Omega Rules

Evan Ryder #3

by Eric Van Lustbader

Evan Ryder returns to uncover an international conspiracy against American democracy in a white-knuckle thriller by New York Times bestselling author, Eric Van Lustbader.Evan Ryder was once a field agent for a black-ops arm of the Department of Defense. Now she works for Parachute, a cutting-edge quantum-computing firm whose private espionage network exceeds any government spy agency. But her mission remains the seek out and destroy Omega, a fanatical global cult intent on destroying democracy. The fight against Omega has already cost Evan dearly but she will not stop until she has torn out the conspiracy by its roots, no matter the risk.In Omega Rules, the assassination of a Parachute agent in Vienna sets Evan on a dangerous, world-wide hunt for answers and on a collision course with forces so powerful they may be beyond her abilities to annihilate. Once again Lustbader delivers a prescient exploration of the political and ideological forces that are wreaking havoc on the stability of the Western world and its struggling democracies.A Macmillan Audio production from Tor/Forge Books.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Action, Espionage, Mystery

325 pages, Hardcover

First published May 24, 2022

About the author

Eric Van Lustbader was born and raised in Greenwich Village. He is the author of more than twenty-five best-selling novels, including The Ninja, in which he introduced Nicholas Linnear, one of modern fiction's most beloved and enduring heroes. The Ninja was sold to 20th CenturyFox, to be made into a major motion picture. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages.

Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sibling rivalry gone wild!👠👠

World democracy is at stake when an ultra-rightwing media mogul evangelical billionaire and his third wife from Russia/Slovenia want to start a second civil war. Evan has to take down "Omega" and stop deep state conservatives with arms reaching across the globe. Meanwhile white supremacists riot in Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc causing widespread unrest.

This book is a rather confusing one for me since I didn't read the first two books. The next paragraph contains possible spoilers if you haven't read the previous books.

A glance at the female characters: Evan Ryder (a she) has 3 sisters. Ana a religious extremist was shot dead by Evan's handler-partner, Ben Butler. Lucinda married a white supremacist billionaire. Her third sister who Evan thought is dead (is not dead), Bobbi/Kata Romanovna Hemakova/Sofia is a Russian spy. Evan thought Bobbi is very much dead that she pretended to be Bobbi at one point. It gets more complicated when you get to how Bobbi becomes Kata. I have difficulty following that it took me over halfway through to get the hang of the characters. I love espionage thrillers but this one was challenging with identities.

Turns out... Bobbi/Kata is my favorite! I enjoy parts with her in Russia. She's cruel no doubt but amazing in her own way, she's a bad*** character! I think Evan is supposed to be an impressive spy. She insists that she's best working alone, but the majority of the time she gets knocked unconscious, I don't get it.🤷‍♀️

I'm excited to read my first Eric Van Lustbader novel, I've heard of his name from Jason Bourne series. However, I find that in Omega Rules the dialogues are unrealistic and feel choppy at times. There's a rape scene on the pages that didn't further the plot. Also, I don't think this is meant to be read as a standalone thriller. 2.5⭐

Thank you Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for this DRC.
Available May 24, 2022.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Long, trite and dull.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Eric Van Lustbader’s Evan Ryder series will enjoy OMEGA RULES, the third and latest installment. It builds significantly on the two previous adventures, THE NEMESIS MANIFESTO and THE KOBALT DOSSIER, so reading those first is advised in order to follow the current plot and understand the characters’ complex relationships and how each individual relates to the others.

Evan Ryder originally worked as a field agent for the Department of Defense in an off-the-books division and was cast aside when a new president was elected. She was then recruited to work for a quantum-computing firm called Parachute, whose reach far exceeds any governmental entity. In OMEGA RULES, her job to eradicate Omega, an ever-expanding global group working to undermine and ultimately destroy democracy, continues. This mission is ongoing from her earlier exploits and has cost her personally.

Evan has quite a backstory with her sisters, three of whom figure prominently here. Ana is a religious extremist who was killed by Evan's partner, Ben Butler. Lucinda married a white supremacist billionaire, Samuel Wells, who happens to be the founder of Omega. Bobbi, who was thought to be dead by Evan, ended up murdering a woman so she could steal her identity and is now posing as a Russian spy. The book switches off between each of their storylines, sometimes jumping around so quickly that it is hard to keep up with what is happening.

As the hearings for the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol continue, Lustbader’s descriptions of Omega and its operations hit very close to home. The assault on democracy is ongoing, and groups like Omega continue to work to undermine freedom and promote extremist agendas. Wells chillingly explains why his propaganda appeals to certain groups of people today: “You provide hope, and just as important, an outlet for their rage. You give them everything they need to express themselves, to reassure themselves they still matter. The result: a sense of belonging is more important than facts. Because facts contradict this sense of belonging, which is all they have.”

Although OMEGA RULES is not a quick read, the timeliness of the subject matter will appeal to readers of complex thrillers that are relevant to today’s world.

Reviewed by Cindy Burnett

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan Ryder is back and so is two of her sisters. Omega Rules by Erc Van Lustbader is the third in this series and the struggle to defeat Omega is still ongoing. I don't know if I have ever read a book where the sibling rivalry is so complicated. I found this the best in the series so far and some of the events in this book is really good and the question about who is on what side is getting more complicated as well as who will win what power struggle. There is some great new characters in this book and we get more background on the sisters. I really must recommend this series. I must thank @forgereads @macmillanusa and #Edelweiss for giving me this advance copy, out in stores 24th of May. I also thank #EricVanLustbader for writing it.

[Donna Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vicious chaos and switching situations make staying on track hard to keep up.

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far beneath the quality of this author. Blatantly political bias and propaganda

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thriller / Espionage
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

Omega Rules, by author Eric Van Lustbader, is the third installment in the authors Evan Ryder series. Key characters: Evan Ryder, Ben Butler, Isobel Lowe, Kata Romanovna Hemakova, Lucinda Wells, and Marsden Tribe. Evan Ryder was once a field agent for a black-ops arm of the Department of Defense, but was cast aside with the arrival of the new President. Five months ago, Evan, and Ben were recruited by Isobel after Ben was shot and crippled facing off against Nemesis. They now work for Parachute, a cutting-edge quantum-computing firm whose private espionage network exceeds any government spy agency.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Redhoss · Rating 1 out of 5]

I very seldom do not finish a book that I start. I quit Omega Rules about 25% in. Eric Van Lustbader is obsessed with supporting the views of George Soros, Hillary and Obama. In doing this, he ruined the book and lost me as a reader.

[Keshav Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the pen of Eric Van Lustbader comes the third installment in the Evan Ryder series, which is captivating and carved on the previous two books in the series. Evan Ryder, a field agent in the DoD is now working in a quantum computing firm whose espionage web is deep-rooted and beyond the comprehension of government agencies. She is assigned the task of obliterating Omega, a fanatical cult intent on undermining global democracy. However, this fight has cost her dearly.

To recap events from the past, Evan Ryder has three sisters. Ana, a religious extremist is shot dead by Evan's partner Ben Butler. Lucinda married a white supremacist billionaire Samuel Wells, who is allegedly the head of Omega. The third sister, Bobbi who Evan believes is killed, has in reality fabricated her death and is a Russian spy. After her exfiltration to Russia, she steals the identity of one Kata Hemakova and is intent on seeking retribution on the power-hungry chiefs at the FSB and SVR. She also assumes another alias name Sophia in this edition.

The story is written on two parallel themes - One where Evan Ryder has to stop this right-wing group called Omega from razing democracy and bringing about new world order. They have hired contracted killers all over the world and will destroy anyone who comes in the path of their mission. The second is that of Bobbi / Kata / Sophia, who is infiltrating the ranks at the echelons of FSB and SVR in Moscow, and assisted by an enigmatic Lyudmila, an ex-Russian spy who is out to seek vengeance against those who have wronged her in the past. The plot often toggles quickly between each other that which could create confusion in the reader and a break in the flow of the storyline. Additionally, there are numerous identities in the plot, and the reader may wonder who is, and in which part of the storyline.

While Evan's part of the story is more of an action thriller with some gun fights, hand combats, sexual abuses, and a cat and mouse chase, Bobbi aka Kata's story is more on espionage and un-covering some harsh, ruthless, startling truths and corruption driven power struggle within the FSB-SVR ranks with some action sequence.

While Bobbi's character continues to fascinate me, I am intrigued to uncover the true face of the mysterious lady Lyudmila. Coincidentally, I stumbled upon another book by Kate Quinn - The Diamond Eye which revolves around the true life of a Ukrainian snipper woman Lyudmila "Mila" Pavilichenko with a record of 300+ kills for the Red Army, after which she was also called Lady Death.

Fans of Eric's writing will certainly love this book as much as I did and it looks to build up into another Jason Bourne series. I would strongly recommend reading the previous two books in the series if one has to have a grip on the characters and their evolution. Hope to read the next in the Evan Ryder series soon and wonder if Evan and Bobbi would come face to face again.

[Wayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not having read Lustbader's first two Evan Rider novels, I was at a great disadvantage in reading and deciphering OMEGA RULES. First Evan Rider is a female ex-agent for the Defense Dept. and now an employee of Parachute, a private spy network headed by a relatively young man of wealth. Parachute is heavily involved in dealing with an extremely right-wing group, OMEGA, with its own agents (killers) stationed around the world. The action takes place in Vienna, Washington, DC, Nuremberg, Moscow, Fairfax County, VA, and in Devyatyy Kryg (Tarasovo District). Are you still with me?
It seems that Evan had a number of sisters, at least 2 of whom she killed. One of her sisters is married to the head of OMEGA, with offices in a mansion in Fairfax County, VA, a very wealthy older man whom she despises, but loves his money and beds his Son, Ambrose. If you're not totally lost by this point, you most probably will be as the story progresses. Killings, more killings, and still more occur between Omega agents, Parachute members, an FBI agent, and strong women.
Perhaps it would have been more intriguing and easier to follow had I read the 2 earlier novels....but I'm not sure of that.
I think Eric Van Lustbader knows of what he writes, but ends up confusing the reader with such a variety of characters....much as he did with the Bourne series following Ludlum's death.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third in the Evan Ryder series and again, the storyline is so convoluted. She began working for Dept of Defense, now works for a high tech private espionage firm called Parachute. In each of the books she comes across one of her bad sisters of which she has a few.

She is working against a global cult Omega in which her sister Lucille is involved. It's an idealogy of cultism dedicated to defeating democracy.

It was not a fun read for me, and I enjoy his Jason Bourne series more.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in the Evan Ryder series. Not as good as the first two in the series. Slowed down radically in too many places and became tedious then. Eric Van Lustbader is one of my favorite authors. This was not him at his best. If there is another book in this series, I will give it a go. Otherwise, I look forward to what Mr. Van Lustbader gives us next.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good; Continuing character: Evan Ryder; Ryder is off to Germany to try to find links into Omega, while one sister looks to start a revolution and another, thought dead, is making friends and enemies in Russia; each installment of the series gets more confusing and less enjoyable

[T Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are expecting a normal spy and assassin novel, you have come to the wrong place. There's action and intrigue, but the plot is mostly confusing nonsense.

[Dan]

Couldn’t finish !

[Max · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful dialogue, cartoon-like characters, stupid story. Nothing to like here.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 sisters serving different masters, all with different aims. A neo-nazi organization, Omega, stirring the populace to perform various hate crimes across multiple countries.
The starring sister serves as an agent for an umbrella type organization called Parachute. Her partner is sidelined so she's on her own.
Pretty good action story, both in the US and in Europe. I finished the book and realized that I didn't know if a particular character was alive or dead. But didn't care enough to go back and check.

[Barry Martin Vass · Rating 4 out of 5]

QAnon is a white supremist political conspiracy cult that has some pretty outlandish beliefs. One of their core beliefs is that Democrats, specifically Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and George Soros, are all pedophile Satanists, the "sworn enemies of white Christian society." But what if someone who was very media-savvy, with extremely deep pockets, were to take over QAnon (i.e. Omega)? Would that person be able to weaponize this cult of extremism? That's the premise of this novel. Samuel Wainwright Wells, a billionaire and notable eccentric, has seized control of Omega and is using it as his own personal plaything. He has turned the whites who believe the core beliefs of Omega against all other races and religions, with the result that there is increasing white-on-black crime, racial unrest, arson, social unrest, and the occasional insurrection. And it's only getting worse. Sound familiar? Evan Ryder is a corporate espionage agent tasked with tracking down and finding a way to fight the advances of Omega on American society at large and around the world. Omega Rules races back and forth between Washington, D.C., Moscow, Vienna, Germany, and Wells's mansion in Virginia, with the result that it's hard to catch your breath at times. Here's an example of the dialogue: ""On the surface the basic tenet of Gnosticism is just this: salvation is transformational. Like its Judeo-Christian forbear, it is of course entirely faith based. It arose in the late first century after Christ, as these things are calculated. But in an irreparable break with both older religions what the Gnostics fervently believe is that salvation can only be attained through the discovery and dissemination of secret, inner knowledge. A central piece of that secret knowledge is that the death and suffering of Jesus were things that only Appeared to happen. A modern-day analogue would be, oh, I don't know, science. To the Gnostics - and to Omega in particular - scientific facts are not facts at all; there is inner, secret knowledge only they have that rejects science. This numinous knowledge proves that, like Jesus's suffering on the cross, science only appears to exist. It's a screen, a false narrative. When Gnostics look behind the screen, they see the Truth."" Trust me: whenever you see a reference to QAnon or armed insurrections in the news these days - and they are becoming increasingly plentiful - you'll flash back to Omega Rules. Scary stuff!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan Ryder now works for Parachute, a quantum computing firm that is able to provide her with information that allows the firm to be involved in some heavy stuff. Evan is still in search of Omega, a sinister organization with a goal of returning the world to better times. Led by a billionaire and his wife, they have planned a major operation across the United States that Evan and her team must stop. There are several other plot lines as well, including the history of Evan and her three sisters, two now dead and the third thought dead but actually a Russian operative. Sounds complicated? It is. This is the third book in Van Lustbader’s Evan Ryder series and the second I have read. This is certainly better than the second book in the series, but I think that’s because I had a better idea of the complexity of the plot and had a better handle on the characters, if you like a complex read, this series is for you and I would recommend you start at the beginning. My thanks to Forge Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this book.

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omega Rules. Eric Van Lustbader

An organization called Omega has been instrumental in causing riots in America, Europe. In reality they are extremely wealthy while supremists. Everyone else is below them. Only the followers of a pure ethic background will rule. An organization called parachute challenges them. Extremely elite operators. Another excellent Evan Ryder read!! Enjoyed immensely!!

[Andrew Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping storyline

Yet again Evan Ryder has to fight for her life and triumph over the people who would prefer her to be dead.
Against all the odds she faces up to the criminals and terrorists killers who have her in their sights and using all her knowhow and experience she kills them and ultimately faces up to another sister who she didn't know existed but who also wants her dead,unfortunately for her Evan does not intend to give up her life easily.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for sibling rivalry in an action thriller. The author has created a dysfunctional family that plays for stakes that affect nations. With more action than you would think possible, the story keeps moving; sometimes being hard to follow. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Drew Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this third novel in the Evan Ryder series.

Evan Ryder is one tough agent.

Her mission is to seek out and destroy Omega, a fanatical global cult intent on destroying democracy.

This novel is quite suspenseful and fast moving. It is a good follow up to The Nemesis Manifesto and The Kobalt Dossier.

[Mehul desai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go for it

Worth it. Full of twists. In his own way Eric does it again. A mixture of occult abounds in his stories.
Weaves the story well leaving the reader guessing at the end of chapters. Super fun.

[See · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good carry on book

Eric now in his old age uses more adjectives than he used to, but all of his books have a lot action and are always very suspenseful. What comes next? Bobbi and Evan have to meet, don't they?

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fast paced book but it is hard to read because there's so much unneeded detail and it is so complicated. I didn't read the 2 previous books in the series - I suspect all the important parts were here so I don't have to.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Evan Rider series. These books all have great characters, great pacing, and great stories. Can't wait for the next book in the series. #OmegaRules #NetGalley

[Quatahdallah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an Eric Van Lustbader fan but I haven't read a book from him in awhile. I was not disappointed.

[Steve Lundh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story but took too long to rev up for my tastes as I compare all his books to his Nicolas Linear series which is my favorite series of all time. Still a good read.

[Yodlivin05 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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