to the action sequences. His detailed knowledge of tactical operations and survival strategies enriches the narrative, offering readers an immersive experience that is both educational and exhilarating.
The anticipation of more adventures indicates that Billingham has not only created a memorable character in Mason but also a world that readers are eager to revisit. The blend of suspense, moral complexity, and action-packed scenes positions "Survive to Fight" as a standout addition to the thriller genre.
In conclusion, "Survive to Fight" is a compelling read that captures the essence of heroism in the face of adversity. Billy Billingham has woven a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, leaving readers reflecting on the values of courage, loyalty, and the enduring fight for justice. The promise of future adventures with Mason is an exciting prospect for fans of the genre, ensuring Billingham's place as a storyteller of exceptional calibre.
Rating: ★★★★★
Fans of action-packed thrillers with a heart will find much to admire in Billingham's work, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Mason's journey.
Review:
Billy Billingham's "Survive to Fight" plunges readers into the heart of a thrilling narrative, where courage, loyalty, and a relentless pursuit of justice wrestle against the backdrop of global dangers and moral dilemmas. Through the eyes of Mason, the protagonist, Billingham crafts a tale not only of survival but of the indomitable spirit to do what's right, even when faced with unimaginable challenges.
Mason, a character as complex as he is courageous, embodies the quintessential hero who finds himself ensnared in a web of criminality and peril. His unwavering commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable, specifically the elephants targeted by ivory traffickers, serves as a poignant commentary on the real-world crisis of wildlife poaching. Billingham masterfully uses Mason's moral compass as a guiding light in the story, illustrating the power of integrity over indifference.
The narrative arc concerning Mason's daughter's kidnapping introduces a visceral, heart-wrenching dimension to the story, testing Mason's resolve like never before. It's a testament to Billingham's skillful storytelling that the reader is drawn so deeply into Mason's turmoil. The decision to report the ivory, despite the personal cost, underscores a profound message about the importance of protecting the innocent and the environment, resonating deeply with contemporary global issues.
Billingham's background in the special forces is palpable throughout the novel, lending authenticity and grit to the action sequences. His detailed knowledge of tactical operations and survival strategies enriches the narrative, offering readers an immersive experience that is both educational and exhilarating.
The anticipation of more adventures indicates that Billingham has not only created a memorable character in Mason but also a world that readers are eager to revisit. The blend of suspense, moral complexity, and action-packed scenes positions "Survive to Fight" as a standout addition to the thriller genre.
In conclusion, "Survive to Fight" is a compelling read that captures the essence of heroism in the face of adversity. Billy Billingham has woven a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, leaving readers reflecting on the values of courage, loyalty, and the enduring fight for justice. The promise of future adventures with Mason is an exciting prospect for fans of the genre, ensuring Billingham's place as a storyteller of exceptional calibre.
Rating: ★★★★★
Fans of action-packed thrillers with a heart will find much to admire in Billingham's work, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Mason's journey.
September 3, 2023
This is the second book in the series and I haven't read the first, but it was completely fine.
The plot was suspenseful enough to keep me wanting to read. At first there were a lot of names and unfamiliar places (the maps really helped) and the jumping between felt disjointed; however, that soon changed and I could feel the threads linking everything together. The characters were plentiful and not packed out, but I think this is common in action/adventure type books to keep them interesting (this was my first book of this genre so I'm not sure). It felt like the author had a lots of knowledge and I learned a lot, which was a lovely surprise. I would pick up others in the series.
The plot was suspenseful enough to keep me wanting to read. At first there were a lot of names and unfamiliar places (the maps really helped) and the jumping between felt disjointed; however, that soon changed and I could feel the threads linking everything together. The characters were plentiful and not packed out, but I think this is common in action/adventure type books to keep them interesting (this was my first book of this genre so I'm not sure). It felt like the author had a lots of knowledge and I learned a lot, which was a lovely surprise. I would pick up others in the series.
November 6, 2023
Really good read.
Seems to me to be one of the best books since Chris Ryan and Andy macnab took to writing fiction. I enjoyed this book very much. I will definitely be reading more of Billy's books. Thank you
Seems to me to be one of the best books since Chris Ryan and Andy macnab took to writing fiction. I enjoyed this book very much. I will definitely be reading more of Billy's books. Thank you
November 9, 2023
Excellent book. One of those you start to read and cannot put down!
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
December 20, 2023
Enjoyed it. Easy read with some twists and turns.
April 12, 2024
A good read! Full of action, hard to put away.
August 19, 2024
Love It
Excellent to have a fresh writer in the special forces author ranks.
I hope to read more and this was a thriller from start to finish.
Excellent to have a fresh writer in the special forces author ranks.
I hope to read more and this was a thriller from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews