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Dangerous Times #3
Vigilante
Nolan Gray is an elite soldier, skilled in all forms of combat. After years fighting on foreign battlefields, witnessing unspeakable evils and atrocities firsthand, a world weary Nolan returns home to find it just as corrupt as the war zones. Everywhere he looks, there's pain and cruelty. Society is being destroyed by wicked men who don't care who they make suffer or destroy. Nolan decides to do what no one else can, what no one has ever attempted. He will defend the helpless. He will tear down the wicked. He will wage a one man war on the heart of man, and he won't stop until the world is the way it should be. The wicked have had their day. Morality's time has come. In a culture starving for a hero, can one extraordinary man make things right?
363 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
29 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Robin Parrish
28 books216 followersInfusions of Faith, a colorful, artful collection of Robin Parrish's finest nonfiction work, is available NOW exclusively at Barnes & Noble.
Robin Parrish is the author of more than a dozen novels across multiple genres, including Nightmare, Offworld, Vigilante, Corridor, the Dominion Trilogy, and his exciting new series The Riftwalkers. He lives in High Point, North Carolina with his wife and two teenagers.
Robin Parrish is the author of more than a dozen novels across multiple genres, including Nightmare, Offworld, Vigilante, Corridor, the Dominion Trilogy, and his exciting new series The Riftwalkers. He lives in High Point, North Carolina with his wife and two teenagers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 4, 2020
Robin Parrish's books are a different sort of Christian fiction; instead of sweet, Hallmark-style Amish stories or predictions about the "end times," Mr. Parrish writes novels that make you think...and this one is no exception. A crazy story that has to be read to be believed, this one makes serious points about the nature of right and wrong...and paints a chilling portrait of our world.
July 14, 2023
4+ stars. Being a Christian, I like most Christian fiction. At the same time, I understand how a nonbeliever would see it as ludicrous. For them, there are plenty of other books to read that will help you to ignore God. Sad.
I appreciate hearing about God in peoples’ lives, and especially enjoy not having to put up with gratuitous sex and bad language.
That being said, this is not a good read for your child. There is torture and killing and associated descriptions.
July 2023: I just read this one again, forgetting that I'd read it before! It was still a great read. Great story, good characters who were easy to care about. I might rate this as a 'clean read' for the lack of sex and bad language, but it is still quite violent. I do want to read more by this author.
I appreciate hearing about God in peoples’ lives, and especially enjoy not having to put up with gratuitous sex and bad language.
That being said, this is not a good read for your child. There is torture and killing and associated descriptions.
July 2023: I just read this one again, forgetting that I'd read it before! It was still a great read. Great story, good characters who were easy to care about. I might rate this as a 'clean read' for the lack of sex and bad language, but it is still quite violent. I do want to read more by this author.
September 18, 2011
Robin Parrish in his new book, "Vigilante", published by Bethany House brings us into a world where a modern hero wants to operate outside of the law.
In the old pulp novels of the thirties and forties the pages were full of heroes who decided the law needed their help to bring down bad guys, dressed up behind a mask and sometimes cape, to provide that help. Most of those heroes still survive today. Robin Parrish has brought back this kind of hero in "Vigilante". Nolan Gray is a man who has fought for America and is returning home from the battle. During his time in the army he has seen enough killing and fighting and is ready to put it all behind him. However things home are different from when he left and he finds corruption and crime have taken over. The police seem to be helpless to prevent this so Nolan Gray figures out a way to champion the helpless and innocent by bringing down the bad guys.
"Vigilante" is a wonderful blend of Science Fiction and Mystery but at its heart it is a thriller. Nolan Gray is in real trouble from page one and once he takes on his vigilante persona his danger grows from page to page. Like the cliffhanger serials he keeps getting into trouble practically every five pages or so. Considering that this book is jam-packed with thrills, suspense, deadly situations that you think there is no chance of escape you would wonder if there is room for God. I assure you Robin Parrish left room for Him as Nolan Gray is trying to be God making himself Judge over mankind and God will not share His position with man.
If I tell you anything more I will spoil the dynamics of this book. "Vigilante" is so perfectly crafted that it is designed to be devoured and enjoyed by the reader so when you reach the end there is a very satisfied sigh of enjoyment and relief. "Vigilante" is a book that keeps you guessing from page to page. Get ready Mr. Parrish has crafted a thrill ride filled with lots of action and suspense. Don't start this book late at night because it will be very difficult to put it down or stop thinking about it. I recommend this book highly. It delivers lots of action, suspense and thrills and brings you to a very satisfying conclusion.
If you missed the interview for "Offworld" and would like to listen to it and/or listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours a day non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station http://www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
In the old pulp novels of the thirties and forties the pages were full of heroes who decided the law needed their help to bring down bad guys, dressed up behind a mask and sometimes cape, to provide that help. Most of those heroes still survive today. Robin Parrish has brought back this kind of hero in "Vigilante". Nolan Gray is a man who has fought for America and is returning home from the battle. During his time in the army he has seen enough killing and fighting and is ready to put it all behind him. However things home are different from when he left and he finds corruption and crime have taken over. The police seem to be helpless to prevent this so Nolan Gray figures out a way to champion the helpless and innocent by bringing down the bad guys.
"Vigilante" is a wonderful blend of Science Fiction and Mystery but at its heart it is a thriller. Nolan Gray is in real trouble from page one and once he takes on his vigilante persona his danger grows from page to page. Like the cliffhanger serials he keeps getting into trouble practically every five pages or so. Considering that this book is jam-packed with thrills, suspense, deadly situations that you think there is no chance of escape you would wonder if there is room for God. I assure you Robin Parrish left room for Him as Nolan Gray is trying to be God making himself Judge over mankind and God will not share His position with man.
If I tell you anything more I will spoil the dynamics of this book. "Vigilante" is so perfectly crafted that it is designed to be devoured and enjoyed by the reader so when you reach the end there is a very satisfied sigh of enjoyment and relief. "Vigilante" is a book that keeps you guessing from page to page. Get ready Mr. Parrish has crafted a thrill ride filled with lots of action and suspense. Don't start this book late at night because it will be very difficult to put it down or stop thinking about it. I recommend this book highly. It delivers lots of action, suspense and thrills and brings you to a very satisfying conclusion.
If you missed the interview for "Offworld" and would like to listen to it and/or listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours a day non-stop Christian music please visit our internet radio station http://www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 17, 2011
The squeeze of a trigger followed by a silenced bullet and Nolan Gray, a famous war hero, is dead.
The world is falling apart; National debate is a joke, criminals are running rampant holding a large part of the job force, war lingers over the world and the United States Government is about to collapse.
President Thornton Hastings is trying his best to bring law and order back to America by forcing budget cuts, and creating a new anti-crime team (Organized Crime Intelligence agency-OCI) he hopes can save the country he once fought for.
When strange bill-boards start appearing across the country promising "a better way", people wonder if "a better way" is truly possible. Hope is sparked on the streets in New York as a mysterious man rises up to take down the unlawful and protect the innocent. Can a single man change the dark streets of New York and trigger a hope for the nation?
The first sentence of Vigilante had me interested in this book, by the time I finished chapter one I knew this book was going to be good.
Vigilante reminded me of Batman and Spiderman mixed together. Creating a grapple swinging, bullet proof, almost superhuman, vigilante. The mission, solve the world's problems and make people themselves better. With only his military training, an ex-commander, a tech genius kid, and enough drive to go miles Nolan Gray is ready for a challenge.
Robin Parrish created an excellent action story that kept the pace up through out. We are quickly introduced to Nolan and learn of his ambitions, skills and what drives him.
Sadly this is one thing that needed work. Nolan is a great hero, just his back up team was just that; back up and under developed. We did learn some basic character history to better understand personalities but more insight would have helped explain Alison, Arjay and Commander's loyalty. Same with the villain, though he was a good strong villain, the fact his motives were based off of sickly blind rage kept him flat and predictable.
The plot was intense and built upon itself nicely. Since this is an action book a lot of the time I felt like it would make a good movie. There are a lot of good fight scenes, races, tense moments, time-ticking bombs, fires, and drama for a full-length film.
I am not going to give out potential spoilers but the ending of this book will leave you with mixed feelings. I also feel it was rushed, like Parrish needed to quickly finish the book so he just ended it and gave a five page epilogue to hastily tie up some lose ends.
Robin Parrish wrote a good book with a fast plot, decent twists, and a strong hero that I could see popping up in the movie theater. Sadly the use of Batman and Spiderman classic techniques hurt my respect for the creativity of the book. While the ending had me wondering if that was really the end.
Thank you Bethany House for this review copy.
The world is falling apart; National debate is a joke, criminals are running rampant holding a large part of the job force, war lingers over the world and the United States Government is about to collapse.
President Thornton Hastings is trying his best to bring law and order back to America by forcing budget cuts, and creating a new anti-crime team (Organized Crime Intelligence agency-OCI) he hopes can save the country he once fought for.
When strange bill-boards start appearing across the country promising "a better way", people wonder if "a better way" is truly possible. Hope is sparked on the streets in New York as a mysterious man rises up to take down the unlawful and protect the innocent. Can a single man change the dark streets of New York and trigger a hope for the nation?
The first sentence of Vigilante had me interested in this book, by the time I finished chapter one I knew this book was going to be good.
Vigilante reminded me of Batman and Spiderman mixed together. Creating a grapple swinging, bullet proof, almost superhuman, vigilante. The mission, solve the world's problems and make people themselves better. With only his military training, an ex-commander, a tech genius kid, and enough drive to go miles Nolan Gray is ready for a challenge.
Robin Parrish created an excellent action story that kept the pace up through out. We are quickly introduced to Nolan and learn of his ambitions, skills and what drives him.
Sadly this is one thing that needed work. Nolan is a great hero, just his back up team was just that; back up and under developed. We did learn some basic character history to better understand personalities but more insight would have helped explain Alison, Arjay and Commander's loyalty. Same with the villain, though he was a good strong villain, the fact his motives were based off of sickly blind rage kept him flat and predictable.
The plot was intense and built upon itself nicely. Since this is an action book a lot of the time I felt like it would make a good movie. There are a lot of good fight scenes, races, tense moments, time-ticking bombs, fires, and drama for a full-length film.
I am not going to give out potential spoilers but the ending of this book will leave you with mixed feelings. I also feel it was rushed, like Parrish needed to quickly finish the book so he just ended it and gave a five page epilogue to hastily tie up some lose ends.
Robin Parrish wrote a good book with a fast plot, decent twists, and a strong hero that I could see popping up in the movie theater. Sadly the use of Batman and Spiderman classic techniques hurt my respect for the creativity of the book. While the ending had me wondering if that was really the end.
Thank you Bethany House for this review copy.
September 20, 2011
I LOVED Vigilante! I've read four books by Robin Parrish ('Relentless', 'Fearless', 'Merciless', and 'Vigilante') and 'Vigilante' is definitely my favorite. The story was very addicting - there was suspense throughout and the plot was great!
THE WICKED HAVE HAD THEIR DAY.
MORALITY'S TIME HAS COME.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY.
Nolan Gray has a plan. Kill himself, then show the world a "better way" by defending the helpless and stopping crimes. He does just that - only it doesn't turn out the way he planned...
I found 'Vigilante' very entertaining and thrilling. Nolan's character was intriguing - the fact that he dealt with so much from when he was a POW for two years and still lived with the scars (both physical and psychological) made his character believable and made me feel for him.
Robin Parrish wrote 'Vigilante' in a way that had me believing the story. I found the gadgets that 'The Hand' used very cool - especially the combat fatigues and grappler.
'Vigilante' made me think about the depravity of man. No matter what someone tries to do to stop the wrong in this world, until Jesus Christ comes again, there will still be sin and there will still be death.
I think 'Vigilante' is best suited for mature audiences, as it mentions things that I feel wouldn't be appropriate for younger audiences.
Overall 'Vigilante' was a great book - I thoroughly enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more books by Robin Parrish in the future.
I most definitely recommend 'Vigilante' if you enjoy reading novels that keep you entertained and "on the edge of your seat".
*Much thanks to Bethany House Publishing for my review copy. The opinions I've expressed are my own.*
THE WICKED HAVE HAD THEIR DAY.
MORALITY'S TIME HAS COME.
THERE IS A BETTER WAY.
Nolan Gray has a plan. Kill himself, then show the world a "better way" by defending the helpless and stopping crimes. He does just that - only it doesn't turn out the way he planned...
I found 'Vigilante' very entertaining and thrilling. Nolan's character was intriguing - the fact that he dealt with so much from when he was a POW for two years and still lived with the scars (both physical and psychological) made his character believable and made me feel for him.
Robin Parrish wrote 'Vigilante' in a way that had me believing the story. I found the gadgets that 'The Hand' used very cool - especially the combat fatigues and grappler.
'Vigilante' made me think about the depravity of man. No matter what someone tries to do to stop the wrong in this world, until Jesus Christ comes again, there will still be sin and there will still be death.
I think 'Vigilante' is best suited for mature audiences, as it mentions things that I feel wouldn't be appropriate for younger audiences.
Overall 'Vigilante' was a great book - I thoroughly enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more books by Robin Parrish in the future.
I most definitely recommend 'Vigilante' if you enjoy reading novels that keep you entertained and "on the edge of your seat".
*Much thanks to Bethany House Publishing for my review copy. The opinions I've expressed are my own.*
September 2, 2011
I am generally a reader of Christian chick-lit, but every once in a while a girl needs something a bit different. For a while now, Robin Parrish has been an author that I like to read when it’s time for that something different. While I liked Offworld and Nightmare better than Vigilante, this was still quite a terrific read. Offworld and Nightmare are very different books than Vigilante in that they are more supernatural and Vigilante is more superhero, a difference I respected and kept in mind while reading. I prefer to keep my reviews based on the book I am reading rather than comparing to previous books. I like authors who write books that stand on their own rather than feeling like the same book recycled. Robin Parrish’s imagination keeps his books interesting and unique, which is the biggest reason I consider myself a fan and loyal reader of his.
I read some other reviews of Vigilante that compare Nolan Gray to Superman or Batman. I can see that for sure, but I also saw a little bit of Jack Bauer and perhaps a bit of John Galt and maybe Robert Hawkins too. Those are the “superheros” I relate to more readily than Superman or Batman. That is what I loved about this book. Each reader, I’m sure, is able to have his or her own unique experience. Aside from that, this book moves very fast and is never boring or slow. It also provides a practical, spiritual message that fits very well into this world we are living in right now. Those things and Robin’s writing and vivid imagination are what keep me coming back for more. So, I hope Robin is busy on his next book because I am definitely going to be looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
I read some other reviews of Vigilante that compare Nolan Gray to Superman or Batman. I can see that for sure, but I also saw a little bit of Jack Bauer and perhaps a bit of John Galt and maybe Robert Hawkins too. Those are the “superheros” I relate to more readily than Superman or Batman. That is what I loved about this book. Each reader, I’m sure, is able to have his or her own unique experience. Aside from that, this book moves very fast and is never boring or slow. It also provides a practical, spiritual message that fits very well into this world we are living in right now. Those things and Robin’s writing and vivid imagination are what keep me coming back for more. So, I hope Robin is busy on his next book because I am definitely going to be looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
October 16, 2011
Sometimes you read and book and the whole way through you are just thinking - "Has anyone in Hollywood picked this up to make a movie out of it yet???" Vigilante is one of those books! The entire time I was reading it I felt like I was in the middle of an action hero movie - fast paced, unique characters, evil bad guys, good guys getting misled on their journey and finding their way back. So many twists and turns and some unexpected demises. I actually cried at a couple parts and got mad toward the end when the author made the right choice but I didn't like it (the sign of a good author, not taking the easy way out). This book is so worth moving to the top of your must read pile. I really enjoyed it and hope that maybe the Vigilante comes back for more.
Read
January 27, 2018as a super hero nerd i like stories about people doing the right thing because its right . in this book it got me to ask some deep questions . filled with cool action and awesome storytelling this book shows how god can help us endure this world because he overcame it
August 21, 2011
See my blog for a full review. =) fawh.blogspot.com
August 17, 2012
This is an amazing book! I really loved it, and as of right now, it is my favorite!
August 14, 2014
I really enjoyed this book it is the first of his books that I have read and I could not put it down.
June 21, 2020
Fast paced, action filled, faith based, faith restored.
February 26, 2022
An action-packed novel full of political intrigue centering on one hero with a mission to change the world. The hero's likeness between the Winter Soldier and Batman (with his cave of gadgets) gave this story a playful Marvel/DC vibe.
This book is relevant for me personally and the world right now in so many ways. It has an 'end time's feel to it. I kept thinking about the scripture verse...
Matthew 24:12
"and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold"
...which is talking about the last days. It was an intriguing read because of the place we are in history at the moment. This book deals with political struggles, civil conflict and corruption on the world stage but focuses mainly on New York as a pivotal point. Especially in light of world news at the time of this review, it is definitely thought provoking.
It addresses the idea of standing for justice and peace at all costs. A reflection of picking up our own crosses, being used by God and giving our life over for a greater cause. Although violence is never the answer in my opinion, I saw what the author was trying to convey.
Some negatives:
A 2 page description for a grappling gun...was a bit much! The author loved his gadgets!
The first 80 pages I found hard to get into. I wasn't connected to the main character at all in the beginning. But Alice was exceptional. She propelled the heart of the story.
Agnes, the journalist, wasn't a believable character. She would have done more investigating into her theory before publicly releasing it, unless she is with a slum newspaper that wasn't held accountable on their columns.
There was a lot of different scenes and characters at play which I found challenging and made my reading slow.
What I loved:
Diversity! I absolutely adored Alice who was black and again, the heart beat of this book!!! Hands down.
Also Arjay was brown and that made my heart skip a beat.
Then, our main character was disfigured, which gave him a unique relatability to Christ ("His visage was marred more than any man") but also, he represented those that are physically challenged as being the hero!
My children are mixed race and we have disabilities in our family. For this reason, I absolutely loved the diversity in this book!
Well done Parrish!
I will be looking forward to more of your books.
This book is relevant for me personally and the world right now in so many ways. It has an 'end time's feel to it. I kept thinking about the scripture verse...
Matthew 24:12
"and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold"
...which is talking about the last days. It was an intriguing read because of the place we are in history at the moment. This book deals with political struggles, civil conflict and corruption on the world stage but focuses mainly on New York as a pivotal point. Especially in light of world news at the time of this review, it is definitely thought provoking.
It addresses the idea of standing for justice and peace at all costs. A reflection of picking up our own crosses, being used by God and giving our life over for a greater cause. Although violence is never the answer in my opinion, I saw what the author was trying to convey.
Some negatives:
A 2 page description for a grappling gun...was a bit much! The author loved his gadgets!
The first 80 pages I found hard to get into. I wasn't connected to the main character at all in the beginning. But Alice was exceptional. She propelled the heart of the story.
Agnes, the journalist, wasn't a believable character. She would have done more investigating into her theory before publicly releasing it, unless she is with a slum newspaper that wasn't held accountable on their columns.
There was a lot of different scenes and characters at play which I found challenging and made my reading slow.
What I loved:
Diversity! I absolutely adored Alice who was black and again, the heart beat of this book!!! Hands down.
Also Arjay was brown and that made my heart skip a beat.
Then, our main character was disfigured, which gave him a unique relatability to Christ ("His visage was marred more than any man") but also, he represented those that are physically challenged as being the hero!
My children are mixed race and we have disabilities in our family. For this reason, I absolutely loved the diversity in this book!
Well done Parrish!
I will be looking forward to more of your books.
March 1, 2024
When I first picked up this book, I thought it sounded really interesting. Now, I can't deny that it truly was, but I was expecting better faith content. The main character Nolan Gray claims to be a Christian and I found this book in Christian Fiction, but Nolan never really talks about what he believes about Jesus, repentance, and salvation. He solves his own problems, and sort of prays to God to help him, but only in the most desparate situations, when he couldn't solve it himself.
A few moral issues were brought up by characters asking "is it right to use violence for good against evil?" I expected Nolan to defend what he believes on the point, but by the end of the book, he never does.
Overall, although I found the story interested, the substance of this book is really shallow.
A few moral issues were brought up by characters asking "is it right to use violence for good against evil?" I expected Nolan to defend what he believes on the point, but by the end of the book, he never does.
Overall, although I found the story interested, the substance of this book is really shallow.
October 27, 2020
I wasn't in to this one, to be honest. I think the concept was interesting, but it just wasn't my kind of story. The other two books in this "series" had plots that kept me engaged, but this one didn't have that. There were a few high points, which is why I'll give it a 2.5 overall, but I found myself skimming a lot. Nothing against the author, since I did enjoy the other two books, but this one wasn't for me.
September 25, 2017
Barely 2 stars for me. I kept hoping it would improve, but by the last third, I was just skimming.
With the main character a cross between Batman and Daredevil, with too many cliches to even count, a bad guy who stepped out of a bond movie, not great writing, and a pseudo-Christian message that was pretty half-assed, this was pretty much a waste of a few hours.
With the main character a cross between Batman and Daredevil, with too many cliches to even count, a bad guy who stepped out of a bond movie, not great writing, and a pseudo-Christian message that was pretty half-assed, this was pretty much a waste of a few hours.
May 24, 2019
Maybe I should make a shelf for superhuman books? It's got that hero vibe though so... I really loved how REAL this book was. The story doesn't hide the harsh realities of life. But that also makes for a very bleak story line. The ending was shocking (in a totally good way) where everyone (hero included) gets what they had coming.
November 10, 2023
This book lands a solid 3 maybe 4 stars. Where a few things felt a bit cliche and the ending left something to be desired, I enjoyed to story and the themes. I think the different characters feelings about faith added some depth and realism - not everyone is a believer no matter how much we might want them to be.
May 16, 2021
Felt Like a Cliche, but. . .
Had some good plot twists that overcame my desire to search for Mr Finch, John Reese, and Detective Carter. The tension was good and the story flows well.
Had some good plot twists that overcame my desire to search for Mr Finch, John Reese, and Detective Carter. The tension was good and the story flows well.
March 11, 2023
Great sci-fi plot! Loved it!
July 11, 2023
Wasn't for me. Didn't actually finish it all.
January 3, 2012
This review first appeared on my blog: http://www.knittingandsundries.com/20...
Nolan Gray, one man of faith, a national war hero who spent two years in captivity under torture, friend and confidante of the President of the United States, fakes his death and re-emerges incognito as a person dubbed "The Hand" by the media. In a world ruled by crime bosses, he is determined to show people that there is a better way. His companions in this mission are Arjay Thale, a pacifist who is a brilliant engineer and inventor, and Aaron Bradford, Nolan's former commander. They are joined by Alice Regan, a woman Nolan rescues from her abusive police officer husband.
There is a lot of action in this one. Nolan is a well-trained fighter, and Arjay outfits him with wonderful gadgets, including a sort of micro-weave body armor that is impervious to bullets.
When the President pushes a crime bill through Congress that calls for a crackdown on organized crime, an elite team of agents called the OCI (Organized Crime Intelligence) is formed. When the first large-scale mission of this task force goes horribly wrong, some in the government attempt to shift the blame for it to "The Hand", and Nolan finds himself pursued by a crime boss seeking revenge.
This was in interesting look at the universal concept of good vs. evil and the apathy that seems to creep up into the general populace when they feel that there is no hope. With lots of action, this is one that I think would translate well into movie format. There are some instances that particularly stretch the imagination, as well as a mystifying (to me, at least) sudden reversal near the end of the novel that I felt wasn't fully explained or dealt with. As with most thrillers/suspense novels, there isn't a ton of character depth (although I will give props to Parrish for giving us more than most of the genre writers in that area).
This is a "Christian fiction" thriller that does a wonderful job of actually translating well to mainstream. There are mentions of faith, because Nolan is a believer, but they are not heavy-handed, and Nolan is not one to judge someone badly simply because they don't share his faith.
All in all, this makes for an interesting, well-thought-out play on revenge, morality, and shows how far one man will go to make his own suffering count for something.
QUOTES
"He thinks himself righteous enough to influence the behavior of others. Probably believes he is on some kind of divine mission. He thinks the rest of this godforsaken city can be as 'good' as he is. Give him time. He will come to see things differently. 'Good' does not exist here. Not in this world. No merciful creator would cobble together a place so viciously cruel as this. No loving creator would sit by and do nothing while there is pain and suffering."
The fight against crime was bigger than one mistake, and millions of Americans were counting on them to bring an end to the corruption, violence, and death. He had been elected on that very promise. Whoever this Hand guy was, even though he was operating outside of the law, he was doing real good in a part of the nation that needed all the good it could get. He didn't deserve to take the fall for the mistakes of the people in this room.
Writing: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Characters: 3 out of 5 stars
Reading Immersion: 4 out 5 stars
BOOK RATING: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Nolan Gray, one man of faith, a national war hero who spent two years in captivity under torture, friend and confidante of the President of the United States, fakes his death and re-emerges incognito as a person dubbed "The Hand" by the media. In a world ruled by crime bosses, he is determined to show people that there is a better way. His companions in this mission are Arjay Thale, a pacifist who is a brilliant engineer and inventor, and Aaron Bradford, Nolan's former commander. They are joined by Alice Regan, a woman Nolan rescues from her abusive police officer husband.
There is a lot of action in this one. Nolan is a well-trained fighter, and Arjay outfits him with wonderful gadgets, including a sort of micro-weave body armor that is impervious to bullets.
When the President pushes a crime bill through Congress that calls for a crackdown on organized crime, an elite team of agents called the OCI (Organized Crime Intelligence) is formed. When the first large-scale mission of this task force goes horribly wrong, some in the government attempt to shift the blame for it to "The Hand", and Nolan finds himself pursued by a crime boss seeking revenge.
This was in interesting look at the universal concept of good vs. evil and the apathy that seems to creep up into the general populace when they feel that there is no hope. With lots of action, this is one that I think would translate well into movie format. There are some instances that particularly stretch the imagination, as well as a mystifying (to me, at least) sudden reversal near the end of the novel that I felt wasn't fully explained or dealt with. As with most thrillers/suspense novels, there isn't a ton of character depth (although I will give props to Parrish for giving us more than most of the genre writers in that area).
This is a "Christian fiction" thriller that does a wonderful job of actually translating well to mainstream. There are mentions of faith, because Nolan is a believer, but they are not heavy-handed, and Nolan is not one to judge someone badly simply because they don't share his faith.
All in all, this makes for an interesting, well-thought-out play on revenge, morality, and shows how far one man will go to make his own suffering count for something.
QUOTES
"He thinks himself righteous enough to influence the behavior of others. Probably believes he is on some kind of divine mission. He thinks the rest of this godforsaken city can be as 'good' as he is. Give him time. He will come to see things differently. 'Good' does not exist here. Not in this world. No merciful creator would cobble together a place so viciously cruel as this. No loving creator would sit by and do nothing while there is pain and suffering."
The fight against crime was bigger than one mistake, and millions of Americans were counting on them to bring an end to the corruption, violence, and death. He had been elected on that very promise. Whoever this Hand guy was, even though he was operating outside of the law, he was doing real good in a part of the nation that needed all the good it could get. He didn't deserve to take the fall for the mistakes of the people in this room.
Writing: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Characters: 3 out of 5 stars
Reading Immersion: 4 out 5 stars
BOOK RATING: 3.5 out of 5 stars
July 14, 2011
Vigilante by Robin Parrish is a thought-provoking look at just how far a man can be pushed. Nolan Gray earned a reputation as America's hero after his actions while a captured soldier helped bring his men home. It was Nolan's faith in God that carried him through the incredibly dark time, and in the end, he and friend Thornton Hastings made a vow to each other that when they got home they would try to fix what was broken in the world. In the years since they made that promise, Thornton has gone on to become president, but the American has continued to devolve into a violent, crime-ridden place. New York City is the epicenter of the violence, and it is there that Nolan has decided to take a stand. After faking his own death, Nolan has taken on the persona of a masked crime fighter, with the specialized tools of friend Arjay, he appears almost superhuman. The country becomes entranced by the Hand's fight against crime, but crime boss Yuri Vasko has marked the Hand as his nemesis when he believes that Nolan has murdered his wife and daughter. The stories of these two driven men: Nolan to bring justice to the world and Yuri to bring justice to the death of his family will bring the city of New York to its knees and maybe, just maybe, change it forever. Think Batman with his nifty gadgets and tortured personality against the Kingpin (yes, I know they are two different universes!) with his wealth, power over New York, and the fear he inspires. Nolan is a bit of an enigma with his brutal past and dark secrets, but Parrish has made him more than a cardboard cut-out tough guy. Nolan agonizes over whether his choices are right, and his relationship with Alice becomes an opportunity to peek at his soul. Parrish includes newspaper articles and transcripts of TV and radio conversations that bring up vital questions about how Christians are to respond to violence: with the OT view of an eye for an eye, or with the NT view of turn the other cheek. Parrish gives both arguments merit and allows readers to make their own decisions. Parrish's stories always begin with a "what if" premise that he carries out with a fresh and unique world view. His stories are never cliched or predictable. I do feel however, that this novel doesn't have the ending he originally wrote. The climactic scene is shocking in the questions it raises about whether the ends justify the means and how far can a good man go, but then he pulls back just a bit, and it feels awkward. I'm curious to see if a sequel is in the works, which would explain the strained resolution. I wouldn't mind a sequel to follow up on Coral, Nolan, Thornton and Arjay. I look forward to see whatever Parrish produces next; he's one of the freshest and brightest voices in Christian fiction today.
March 9, 2012
In a world where evil runs rampant and bad men are allowed to carry out their wicked deeds unchecked by any authority, where can people turn for hope? Sounds a lot like our world today, doesn't it? But this is the future world Robin Parrish has presented to us in his new book, "Vigilante."
Nolan Gray is sick of the corruption and crime that he sees taking over the country. After years of fighting in numerous wars and years spent as a POW, Gray has seen more than his share of the evil men can do and the suffering they can inflict on their victims. And he's not going to let that continue to happen in his country. Proclaiming, "There is a better way," Gray decides the best way to change the world is to show people there is hope. For most people this would be a fool's errand, but Gray isn't most people. An elite soldier skilled in many forms of combat, Gray fakes his own death and is reborn as the masked vigilante known as "The Hand." With the help of his two friends, Gray sets about the monumental task of stopping crime in New York City and reminding people that good can triumph over evil. Of course, evil has its own ideas about Gray's plans. As the villain takes the fight to Gray, our hero's beliefs and standards are put to the test.
I've always loved comic books and superhero stories and this book fits nicely into that genre. At times, I couldn't help but picture Batman fighting Gotham City's supervillains as I read this story. With the high-tech gadgets and the crimefighting, the comparisons are inevitable. But this hero is tormented by demons even darker than Bruce Wayne's, pushing him to make decisions that Batman would never make. I loved the internal conflicts that we saw Gray go through as the stakes were raised higher and higher. He is a supersoldier who still was very human and relatable. Put in the same position, would any of us have done any differently? Those are the questions I pondered as I read "Vigilante" - questions I'm assuming Parrish wanted us to think about. If so, mission accomplished, Mr. Parrish.
With his sixth book, Parrish has crafted a fast-paced story that will make a great summer read. I've loved his previous work, which has all fallen into the "speculative fiction" genre. This one has its feet planted a little more firmly on terra firma, but there is still plenty of fun action and compelling story to keep you turning the pages. And the ending ... well, I won't give it away, but it certainly did surprise me. Parrish again proves that he is not afraid to push the boundaries and test the limits of what is acceptable in the Christian book genre.
On a score of 1 to 5, I give Vigilante a 4.
Nolan Gray is sick of the corruption and crime that he sees taking over the country. After years of fighting in numerous wars and years spent as a POW, Gray has seen more than his share of the evil men can do and the suffering they can inflict on their victims. And he's not going to let that continue to happen in his country. Proclaiming, "There is a better way," Gray decides the best way to change the world is to show people there is hope. For most people this would be a fool's errand, but Gray isn't most people. An elite soldier skilled in many forms of combat, Gray fakes his own death and is reborn as the masked vigilante known as "The Hand." With the help of his two friends, Gray sets about the monumental task of stopping crime in New York City and reminding people that good can triumph over evil. Of course, evil has its own ideas about Gray's plans. As the villain takes the fight to Gray, our hero's beliefs and standards are put to the test.
I've always loved comic books and superhero stories and this book fits nicely into that genre. At times, I couldn't help but picture Batman fighting Gotham City's supervillains as I read this story. With the high-tech gadgets and the crimefighting, the comparisons are inevitable. But this hero is tormented by demons even darker than Bruce Wayne's, pushing him to make decisions that Batman would never make. I loved the internal conflicts that we saw Gray go through as the stakes were raised higher and higher. He is a supersoldier who still was very human and relatable. Put in the same position, would any of us have done any differently? Those are the questions I pondered as I read "Vigilante" - questions I'm assuming Parrish wanted us to think about. If so, mission accomplished, Mr. Parrish.
With his sixth book, Parrish has crafted a fast-paced story that will make a great summer read. I've loved his previous work, which has all fallen into the "speculative fiction" genre. This one has its feet planted a little more firmly on terra firma, but there is still plenty of fun action and compelling story to keep you turning the pages. And the ending ... well, I won't give it away, but it certainly did surprise me. Parrish again proves that he is not afraid to push the boundaries and test the limits of what is acceptable in the Christian book genre.
On a score of 1 to 5, I give Vigilante a 4.
June 2, 2015
I read this book several years ago, and it was OK.
Overall, the story had a lot of action, and it was reasonably fast paced. On the whole, if you're looking for a relatively mindless action story with some points for reflection, give it a go.
That said, there are quite a few things in the book that don't make any sense. Chief among them, the opening scene where the main character blows his face off to obscure his identity as a famous war hero. It makes no sense because that's what masks are for, and a cool mask would have been a perfect fit. Or, since the hero obviously has lots of money to pay for billboard space in New York City, maybe a little plastic surgery could achieve the same end with a lot less personal risk and pain. Unless that's just to establish that Nolan is insane.
This book is also a huge missed opportunity. It's billed as a Christian superhero book. The main character is supposed to be a Christian, but doesn't give more than a superficial glimpse into that faith. The reader may be left with the impression that it's the Christian mission to engage in violent vigilantism as part of the Christian faith. It would have been interesting to see how Nolan struggled with reconciling violence and turning the other cheek, or using his beat'em up escapades as a way to witness to the bystanders about the Gospel. Yeah, there's evil in the world, but how did his Christian faith cause him to become a vigilante instead of a cop?
Sure, the reader can judge for themselves whether or not beating up bad guys is in line with Christian living, but the novel not only avoids looking at the issues through a Christian lens, but doesn't even have Nolan examining his actions in light of his faith. Having him struggle with his actions would have made a great story. Seeing him decide to twist scripture to fit his own goals like many have in history would have helped the reader to at least consider the debate.
As it is presently, the book doesn't really serve a good "Christian" purpose for analyzing the actions of the hero in light of scripture or showing one's struggles between faith and extreme action.
It's a decent adventure story, but don't expect to have a theological epiphany.
Not to plug my own book, but the Christian protagonist in In the Shadows of Myrmidons has some amount of struggle with his Christian faith and need to use violence in self defense and as a teenage super hero.
In the end, Vigilante is a fun read, but could have been better.
Overall, the story had a lot of action, and it was reasonably fast paced. On the whole, if you're looking for a relatively mindless action story with some points for reflection, give it a go.
That said, there are quite a few things in the book that don't make any sense. Chief among them, the opening scene where the main character blows his face off to obscure his identity as a famous war hero. It makes no sense because that's what masks are for, and a cool mask would have been a perfect fit. Or, since the hero obviously has lots of money to pay for billboard space in New York City, maybe a little plastic surgery could achieve the same end with a lot less personal risk and pain. Unless that's just to establish that Nolan is insane.
This book is also a huge missed opportunity. It's billed as a Christian superhero book. The main character is supposed to be a Christian, but doesn't give more than a superficial glimpse into that faith. The reader may be left with the impression that it's the Christian mission to engage in violent vigilantism as part of the Christian faith. It would have been interesting to see how Nolan struggled with reconciling violence and turning the other cheek, or using his beat'em up escapades as a way to witness to the bystanders about the Gospel. Yeah, there's evil in the world, but how did his Christian faith cause him to become a vigilante instead of a cop?
Sure, the reader can judge for themselves whether or not beating up bad guys is in line with Christian living, but the novel not only avoids looking at the issues through a Christian lens, but doesn't even have Nolan examining his actions in light of his faith. Having him struggle with his actions would have made a great story. Seeing him decide to twist scripture to fit his own goals like many have in history would have helped the reader to at least consider the debate.
As it is presently, the book doesn't really serve a good "Christian" purpose for analyzing the actions of the hero in light of scripture or showing one's struggles between faith and extreme action.
It's a decent adventure story, but don't expect to have a theological epiphany.
Not to plug my own book, but the Christian protagonist in In the Shadows of Myrmidons has some amount of struggle with his Christian faith and need to use violence in self defense and as a teenage super hero.
In the end, Vigilante is a fun read, but could have been better.
July 11, 2011
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Nolan Gray knows just how hard this world can be, the evil that dwells in the hearts of men that are corrupted by greed and pride. Spending much of his life not only serving in the armed forces as a trained specialist in every type of training he could get his hands on, now he seeks to fulfill a promise he made to himself. To rid the world of evil men and change the hearts of the citizens of the world from the inside out. He had to give them what had provoked them into fear and that would be hope. Hope in a better way. Hope that things could be better. If perhaps he could lead by example, then the rest would follow.
Finding that his death would allow him the secrecy he so desired, he teams up with his ex-captain from the military and a technology genius and begins to take back the streets of New York from the criminals and drug loads that roam free. Corruption, blackmail, bribes, extortion, prostitution, and weapons sales have made evil men rich, but one by one, Nolan Gray will use all of his tools to take back the streets and restore law, order and justice by becoming a vigilante.
In the novel, Vigilante by Robin Parrish, we get to have a sense of vengeance at seeking to right all the wrongs in this world through the eyes of one man, Nolan Gray, a decorated war veteran that seeks to use peaceful alternatives to take back the streets of his own city. Armed with high-tech weapons this book is a perfect blend of The Punisher meets Mission Impossible on a highly adrenaline pumping suspense thriller from the very first page.
I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and LOVED this book. It had me rooting for Nolan every step of the way. Unlike all the other action adventures we have grown accustomed to seeing on the big screen, this one is believable and his cause is morally sound. At times his tragic war experiences come back to haunt him and show the character of Nolan Gray is not at all without his faults. It's his faith in God that will restore his turbulent soul and restore hope once more for good in the hearts of men. This one rates a heart stopping 5 out of 5 stars. Available at your local retailer in paperback and eBook formats.
Nolan Gray knows just how hard this world can be, the evil that dwells in the hearts of men that are corrupted by greed and pride. Spending much of his life not only serving in the armed forces as a trained specialist in every type of training he could get his hands on, now he seeks to fulfill a promise he made to himself. To rid the world of evil men and change the hearts of the citizens of the world from the inside out. He had to give them what had provoked them into fear and that would be hope. Hope in a better way. Hope that things could be better. If perhaps he could lead by example, then the rest would follow.
Finding that his death would allow him the secrecy he so desired, he teams up with his ex-captain from the military and a technology genius and begins to take back the streets of New York from the criminals and drug loads that roam free. Corruption, blackmail, bribes, extortion, prostitution, and weapons sales have made evil men rich, but one by one, Nolan Gray will use all of his tools to take back the streets and restore law, order and justice by becoming a vigilante.
In the novel, Vigilante by Robin Parrish, we get to have a sense of vengeance at seeking to right all the wrongs in this world through the eyes of one man, Nolan Gray, a decorated war veteran that seeks to use peaceful alternatives to take back the streets of his own city. Armed with high-tech weapons this book is a perfect blend of The Punisher meets Mission Impossible on a highly adrenaline pumping suspense thriller from the very first page.
I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and LOVED this book. It had me rooting for Nolan every step of the way. Unlike all the other action adventures we have grown accustomed to seeing on the big screen, this one is believable and his cause is morally sound. At times his tragic war experiences come back to haunt him and show the character of Nolan Gray is not at all without his faults. It's his faith in God that will restore his turbulent soul and restore hope once more for good in the hearts of men. This one rates a heart stopping 5 out of 5 stars. Available at your local retailer in paperback and eBook formats.
September 19, 2011
Robin Parrish’s books tend to mess with my head and they definitely aren’t something I read right before bed! They also take me WAY out of my comfort zone, as was the case when I read Nightmare. That book was not only spine-tingling – it SCARED me! I usually don’t want to be creeped out by what I’m reading but these books have a way of drawing you right into the middle of the plot and as much as you might want to put it down? You are compelled to keep reading.
So blame the dark circles under my eyes on sleep deprivation because Robin had me hooked and reading long past my bedtime once I started Vigilante.
Apart from the mafia style killings that take place, this book isn’t so much scary as it is cool. Robin’s imagination ran wild (yet again) and the main character in Vigilante is about as interesting as you’re going to find in a suspense novel. I’m not even a huge fan of the suspense genre and this book totally intrigued me. With superhero type capabilities that are completely human engineered, Nolan Gray is a force to be reckoned with.
As a string of mysterious billboards start popping up all over the nation, their simple message of a better way creates a buzzing tension and frenzy amongst the American people. Nolan Gray, the man behind the billboards, has a score to settle and his mission is to change the world by pushing back evil with good. He is out to wage war on immorality, pain & suffering, cruelty and injustice and plans to give people some hope.
He becomes known as “The Hand”, due to the symbolic outstretched hand that appears on his billboards and his hoodie and is quickly elevated to savior status when he begins to take down gangs and stop crime.
This book is fast paced, action packed and had me holding my breath most of the time. DO NOT miss this new novel by Robin Parrish. It’s the second book of his that I have read that has made me sit up and take notice of the suspense genre. If you are already familiar with Robin’s books then you know what you are in for!
This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.
So blame the dark circles under my eyes on sleep deprivation because Robin had me hooked and reading long past my bedtime once I started Vigilante.
Apart from the mafia style killings that take place, this book isn’t so much scary as it is cool. Robin’s imagination ran wild (yet again) and the main character in Vigilante is about as interesting as you’re going to find in a suspense novel. I’m not even a huge fan of the suspense genre and this book totally intrigued me. With superhero type capabilities that are completely human engineered, Nolan Gray is a force to be reckoned with.
As a string of mysterious billboards start popping up all over the nation, their simple message of a better way creates a buzzing tension and frenzy amongst the American people. Nolan Gray, the man behind the billboards, has a score to settle and his mission is to change the world by pushing back evil with good. He is out to wage war on immorality, pain & suffering, cruelty and injustice and plans to give people some hope.
He becomes known as “The Hand”, due to the symbolic outstretched hand that appears on his billboards and his hoodie and is quickly elevated to savior status when he begins to take down gangs and stop crime.
This book is fast paced, action packed and had me holding my breath most of the time. DO NOT miss this new novel by Robin Parrish. It’s the second book of his that I have read that has made me sit up and take notice of the suspense genre. If you are already familiar with Robin’s books then you know what you are in for!
This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.
October 28, 2013
Robin Parrish's book Vigilante, is an action and drama about making the world a better place. The question is will Nolan Gray change the world, or die trying?
Nolan Gray is the best soldier the United States has ever seen, and the same soldier who was held captive with the future president for over two years. But one day, suddenly, President Hastings gets news of Nolan Gray's death, or so they believe. Gray faked his death along with the help of only two people, to do everything in his power to change the way the people of New York City and the rest of the world think and act. He calls himself the Hand, and becomes the most hated, yet loved man in the country.
The use of setting in this story really emphasized the events. Every time Gray was on a mission, Parrish would describe in great detail what the scene looked like. The way he wrote it gave you the option to completely picture the scene in your head. You could see what Gray was seeing, and understand how it made his mission easier or much more difficult. When Gray first goes into New York City as the Hand, he is in a large crowd of people. When he arrives there, Parrish describes what Nolan sees around him at every angle: the people, the buildings, etc. The visions you can create from the words draw you into the book and keep you wanting to read.
I really enjoyed Vigilante. The suspense on every page kept me reading and reading to see what would happen next. Just when things with Gray would start to calm down, some kind of intense event would pop up out of nowhere and question whether he would be able to continue his mission. The entire book, you never could predict if the page you were on was going to be the one that Gray dies, or the day that he completes his mission. I like this kind of books because I hate when I can predict the ending of the book halfway through. I want to be drawn into the book I’m reading until the very end, and Vigilante did that.
Vigilante is a great book for you if you’re looking for a very suspenseful, keeps-you-guessing kind of book. If you want a sappy love story, this is definitely not the book for you.
Nolan Gray is the best soldier the United States has ever seen, and the same soldier who was held captive with the future president for over two years. But one day, suddenly, President Hastings gets news of Nolan Gray's death, or so they believe. Gray faked his death along with the help of only two people, to do everything in his power to change the way the people of New York City and the rest of the world think and act. He calls himself the Hand, and becomes the most hated, yet loved man in the country.
The use of setting in this story really emphasized the events. Every time Gray was on a mission, Parrish would describe in great detail what the scene looked like. The way he wrote it gave you the option to completely picture the scene in your head. You could see what Gray was seeing, and understand how it made his mission easier or much more difficult. When Gray first goes into New York City as the Hand, he is in a large crowd of people. When he arrives there, Parrish describes what Nolan sees around him at every angle: the people, the buildings, etc. The visions you can create from the words draw you into the book and keep you wanting to read.
I really enjoyed Vigilante. The suspense on every page kept me reading and reading to see what would happen next. Just when things with Gray would start to calm down, some kind of intense event would pop up out of nowhere and question whether he would be able to continue his mission. The entire book, you never could predict if the page you were on was going to be the one that Gray dies, or the day that he completes his mission. I like this kind of books because I hate when I can predict the ending of the book halfway through. I want to be drawn into the book I’m reading until the very end, and Vigilante did that.
Vigilante is a great book for you if you’re looking for a very suspenseful, keeps-you-guessing kind of book. If you want a sappy love story, this is definitely not the book for you.
July 16, 2011
Nolan Gray is a decorated war hero and a kick-butt soldier trained in weapons and strategies in war. He knows evil and has seen more than enough things to break his spirit and his sanity. Instead of becoming a bitter shell of man though, Nolan has promised himself and the innocent of the world that he would become the justice they have been yearning for. He alone would rid the world of evil and corrupt men and bring about peace and hope to society that has long ago lost their way. After years of planning and months of organizing and with the help of two friends, Nolan fakes his own death and is reborn as New York City’s vigilante hero: The Hand.....
American society is obsessed with superheroes, is it because we long to be superheroes ourselves? Or could it be a deeper longing, one perhaps that creates in us a desire for a savior? Nolan Gray himself longed to change the world by saving the innocent and became a hero for a city so lost in its own destruction that the people began to rely on and worship him, giving him an almost God-like quality. Nolan’s intentions were never to kill people but teach them and punish the criminals wreaking havoc on innocent lives. When we start taking on vigilante justice does it make us just as bad as the criminal? Or is there a point when we can honestly stand up and say enough is enough and I will not stand by any longer. Begging the question when is it right to take justice in our own hands...?
Mr. RP writes to intrigue, to turn things inside out and makes a reader really dig into the twisted, the dark and the saving graces our world has to offer. I find Parrish’s novels very unique, with his use of visual action, fabulous writing and hold your breath scenes… what more could a superhero junky ask for?
Read the full review at blog....
American society is obsessed with superheroes, is it because we long to be superheroes ourselves? Or could it be a deeper longing, one perhaps that creates in us a desire for a savior? Nolan Gray himself longed to change the world by saving the innocent and became a hero for a city so lost in its own destruction that the people began to rely on and worship him, giving him an almost God-like quality. Nolan’s intentions were never to kill people but teach them and punish the criminals wreaking havoc on innocent lives. When we start taking on vigilante justice does it make us just as bad as the criminal? Or is there a point when we can honestly stand up and say enough is enough and I will not stand by any longer. Begging the question when is it right to take justice in our own hands...?
Mr. RP writes to intrigue, to turn things inside out and makes a reader really dig into the twisted, the dark and the saving graces our world has to offer. I find Parrish’s novels very unique, with his use of visual action, fabulous writing and hold your breath scenes… what more could a superhero junky ask for?
Read the full review at blog....
September 2, 2016
Robin Parrish's Vigilante starts off well, but ends rather flat, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Vigilante is one part Batman, one part Darkman. A decorated soldier becomes the faceless Hand, pitting himself against organized crime and hoping to inspire the masses to be better. There's some rather imaginative action sequences involving some awesome gadgets. The chief villain is a sadistic mobster who likes to make his victims suffocate on cement [ew]. The Hand is both aided and hunted by a team of elite agents called the OCI [Organized Crime Intelligence].
The Hand and Robin Parrish begin well. Then things go south. The Hands actions have repercussions for those he loves. But the book's plot and pacing still had me.
Then...
SPOILER!!!
A GIANT PLOT HOLE. And the book lost me. A bad end spoils the whole plot.
Parrish's point is that only Christ can truly change people for the better. His epilogue is the only thing that saves the bad end of the book.
Vigilante is one part Batman, one part Darkman. A decorated soldier becomes the faceless Hand, pitting himself against organized crime and hoping to inspire the masses to be better. There's some rather imaginative action sequences involving some awesome gadgets. The chief villain is a sadistic mobster who likes to make his victims suffocate on cement [ew]. The Hand is both aided and hunted by a team of elite agents called the OCI [Organized Crime Intelligence].
The Hand and Robin Parrish begin well. Then things go south. The Hands actions have repercussions for those he loves. But the book's plot and pacing still had me.
Then...
SPOILER!!!
A GIANT PLOT HOLE. And the book lost me. A bad end spoils the whole plot.
Parrish's point is that only Christ can truly change people for the better. His epilogue is the only thing that saves the bad end of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews