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Shaw Initiation
When General Patrick "Hulk" Scott, head of the Australian Intelligence Service (AIS) recruits the young and promising Max Shaw, he knows the man's talents are unusual and desirable. But as Max goes through training and orientation and learns what becoming an intelligence agent is all about, Hulk and his cohorts start to see Shaw has something truly an instinct for what to do and when to do it, and a speed and ruthlessness that makes him one of the most dangerous young agents the Service has ever seen. Almost before training is even over, Max "Prince" Shaw is pushed into active duty. There is an unholy trinity, conspiring for their own reasons, to bring down the fall of humanity. Max is relentless in his pursuit of the people responsible for the wave of terror, while questioning the actions he must take to succeed, including lying to the man he loves. Shaw and his new friends Blake, Jacob "Flash" Gordon and their feisty comrade, Kate, must act with all due speed to stop the advancing hellish crusade. This action-packed rollercoaster ride hurtles along breathlessly as these brave agents fight for the freedom of the world and race against time to save everyone in it. Agent Max "Prince" Shaw's initiation has begun.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2020
2 people want to read
About the author
Xavier Wallace
13 books1 followerXavier Wallace was born and raised in regional New South Wales. He attended the University of Newcastle where he studied business, before moving to Canberra to work for the Australian Government in various fields for a decade. Xavier has an enthusiastic curiosity for politics, government, national security, journalism, philosophy and history. He is a strong advocate for equality and human rights, especially LGBTI+ rights. Live music, thriller novels and action movies are among his interests, as well as spending time with family and friends. Xavier Wallace is the author of the Max Shaw thriller series.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 3, 2021
This series shows promise, and as I can't readily think of another Australian government spy franchise, I expect it will find a loyal readership.
Shaw Initiation is the origin story for heroic, young, gay spy Max Shaw. The book is divided roughly into two halves. Firstly there's Max's recruitment and training, which at times has a pretty strong Hunger Games vibe, with a large cohort slowly dwindling down to a select few after weeks of training and demanding exercises. Then as soon as he's out in the field (I hope that's not a spoiler to anyone- it wouldn't be much of a series if he didn't make it through!) an imminent threat to Australian security has to be neutralised. Across both parts, the pace is unrelenting. There is a bit of high-tech gadgetry, but also a lot of smarts, physical skill and steel. Shaw slots into his new elite team like an old hand, and by the time we come up for air at the end, his place at Australian Intelligence service (AIS) is cemented.
Personally, I'm not the demographic for this book, but I still enjoyed it on a number of levels. I wasn't overly keen on (or convinced by) the religious motivations of the terrorists, but objectively I can recognise it as a good, solid story that will appeal to many.
Shaw Initiation is the origin story for heroic, young, gay spy Max Shaw. The book is divided roughly into two halves. Firstly there's Max's recruitment and training, which at times has a pretty strong Hunger Games vibe, with a large cohort slowly dwindling down to a select few after weeks of training and demanding exercises. Then as soon as he's out in the field (I hope that's not a spoiler to anyone- it wouldn't be much of a series if he didn't make it through!) an imminent threat to Australian security has to be neutralised. Across both parts, the pace is unrelenting. There is a bit of high-tech gadgetry, but also a lot of smarts, physical skill and steel. Shaw slots into his new elite team like an old hand, and by the time we come up for air at the end, his place at Australian Intelligence service (AIS) is cemented.
Personally, I'm not the demographic for this book, but I still enjoyed it on a number of levels. I wasn't overly keen on (or convinced by) the religious motivations of the terrorists, but objectively I can recognise it as a good, solid story that will appeal to many.
Displaying 1 of 1 review