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Alexander Hawke #6
Warlord
Book by Bell, Ted
681 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2010
260 people are currently reading
2321 people want to read
About the author
Ted Bell
51 books858 followersTed Bell was the author of 12 consecutive New York Times best sellers and a former advertising executive. He began his advertising career in the 1970’s as a junior copywriter at Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB), New York. At the age of 25, he sold his first screenplay to Hollywood, as well as became the youngest vice-president in the storied history of DDB. He then joined Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, as a creative director and four years later, he was named President, Chicago Creative Officer where he was credited with developing numerous innovative and award-winning advertising campaigns. In 1982, Bell joined Young & Rubicam, London, and in 1991 he became the Vice Chairman and Worldwide Creative Director. Ted won every award the advertising industry offers, including numerous Clios and Cannes Gold Lions, and while at Young & Rubicam, the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival. In 2001, Ted retired to write full time. He has 10 New York Times Bestsellers to his credit: The Alex Hawke series of spy thrillers published by HarperCollins and the young adult targeted time travel adventure series, Nick of Time and The Time Pirate published by St. Martins Press.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
A native Floridian, Bell graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was a former member of the college’s Board of Trustees. He held an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Kendall College in Michigan. Bell was also an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. He was a member of the Defense Orientation Conference Association (DOCA), a program run by the Department of Defense in support of America’s military. He served on the Advisory Board at George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon, a group chaired by former Secretary of the Army, Togo West. He also served for a time as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Domestic Relations at the U.S. Department of State.
For the 2011-2012 Academic Year, Sir Richard Dearlove, Former Chief of MI6, British Intelligence, sponsored Ted to become a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University (UK). In addition, he was named Writer-in-Residence at Sydney-Sussex College, Cambridge and studied at the University’s Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLIS) under the tutelage of Sir Dearlove, who was the Master of Pembroke College.
In May 2018, Ted published OVERKILL, the 10th book in the popular Alex Hawke spy thriller series.
In January 2019, Ted and Jon Adler of Jon Adler Films formed El Dorado Entertainment, a feature film and television production company based in New York.
In July 2019, Ted signed a two-book deal with Random House.
In July 2020, the 11th Alex Hawke thriller, DRAGONFIRE, was published.
On December 7, 2021, the 12th Alex Hawke thriller, SEA HAWKE was published.
Ted appeared on numerous television and radio programs and was a featured speaker at associations, clubs, libraries and organizations across the country.
Ted traveled the world and lived in Italy, London, France, Palm Beach, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Maine. He last lived in a beloved 19th century farmhouse in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
March 25, 2020
Alex Hawke is going through a rough time after the death of his wife when Prince Charles calls. It seems there is a threat to his life from a legendary bomber.
Hawke snaps back into shape and tries to prevent his old friend's death.
It's okay, but not in the upper tier of the field.
Hawke snaps back into shape and tries to prevent his old friend's death.
It's okay, but not in the upper tier of the field.
June 23, 2012
Bell writes a whole lot of words, but so does the Government Printing Office, and neither one writes well. His prime character, Alex Hawke, is another comic-book Superman-type, a descendant of ancient English nobility, who just happens to be an old childhood friend of Prince Charles, and admired by the Queen, as well as most of the other gentrified and oh-so-important ruling class of England (and Scotland too). He also just happens to be the only person who knows every cranny of Balmoral Castle when it is hijacked, and these 'just happenings' just keep on happening. The handsome, witty and dashing superhero possesses unequaled skill in virtually everything, is superbly capable of joining an SAS team as its leader for example, without ever having met them before, and emerges from vicious fire-fights unscathed. He is the only man in the universe able to contend with the diabolically clever and murderous secret Muslim society that already has infiltrated the whole world. Like previous human supermen of English origin, such as the Saint and James Bond, he never meets a woman who is less than a 10 and also brilliant, who very conveniently turns up naked and aroused, eagerly dragging him into bed. Gimme a break, fella! (Compared to the Saint, this guy is a clod!)
The characters are all unbelievable (one is a former SEAL, who picks up two terrorists, one with each arm, and smashes their heads together, killing them -- and Prince Charles is even made to be smart!), the plot is tortuous, the action scenes are ridiculously contrived, and the author's conspicuous fawning over "nobility" is quite repulsive. I'll put Ted Bell on my list of authors to avoid in the future. He should stick to making these goofy-crazy TV ads we have to put up with nowadays. At least they only last 30 seconds.
Also, it's annoying when Hawke substitutes the word "cuss" for a swearword, just for kicks. It was KINDA funny at first, but come on...
The characters are all unbelievable (one is a former SEAL, who picks up two terrorists, one with each arm, and smashes their heads together, killing them -- and Prince Charles is even made to be smart!), the plot is tortuous, the action scenes are ridiculously contrived, and the author's conspicuous fawning over "nobility" is quite repulsive. I'll put Ted Bell on my list of authors to avoid in the future. He should stick to making these goofy-crazy TV ads we have to put up with nowadays. At least they only last 30 seconds.
Also, it's annoying when Hawke substitutes the word "cuss" for a swearword, just for kicks. It was KINDA funny at first, but come on...
February 22, 2015
You know what? A year plus later, this book still fills me with righteous indignation. The thing is, I thought that I was going to like this book. After all, it had two things that I really enjoy: spies and the royal family. What could be better?
But I hated this book.
For one, Alex Hawke was lost in a sea of angst and alcohol at the beginning of the book, to the point that his friends were thinking he was going to die, and then his BFF Prince Charles calls, and lo, he just decides to stop drinking and then goes swimming and running like he hadn't been wallowing for weeks and months -- like his body could just go back to the way it was.
Then, there is the way that the women in the book are portrayed. See, the love interest, right? She loved her fiance so, so much, and she was just devastated when he died, and then she meets Hawke again a few months later, and lo, she never really loved her fiance at all! She really wanted Hawke the whole time! And then she seduces him, like, three pages later.
And then the book was filled with pages of what these very manly soldiers were feeling and how they all considered Hawke to be their BFF, and...
The first fifty pages were pretty awful, and then the next fifty were pretty good, and then it went back to the awful but I was too far along to stop. I should probably give it two stars since I actually finished the book, but since I'm still feeling righteous indignation over having wasted my time reading this book...
And no. Just no.
But I hated this book.
For one, Alex Hawke was lost in a sea of angst and alcohol at the beginning of the book, to the point that his friends were thinking he was going to die, and then his BFF Prince Charles calls, and lo, he just decides to stop drinking and then goes swimming and running like he hadn't been wallowing for weeks and months -- like his body could just go back to the way it was.
Then, there is the way that the women in the book are portrayed. See, the love interest, right? She loved her fiance so, so much, and she was just devastated when he died, and then she meets Hawke again a few months later, and lo, she never really loved her fiance at all! She really wanted Hawke the whole time! And then she seduces him, like, three pages later.
And then the book was filled with pages of what these very manly soldiers were feeling and how they all considered Hawke to be their BFF, and...
The first fifty pages were pretty awful, and then the next fifty were pretty good, and then it went back to the awful but I was too far along to stop. I should probably give it two stars since I actually finished the book, but since I'm still feeling righteous indignation over having wasted my time reading this book...
And no. Just no.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2010
Wasted. That's the only way to describe the way we first find our favorite British spy in Ted Bell's exciting sixth Alex Hawke adventure. After all, what could one expect from even the strongest, most disciplined of men when he's lost everything that had any meaning for him? In Alex's words, "My parents were murdered before my eyes when I was seven years old. I met a wonderful woman, the first I'd ever wanted to marry. She died in my arms on the steps of the chapel where we'd just been wed." Then as he puts it "The truly unbelievable happened - he fell in love again and they were to be married, but she died carrying his child, a son.
Alex no longer wants to right wrongs or defend the innocent; he simply wants to die and is choosing to kill himself with alcohol and cigarettes. That is until he received a middle of the night phone call from Prince Charles. The two men have been friends since boyhood, and now Charles asks Alex to return to England because the royal family is in danger, all of them Charles, his mother, Wills, Harry.
Threats have been made in notes signed by The Pawn. Charles believes the threat to his family is from the IRA, those responsible for killing of Lord Mountbatten in 1979. Of course, Alex promises to be in England as soon as possible.
Once there he'll be joined in tracking the would-be killer or killers by his good friend Ambrose Congreve. Former Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard. Readers of Hawke books know this is an estimable pair. They're more than challenged when the chase also involves trying to find a missing nuke in the wilds of Afghanistan. The challenges before him are the best medicine Hawke could find unless, of course, he dies in the process.
As is his wont Bell serves healthy bits of humor with his suspense. Plus he adds great doses of realism with information gathered when he participated in a special ops program sponsored by the Secretary of Defense. WARLORD is compelling adventure led by a one-of-a-kind thriller fiction hero. Alex Hawke leads the pack.
- Enjoy.
- Gail Cooke
Alex no longer wants to right wrongs or defend the innocent; he simply wants to die and is choosing to kill himself with alcohol and cigarettes. That is until he received a middle of the night phone call from Prince Charles. The two men have been friends since boyhood, and now Charles asks Alex to return to England because the royal family is in danger, all of them Charles, his mother, Wills, Harry.
Threats have been made in notes signed by The Pawn. Charles believes the threat to his family is from the IRA, those responsible for killing of Lord Mountbatten in 1979. Of course, Alex promises to be in England as soon as possible.
Once there he'll be joined in tracking the would-be killer or killers by his good friend Ambrose Congreve. Former Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard. Readers of Hawke books know this is an estimable pair. They're more than challenged when the chase also involves trying to find a missing nuke in the wilds of Afghanistan. The challenges before him are the best medicine Hawke could find unless, of course, he dies in the process.
As is his wont Bell serves healthy bits of humor with his suspense. Plus he adds great doses of realism with information gathered when he participated in a special ops program sponsored by the Secretary of Defense. WARLORD is compelling adventure led by a one-of-a-kind thriller fiction hero. Alex Hawke leads the pack.
- Enjoy.
- Gail Cooke
August 20, 2012
Ted Bell strikes again. Warlord, along with the rest of the Alex Hawke series, borders on epic while maintaining a "no boring page" standard. I find it hard to rate any of the Hawke series with less than a perfect score because they are all just so compulsively readable and near-mint. The stories are always different, but finding fault in them is not an easy task. Therefore, I won't even try. I loved this book. To rank it among the other Alex Hawke books, I would say it falls somewhere behind Tsar and Spy. Yet I gave it a 5 star ranking. If FORCED to rank them, Spy and Tsar are my favorites in the series, but that doesn't take anything away from the others. It's like choosing a favorite Tarantino movie. It's difficult. If pressed, sure, I can do it, but choosing a favorite doesn't make the others any less perfect. So there you have it. I think Ted Bell is the Tarantino of Spy fiction. His books rise above espionage and achieve a status all their own. To the story now:
Alex Hawke is in the depths of despair. After the earth-shattering events that took place at the end of Tsar, he no longer cares about his own life. Overweight and alcoholic, Alex gets the call that the Royal family is in trouble, and that is all he needs. Taking a little time to get himself back into shape and his life in order, Alex takes off to save the world again. There are tender moments in this book like in the others in the series, particularly when he shares his pain with a woman in equal torment. These are the scenes that bring Bell's novels above other suspense/action novels. I like Cussler and Fleming, but neither of them has quite grasped the human pain and emotion that Bell has, IMO. Anyway, Hawke searches for a mysterious IRA string-puller named Smith, and the assault on the Royal family has actually been in action for quite some time. No spoilers, but this is a book to be reckoned with. The Alex Hawke series is alive and kicking. Next up? Phantom.
Alex Hawke is in the depths of despair. After the earth-shattering events that took place at the end of Tsar, he no longer cares about his own life. Overweight and alcoholic, Alex gets the call that the Royal family is in trouble, and that is all he needs. Taking a little time to get himself back into shape and his life in order, Alex takes off to save the world again. There are tender moments in this book like in the others in the series, particularly when he shares his pain with a woman in equal torment. These are the scenes that bring Bell's novels above other suspense/action novels. I like Cussler and Fleming, but neither of them has quite grasped the human pain and emotion that Bell has, IMO. Anyway, Hawke searches for a mysterious IRA string-puller named Smith, and the assault on the Royal family has actually been in action for quite some time. No spoilers, but this is a book to be reckoned with. The Alex Hawke series is alive and kicking. Next up? Phantom.
February 9, 2013
Wow! There is so much action in this novel that at times it gets daunting just to try to keep up. In fact, there may me one too many plots that cause muddling, especially the beginning. The second half of the novel makes up for this big time. Hawke and Stokes are GREAT characters. 9 of 10 stars
December 21, 2012
I’ve been a Ted Bell and Alex Hawke fan since Hawke, and have increased the ranks of his readership by recommending his books to others. I was excited to see that there was finally another Alex Hawke book to add to my collection, and I could not wait to read it. And then I could not wait to finish it because it was such a disappointment. I found myself wondering if his publisher is too cheap to provide him with an editor these days because the book reads like a rough draft. I lost count of how many repetitive words there were, or poorly constructed sentences. One more edit would have done this book a world of good, but I’m not sure if it could overcome the silly plot.
Though it uses world terrorism as a springboard, the story operates under the assumption that American readers are immensely invested in the British Royal Family. In past outings, Alex has saved the world from megalomaniacs, but this time, someone is out to get Prince Charles, and for some reason, they need to combine international leagues of terrorists to pull it off. In place of any sort of intrigue, the author instead twists real life tragedies into his plot, including the fire at Windsor Castle and Princess Diana’s death. While a somewhat clever device, it falls flat in what is supposed to be an adventure novel, and it became yawningly obvious after the first event.
Ted Bell writes good novels for juveniles, but unfortunately, some of that flavor seems to have seeped into this series. I have long loved Alex Hawke and the other characters who appear alongside him in these books, but I had to force myself to read this messy, poorly edited novel with its ridiculous plot. To my chagrin, this series seems to be headed south. I’ll give Hawke one more chance…but will do so with reservations.
Though it uses world terrorism as a springboard, the story operates under the assumption that American readers are immensely invested in the British Royal Family. In past outings, Alex has saved the world from megalomaniacs, but this time, someone is out to get Prince Charles, and for some reason, they need to combine international leagues of terrorists to pull it off. In place of any sort of intrigue, the author instead twists real life tragedies into his plot, including the fire at Windsor Castle and Princess Diana’s death. While a somewhat clever device, it falls flat in what is supposed to be an adventure novel, and it became yawningly obvious after the first event.
Ted Bell writes good novels for juveniles, but unfortunately, some of that flavor seems to have seeped into this series. I have long loved Alex Hawke and the other characters who appear alongside him in these books, but I had to force myself to read this messy, poorly edited novel with its ridiculous plot. To my chagrin, this series seems to be headed south. I’ll give Hawke one more chance…but will do so with reservations.
December 10, 2010
Overall I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It was a little above my reading level, yet I still enjoyed reading it. Even though I had too look up a word every couple of pages I thought it was very well written. Quite often, when reading an action novel, you will get a sense of seriousness. Not with this book. Ted Bell balances humor with seriousness very well. His main character Alex Hawke is an MI6 agent that has been down on his luck. His depression over the death of his wife and newborn child is about to kill him. At the verge of giving up, he gets a call from his lifetime friend, the prince of Whales, Lord Mountbatten. The Prince believes that the same man that assassinated his uncle is going to make an attempt at his life as well. Alex is lost for words. He takes the job even after swearing he would stay retied. He tries to shake off the dust and save one of his dearest friends. An entire league of men is assembled to investigate the assassination of the Prince's uncle hoping to find clues to help stop the assassin from striking again. This book jumps from present to past, and back very often, so if you don't like to think very much then this isn't a book for you. Personal I like a good book that makes me think which is part of the reason I liked it so much. I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to a high school student, more likely, a college student. I plan on reading more of Ted Bell's work in the future, as I enjoyed it throughly.
If you were in a state of depression, such as Alex. Would you have put aside your problems to possibly save the life of one of your closest friends?
If you were in a state of depression, such as Alex. Would you have put aside your problems to possibly save the life of one of your closest friends?
October 30, 2010
This was my first Ted Bell book. As this is one of my favorite genres, I am always looking for new authors. Unfortunately, I probably won't read any more. I liked the character of Alex Hawke but I did not enjoy the jumping around from chapter to chapter to different cities, different countries and even different times. I have to admit I was also not a fan of the storyline either.
March 31, 2025
Alex Hawke is the best James Bond type character that I have come across and this book continues that type of stylish action packed adventure. All the previous 5 books were great reads but, for me, this one did not quite keep up the standard. Rather than their being a super genius villain, there was an average bad guy but lots of really dumb behavior on the part of the good guys. Many times I came across something that suspended my disbelief and threw me right out of the story. The ending of the book also seemed very rushed.
Not as good as the others in the series so far, but good enough to make me continue.
Not as good as the others in the series so far, but good enough to make me continue.
December 9, 2012
Hmmmm. This one is tough to review. I liked it but I didn't finish it.
The story starts back in time with the murder of a British royal and then comes up to before Princess Diana dies. There are warnings and fears and intrigue. It is well written and well read.
So why didn't you finish it? Because the news stories before and after the death of the Princess are still too close in my mind. Such a tragedy! I just could not let it that close again.
Now, my husband (the one born in Scotland), he thinks it should get a 4 or 5. He liked it all the way through to the end.
I guess if you can take it as a story of any time and leave recent history alone, if you like good intrigue in your international murder mystery, you should give this one a try.
The story starts back in time with the murder of a British royal and then comes up to before Princess Diana dies. There are warnings and fears and intrigue. It is well written and well read.
So why didn't you finish it? Because the news stories before and after the death of the Princess are still too close in my mind. Such a tragedy! I just could not let it that close again.
Now, my husband (the one born in Scotland), he thinks it should get a 4 or 5. He liked it all the way through to the end.
I guess if you can take it as a story of any time and leave recent history alone, if you like good intrigue in your international murder mystery, you should give this one a try.
December 21, 2010
Hawke rises from his "Blue funk" to save the empire...two threats have emerged...one has been ingeniously interwoven into all of the bad events of the "Royals" from the burning of Windsor Castle to Diana's death...the other involving a Jihadist movement within England and the USA called the "Sword of Allah"...Hawke and his band are more than a match for these two threats...fun read as always!!!
October 3, 2013
There were too many things going on early in this story--and flash backs thrown in for good measure. Really hard to keep things straight!! However, I figured out it would all come together and was not disappointed in the last half of the story!! Hawke and Stokes are great characters in and of themselves, but even better together!! 6 out of 10 for me.
April 19, 2014
Love this character, and his adventures. Tough guy......but sensitive......waaay unreal! That's probably why I like Hawke. Dream on.
June 14, 2019
Warlord...did not disappoint, great storyline and as usually the characters make the novel even better.
September 30, 2019
Each book keeps getting better!
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
July 2, 2023
It was a good story that included the Royal Family in the plot. Was a little slow in the middle, but the end was fast paced!
November 1, 2011
I commend Bell for his portrayal of Islamic fanatics. If anything, they are much worst that the characters in the story. Criminals are being radicalized in prisons. This is a fact--a fact our leaders chose to ignore.
Bell uses India, and Great Brittan's pullout as a key component of the story. As soon as the last Viceroy departed, the country erupted into a religious civil war. Bell did not address the root cause of this conflict, which was the Muslim conquest of India. Invading Muslim armies destroyed Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh temples, stole their gold a jewels, and built mosques on top of the destroyed temples. Members of each religion were killed by the thousands, and the women and children were sold into slavery. Bell was correct, there was no good solution--nor is there a good solution for current Middle East problems.
I take exception to one statement, made twice in the story (pages 84 and 159), the first being, "It was how to embrace a hijacked religion, learn how to hate America and kill civilians …" Unfortunately, it is the ones we refer to a "moderate Muslims" that have hijacked the seventh century religion in an attempt to modernize it. For those of you who are about to scream "Islamophobic" check out Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II), not a work of fiction, authored by an impressive group of men and women, it provides a clear, concise picture of Islam. Also, a minor technical correction for page 415, the U-235 parts should be subcritical since critical parts would melt.
Someone said "Plagiarism is the most sincere form of flattery." Well, denial is a sure way to become a slave. The Germans found this out when Hitler took over. Today Islamic fundamentalists are assuming control of the Middle East with the goal of forming a new caliphate, a new Islamic Empire. Again, Bell got it right, Pakistan, with its deliverable nuclear arsenal is the center of the looming storm. A combined Pakistan-Iran is a nightmare that we may have to face.
Bell uses India, and Great Brittan's pullout as a key component of the story. As soon as the last Viceroy departed, the country erupted into a religious civil war. Bell did not address the root cause of this conflict, which was the Muslim conquest of India. Invading Muslim armies destroyed Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh temples, stole their gold a jewels, and built mosques on top of the destroyed temples. Members of each religion were killed by the thousands, and the women and children were sold into slavery. Bell was correct, there was no good solution--nor is there a good solution for current Middle East problems.
I take exception to one statement, made twice in the story (pages 84 and 159), the first being, "It was how to embrace a hijacked religion, learn how to hate America and kill civilians …" Unfortunately, it is the ones we refer to a "moderate Muslims" that have hijacked the seventh century religion in an attempt to modernize it. For those of you who are about to scream "Islamophobic" check out Shariah: The Threat To America: An Exercise In Competitive Analysis (Report of Team B II), not a work of fiction, authored by an impressive group of men and women, it provides a clear, concise picture of Islam. Also, a minor technical correction for page 415, the U-235 parts should be subcritical since critical parts would melt.
Someone said "Plagiarism is the most sincere form of flattery." Well, denial is a sure way to become a slave. The Germans found this out when Hitler took over. Today Islamic fundamentalists are assuming control of the Middle East with the goal of forming a new caliphate, a new Islamic Empire. Again, Bell got it right, Pakistan, with its deliverable nuclear arsenal is the center of the looming storm. A combined Pakistan-Iran is a nightmare that we may have to face.
October 3, 2010
An intense well written tale about a man named Alex Hawke. For someone like me, who hasn't read the first five books, the author made it fairly simple to understand the plot of this book. It is a thrilling adventure well worth the read. Hawke is a character that draws the reader's emotions that they become attached to. Brilliant descriptions of the characters' emotions, appearances, and personalities really helped me get to know them and care for them. The author does a good job introducing the characters, setting, and moving the plot along. This is the kind of story that keeps the reader wanting more with events that make it hard to put down. Great transitions between characters and settings makes the book easy to follow. I've never read James Bond but this book is definately better than all that I've heard about Bond.
This book caught my attention because of the subject matter. The main character, Hawke, is a spy and I find that quite interesting to read about. It may not be something that I would've normally picked up had I seen it on the shelves at the store, though, based on the cover or for that matter the title. For that, I'm glad I had the oppurtunity to read this book, it really is worth it. What's more, it has taught me that I shouldn't base my opinion on the title or cover of a book without knowing what the book is about. Don't judge a book by its cover, right?
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a nice suspenseful adventure story to read. Those that wish to read about characters like Alex Hawke as well. While it is not necessary to have read the first five books in the series, I would certainly recommend it before reading this book. As a matter of fact, as soon as I can get my hands on the other Alex Hawke novels I will read them.
This book caught my attention because of the subject matter. The main character, Hawke, is a spy and I find that quite interesting to read about. It may not be something that I would've normally picked up had I seen it on the shelves at the store, though, based on the cover or for that matter the title. For that, I'm glad I had the oppurtunity to read this book, it really is worth it. What's more, it has taught me that I shouldn't base my opinion on the title or cover of a book without knowing what the book is about. Don't judge a book by its cover, right?
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a nice suspenseful adventure story to read. Those that wish to read about characters like Alex Hawke as well. While it is not necessary to have read the first five books in the series, I would certainly recommend it before reading this book. As a matter of fact, as soon as I can get my hands on the other Alex Hawke novels I will read them.
July 15, 2010
If there ever was a better Janes Bond, we have it in Alex Hawke. Born to privilege, best bud of Prince Charles (yes, that Price Charles), secret agent with a valet of wiles and ways of taking care of him. Alex has been absorbing all the alcohol in Bermuda and doing a grand job of it. Grief will do that to you and he has had more than his share after losing his fiancee and their unborn son a year ago. Pelham has all but given up on him when the call comes in the veritable middle of the night - there is a problem in England and Charles needs his assistance immediately.
When Lord Mountbatten was assignated, everyone took the word of the IRA that they were behind it. Were they? Maybe not. When potshots were nearly taken at Harry in Afghanistan, who blew out the eye of the sharpshooter? Was it IRA again? And the biggie, Diana's death - it may not have been the press after all. When notes are left in places that no one should have been able to get into it was decided that it definitely was NOT the IRA but a assassin going by the name of "Pawn".
Pawn has issues and wil not be denied his success at doing in the entire Royal Family, friends and anyone who gets in his way. Alex and crew are just as determined to stop him at any cost - even their lives if need be.
This was my first Alex Hawke novel and my first Ted Bell book. What a treat! Not only does the author make use of current events, he ties it all up in royal purple cords and leads us into the fray. The characters were splendid and very British which was wonderful. Bravo Mr. Bell!
Coming to you November, 2010.
When Lord Mountbatten was assignated, everyone took the word of the IRA that they were behind it. Were they? Maybe not. When potshots were nearly taken at Harry in Afghanistan, who blew out the eye of the sharpshooter? Was it IRA again? And the biggie, Diana's death - it may not have been the press after all. When notes are left in places that no one should have been able to get into it was decided that it definitely was NOT the IRA but a assassin going by the name of "Pawn".
Pawn has issues and wil not be denied his success at doing in the entire Royal Family, friends and anyone who gets in his way. Alex and crew are just as determined to stop him at any cost - even their lives if need be.
This was my first Alex Hawke novel and my first Ted Bell book. What a treat! Not only does the author make use of current events, he ties it all up in royal purple cords and leads us into the fray. The characters were splendid and very British which was wonderful. Bravo Mr. Bell!
Coming to you November, 2010.
October 4, 2010
I won this book through the Goodreads First-Read Giveaway on September 7th, 2010!
Synopsis of Warlord - Alex Hawke is an M16 operative who has seemingly lost his will to live and everyone around him notices. His life in Bermuda centers around drinking, smoking and mourning the loss of his love a year before. All of this changes when Prince Charles calls him and asks a personal favor of him - to find the man/woman behind the threats to the royal family.
First thoughts after finishing Warlord - Why in the world haven't I read Ted Bell before?!?
Ted Bell wove a story line that is intricate and full of little surprises - like including Princess Di - and his knowledge of military/government made this book read like it was coming from a news story. While reading Warlord, I found myself skimming the pages because I wanted to find out what happened next but when I found that I was missing important details, I went back and re-read. This was an amazing book that I will read over and over. Warlord happens to be part of a series ... but if you've not read the other books (like me) you will not be lost in the story line; it just makes you want to go back and read everything you can get your hands on about Alex Hawke. Great book!!
Synopsis of Warlord - Alex Hawke is an M16 operative who has seemingly lost his will to live and everyone around him notices. His life in Bermuda centers around drinking, smoking and mourning the loss of his love a year before. All of this changes when Prince Charles calls him and asks a personal favor of him - to find the man/woman behind the threats to the royal family.
First thoughts after finishing Warlord - Why in the world haven't I read Ted Bell before?!?
Ted Bell wove a story line that is intricate and full of little surprises - like including Princess Di - and his knowledge of military/government made this book read like it was coming from a news story. While reading Warlord, I found myself skimming the pages because I wanted to find out what happened next but when I found that I was missing important details, I went back and re-read. This was an amazing book that I will read over and over. Warlord happens to be part of a series ... but if you've not read the other books (like me) you will not be lost in the story line; it just makes you want to go back and read everything you can get your hands on about Alex Hawke. Great book!!
October 7, 2010
This is a great thriller with a tight plot and believable characters (both the bad and the good guys). I love Ted Bell's Alex Hawke series and eagerly await each new book. This book starts with Hawke trying to drink himself to death in Bermuda after he has lost his fiance and unborn son. The book takes us all over the world. First to England, then Northern Ireland, Miami, Florida, and high in the mountains and caves in Pakistan. That is part of the fun of these books-we travel all over the world. Also, we have the wonderful Hawke, a modern-day swashbuckler with unlimited skills in the spying and killing game. Then there is Harry Brock-the foul-mouthed CIA agent who totally lacks fear and who can shoot anything under any circumstances. Then the wonderful Stokely Jones, the big-as-a-tank black ex- Navy seal who is Hawke's right hand man and just the type of man you want with you in the tight situations. And there are lots of bad guys throughout, some more visible than others, but this is the world of spying after all. And in this book we have real-life royals as well - Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and his sons. Really, really good fun and I couldn't put it down.
June 25, 2010
Warlord by Ted Bell
This is my second Ted Bell Book. This is in the adult as opposed to young adult genre. This is a thriller right off of the pages of the newspaper (or nytimes.com). The British Royal Family is threatened by terrorists and a shell shocked, combat fatigued Alex Hawke is called in to save the day. This book is a medley of rock and roll action.
This is a fun read. Alex Hawke makes James Bond look like a girl scout. His pal Stokely is intimidating even on paper. The characterizations were colorful and entertaining. Action was pretty much non-stop. The mysterious Smith was truly evil personified. I liked the back story use, it gave the characters more depth. The use of contemporary personages made the book more believable. Conspiracy buffs will revel in it’s contents and conjectures.
Bell painted Alex’s despair very well. It was easy to wallow in his grief. Loyalty and honor are too often ignored in modern novels, Bell captured both.
I highly recommend the book.
This is my second Ted Bell Book. This is in the adult as opposed to young adult genre. This is a thriller right off of the pages of the newspaper (or nytimes.com). The British Royal Family is threatened by terrorists and a shell shocked, combat fatigued Alex Hawke is called in to save the day. This book is a medley of rock and roll action.
This is a fun read. Alex Hawke makes James Bond look like a girl scout. His pal Stokely is intimidating even on paper. The characterizations were colorful and entertaining. Action was pretty much non-stop. The mysterious Smith was truly evil personified. I liked the back story use, it gave the characters more depth. The use of contemporary personages made the book more believable. Conspiracy buffs will revel in it’s contents and conjectures.
Bell painted Alex’s despair very well. It was easy to wallow in his grief. Loyalty and honor are too often ignored in modern novels, Bell captured both.
I highly recommend the book.
December 16, 2017
To be completely honest, it's another Hawke tale, just like the others. Written well enough, Warlord moves the story along. This story picks up some time (roughly 2 years?) after we last see the usual cast of characters in Tsar. Hawke is justifiably devastated from the loss of Anastasia, but that can be what happens when you so quickly go jumping into a new love relationship. Did he learn the lesson? Nope, Hawke jumps into another here, complete with descriptions of the sex life. And of course, one of the main characters has a near death encounter, to be magically not killed.Same song, sixth verse, little bit louder and a little more rehearsed.
At least it moved the story along.
At least it moved the story along.
December 2, 2010
I have read all the previous Alex Hawke novels by Ted Bell, and found this one to be the best so far. The main character Alex Hawke follows in the footsteps of James Bond, meaning that he saves the world in every novel. While I find the plots frighteningly realistic, the fact that Alex Hawke seems to be a mortal superman is absurdly not realistic. However, that doesn't take away from the sheer entertainment level of this book. This was a very good book and I look forward to the release of the next adventure where Alex Hawke saves the world.
April 21, 2012
Had not read any of the first books, can't say that any more. After finishing this book I ran to get my hands on the first book of the series. After making the mistake of letting someone read the first few pages I had to make sure that I got the book back! Like 007 one cannot mistake Hawke as anything but fictional. Likeable, Hawke has surrounded himself with lots of interesting characters (is there anyone he doesn't know?) and finding himself in interesting situations, there is never a dull moment. Don't let the length of the book scare you away.
August 7, 2010
If James Bond had a younger brother it definitely would be Alex Hawke. This being my first experience with Ted Bell's writing, I must say that I was extremely impressed with this book. It definitely reminds me of reading Ian Fleming. This book is due out in November and I would suggest that you put this book on your "To Read in 2010" list. I know I will be ordering Ted Bell's backlist soon.
February 2, 2011
This is a huge book - in style, action and length. I loved every page, had some good laughs and was kept on the edge of my seat from the action. If I have one complaint it is that although there are over 500 pages, it seemed rushed to me at the end. I could have done with some more savouring of the baddies demise. That apart, I loved it!
November 10, 2010
I have read all of Ted Bell's Alex Hawke novels and have really enjoyed them. Some of the language is a little raw, but the story's Bell writes are outstanding. Recommend the entire series to those who love a good international conflict/novel.
December 24, 2016
As a loyal fan of the Alexander Hawke series by Ted Bell, i must say that this is one of the best books in the series. The ending left me in shock and speechless. I can't wait to continue the series a find out where this revelation will lead Alex Hawke.
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