Hammer of God

Alex Hunter #5.5

by Greig Beck

When the coalition of Allied Forces established an international zone in Iraq, they meant to bring peace to the region. They were succeeding – until the moment something hulked into the zone and detonated a nuclear bomb.



The last images from the area prior to the blast are not of drones or the trail of an ICBM. Instead they show a solitary figure carrying the enormous weapon to the soon-to-be ground zero on its back.



Consulting an ancient prophecy, scholars warn that an ancient evil has returned, wielding the power to raise the dead to do its bidding.



Major Jack Hammerson, leader of the elite commandos known as the HAWCs knows that only one one soldier is up to the task. But he cannot do it alone.



Alex Hunter, the Arcadian, teams up with old ally and Mossad spy Adira Senesh to unravel the age old prophecy, tracing it back to the very heart of madness.



Perfect for fans of Matthew Reilly, Steve Alten, Myke Cole, Graham Masterton, James Rollins and Michael Crichton.



"The Alex Hunter stories just keep getting better with each book. As always, Beck uses history and mythology to build the story in a way that lends it credence and gives it a life of its own -- I love that." -- The Speed of Write



"Action/adventure meets The Twilight Zone -- 5/5 Stars." -- Myra Gabor, Horror Novel Reviews



"I can never put down one of his books until I've finished the whole thing!" -- Frontlaven Reviews

Genres: Thriller, Adventure, Science Fiction, Fiction, Military Fiction, Audiobook, Horror

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2015

About the author

Hi GoodReaders, I’m an Australian author residing in Sydney with my wife, son and a mad Golden Retriever named Jessie. My novels are now available globally, also in Large Print and now in full AUDIO format.

I grew up spending my days surfing at Bondi Beach before entering a career in Information technology which took me around the world. After completing an MBA, i was appointed both an Australasian director of a multinational software company, and tasked with setting up the USA arm of the organisation.

Today, I spend most of my time writing... with plenty left over for surfing.

More information about me and my works can be found at either www.greigbeck.com, or join me on FaceBook (Greig Beck Author).

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look Out!

Alex Hunter, the Arcadian, the leader of The HAWCS, is on a mission of terror. Somebody is setting off nuclear weapons.

The Israelis are helping the HAWCS find and destroy the nuclear weapons before they can be deployed.

But which country is behind this menace? The list isn’t very long. But are they correct in their suspicion? We shall see.

Four stars. 💫💫💫💫

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little novella in between the two latest full size books from one of my favourite series! I listened (yet again) to the audio version with Sean Mangan. I'm not sure if I would appreciate this series as much if I were to read it instead of listening to his awesome narration!! I am so used to it! No, who am I kidding I would still love it!

Alex Hunter is back in Hammer of God (Alex Hunter #5.5). Following the events of Black Mountain and Gorgon, Alex is back in full force with the HAWC's. When someone or SOMETHING is setting off nuclear bombs in the middle east, Alex and his team join forces with Mossad (YAY HI AGAIN ADIRA!) to try and save the world! Add in a whole lot of action, creatures, monsters, and a bit of lovelorn and you have one awesome little book!

I know I am just repeating myself when I say I love this series... But I do... And this was a fantastic little gem! I liked that it was only 4 hours or so long, so I got through it quite quickly in comparison to his others, and ADIRA IS BACK!!! YAY!! I feel so sorry for her, she loves Alex so much, but he is all "Thanks but no thanks, my heart belongs to someone else".

I am SO EAGER to read (or listen to) Kraken Rising (Alex Hunter #6) to see what happens, because I read in the synopsis that Aimee is back! I am really excited to see how she reacts when she discovers that Alex is alive!

Would I recommend Hammer of God?

YES! This is one of my favourite series! Highly recommend them all! I enjoyed this little teaser before Kraken Rising! I have it waiting on my phone ready to go!! Can't wait!!

For more reviews check out my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com
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[BookishDramas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greig masterfully weaves a fast-paced narrative filled with thrilling twists and heart-pounding action in this short novella. Alex Hunter shines again as a fierce and determined protagonist, facing impossible odds with relentless courage.

The setting is vividly described, immersing readers in a world where ancient myths and modern-day challenges collide. Greig's attention to detail creates a rich atmosphere that pulls you right into the story. The stakes are higher than ever, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down!

The plot is expertly crafted, combining elements of mystery, suspense, and supernatural intrigue. Each revelation left me eager to turn the page, and the climax was nothing short of explosive. Greig has outdone himself with this installment, making it a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

If you love gripping adventure tales don’t miss this one! Highly recommended!

[samone m brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Great little story with my fav characters taking on the evils in the world!
Well worth the read Alex hunter continues

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5
Really enjoyed this one.
It's Greig Beck/Alex Hunter right back in the arena they work best in.
Pure military horror, tempered with a great imagination and some serious research.
The action is fast-paced, the characters growing as they go, and the whole thing showing the style of an author well in his prime territory.
Keep 'em coming, and I'll keep on reading them.
Highly recommended.

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mossad spy Adira Senesh is back.

I think a large portion of why I don't love this book is how irritating I am starting to find Adira. She has never been my favorite character in the series, and I teeter-totter between not caring if she is there and being annoyed at how she interacts with the plot.

Part of this could very well be how saturated the media and conversation are at this moment with Israel / Middle East discussion, and while Beck is very nuanced, measured, and fair in dishing out opinion and senario... I am just sick of the whole deal.

Adding to my bad attitude (lol) is that I am just not a huge fan of point five books of any kind. It is very rare for me to find a middle book that I am drawn into. Prequels and epilogues (while not always my favorite) are more tolerable to my sensibilities. Because I am difficult to please..

Also, HUGE shout out to his audiobook production company and his reader 10/10 on not adding a bunch of background music and nonsense alongside an epic job narrating.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

5.5 novella from the Alex Hunter series. Walking unstoppable zombies threaten the fragile peace of the Arabian Peninsula and the world.

Interesting story. I wish some of the character feuds wouldn’t be resolved so earliest. I’m also not so sure if I like how Sam all of sudden becomes Alex’s near equal after his accident. It seems like the author made a ‘whoopsie’ and had to fix it.

Footnote: 1) How did Alex’s group find out that the 3rd Golem had been destroyed if they were already in Jurn under radio silence?

Fave scenes: human missiles, Leyla’s reunion and catching the 5th traveler.

[N.L. McFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hammer of God is part of the Alex Hunter series, book 5.5....a fantastic short story as an e-book. I love the Alex Hunter series and this was no different, reunited with familiar faces to fight an evil like nothing else they've faced, Alex and his team must find the source or watch the world go up in flames. I read this in one sitting and can't wait to start the next. The only negative I can say is that it was too short... xD

[Barbara Kennard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished listening to this on audio from local library today. 4 1/2 hours. Found it on a list of recommended books ( I thought). Didn't realise until looking at it on Goodreads site, that it is part of a series with Alex Hunter. Anyway, a good story, and have recommended as such to my adult son. Set in the Middle East, and gives some background to the complex situation there. Action. A bit of mythology ( a touch)? Enjoyed it. May try some others in the series now.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun, gratuitous violence, hokum science and history, really enjoyed this, mad escapism but I do wish I could have got it as a printed book, I think I am now up to date with all the Arcadian books, in whichever form they take. They are very violent, very shallow, have some interesting ideas, I am hooked...

[Jacques Hollands · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoy the Alex Hunter series. However, this story was not quite up my alley. Perhaps it was because it is a shorter story, and I prefer longer books. The ending also felt a bit rushed, an issue I have with Greig Beck's books from time to time. But it was a fun read nonetheless, but not one I will remember like Black Mountain (Book 4).

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Shorter than the others this was a nice interlude into The Arcadian's life. Lots of action, a horrible situation and of course, the good guys win. For now. As there are always more villains.

[Karsyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I've definitely grown tired of this series. It's the same thing over and over and this one didn't even have any kind of enjoyable story to it. It was just not my thing. I just need to stop reading these, and I don't. :/

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beck_Greig: Hammer of God


Hammer of God commences with a nuclear explosion somewhere in Iraq. Naturally this upsets the status quo a coalition peace keeping force was trying to bring to the region. To make exacerbate the situation the last images from the area do not show and sign of an airborne device being used. The only thing out of place is a huge man/person carrying a rather large package on its back right into ground zero.

Major Jack Hammerson and Alex hunter (The Arcadian), join forces with an old ally Mossad spy Adira Senesh. They are soon enmeshed in a story of ancient prophecies which appear to be true.

Again Greig Beck has written about the ancients and prophecies of evil and shaped it into a plausible story-line. However Hammer of God was not one of his best books in my opinion. That may be entirely due to the subject of his story which are these giants walking around with nuclear devices strapped to their backs. It was not until the first explosion that I remembered reading/listening to it about four years ago and I felt I was going through the motions of reading ‘because I had started the book’. A book needs to be really bad (in my opinion) before I will discard before completing it. Hammer of God was good enough to listen to a second time, but I find I am liking books which do not have monsters lurking…somewhere...these days. A sign of age? Maybe.

29/07/2018
Goodreads Readers have rated Hammer of God an average of 4.09 stars from 346 ratings and 28 reviews

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beck continues to create more interesting stories than most of the action writers. With Alex and his team back in the thick things this short story does not lack anything.

[Nyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and fun, just what I was looking for!

[Raqual Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars is never enough for the combination of Greig and Sean and the Arcadian..a short but sweet listen.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

6

[Robert Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Another mission for the great Arcadian 👍. Good storyline, action packed and fast paced. The only thing missing was Matt Kearns. Worth the time.

[John-Inge Skogseth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rushed

[Maryann Sasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but really good

Love the Alex Hunter series! Haven't as yet read them all, but I'm looking forward to reading the rest. Exciting!

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Clayton D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

The further adventures of The Arcadian are great escapism entertainment and I look forward to reading a lot more in the future!

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short ...but Amazing

This one was a very quick read but it was difficult to put down. I loved be able to see some old faces from the series. Greig Beck has done it again!

[BookzBookzBookz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hammer of God (short story) of the Alex Hunter series (Book 5.5)
*AudioBook Review by Greig Beck
This one's a short story but it carries a punch! Hammer of God, by Greig Beck, is one you can't skip over. You may find yourself reading about this enemy again later!
When a nuclear explosion sets off in the Middle East, everyone watches. A lone man, a stranger to all simply walked with a few tons on their back to a particular spot and set it off, killing thousands. Hammer think's he's got a lone situation, but when the occurrence takes place again and again, the HAWC's are sent in to investigate. Sadly, it's difficult to sneak in without assistance in such a country. That's where an old friend of the series returns to assist the Arcadian with a mission. What they find is something... not quite of this world!

Hammer of God is only four hours long but it is a story that will make you salivate for the next installment with the enemy. Each of Beck's books are different. This one is original and superb. The fights, the military threat and even the creature- all are ripe for the reading. Check out this book- even if you don't read all of the series. I betcha you can't stop... Cheers!

Hammer of God
Greig Beck
Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 4 hours and 33 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook​
Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Audible.com Release Date: September 24, 2015
*For more reviews: www.areneehunt.com

[Myra Gabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by Horror Novel Reviews in exchange for my honest opinion:

Action/adventure meets the Twilight Zone.

The story starts with a giant lumbering into the town of Soran in Iraq, carrying a package weighing hundreds of pounds on his back. When challenged by some soldiers to stop, the 7-foot tall figure sets the backpack down, reaches inside and simply detonates a nuclear device. The town is vaporized and anyone who wasn’t melted from the heat will soon die by radiation poisoning.

When the next giant appears in Baghdad, the Americans and Israelis have independently decided that this new threat must be assessed and stopped. Especially as their intel informs them that even though one arm was shot off, the other arm reaches into its backpack and detonates another bomb. Most of Baghdad is gone, along with the American and other international diplomats and their families.

The third creature is stopped on its way to Israel. Bullets from a fighter jet almost shred it, but do not bring it to a standstill, that is only achieved by a missile fired from the jet.

These creatures do not stop to eat, drink or rest. Their bodies are scarred, as though pieces have been stitched together. There is ancient Arabic writing on all parts of their bodies. When remains of the giants are brought into the lab, the Israeli scientist explains how, even though the body is dead, the cells still want to regenerate. In other words, this is an animated being, not alive, yet almost unstoppable in fulfilling its command – that of destruction. Since there is no scientific explanation, one suggestion is that perhaps magic animates the creatures. Certainly it is not from a technology that anyone in the West knows how to duplicate.

From the direction in which the creatures come, and from their nuclear capabilities, Alex Hunter, the protagonist, and the American and Israeli fighters, postulate that the beings are sent by Iran, working with Jihadists, in order to destroy the West.

What’s so frightening about this book is how plausible it is. It is not your usual garden variety story of zombie-by-virus infecting everyone. What it does is show how effortless it would be for just a few dedicated beings to destroy western civilization and how easy it is to produce and deliver nuclear devices. Whole cities wiped out before anyone realizes that it’s even possible.

For the tech minded, there is a lot of talk about armaments, both hand-held weapons and jets. The author talks about the ability of satellites to zoom in, see through buildings and take pictures underground. He also gives details about special body armor that makes Robocop look like a kindergartener. All of this is also scary stuff. I don’t know if any of it exists, but it sure sounds like it does.

This is another in the continuing series of Alex Hunter books. There are references to other stories, but this book easily stands alone.

Never thought I’d enjoy an action book, but this is an absorbing one. Frightening, but recommended.

[Per Gunnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a short story than a “real” book. It is quite fun read but it does not really advance the story very much. It is pretty fast paced but lacks a lot of the detail and the mystery suspense of the full books in the series. There is plenty of action (of course) and it has the usual supernatural and mystery elements that we are used to in this series but it is definitely somewhat predictable and it did feel a bit more like reading a comic book than a full fledged entry in the Alex Hunter series.

I am generally not to thrilled about these short novellas in the middle of a series but I have liked the Alex Hunter series so far so I decided to go for this one. I do not think reading this novella changed my mind on that. It does feel a bit like the author was trying to squeeze out a few more bucks of a successful series but what the heck, as I wrote, it was a fun read.

As the blurb states, a mysterious huge man, carries a nuke into a populated area into the Middle East and detonates it. Obviously this is a job for our friends the Arkadian, his team and his Israeli friend Adira. They pretty quickly locate the source of the “disturbance” and proceeds, in their usual way, to eliminate it. Despite a few interesting events and anecdotes spread around the story it rather lacks the build up of suspense and mystery that the full Alex Hunter books does. It is simply too short and condensed.

It was worth reading as a light diversion and to get a bit of a Alex Hunter action fix but you will not really miss much of the Alex Hunter main storyline if you skip it.

[Mark Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Hunter is back in a classic Beck story - exotic locales, sprinklings of geographical and historical trivia, kick-butt weaponry, and lots and lots of bodies. In this slam-bang novella, Hunter and his HAWCs travel to ISIS country and put the hurtin' on many a hapless terrorist. If you've ever watched news reports on TV and thought, "Someone should just go over there and shred those SOBs," then this book will stoke your fires.

Also in true Beck fashion, not everything is of this world. Here we're treated to nightmarish alchemy that would have made Dr. Frankenstein proud. Things get pretty freaky towards the end; Beck knows what his readers want. Hammer of God is a lethal injection of high-octane horror that will leave your heart racing and your palms sweaty.

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of Greig Beck's books and I was really looking forward to this one. This is more of a novella in length but its classic Greig Beck stuff, Alex is back with his team and along with Adira and her team, they go and kick some butt!

This was a good read, not as detailed as his usual books but that was to be expected with the length of it. I like books like this and the fact that Greig is an Australian writer makes it even better :)

About to go and read "Kraken Rising", should be great!

[Jenny Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Alex Hunter series, they are somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me. I don't know that this is usually my genre of books, but somehow I find them really good. There are well written characters, and I really enjoy the cameraderie between the HAWKs. There are also insane adventures and action, and a lot of cool monsters that show up throughout the books. The Arcadian himself keeps evolving and growing in every book as well.
In this book, Alex travels to Irak to stop a nuclear threat, while teaming up with old friends.