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Jason Bourne #18
The Bourne Defiance
Someone's killing Treadstone agents and Jason Bourne may be next on the list in this latest electrifying entry in Robert Ludlum’s #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Around the world, Treadstone agents are being hunted down and murdered. Someone high up in the U.S. government is erasing all evidence of a shocking mission from Jason Bourne’s past known as Defiance – including Bourne himself. Staying one step ahead of a team of killers, Bourne follows a global trail that leads him to one of the government’s darkest secrets. But exposing the truth about the Defiance mission will also bring Bourne face to face with his arch-enemy, the assassin known as Lennon, for a final deadly confrontation.
Around the world, Treadstone agents are being hunted down and murdered. Someone high up in the U.S. government is erasing all evidence of a shocking mission from Jason Bourne’s past known as Defiance – including Bourne himself. Staying one step ahead of a team of killers, Bourne follows a global trail that leads him to one of the government’s darkest secrets. But exposing the truth about the Defiance mission will also bring Bourne face to face with his arch-enemy, the assassin known as Lennon, for a final deadly confrontation.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2023
382 people are currently reading
1177 people want to read
About the author
Brian Freeman
61 books3,092 followersBrian Freeman is a New York Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride and Frost Easton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his "you are there" settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots. Brian was also selected as the official author to continue Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series, and his novel THE BOURNE EVOLUTION was named one of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020 by Kirkus.
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.
All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.
For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
October 7, 2023
I found this story better than many others in the series. 7 of 10 stars
October 16, 2023
Onze again an excellent continuation novel about the assassin Jason Bourne aka Cain. And very well written and already the fourth book by Brian Freeman who continious his Bourne series with this book to go a different direction. Namely a conspiracy novel to untangle for Jason Bourne.
There are quite a few Treadstone operatives being killed, especially these involved in an operation called Defiance, which involved the dissapearance of an airliner some years ago. Bourne and Nova both involved in operation Defiance, even if Jason does no longer remember, get told to find out why Treadstone is being targeted .
This means finding out what operation Defiance and somebody does not want them to find out. At the same time Lennon is back in the US, Washington area for another assassination and Nova & Bourne have apotheek task to fullfill. Jason's current love one Abby has become a target of the assassin Lennon too.
An excellent thriller and a great reason to continue with this writer to write further Jason BOURNE NOVELS.
There are quite a few Treadstone operatives being killed, especially these involved in an operation called Defiance, which involved the dissapearance of an airliner some years ago. Bourne and Nova both involved in operation Defiance, even if Jason does no longer remember, get told to find out why Treadstone is being targeted .
This means finding out what operation Defiance and somebody does not want them to find out. At the same time Lennon is back in the US, Washington area for another assassination and Nova & Bourne have apotheek task to fullfill. Jason's current love one Abby has become a target of the assassin Lennon too.
An excellent thriller and a great reason to continue with this writer to write further Jason BOURNE NOVELS.
April 18, 2023
Cain is back and so is Abel. The Bourne Defiance by Brian Freeman is probably the best one yet in this series. So many problems to solve and who can you trust? In this book we get Bourne, Nova, Lennon and Abbey. We also get some presidential candidates and some shady Iranians. Well I found the book well written as one usually does when Freeman is behind the pen. Although the age thing is still bothering me it is a great addition to the Bourne universe. I have to thank G.P. Putnam's Sons Penguin Random house and Edelweiss for letting me read this advance copy.
March 29, 2023
What a great thriller! It's like Brian Freeman was made to carry on the Jason Bourne legacy. Freeman uses the disappearance of MH 370 (different name in book) as the catalyst to an intense, sometimes heartbreaking tale of deceit, betrayal and ultimately forgiveness. It was refreshing to read a thriller not connected to Afghanistan or the U.S.'s withdrawal. Freeman really knocked The Bourne Defiance out of the park!
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a galley of The Bourne Defiance!
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a galley of The Bourne Defiance!
February 5, 2024
This is the first Bourne novel I've ever read, thinking you should be able to step in at any point in a long running series. I have really enjoyed the Bourne movies before this (except the fourth one, we do not speak of the fourth one..) - I'm more of the John Le Carre school of espionage thriller, but I liked how visceral and kinetic the Bourne films were, and the Treadstone backstory giving it a sense of grittiness.
I hoped to see that in this book, but I was disappointed. Characters feel kind of rote, especially female characters. The baddy is kind of silly - I feel a returning archnemesis is more Bond than Bourne (but I will acknowlegde that in this case it would've helped if I had read the previous novels). There's a Bournian twist that was fun, albeit not very surprising.
Maybe not the right entry to dive into this series?
(Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)
I hoped to see that in this book, but I was disappointed. Characters feel kind of rote, especially female characters. The baddy is kind of silly - I feel a returning archnemesis is more Bond than Bourne (but I will acknowlegde that in this case it would've helped if I had read the previous novels). There's a Bournian twist that was fun, albeit not very surprising.
Maybe not the right entry to dive into this series?
(Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)
June 5, 2023
#18 in the Jason Bourne thriller series, Brian Freeman knocks this out of the park. It is crazy to me sometimes to think that a series can go on this long, with so many movies and still come back for more. Brian Freeman carries the Robert Ludlum torch with strength! Just when you thought that Bourne was going to slow down in his new life with his girlfriend, he finds out that someone is targeting Treadstone agents. Lennon is back and this book concludes their saga, but there is a wide opening for more.
September 25, 2024
Brian Freeman has been my favorite author for years. I don’t love espionage books but these books have been good for plots, characters, and twists. Scott Brick as narrator has made listening to Brian’s version of Bourne wonderful!
June 25, 2023
Finally, Matt Damon has left the building. As recently as last year's Bourne Sacrifice, he was still on my mental radar as I thumbed through the pages of my ebook reader after seeing so many of the Bourne motion pictures (one reason I hate reading books after I see the movies instead of the other way around). This time, though, his image was far less noticeable. The story, though, was every bit as exciting as last year's book - and for me, the thrill of a book beats that of watching a big screen every single time.
As expected, this one's another nail-biter that pits Bourne against Lennon, his one-time friend who turned out to be a Russian agent and superbly talented assassin. As the story begins, Bourne is living in Paris with his lover, writer Abbey Laurent - and still trying, on behalf of his employer Treadstone, to nail Lennon (preferrably alive so he can be questioned). Then in Juneau, Alaska, a Treadstone hacker is inexplicably murdered, but not before he sends a crypic message to his Treadstone handler, Nash Rollins: Defiance. As Bourne later learns, that hacker is just one of several Treadstone agents who have been targeted for death. But who's behind it and why?
The answers to those questions takes up the rest of the book, sending Bourne on the chase of his lifetime. It's a complex plot with a ton of characters and can be a little hard to follow, although I'm happy to say, I guess, that I correctly identified the person behind the murder and mayhem fairly early on. The story goes off in so many directions that I can't provide more detail without giving away too much, but suffice it to say there are a couple of unexpected murders and an ending that's truly bittersweet (though not entirely unexpected) that leaves the door open for the next installment. All told, it's another great adventure, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
As expected, this one's another nail-biter that pits Bourne against Lennon, his one-time friend who turned out to be a Russian agent and superbly talented assassin. As the story begins, Bourne is living in Paris with his lover, writer Abbey Laurent - and still trying, on behalf of his employer Treadstone, to nail Lennon (preferrably alive so he can be questioned). Then in Juneau, Alaska, a Treadstone hacker is inexplicably murdered, but not before he sends a crypic message to his Treadstone handler, Nash Rollins: Defiance. As Bourne later learns, that hacker is just one of several Treadstone agents who have been targeted for death. But who's behind it and why?
The answers to those questions takes up the rest of the book, sending Bourne on the chase of his lifetime. It's a complex plot with a ton of characters and can be a little hard to follow, although I'm happy to say, I guess, that I correctly identified the person behind the murder and mayhem fairly early on. The story goes off in so many directions that I can't provide more detail without giving away too much, but suffice it to say there are a couple of unexpected murders and an ending that's truly bittersweet (though not entirely unexpected) that leaves the door open for the next installment. All told, it's another great adventure, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
July 2, 2023
Author Brian Freemon does it again with this fabulous installment in the adventures of Jason Bourne. In Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Defiance some entity is killing off specific members of Treadstone.
Following the trail Bourne and others, including the women representing both the vocational and personal sides of the spy, Nova and Abby, they discover an old mission called Defiance holds the key to who is behind these assassinations.
Those who have read Freeman’s novels, will not be surprised to know that the writer keeps the plot moving and the action crackling, and plenty of surprises, even for the reader looking for them.
If there is anything different, it is the beginning where super villain for Bourne (at least in the Freeman universe) Lennon is revealed to have been with Jason from the beginning when he took the name Jason Bourne. This installment also concludes in a manner that is both satisfying and leaves me wonder if (and hoping) there will be more!
Reading the previous novels is not essential as the writer keeps the reader up to date on the characters and their shared histories. Purists may want to read all of Brian Freeman’s Jason Bourne books in order, but for those who don’t, this one is probably the best in the series.
Following the trail Bourne and others, including the women representing both the vocational and personal sides of the spy, Nova and Abby, they discover an old mission called Defiance holds the key to who is behind these assassinations.
Those who have read Freeman’s novels, will not be surprised to know that the writer keeps the plot moving and the action crackling, and plenty of surprises, even for the reader looking for them.
If there is anything different, it is the beginning where super villain for Bourne (at least in the Freeman universe) Lennon is revealed to have been with Jason from the beginning when he took the name Jason Bourne. This installment also concludes in a manner that is both satisfying and leaves me wonder if (and hoping) there will be more!
Reading the previous novels is not essential as the writer keeps the reader up to date on the characters and their shared histories. Purists may want to read all of Brian Freeman’s Jason Bourne books in order, but for those who don’t, this one is probably the best in the series.
March 21, 2023
Jason Bourne, to me, is an icon. Brought to life by my favorite author, Robert Ludlum, he still manages to grab and hold my interest even when the stories are written by another.
Brian Freeman has taken this character and made him his own, without diminishing the wonderful portrayal of Ludlum’s personality. This is another wonderful thriller and if you are a Jason Bourne fan don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended!
Brian Freeman has taken this character and made him his own, without diminishing the wonderful portrayal of Ludlum’s personality. This is another wonderful thriller and if you are a Jason Bourne fan don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended!
August 5, 2023
Outside of Ian Fleming’s James Bone there may not be a more famous and world-renowned fictional spy than Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne. There have been a series of films featuring Bourne, most played by Oscar-winner Matt Damon, and a slew of novels. What most people may not realize is that Ludlum only penned three Bourne novels prior to his passing in 2001.
Since Ludlum’s death, various authors have picked up the mantle and continued the Bourne adventures much to the love and admiration of the myriad of fans globally who loved the amnesiac spy character. In my opinion, the author who has done the finest job continuing the legacy of Jason Bourne is best-selling author Brian Freeman. THE BOURNE DEFIANCE is the fourth Jason Bourne novel that Freeman has written and could very well be the best one yet.
The initial action of the novel is set in the past and Agent Cain is after Agent Abel, who had turned traitor on the U.S. Government Agency known as Treadstone and become a Russian asset. Fans and readers of the Bourne series will instantly recognize Jason Bourne as ‘Cain’ and the enemy spy now calling himself Lennon as ‘Abel’. One fact that we find out about this classic set of adversaries is that the one-time amnesiac Jason Bourne actually took that name from one of the many code names Lennon had utilized. Jason Bourne is really David Webb, but that persona is buried somewhere deep inside the highly tampered mind of the person who has gone by the name Jason Bourne now for years.
Bourne, despite his special training, is a very complicated and near broken man. His first soul mate perished and his last one, Nova, turned on him and has gone rogue. He is now with a young woman named Abbey who truly loves him. However, Bourne knows how to keep his distance and has conditioned Abbey to be prepared to bolt at a moments notice. Even though they have a nice life in Paris, Jason is conditioned to recognize that trouble will always find him and he may have to leave everything behind and flee said trouble.
This is the case early on when Bourne realizes he is being followed and watched by someone in Paris and gives Abbey ‘the call’ to take off and wait to hear from him. We then have a passage where a man named Sam in Juneau, Alaska, has a similar experience where he feels his cover was blown and he must instantly pick up stakes and leave the life he has made there under an assumed named. Things to not turn out as well for Sam when those in pursuit of him catch him and end his life. What Bourne will soon put together, with the help of an unlikely ally --- Nova, is that former Treadstone employees are being hunted down and killed around the world. The reason for this is just one word, ‘Defiance’. Bourne does not know yet what Defiance represents but he does recall that name having something to do with a deadly mission he undertook as Cain with his old partner Abel.
Tied to the Defiance mission is the fate of the highest office in the United States as future Presidential opponents Randall and Pine are somehow caught up in the larger mystery. I would love to say more, but readers really need to experience this for themselves and bask in the glow of some extremely clever plotting from Brian Freeman. All I can say is that Defiance may refer to the mysterious disappearance of a flight shortly after 9/11 from Johannesburg to Atlanta --- a mystery that has never been solved. There are a myriad of characters in THE BOURNE DEFIANCE attached to the reality that is ‘Defiance’ and watching them all scramble to stay alive long enough to either reveal or keep contained this secret is a spectacle to behold. Most especially, the opposing teams of Bourne/Nova and the appropriately named Lennon/Yoko is a time bomb just waiting to explode. Believe me when I tell you that, if you think you know what Defiance is really all about, you are about to have your entire world rocked.
For those readers who stay away from ‘spy fiction’ because spy games can tend to become too confusing, rest assured that this is not the case with THE BOURNE DEFIANCE. Not only are all of Freeman’s Bourne novels fully accessible to any reader but this particular entry in the series makes it all about the now immortal battle between Cain and Abel, Lennon and Bourne. The interplay between these two now legendary opponents is not to be missed. I feel like I am reading the literary equivalent of a great professional wrestling bout between the good guy and bad guy with the fans cheering at the top of their lungs “fight forever”. With all of the terrific narrative and plotting contained within THE BOURNE DEFIANCE it all comes down to Bourne and Lennon and the secrets between them that could threaten the framework of the entire free world. This is a thriller of the highest caliber and not to be missed!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
Since Ludlum’s death, various authors have picked up the mantle and continued the Bourne adventures much to the love and admiration of the myriad of fans globally who loved the amnesiac spy character. In my opinion, the author who has done the finest job continuing the legacy of Jason Bourne is best-selling author Brian Freeman. THE BOURNE DEFIANCE is the fourth Jason Bourne novel that Freeman has written and could very well be the best one yet.
The initial action of the novel is set in the past and Agent Cain is after Agent Abel, who had turned traitor on the U.S. Government Agency known as Treadstone and become a Russian asset. Fans and readers of the Bourne series will instantly recognize Jason Bourne as ‘Cain’ and the enemy spy now calling himself Lennon as ‘Abel’. One fact that we find out about this classic set of adversaries is that the one-time amnesiac Jason Bourne actually took that name from one of the many code names Lennon had utilized. Jason Bourne is really David Webb, but that persona is buried somewhere deep inside the highly tampered mind of the person who has gone by the name Jason Bourne now for years.
Bourne, despite his special training, is a very complicated and near broken man. His first soul mate perished and his last one, Nova, turned on him and has gone rogue. He is now with a young woman named Abbey who truly loves him. However, Bourne knows how to keep his distance and has conditioned Abbey to be prepared to bolt at a moments notice. Even though they have a nice life in Paris, Jason is conditioned to recognize that trouble will always find him and he may have to leave everything behind and flee said trouble.
This is the case early on when Bourne realizes he is being followed and watched by someone in Paris and gives Abbey ‘the call’ to take off and wait to hear from him. We then have a passage where a man named Sam in Juneau, Alaska, has a similar experience where he feels his cover was blown and he must instantly pick up stakes and leave the life he has made there under an assumed named. Things to not turn out as well for Sam when those in pursuit of him catch him and end his life. What Bourne will soon put together, with the help of an unlikely ally --- Nova, is that former Treadstone employees are being hunted down and killed around the world. The reason for this is just one word, ‘Defiance’. Bourne does not know yet what Defiance represents but he does recall that name having something to do with a deadly mission he undertook as Cain with his old partner Abel.
Tied to the Defiance mission is the fate of the highest office in the United States as future Presidential opponents Randall and Pine are somehow caught up in the larger mystery. I would love to say more, but readers really need to experience this for themselves and bask in the glow of some extremely clever plotting from Brian Freeman. All I can say is that Defiance may refer to the mysterious disappearance of a flight shortly after 9/11 from Johannesburg to Atlanta --- a mystery that has never been solved. There are a myriad of characters in THE BOURNE DEFIANCE attached to the reality that is ‘Defiance’ and watching them all scramble to stay alive long enough to either reveal or keep contained this secret is a spectacle to behold. Most especially, the opposing teams of Bourne/Nova and the appropriately named Lennon/Yoko is a time bomb just waiting to explode. Believe me when I tell you that, if you think you know what Defiance is really all about, you are about to have your entire world rocked.
For those readers who stay away from ‘spy fiction’ because spy games can tend to become too confusing, rest assured that this is not the case with THE BOURNE DEFIANCE. Not only are all of Freeman’s Bourne novels fully accessible to any reader but this particular entry in the series makes it all about the now immortal battle between Cain and Abel, Lennon and Bourne. The interplay between these two now legendary opponents is not to be missed. I feel like I am reading the literary equivalent of a great professional wrestling bout between the good guy and bad guy with the fans cheering at the top of their lungs “fight forever”. With all of the terrific narrative and plotting contained within THE BOURNE DEFIANCE it all comes down to Bourne and Lennon and the secrets between them that could threaten the framework of the entire free world. This is a thriller of the highest caliber and not to be missed!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
August 3, 2023
Two killers interlocked in one final battle only one of them can survive
Treadstone operatives are dying across the globe. The reason for their untimely demise is buried seven years in the past, under secrets and lies that could possibly reshape the political landscape in Washington. Jason Bourne – with a target on his back himself – follows the clues to a highly classified operation codenamed Defiance, only to discover a shocking truth: The man who holds the key to prevent a catastrophe is his arch nemesis – the assassin only known as Lennon…
Brian Freeman is a master of complex plotting. Over his past three novels he has woven a great mystery around Bourne’s past and his connection to Lennon. With The Bourne Defiance he brings all the different threads together, which results in a truly spectacular, emotionally engaging conclusion.
Twist after twist, as Bourne tries to solve a deadly puzzle, the reader is sent on an adrenaline-fueled scavenger hunt, spanning multiple continents and packing lots of cinematic action scenes.
On top of that, the characters who inhabit Bourne’s world are layered, fascinating and memorable. But the author’s greatest achievement is that he makes us truly care about them.
Freeman once again delivers a fantastic reading experience, leaving the reader with a deeply satisfying feeling of closure… Well, of course, one nagging question remains: What happens next? I can’t wait to find out!
Treadstone operatives are dying across the globe. The reason for their untimely demise is buried seven years in the past, under secrets and lies that could possibly reshape the political landscape in Washington. Jason Bourne – with a target on his back himself – follows the clues to a highly classified operation codenamed Defiance, only to discover a shocking truth: The man who holds the key to prevent a catastrophe is his arch nemesis – the assassin only known as Lennon…
Brian Freeman is a master of complex plotting. Over his past three novels he has woven a great mystery around Bourne’s past and his connection to Lennon. With The Bourne Defiance he brings all the different threads together, which results in a truly spectacular, emotionally engaging conclusion.
Twist after twist, as Bourne tries to solve a deadly puzzle, the reader is sent on an adrenaline-fueled scavenger hunt, spanning multiple continents and packing lots of cinematic action scenes.
On top of that, the characters who inhabit Bourne’s world are layered, fascinating and memorable. But the author’s greatest achievement is that he makes us truly care about them.
Freeman once again delivers a fantastic reading experience, leaving the reader with a deeply satisfying feeling of closure… Well, of course, one nagging question remains: What happens next? I can’t wait to find out!
July 9, 2023
What a powerful entry into the Jason Bourne series! Things seem to come to a head from the first book in the series by Brian Freedman and he delivers his best book in the series. The mystery is fascinating and while it takes its time to unveil itself we are lead along a chase of danger and little time. I highly recommend this book to old fans of Bourne and new #RobertLudlumsTheBourneDefiance #NetGalley
September 20, 2025
I think this is Brian Freeman's best Bourne book so far! Every single confrontation with Bourne's nemesis Lennon led to this final showdown. A botched operation known as Defiance mentioned in the last book is on full display.
Seemingly random murders are at the forefront of this new novel along with Treadstone agents being taken out one by one. Why and what's the connection?
Well this novel goes through a whirlwind of twists and turns that I did not expect and the twist at the end. The final revelation of the mastermind, was something that I only figured out in the second to last chapter. This was a 10/10 Thriller in the Jason Bourne series.
Seemingly random murders are at the forefront of this new novel along with Treadstone agents being taken out one by one. Why and what's the connection?
Well this novel goes through a whirlwind of twists and turns that I did not expect and the twist at the end. The final revelation of the mastermind, was something that I only figured out in the second to last chapter. This was a 10/10 Thriller in the Jason Bourne series.
June 15, 2023
Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the ARC of this fantastic book. Brian Freeman, thanks for keeping the Bourne
series alive & kicking. Robert Ludlum is my all time favorite author
and you continue to do this series justice.
The book was a roller coaster ride and I loved every bit of it, so just buy the book (when it's released) and enjoy the latest adventure of Jason Bourne.
series alive & kicking. Robert Ludlum is my all time favorite author
and you continue to do this series justice.
The book was a roller coaster ride and I loved every bit of it, so just buy the book (when it's released) and enjoy the latest adventure of Jason Bourne.
August 16, 2023
This is vintage Bourne. The history of how and when Bourne lost his memory has been changed as compared to the original The Bourne Identity, but the series has been revived from the way it had begun to stagnate. And the ending is a breath of fresh air, a promise of even more revival and a different set of hurdles to overcome.
August 17, 2023
Robert Ludlum's legendary Bourne series is a literary icon, and the latest addition to this gripping saga, "The Bourne Defiance" by Brian Freeman, lives up to the high expectations set by its predecessors. Taking over the baton from Ludlum and Eric Van Lustbader, Freeman seamlessly immerses readers into the thrilling world of espionage, action, and intrigue that has become synonymous with Jason Bourne.
"The Bourne Defiance" picks up the tale where Ludlum left off, following Jason Bourne as he navigates a new web of danger and deception. The novel opens in the past, with two agents, Cain alias Jason Bourne and Abel aka Lennon, the latter of whom became a traitor to the US government agency, Treadstone, and defected into Russia to become one of their assets and feared assassin. Fast-forward to the current date, Jason is spending time with his newfound lover, Abbey Laurent at their Paris apartment, when he realizes one day that someone is watching them. Abbey has been trained by Jason to escape at short notice through their distress code and not to look back as Jason knows trouble will always follow him.
In a parallel time, many Treadstone agents are being hunted and killed across the world, with the latest casualty from Alaska. The agent manages to send one word to Treadstone handler, Nash Rollins, “Defiance”. Meanwhile, Nova who had turned rogue returns to Jason Bourne, as she is next on their list. Jason vaguely remembers that Defiance was a deadly mission that he undertook as Cain along with his partner Abel, and this could only infer that Lennon is hunting the Treadstone agents. For now, let us say that Defiance refers to the mysterious disappearance of a flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta, four months after the 9/11 attack.
As Jason begins trailing Lennon, he realizes that the Defiance mission is also tied to the highest office of the US president, as presidential opponents Randall and Pine are also closely related to this mystery. Then there is also the involvement of the Iranians, somewhere colluded in the plot. What was the true reason behind the Defiance mission? Why were all the Treadstone agents involved in the mission being eliminated? What was the connection of this mission to the highest US office? Bourne and Nova are in a cat-and-mouse chase with the duo of Lennon and Yoko waiting for an explosive revelation that will send a shiver down your spine.
The plot, though complex, is well-constructed and filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. One of the highlights of this novel is Freeman's ability to maintain the fast-paced and relentless momentum that fans have come to adore. From the very first page, the reader is thrown into a whirlwind of covert operations, international conspiracies, and pulse-pounding chases. Freeman's intricate attention to detail ensures that the story's various threads tie together seamlessly, leaving no loose ends. Fans of the Bourne series will be pleased with the seamless continuity, while newcomers will find themselves engrossed in a standalone, action-packed thriller.
"The Bourne Defiance" is a worthy addition to the Bourne series, capturing the essence of Robert Ludlum's masterful storytelling while injecting fresh energy and new perspectives. Brian Freeman successfully delivers an adrenaline-packed thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Fans of the series will be delighted with the continuation of Jason Bourne's saga, and newcomers will be compelled to explore the rest of this captivating world. If you crave heart-pounding action, international intrigue, and a relentless pursuit of truth, "The Bourne Defiance" will not disappoint.
"The Bourne Defiance" picks up the tale where Ludlum left off, following Jason Bourne as he navigates a new web of danger and deception. The novel opens in the past, with two agents, Cain alias Jason Bourne and Abel aka Lennon, the latter of whom became a traitor to the US government agency, Treadstone, and defected into Russia to become one of their assets and feared assassin. Fast-forward to the current date, Jason is spending time with his newfound lover, Abbey Laurent at their Paris apartment, when he realizes one day that someone is watching them. Abbey has been trained by Jason to escape at short notice through their distress code and not to look back as Jason knows trouble will always follow him.
In a parallel time, many Treadstone agents are being hunted and killed across the world, with the latest casualty from Alaska. The agent manages to send one word to Treadstone handler, Nash Rollins, “Defiance”. Meanwhile, Nova who had turned rogue returns to Jason Bourne, as she is next on their list. Jason vaguely remembers that Defiance was a deadly mission that he undertook as Cain along with his partner Abel, and this could only infer that Lennon is hunting the Treadstone agents. For now, let us say that Defiance refers to the mysterious disappearance of a flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta, four months after the 9/11 attack.
As Jason begins trailing Lennon, he realizes that the Defiance mission is also tied to the highest office of the US president, as presidential opponents Randall and Pine are also closely related to this mystery. Then there is also the involvement of the Iranians, somewhere colluded in the plot. What was the true reason behind the Defiance mission? Why were all the Treadstone agents involved in the mission being eliminated? What was the connection of this mission to the highest US office? Bourne and Nova are in a cat-and-mouse chase with the duo of Lennon and Yoko waiting for an explosive revelation that will send a shiver down your spine.
The plot, though complex, is well-constructed and filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. One of the highlights of this novel is Freeman's ability to maintain the fast-paced and relentless momentum that fans have come to adore. From the very first page, the reader is thrown into a whirlwind of covert operations, international conspiracies, and pulse-pounding chases. Freeman's intricate attention to detail ensures that the story's various threads tie together seamlessly, leaving no loose ends. Fans of the Bourne series will be pleased with the seamless continuity, while newcomers will find themselves engrossed in a standalone, action-packed thriller.
"The Bourne Defiance" is a worthy addition to the Bourne series, capturing the essence of Robert Ludlum's masterful storytelling while injecting fresh energy and new perspectives. Brian Freeman successfully delivers an adrenaline-packed thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Fans of the series will be delighted with the continuation of Jason Bourne's saga, and newcomers will be compelled to explore the rest of this captivating world. If you crave heart-pounding action, international intrigue, and a relentless pursuit of truth, "The Bourne Defiance" will not disappoint.
August 6, 2023
Outside of Ian Fleming’s James Bond, there may not be a more famous or world-renowned fictional spy than Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne.
There have been a number of films and a slew of books featuring Bourne. Most people may not realize that Ludlum only penned three novels in the series prior to his passing in 2001. Since then, various authors have picked up the mantle and continued these adventures, much to the delight and admiration of those who love this iconic character. In my opinion, the writer who has done the finest job keeping Bourne’s legacy alive is Brian Freeman. THE BOURNE DEFIANCE is the fourth Bourne novel he has written and very well could be the best one yet.
The book’s initial action is set in the past. Agent Cain is after Agent Abel, who turned traitor on the U.S. government agency known as Treadstone and became a Russian asset. Fans of the series will instantly recognize Bourne as “Cain” and the enemy spy now calling himself Lennon as “Abel.” The amnesiac Bourne is really David Webb, but that persona is buried somewhere deep inside the highly tampered mind of the man who has gone by the name “Jason Bourne” for years.
Despite his special training, Bourne is a very complicated and nearly broken man. His first soul mate perished, and his last one, Nova, turned on him and has gone rogue. He is now with Abby Laurent, a young woman who truly loves him. However, Bourne knows how to keep his distance and has conditioned Abby to be prepared to bolt at a moment’s notice since he is aware that trouble will always find him.
This is the case early on when Bourne realizes that he is being followed and watched by someone in Paris and gives Abby “the call” to take off and wait to hear from him. We then learn of a man named Sam in Juneau, Alaska, who also feels like his cover has been blown. He instantly must pull up stakes and leave the life he has made there under an assumed name. But Sam is eventually captured by his pursuers, who end his life.
With the help of an unlikely ally, Bourne will soon learn that former Treadstone employees are being hunted down and killed around the world. The reason for this boils down to just one word: Defiance. Bourne does not know yet what Defiance represents, but he does recall that it has something to do with a deadly mission he undertook as Cain with his old partner, Abel. Tied to Defiance is the fate of the highest office in the United States as future presidential opponents Randall and Pine are somehow caught up in the larger mystery.
I would love to say more, but you really need to experience the novel for yourself and bask in the glow of some extremely clever plotting from Brian Freeman. There are a myriad of characters attached to the reality that is Defiance, and watching them scramble to stay alive long enough to either reveal the secret or keep it contained is a spectacle to behold. If you think you know what Defiance is, you are about to have your entire world rocked.
For those who avoid spy fiction because the plots tend to be too confusing, rest assured that is not the case with THE BOURNE DEFIANCE. Not only are all of Freeman’s Bourne novels fully accessible to any reader, this particular entry makes it all about the now-immortal battle between Bourne and Lennon. I feel like I am reading the literary equivalent of a great professional wrestling match between the good guy and bad guy with the fans cheering at the top of their lungs “Fight forever!” This is a thriller of the highest caliber and is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
There have been a number of films and a slew of books featuring Bourne. Most people may not realize that Ludlum only penned three novels in the series prior to his passing in 2001. Since then, various authors have picked up the mantle and continued these adventures, much to the delight and admiration of those who love this iconic character. In my opinion, the writer who has done the finest job keeping Bourne’s legacy alive is Brian Freeman. THE BOURNE DEFIANCE is the fourth Bourne novel he has written and very well could be the best one yet.
The book’s initial action is set in the past. Agent Cain is after Agent Abel, who turned traitor on the U.S. government agency known as Treadstone and became a Russian asset. Fans of the series will instantly recognize Bourne as “Cain” and the enemy spy now calling himself Lennon as “Abel.” The amnesiac Bourne is really David Webb, but that persona is buried somewhere deep inside the highly tampered mind of the man who has gone by the name “Jason Bourne” for years.
Despite his special training, Bourne is a very complicated and nearly broken man. His first soul mate perished, and his last one, Nova, turned on him and has gone rogue. He is now with Abby Laurent, a young woman who truly loves him. However, Bourne knows how to keep his distance and has conditioned Abby to be prepared to bolt at a moment’s notice since he is aware that trouble will always find him.
This is the case early on when Bourne realizes that he is being followed and watched by someone in Paris and gives Abby “the call” to take off and wait to hear from him. We then learn of a man named Sam in Juneau, Alaska, who also feels like his cover has been blown. He instantly must pull up stakes and leave the life he has made there under an assumed name. But Sam is eventually captured by his pursuers, who end his life.
With the help of an unlikely ally, Bourne will soon learn that former Treadstone employees are being hunted down and killed around the world. The reason for this boils down to just one word: Defiance. Bourne does not know yet what Defiance represents, but he does recall that it has something to do with a deadly mission he undertook as Cain with his old partner, Abel. Tied to Defiance is the fate of the highest office in the United States as future presidential opponents Randall and Pine are somehow caught up in the larger mystery.
I would love to say more, but you really need to experience the novel for yourself and bask in the glow of some extremely clever plotting from Brian Freeman. There are a myriad of characters attached to the reality that is Defiance, and watching them scramble to stay alive long enough to either reveal the secret or keep it contained is a spectacle to behold. If you think you know what Defiance is, you are about to have your entire world rocked.
For those who avoid spy fiction because the plots tend to be too confusing, rest assured that is not the case with THE BOURNE DEFIANCE. Not only are all of Freeman’s Bourne novels fully accessible to any reader, this particular entry makes it all about the now-immortal battle between Bourne and Lennon. I feel like I am reading the literary equivalent of a great professional wrestling match between the good guy and bad guy with the fans cheering at the top of their lungs “Fight forever!” This is a thriller of the highest caliber and is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
August 31, 2025
#Binge Reviewing my previous Reads #Spy Thriller
Brian Freeman’s The Bourne Defiance (2023) takes Bourne into even darker waters, showing us a spy whose very existence is under constant erasure. If Sacrifice was about the unbearable price of survival, Defiance is about the stubborn will to keep resisting even when the game itself seems rigged against him.
The setup is chillingly simple yet devastating: assassins are targeting members of Bourne’s own Treadstone circle, the men and women who once shared his training and scars. Each hit is precise, systematic, and personal, as though someone is dismantling his world one operative at a time. For Bourne, it isn’t just another mission—it’s a slow-motion massacre of the only family he’s ever had.
What makes Freeman’s take compelling here is the emotional edge. Bourne isn’t just dodging bullets or unmasking conspiracies; he’s grappling with survivor’s guilt, anger, and the gnawing suspicion that the killers know him better than he knows himself.
It’s less about a faceless global threat and more about betrayal at the core of his own history.
The action remains tight and breathless. Freeman has a knack for staging combat in layered ways—every chase, every fight, is not just physical but psychological. In Defiance, you feel the fatigue of a man who has fought too long, yet still calculates angles, still adapts, still refuses to break. That refusal—that almost irrational defiance—is what gives the novel its pulse.
There’s also a sharpened sense of legacy. Freeman seems intent on asking: what does Bourne fight for, when everyone he trusted is being erased? What is left when even Treadstone, his origin and curse, is under siege? The answer the novel suggests is stark—Bourne fights because he cannot do otherwise. Defiance is his nature. Survival isn’t just instinct—it’s rebellion.
By the end, The Bourne Defiance doesn’t resolve Bourne’s dilemmas so much as deepen them. It leaves him scarred but unbroken, a man stripped of almost everything except the will to keep going. If Ludlum gave us Bourne as the amnesiac everyman turned weapon, Freeman here gives us Bourne as the eternal soldier: alienated, hunted, yet defiantly human.
It’s one of Freeman’s most relentless entries so far, less about plot twists than about the stripping away of illusions.
And it reminds us why Bourne endures—because he embodies that uneasy truth: even when the system betrays you, even when memory fails, even when allies fall away, defiance is the only way forward.
Brian Freeman’s The Bourne Defiance (2023) takes Bourne into even darker waters, showing us a spy whose very existence is under constant erasure. If Sacrifice was about the unbearable price of survival, Defiance is about the stubborn will to keep resisting even when the game itself seems rigged against him.
The setup is chillingly simple yet devastating: assassins are targeting members of Bourne’s own Treadstone circle, the men and women who once shared his training and scars. Each hit is precise, systematic, and personal, as though someone is dismantling his world one operative at a time. For Bourne, it isn’t just another mission—it’s a slow-motion massacre of the only family he’s ever had.
What makes Freeman’s take compelling here is the emotional edge. Bourne isn’t just dodging bullets or unmasking conspiracies; he’s grappling with survivor’s guilt, anger, and the gnawing suspicion that the killers know him better than he knows himself.
It’s less about a faceless global threat and more about betrayal at the core of his own history.
The action remains tight and breathless. Freeman has a knack for staging combat in layered ways—every chase, every fight, is not just physical but psychological. In Defiance, you feel the fatigue of a man who has fought too long, yet still calculates angles, still adapts, still refuses to break. That refusal—that almost irrational defiance—is what gives the novel its pulse.
There’s also a sharpened sense of legacy. Freeman seems intent on asking: what does Bourne fight for, when everyone he trusted is being erased? What is left when even Treadstone, his origin and curse, is under siege? The answer the novel suggests is stark—Bourne fights because he cannot do otherwise. Defiance is his nature. Survival isn’t just instinct—it’s rebellion.
By the end, The Bourne Defiance doesn’t resolve Bourne’s dilemmas so much as deepen them. It leaves him scarred but unbroken, a man stripped of almost everything except the will to keep going. If Ludlum gave us Bourne as the amnesiac everyman turned weapon, Freeman here gives us Bourne as the eternal soldier: alienated, hunted, yet defiantly human.
It’s one of Freeman’s most relentless entries so far, less about plot twists than about the stripping away of illusions.
And it reminds us why Bourne endures—because he embodies that uneasy truth: even when the system betrays you, even when memory fails, even when allies fall away, defiance is the only way forward.
June 24, 2023
The latest installment of the Jason Bourne series starts out with Treadstone agents being assasinated around the world. As Bourne begins to investigate he realizes that the murders are to cover up an old mission, Defiance. This leads him to a one person, his nemesis Lennon, the former Treadstone Agent turned Russian Spy and assassin. Jason must battle one more time with Lennon as he works to uncover the truth.
Brian Freeman has hit it out of the park again with the Bourne Series. This book is a great balance of action, intrigue, and suspense. Mr. Freeman always strings you along one way, before pulling the rug out from under you. There is so many great story lines in this book. I really enjoyed the old Treadstone mission tied to the disappearance of an airline flight years ago. The balance of Bourne trying to keep his girlfriend, Abby, safe, but still wanting to be with her always makes for good drama. The political characters in this book also brought in nice depth to the novel as a whole.
This book is a must read for any thriller or spy fan. It has espionage, missing planes, and politics. It engages you quickly and keeps you there. Thank you to @NetGalley @BFreemanBooks @PutnamBooks @PenguinUSA for a free advance copy for an honest review.
Brian Freeman has hit it out of the park again with the Bourne Series. This book is a great balance of action, intrigue, and suspense. Mr. Freeman always strings you along one way, before pulling the rug out from under you. There is so many great story lines in this book. I really enjoyed the old Treadstone mission tied to the disappearance of an airline flight years ago. The balance of Bourne trying to keep his girlfriend, Abby, safe, but still wanting to be with her always makes for good drama. The political characters in this book also brought in nice depth to the novel as a whole.
This book is a must read for any thriller or spy fan. It has espionage, missing planes, and politics. It engages you quickly and keeps you there. Thank you to @NetGalley @BFreemanBooks @PutnamBooks @PenguinUSA for a free advance copy for an honest review.
July 25, 2023
Someone is killing the agents of Treadstone and Jason Bourne is next on the list. The deaths are all tied to an operation completed seven years earlier, but Bourne was not even involved in those actions. He is in Paris with Abbey, his lover, when assassins come for him. Help comes from Nova, an agent and former lover who had once betrayed him. Together they must discover what the original mission, named Defiance, entailed. While it involved Treadstone agents, it was run by someone outside the agency. Their best hope is to find surviving agents involved and find a connection between their assignments. The one person who may have answers is Lennon. At one time Bourne and Lennon worked together as Cain and Abel. When Abel was revealed as a Russian mole they became enemies, each vowing to kill the other. The solution to Defiance leads to a confrontation that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Brian Freeman’s story has all of the non-stop action that Bourne fans have come to expect. There are also some twists that came as a complete surprise. When it comes to suspense it is hard to find anyone better than Freeman. I would like to thank. NetGalley and Penguin Group - Putnam for providing this book for my review.
Brian Freeman’s story has all of the non-stop action that Bourne fans have come to expect. There are also some twists that came as a complete surprise. When it comes to suspense it is hard to find anyone better than Freeman. I would like to thank. NetGalley and Penguin Group - Putnam for providing this book for my review.
January 4, 2024
Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Defiance, as continued by Brian Freeman, offers a thrilling addition to the iconic Bourne series. Set in a post-pandemic world, the novel follows Jason Bourne as he navigates a web of political intrigue, high-stakes action, and personal vendettas. Freeman masterfully captures Ludlum's signature blend of espionage and suspense while adding his own unique twists to the plot, making it a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
The novel delves into the complexities of Bourne's character, exploring the psychological toll of his past and the moral dilemmas he faces in the present. The intricate narrative unfolds across international locales, keeping readers engrossed in a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat experience. Freeman's writing style seamlessly aligns with Ludlum's, ensuring a seamless transition for fans of the original series.
Despite standing as a thrilling standalone read, The Bourne Defiance also pays homage to Ludlum's legacy, honoring the essence of the character he created while propelling the story forward with contemporary relevance. The novel's gripping narrative and well-crafted suspense make it an ideal choice for anyone seeking an engaging and thought-provoking literary experience.
The novel delves into the complexities of Bourne's character, exploring the psychological toll of his past and the moral dilemmas he faces in the present. The intricate narrative unfolds across international locales, keeping readers engrossed in a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat experience. Freeman's writing style seamlessly aligns with Ludlum's, ensuring a seamless transition for fans of the original series.
Despite standing as a thrilling standalone read, The Bourne Defiance also pays homage to Ludlum's legacy, honoring the essence of the character he created while propelling the story forward with contemporary relevance. The novel's gripping narrative and well-crafted suspense make it an ideal choice for anyone seeking an engaging and thought-provoking literary experience.
September 24, 2023
The Bourne Defiance is as nail-biting as the movies. Passion, intrigue, action filled, murder, and agents out to get each other. What's really interesting for me, is this is the very first Bourne book I've read, but I have watched all of the movies, which is pretty atypical for a heavy reader/light movie watcher. Yet, it felt right in line with what I know and love about the storyline. With that, it's also my first novel by Brian Freeman, and yet will not be my last. Definitely will be looking into his other works, as well as following the Bourne line. Cain....Able....brother against brother, as old as time, and a mysterious flight that has disappeared, and a long line of individuals who know something about it, all end up dead. Bourne follows the threads, of what he knows with Treadstone, and what he uncovers as he investigates as the clues come faster and the body count higher. Excellent journey! Could not put it down!
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
October 21, 2024
This is my Summary free and Spoiler free review of The Bourne Defiance. This book is much better than #18 of any series has right to be.
I have read the Ludlum Bourne Books, I also saw the Matt Damon movies, I even read most of the Lustbader books in the series (all of which I enjoyed) and Brian Freeman is writing better than the Lustbader books.
Bourne is rebooted a bit and I guess his age is closer to the movies age than the orginal books but not specifically tied to the movies. Many of the characters are somewhat new to this series and I have enjoyed the conspiracy they unravel. The pacing of the action is good, what thoughts Bourne has a well written and the villians are well written as well.
I really recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed any of the Bourne Books in the past. It is not neccesary, but slightly helpful to read the 3 other Brian Freeman Bourne books before Defiance but not neccesary.
I will look forward to the Bourne Shadow and the 2025 installment of Brian Freeman's Bourne
I have read the Ludlum Bourne Books, I also saw the Matt Damon movies, I even read most of the Lustbader books in the series (all of which I enjoyed) and Brian Freeman is writing better than the Lustbader books.
Bourne is rebooted a bit and I guess his age is closer to the movies age than the orginal books but not specifically tied to the movies. Many of the characters are somewhat new to this series and I have enjoyed the conspiracy they unravel. The pacing of the action is good, what thoughts Bourne has a well written and the villians are well written as well.
I really recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed any of the Bourne Books in the past. It is not neccesary, but slightly helpful to read the 3 other Brian Freeman Bourne books before Defiance but not neccesary.
I will look forward to the Bourne Shadow and the 2025 installment of Brian Freeman's Bourne
August 6, 2025
Have never watched an entire movie from the Bourne franchise nor read any of the books before this one. It was obviously written with the idea to be made into a movie so the big fight scenes seemed to take center stage over the characters. I am curious as to how many readers pegged the person behind the tragedies as this reviewer did, very early in the text—with the justification at the end being rather loosely linked.
Ironically, this reviewer usually thinks books have odd pacing with the endings rather rushed, this one was not the case. In fact, it seemed as if there were multiple endings which if I were adapting this to a screen play, at least one would be skipped. Seems like Castaway, with Tom Hanks. Excellent movie until it decided to have a couple of endings.
A fast and entertaining read and for those who know the series they probably will not be disappointed and perhaps appreciate the backstory of how Jason Bourne got his name plus the showdown between the nemeses.
Ironically, this reviewer usually thinks books have odd pacing with the endings rather rushed, this one was not the case. In fact, it seemed as if there were multiple endings which if I were adapting this to a screen play, at least one would be skipped. Seems like Castaway, with Tom Hanks. Excellent movie until it decided to have a couple of endings.
A fast and entertaining read and for those who know the series they probably will not be disappointed and perhaps appreciate the backstory of how Jason Bourne got his name plus the showdown between the nemeses.
July 30, 2023
Thank you @netgalley, @putnambooks & @prhaudio for my digital and audio copies. I was thrilled to receive these, and my thoughts are my own
Though I have watched all of the Jason Bourne movies, I have not read any of the novels - until now! When I saw that one of my FAVORITE suspense authors, Brian Freeman, had written the latest novel in the series, I immediately requested it on NetGalley. Every time I read Brian Freeman’s works I am impressed by the intricate plots, fast-moving pace, well-developed characters, unexpected plot twists, and the ‘thrill factor’.
In THE BOURNE DEFIANCE, Freeman uses the disappearance of an aircraft and a mission known as Defiance as the backdrop for the reason Treadstone agents are being murdered. Bourne realizes he is on the murder list and he must act fast in order to figure out what is going on so he can save his life and the life of his girlfriend, Abbey Laurent. His enemy, Lennon, and characters from previous books, including Nova, make an appearance in this novel. The surprising conclusion with its bittersweet ending is perfect.
Freeman does an excellent job providing backstories and details so those who have not read the previous novels will know what is going on. Action suspense lovers will not want to miss this one! And, be sure to check out Brian Freeman’s other works!
Though I have watched all of the Jason Bourne movies, I have not read any of the novels - until now! When I saw that one of my FAVORITE suspense authors, Brian Freeman, had written the latest novel in the series, I immediately requested it on NetGalley. Every time I read Brian Freeman’s works I am impressed by the intricate plots, fast-moving pace, well-developed characters, unexpected plot twists, and the ‘thrill factor’.
In THE BOURNE DEFIANCE, Freeman uses the disappearance of an aircraft and a mission known as Defiance as the backdrop for the reason Treadstone agents are being murdered. Bourne realizes he is on the murder list and he must act fast in order to figure out what is going on so he can save his life and the life of his girlfriend, Abbey Laurent. His enemy, Lennon, and characters from previous books, including Nova, make an appearance in this novel. The surprising conclusion with its bittersweet ending is perfect.
Freeman does an excellent job providing backstories and details so those who have not read the previous novels will know what is going on. Action suspense lovers will not want to miss this one! And, be sure to check out Brian Freeman’s other works!
August 9, 2023
18 books later Bourne is still alone!
I really enjoyed the suspense of the story. The intrigue was great snd you really didn’t know what might happen next, so it drew you in and kept you entertained and engaged to keep reading. I’m disappointed that the books on the Bourne story used to be several hundred pages longer. I think there was so much more that could have been said about some of the characters with intrigue and mystery too. I enjoyed this from the beginning and stayed with the series and reading every word. True readers who have stayed with the series won’t be disappointed and the ending still leaves at least a bit more to come about Jason Bourne and will look forward as I am to the next ring both willing and able installment of this great story!
It does make me wish for the ultimate possibility for Jason Bourne to get his happy ending. Thank You Brian Freeman for be to carry on from what Robert Ludlum started!!😊. 5. Star rating it is for me!
I really enjoyed the suspense of the story. The intrigue was great snd you really didn’t know what might happen next, so it drew you in and kept you entertained and engaged to keep reading. I’m disappointed that the books on the Bourne story used to be several hundred pages longer. I think there was so much more that could have been said about some of the characters with intrigue and mystery too. I enjoyed this from the beginning and stayed with the series and reading every word. True readers who have stayed with the series won’t be disappointed and the ending still leaves at least a bit more to come about Jason Bourne and will look forward as I am to the next ring both willing and able installment of this great story!
It does make me wish for the ultimate possibility for Jason Bourne to get his happy ending. Thank You Brian Freeman for be to carry on from what Robert Ludlum started!!😊. 5. Star rating it is for me!
November 1, 2023
There was sufficient action and it was a quick read, but it's tough to give 4 stars when the basis of the story is hard to believe. Overall, 3.5 stars but I rounded down because the whole story had too many strained connections. The premise of this book was implausible, especially regarding the downing of flight 1342. The links to the down airliner made by the random people who were killed were also weak. The cop connecting the two limos to the flight was far-fetched and so was Foster's conclusion about the connection to the plane.
The book did start well, and it explained some of the past between Cain and Abel. It also resolved some of the unanswered questions from the last 3 books. The ending was not a surprise but the confrontation between Cain and Abel was unsatisfying for me. I will say if you have read the other 3 books in this series by Freeman, I recommend reading this one just to wrap up the loose ends. I enjoyed it and I'm glad I read it.
The book did start well, and it explained some of the past between Cain and Abel. It also resolved some of the unanswered questions from the last 3 books. The ending was not a surprise but the confrontation between Cain and Abel was unsatisfying for me. I will say if you have read the other 3 books in this series by Freeman, I recommend reading this one just to wrap up the loose ends. I enjoyed it and I'm glad I read it.
July 18, 2023
Fans of Jason Bourne know that he's not going to settle down and live quietly with Abbey in Paris (or anywhere else for that matter) because, well, he's always going to be needed, especially when his arch enemy Lennon is up to his old tricks. Someone is killing Treadstone agents around the world- agents who were involved in the operation where Bourne lost his memory. That someone is Lennon (there's a whole Beatles thing) and that means Bourne's going to go after him. This is fast paced, over the top in spots, and entirely engaging. It's also next to impossible to synopsize but you don't need that anyway- all you need to know is that Freeman does a great job with the franchise. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. This is a real page turner and - this is important- it's fine as a standalone but even better as part of the series.
August 26, 2023
"The Bourne Defiance" by Brian Freeman is a thrilling addition to the beloved Bourne series created by Robert Ludlum. Freeman seamlessly takes over the reins as the author and delivers a pulse-pounding and action-packed story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that will leave readers guessing until the very end. Freeman captures the essence of the iconic character, Jason Bourne, and stays true to Ludlum's style, creating a seamless transition between the original and the new installment.
The writing is sharp and the pacing is relentless, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. Fans of the Bourne series will not be disappointed with "The Bourne Defiance" as it delivers all the elements that make this franchise so enduringly popular.
The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that will leave readers guessing until the very end. Freeman captures the essence of the iconic character, Jason Bourne, and stays true to Ludlum's style, creating a seamless transition between the original and the new installment.
The writing is sharp and the pacing is relentless, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. Fans of the Bourne series will not be disappointed with "The Bourne Defiance" as it delivers all the elements that make this franchise so enduringly popular.
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