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Michael Parson & Sophia Gold #1
The Mullah's Storm
From the author of The Hunters and Sand and Fire ..."Fans of Clancy, Coonts, and Dale Brown need to add Young to their must-read lists." ( Booklist )
A transport plane carrying a high-ranking Taliban prisoner is shot down in a blizzard over Afghanistan's mountainous Hindu Kush. The storm makes rescue impossible, and for two people-navigator Michael Parson and a female Army interpreter, Sergeant Gold-a battle for survival begins against not only the hazards of nature, but the treacheries of the Taliban stalking them, the villagers whose loyalties are unknown, and a prisoner who would very much like the three of them to be caught.
"One of the most exciting new thriller talents in years."--Vince Flynn
A transport plane carrying a high-ranking Taliban prisoner is shot down in a blizzard over Afghanistan's mountainous Hindu Kush. The storm makes rescue impossible, and for two people-navigator Michael Parson and a female Army interpreter, Sergeant Gold-a battle for survival begins against not only the hazards of nature, but the treacheries of the Taliban stalking them, the villagers whose loyalties are unknown, and a prisoner who would very much like the three of them to be caught.
"One of the most exciting new thriller talents in years."--Vince Flynn
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
November 17, 2014
I really liked this book.
JUST THE KIND OF NOVEL THAT I WANTED TO READ IN THIS GENRE
It was just what I expected to be.
I was looking for a novel on the military genre, not so thick, with some female presence and that it won't have too much sensationalism in the form to present the motivation of the actions.
I think that about everything that I mentioned, Tom Young, the author, acomplished it just how I wanted to read it.
The book is less than 300 pages, so you won't have to invest too much time to read it.
The story is very cinematic, so you are barely adjusting yourself in your reading seat when BAM! the action starts and it doesn't ended until the proper end of the book.
PARSON & GOLD
About the lead characters, they are Major Michael Parson, and there is a strong supportive character, Sergeant Sophia Gold, that it's one of the reasons that I chose to read this book series, since I researched that she will appear in the following books, making a team along with Major Parson.
In this first novel is undeniable that Major Parson is the main character but Sergeant Gold is a really useful character and she is able to offer key skills to acomplish the mission in areas where Parson isn't good at.
Even I liked how Major Parson character didn't change his way of thinking magically, but developing a believable self-questioning but not totally embracing in a matter of minutes something so hard to accept.
And in that regards, Sergeant Gold is a great female character, a woman of strong nature, since she endures a lot and not matter she didn't change her way of see life.
Having two lead characters with different skills, POVs, etc... but able to work as a team, it gave to the book a remarkable synergistic success.
Also, there are other good supportive characters, avoiding too the cliché of that only the lead characters are able to acomplish relevant things in the story.
TERRORISTS AREN'T EXAMPLES OF THEIR NATIVE COUNTRIES
I liked a lot how the author put the events in the best neutral position, because this is a military genre novel set in the current events on Afghanistan, so there are a lot of emotions involved when this kind of topic is touched.
However, I think that Tom Young did a great job letting the readers to see that the Taliban and al Qaeda are not representatives of whole nations, even he put scenes portrating how even both organizations didn't like each other and even inside of their ranks, not always they follow orders without complaining.
Also, portraiting Muslim people in all roles, not only as terrorists, but also as soldiers fighting along American Special Forces as allies, and even as innocent civilian people that they are living in infrahuman conditions and very subtle to get killed in the middle of these irrational struggles of power.
Another interesting thing was to select a moment when there is snowing on Afghanistan making a very different visual scenario, since one would think about those places as eternal deserts, however there is snowing over there and the storms can be frozen deadly.
Definitely, the factor that the author indeed was a soldier in this kind of war made an interesting and reallistic vision of how the modern warfare is done, how and with what.
I am not celebrating war and death, just accepting that it's part of our world and so, the book portraited in the way that I think it's the best authentic way.
Certainly I will read the next books in the series soon.
JUST THE KIND OF NOVEL THAT I WANTED TO READ IN THIS GENRE
It was just what I expected to be.
I was looking for a novel on the military genre, not so thick, with some female presence and that it won't have too much sensationalism in the form to present the motivation of the actions.
I think that about everything that I mentioned, Tom Young, the author, acomplished it just how I wanted to read it.
The book is less than 300 pages, so you won't have to invest too much time to read it.
The story is very cinematic, so you are barely adjusting yourself in your reading seat when BAM! the action starts and it doesn't ended until the proper end of the book.
PARSON & GOLD
About the lead characters, they are Major Michael Parson, and there is a strong supportive character, Sergeant Sophia Gold, that it's one of the reasons that I chose to read this book series, since I researched that she will appear in the following books, making a team along with Major Parson.
In this first novel is undeniable that Major Parson is the main character but Sergeant Gold is a really useful character and she is able to offer key skills to acomplish the mission in areas where Parson isn't good at.
Even I liked how Major Parson character didn't change his way of thinking magically, but developing a believable self-questioning but not totally embracing in a matter of minutes something so hard to accept.
And in that regards, Sergeant Gold is a great female character, a woman of strong nature, since she endures a lot and not matter she didn't change her way of see life.
Having two lead characters with different skills, POVs, etc... but able to work as a team, it gave to the book a remarkable synergistic success.
Also, there are other good supportive characters, avoiding too the cliché of that only the lead characters are able to acomplish relevant things in the story.
TERRORISTS AREN'T EXAMPLES OF THEIR NATIVE COUNTRIES
I liked a lot how the author put the events in the best neutral position, because this is a military genre novel set in the current events on Afghanistan, so there are a lot of emotions involved when this kind of topic is touched.
However, I think that Tom Young did a great job letting the readers to see that the Taliban and al Qaeda are not representatives of whole nations, even he put scenes portrating how even both organizations didn't like each other and even inside of their ranks, not always they follow orders without complaining.
Also, portraiting Muslim people in all roles, not only as terrorists, but also as soldiers fighting along American Special Forces as allies, and even as innocent civilian people that they are living in infrahuman conditions and very subtle to get killed in the middle of these irrational struggles of power.
Another interesting thing was to select a moment when there is snowing on Afghanistan making a very different visual scenario, since one would think about those places as eternal deserts, however there is snowing over there and the storms can be frozen deadly.
Definitely, the factor that the author indeed was a soldier in this kind of war made an interesting and reallistic vision of how the modern warfare is done, how and with what.
I am not celebrating war and death, just accepting that it's part of our world and so, the book portraited in the way that I think it's the best authentic way.
Certainly I will read the next books in the series soon.
October 29, 2025
Compulsively readable and totally forgettable!
The oft-heard cliché, “THE MULLAH'S STORM is ripped from today’s headlines”, is certainly true enough. The prisoner to be removed from Afghanistan, an important Taliban imam, is clearly modeled on Osama bin Laden. The extent of this man’s hatred for the USA and everything it represents is simply off the charts. When the transport plane carrying the prisoner destined for some heavy-duty interrogation and de-briefing is shot down over the Hindu Kush during a century blizzard, the sole survivors – pilot Michael Carson, the female interpreter Sergeant Gold and the mullah – must make their way overland through treacherous, unforgiving mountain terrain against impossible odds to a distant US army base. It won’t be difficult for any reader who enjoys good suspense or military thrillers to guess that the key word there is “impossible”. Carson is simply too clever, too fast, too strong, too stoic and too enduring … well, just plain old too much to be believable to rational readers. And while Sergeant Gold’s female character is moderated somewhat, she is still portrayed as a woman with strength, abilities and strength of character slightly beyond what most women would likely consider credible.
But the good news is that those same thriller lovers will find THE MULLAH'S STORM fascinating, gripping, provocative and compulsively readable. Young has written a great story and, like many other popular thriller writers (think Preston and Child, David Baldacci or Clive Cussler), he has dished up several servings of well-prepared provocative food for thought – the futility of religion and the evils that are wrought by religion as theocratic government; the use of torture as an interrogation device; females in the military and, in particular, in combat zones; the importance of language in the development of relations with other countries and cultures; the US policy of military intervention in so many areas around the world, and more.
Here’s my prediction. Shortly after you turn the last page, the details of THE MULLAH'S STORM will quickly drift into oblivion, but you’re sure going to remember that you just enjoyed a gripping read. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
The oft-heard cliché, “THE MULLAH'S STORM is ripped from today’s headlines”, is certainly true enough. The prisoner to be removed from Afghanistan, an important Taliban imam, is clearly modeled on Osama bin Laden. The extent of this man’s hatred for the USA and everything it represents is simply off the charts. When the transport plane carrying the prisoner destined for some heavy-duty interrogation and de-briefing is shot down over the Hindu Kush during a century blizzard, the sole survivors – pilot Michael Carson, the female interpreter Sergeant Gold and the mullah – must make their way overland through treacherous, unforgiving mountain terrain against impossible odds to a distant US army base. It won’t be difficult for any reader who enjoys good suspense or military thrillers to guess that the key word there is “impossible”. Carson is simply too clever, too fast, too strong, too stoic and too enduring … well, just plain old too much to be believable to rational readers. And while Sergeant Gold’s female character is moderated somewhat, she is still portrayed as a woman with strength, abilities and strength of character slightly beyond what most women would likely consider credible.
But the good news is that those same thriller lovers will find THE MULLAH'S STORM fascinating, gripping, provocative and compulsively readable. Young has written a great story and, like many other popular thriller writers (think Preston and Child, David Baldacci or Clive Cussler), he has dished up several servings of well-prepared provocative food for thought – the futility of religion and the evils that are wrought by religion as theocratic government; the use of torture as an interrogation device; females in the military and, in particular, in combat zones; the importance of language in the development of relations with other countries and cultures; the US policy of military intervention in so many areas around the world, and more.
Here’s my prediction. Shortly after you turn the last page, the details of THE MULLAH'S STORM will quickly drift into oblivion, but you’re sure going to remember that you just enjoyed a gripping read. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
February 15, 2013
Major Michael Parson is the navigator on a C-130 Hercules transport plane that takes off from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan into an approaching winter storm. The cargo is a captured Mullah who is a high-priority target in the war on terror. Also on board is a female Army Sergeant who is serving as the interpreter. It's a perfectly routine flight, at least until an RPG slams into the plane and it crashes in the mountainous Hindu Kush.
Parson survives the crash, although with a broken wrist. The prisoner and Sergeant Gold also survive and Parson hustles them off the plane and into the bitter cold night before the Taliban can reach the downed plane, rescue the captive Mullah and dispatch the two Americans, doubtless in a very unpleasant way.
Out of this dramatic opening scene Thomas W. Young weaves a harrowing tale as Parson and Gold attempt to survive and retain control of their prisoner against overwhelming odds. The storm is unprecedented and prevents any chance of an air rescue, which would normally be routine. The Taliban are in hot pursuit, figuratively of course, since the storm continues and the temperatures are below freezing. In short, things do not look good...
This is an engrossing story, and to his credit, Young takes it in ways that the reader might not expect. Parson and Gold are on an incredible journey and the wise reader will want to bundle up to go along with them. Even in the Arizona desert on a 75-degree day, you can feel the cold and snow seeping out of the pages.
Parson survives the crash, although with a broken wrist. The prisoner and Sergeant Gold also survive and Parson hustles them off the plane and into the bitter cold night before the Taliban can reach the downed plane, rescue the captive Mullah and dispatch the two Americans, doubtless in a very unpleasant way.
Out of this dramatic opening scene Thomas W. Young weaves a harrowing tale as Parson and Gold attempt to survive and retain control of their prisoner against overwhelming odds. The storm is unprecedented and prevents any chance of an air rescue, which would normally be routine. The Taliban are in hot pursuit, figuratively of course, since the storm continues and the temperatures are below freezing. In short, things do not look good...
This is an engrossing story, and to his credit, Young takes it in ways that the reader might not expect. Parson and Gold are on an incredible journey and the wise reader will want to bundle up to go along with them. Even in the Arizona desert on a 75-degree day, you can feel the cold and snow seeping out of the pages.
June 19, 2020
This is a War Thriller and it kept me intrigued the whole way through. This was a short book that I read in a couple of hours. I liked the MCs. They felt authentic even though they weren't warm and fuzzy in any way. After their transport plane gets shot down in a mountainous area in northern Pakistan and Afghanistan, they are trying to stay alive because they are now being hunted. I also liked the way Parson went in after Gold even when cautioned not to.
There is a fair amount of violence in this but that is to be expected when it is war. So 4 stars. Now I will have to see the other books in this series is available to me.
There is a fair amount of violence in this but that is to be expected when it is war. So 4 stars. Now I will have to see the other books in this series is available to me.
December 5, 2010
Hmmmmm. Well, I did finish the book, so it couldn't have been too bad, but at the same time, I couldn't tell you what it was about the story that kept me reading.
The main character - Michael Parson - felt realistic in a competent but definitely not always likeable way. His female army interpreter companion was well written, and highly competent in her own way, but somehow still didn't *quite* work for me, although I couldn't tell you why.
Perhaps part of my issue with the book was the plot, which was... well, there wasn't a lot of it if you're used to multiple plot threads interweaving and intersecting to tell a story that's greater than the experiences of any one character. In this book, main character gets shot down while on a reasonably routine prisoner escort mission, and has to survive (and keep his prisoner alive) until he can be rescued. It really doesn't get much simpler than that - although there are hints of other possible bigger plotlines, they never really eventuate.
Maybe, also, it's because from my perspective, the major plotline never really resolves itself. I mean it kind of does, but at the same time, it doesn't. And to be honest, I found that a little disappointing.
On top of that, there's the bleakness of the situational context in which the story took place. Don't get me wrong, I get that the author was going for realism, and drawing upon his own experiences, and those of people he knew or knew of. I understand that. But the net result of that realism, for me, was a fairly depressing read that didn't actually leave me feeling as though I'd got anything out of reading it.
So despite the fact that this is, undoubtedly a good story, and appears to come highly recommended by military folks who really, truly do know whereof the author writes, I've still rated this one pretty low simply because it wasn't a book that I, personally, enjoyed reading. That's not to say it wasn't good... it just wasn't so much a me story.
The main character - Michael Parson - felt realistic in a competent but definitely not always likeable way. His female army interpreter companion was well written, and highly competent in her own way, but somehow still didn't *quite* work for me, although I couldn't tell you why.
Perhaps part of my issue with the book was the plot, which was... well, there wasn't a lot of it if you're used to multiple plot threads interweaving and intersecting to tell a story that's greater than the experiences of any one character. In this book, main character gets shot down while on a reasonably routine prisoner escort mission, and has to survive (and keep his prisoner alive) until he can be rescued. It really doesn't get much simpler than that - although there are hints of other possible bigger plotlines, they never really eventuate.
Maybe, also, it's because from my perspective, the major plotline never really resolves itself. I mean it kind of does, but at the same time, it doesn't. And to be honest, I found that a little disappointing.
On top of that, there's the bleakness of the situational context in which the story took place. Don't get me wrong, I get that the author was going for realism, and drawing upon his own experiences, and those of people he knew or knew of. I understand that. But the net result of that realism, for me, was a fairly depressing read that didn't actually leave me feeling as though I'd got anything out of reading it.
So despite the fact that this is, undoubtedly a good story, and appears to come highly recommended by military folks who really, truly do know whereof the author writes, I've still rated this one pretty low simply because it wasn't a book that I, personally, enjoyed reading. That's not to say it wasn't good... it just wasn't so much a me story.
August 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this. It was fast paced and suspensful while still believable. Things went from bad to worse in the story very rapidly. It was one of those don't blink stories.
The military lingo was right on. You knew you were reading a book by a person who had spent years in the military. You didn't have to spend a lot of time saying things like "they wouldn't do that!" That was a huge plus.
The hero was not a spec ops guy who knew everything and could do it all with his hands ties behind his back. He was a downed flyer who, while he had passed survival training and who had grown up in the mountains of Colorado so he wasn't a complete novice, still made mistakes and worried about that. He also felt prejudice and hatred and fear and fatigue. A very human character not really PC and cleaned up for the reader who might be easily offended by his thoughts and attitudes. It was refreshing to read.
There were some spec ops soldiers in the story and the author's admiration for thoses soldiers came through in their depiction here as calm and collected, dedicated, kind and very smart.
Definitely worth the read.
The military lingo was right on. You knew you were reading a book by a person who had spent years in the military. You didn't have to spend a lot of time saying things like "they wouldn't do that!" That was a huge plus.
The hero was not a spec ops guy who knew everything and could do it all with his hands ties behind his back. He was a downed flyer who, while he had passed survival training and who had grown up in the mountains of Colorado so he wasn't a complete novice, still made mistakes and worried about that. He also felt prejudice and hatred and fear and fatigue. A very human character not really PC and cleaned up for the reader who might be easily offended by his thoughts and attitudes. It was refreshing to read.
There were some spec ops soldiers in the story and the author's admiration for thoses soldiers came through in their depiction here as calm and collected, dedicated, kind and very smart.
Definitely worth the read.
February 21, 2011
In present day Afghanistan, a popular Mullah, is captured by American Forces and is being transferred to another facility. The Mullah and a woman Army interpreter, Sergeant Gold, board a C-130 even though the conditions are far from good for flying.
The C-130 is hit by a missle and crash lands. The Mullah, Sergeant Gols, and navigator, Michael Parson, in trying to complete their mission, set out on foot. The conditions continue to worsen as night falls upon them. It is bitterly cold, windy, and snowing. They must trek across the Hindu Kush to try and find help. The are beingd stalked by the Taliban who will stop at nothing to free the Mullah.
A major study in survival under brutal conditions. They are faced with a shortage of water and MRE's (meals ready to eat). They must also find a way to warm themselves and yet be careful in that a fire would attract the enemy.
Parson and Gold find themselves separated when they are attacked by the Taliban. Sergeant Gold and the Mullah find themselves in the hands of the Taliban and Parson's is taken by friendly forces.
Parson leaves the friendly forces, who have another objective, and goes after Sergeant Gold.
"The Mullah's Storm" is a book for those looking for adventure, action, and survival techniques.
A quote from the author puts the Afghanistan situation in perspective, "what scared me the most wasn't the thought of getting shot down and killed. It was the thought of getting shot down and not killed".
The C-130 is hit by a missle and crash lands. The Mullah, Sergeant Gols, and navigator, Michael Parson, in trying to complete their mission, set out on foot. The conditions continue to worsen as night falls upon them. It is bitterly cold, windy, and snowing. They must trek across the Hindu Kush to try and find help. The are beingd stalked by the Taliban who will stop at nothing to free the Mullah.
A major study in survival under brutal conditions. They are faced with a shortage of water and MRE's (meals ready to eat). They must also find a way to warm themselves and yet be careful in that a fire would attract the enemy.
Parson and Gold find themselves separated when they are attacked by the Taliban. Sergeant Gold and the Mullah find themselves in the hands of the Taliban and Parson's is taken by friendly forces.
Parson leaves the friendly forces, who have another objective, and goes after Sergeant Gold.
"The Mullah's Storm" is a book for those looking for adventure, action, and survival techniques.
A quote from the author puts the Afghanistan situation in perspective, "what scared me the most wasn't the thought of getting shot down and killed. It was the thought of getting shot down and not killed".
October 17, 2010
Major Michael Parson is co-piloting a C-130 Hercules across Afghanistan. The crew is transporting a highly dangerous and valued Taliban Mullah prisoner. Things were going just fine until they were shoot at by a oncoming missile. The C-130 is shot down. Help is on the way but it a long way a ways. Now it is up to Major Parson and Master sergeant Gold, an interpreter to transport the prisoner across the snowy plains of enemy territory to safety. It will be one of Major Parson’s most dangerous missions. He and Gold had better hope and pray that the Taliban insurgents don’t find them of they will wish they were dead like the rest of the C-130 crew.
The Mullah’s Storm is Mr. Young’s debut novel. The adrenaline/intensity levels in this book were insane…they were off the charts. The dynamics between Parson and Gold were good. Both Parson and Gold were strong characters. Parson was the leader in this story. I can’t imagine being in their situation. Talk about thinking on your feet while under huge pressure. This book reminded me a bit of the movie, Behind Enemy Lines. Just like that movie, I could picture this book being turned into a movie on the big screens. A storm is a brewing in...The Mullah's Storm!
The Mullah’s Storm is Mr. Young’s debut novel. The adrenaline/intensity levels in this book were insane…they were off the charts. The dynamics between Parson and Gold were good. Both Parson and Gold were strong characters. Parson was the leader in this story. I can’t imagine being in their situation. Talk about thinking on your feet while under huge pressure. This book reminded me a bit of the movie, Behind Enemy Lines. Just like that movie, I could picture this book being turned into a movie on the big screens. A storm is a brewing in...The Mullah's Storm!
August 23, 2010
3.5 stars
I got this book by way of the goodreads giveaway first reads thing (awesome!) and so, of course, i had to read it. It was free, how could i not? At first glance, not really my kind of book. It’s about a pilot who gets shot down in Afghanistan and has to get out with the only other survivors. Sargent Gold (a chick, yay!) the translator, and a mullah (Islamic spiritual leader, old, completely hateable) who's a prisoner and the reason the plane got shot down in the first place. It’s set in the middle of winter so it’s not blazing heat they have to worry about, its frostbite and hypothermia (not what i was expecting).
It was kinda obvious that this was the author's first book because the nitty gritty, military he-man speak was not smoothly integrated with the beautifully poetic descriptions of the landscape and characters. But were necessary for the book's believability and readability but the transitions between the two could have been better.
Over all, surprisingly gripping and well worth the read
I got this book by way of the goodreads giveaway first reads thing (awesome!) and so, of course, i had to read it. It was free, how could i not? At first glance, not really my kind of book. It’s about a pilot who gets shot down in Afghanistan and has to get out with the only other survivors. Sargent Gold (a chick, yay!) the translator, and a mullah (Islamic spiritual leader, old, completely hateable) who's a prisoner and the reason the plane got shot down in the first place. It’s set in the middle of winter so it’s not blazing heat they have to worry about, its frostbite and hypothermia (not what i was expecting).
It was kinda obvious that this was the author's first book because the nitty gritty, military he-man speak was not smoothly integrated with the beautifully poetic descriptions of the landscape and characters. But were necessary for the book's believability and readability but the transitions between the two could have been better.
Over all, surprisingly gripping and well worth the read
May 6, 2018
Intense. I felt cold, exhausted, scared, hungry and enormous gratitude for our military who volunteer to do things I could never do.
September 10, 2016
PROTAGONIST: Michael Parson and Sgt. Gold
SETTING: Afghanistan
SERIES: Debut
RATING: 3.75
As the book opens, a transport plane carrying an elderly mullah, a very high-value prisoner, is shot down shortly after taking off from Bagram in Afghanistan. The mission had been to escort the mullah to a place where he would be interrogated and then imprisoned. Although there are several survivors, only two of them continue in their goal. The navigator, Michael Parson, and the Army interpreter assigned to the mullah, Sergeant Gold, leave the wreckage and attempt to continue the mission. What they face is a storm that won’t allow for their rescue and a hostile winter environment that challenges their efforts to survive.
The landscape is so barren that it could almost be another planet. There are occasional settlements; but on the whole, Gold and Parson must live by their wits. ON the verge of freezing to death, they build a snow cave to protect themselves from the elements. Several times, Michael gives in to his unwavering hatred of the enemy and manhandles the elderly mullah, much to Gold’s dismay. She is the voice of reason of the pair; eventually, Michael realizes that she is the better person of the two of them. Finally, they connect with another military group. When Gold and the mullah are captured by the Taliban, Michael separates from the group to save Gold from a horrible fate in what may prove to be a reckless decision.
THE MULLAH’S STORM maintains a high level of suspense from beginning to end. Between the storm and the threat of enemy attack, the survival of the various characters is in serious doubt. Young does a fine job of painting a realistic picture of an imperfect man who is committed to whatever mission he is assigned. The contrast between him and Gold is nicely done. Their relationship is a completely professional one, and they develop into a fine team despite some very fundamental differences. And his portrayal of the Afghanistan setting is incredibly real; you can feel the fatigue and hopelessness of trying to conquer its challenges. In fact, the weather was so severe it didn’t seem likely that anyone could survive it for more than a few days, much less ten, which led to credibility issues. The weak link in this book is the characterization, with not much background provided about the two lead characters. I really wanted to know more about Sgt. Gold. At times, Parson seemed like some kind of Superman, keeping on despite injuries, horrible weather, lack of sleep and lack of hope.
Thomas Young served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Air National Guard, has flown combat missions to Bosnia and Kosovo, as well as additional missions to Latin America, Africa and the Far East. He has been awarded two Air Medals, three Aerial Achievement Medals and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. Those credentials ensure that the tale Young has to tell is about as real as it gets without becoming non-fiction. The author has succeeded in translating his background into a fast-moving plot; and as a result, THE MULLAH’S STORM is a fine debut novel, although the resolution was a disappointment.
For a trailer with some scenes from Afghanistan and an interview with the author, to go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc35Ij...
SETTING: Afghanistan
SERIES: Debut
RATING: 3.75
As the book opens, a transport plane carrying an elderly mullah, a very high-value prisoner, is shot down shortly after taking off from Bagram in Afghanistan. The mission had been to escort the mullah to a place where he would be interrogated and then imprisoned. Although there are several survivors, only two of them continue in their goal. The navigator, Michael Parson, and the Army interpreter assigned to the mullah, Sergeant Gold, leave the wreckage and attempt to continue the mission. What they face is a storm that won’t allow for their rescue and a hostile winter environment that challenges their efforts to survive.
The landscape is so barren that it could almost be another planet. There are occasional settlements; but on the whole, Gold and Parson must live by their wits. ON the verge of freezing to death, they build a snow cave to protect themselves from the elements. Several times, Michael gives in to his unwavering hatred of the enemy and manhandles the elderly mullah, much to Gold’s dismay. She is the voice of reason of the pair; eventually, Michael realizes that she is the better person of the two of them. Finally, they connect with another military group. When Gold and the mullah are captured by the Taliban, Michael separates from the group to save Gold from a horrible fate in what may prove to be a reckless decision.
THE MULLAH’S STORM maintains a high level of suspense from beginning to end. Between the storm and the threat of enemy attack, the survival of the various characters is in serious doubt. Young does a fine job of painting a realistic picture of an imperfect man who is committed to whatever mission he is assigned. The contrast between him and Gold is nicely done. Their relationship is a completely professional one, and they develop into a fine team despite some very fundamental differences. And his portrayal of the Afghanistan setting is incredibly real; you can feel the fatigue and hopelessness of trying to conquer its challenges. In fact, the weather was so severe it didn’t seem likely that anyone could survive it for more than a few days, much less ten, which led to credibility issues. The weak link in this book is the characterization, with not much background provided about the two lead characters. I really wanted to know more about Sgt. Gold. At times, Parson seemed like some kind of Superman, keeping on despite injuries, horrible weather, lack of sleep and lack of hope.
Thomas Young served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Air National Guard, has flown combat missions to Bosnia and Kosovo, as well as additional missions to Latin America, Africa and the Far East. He has been awarded two Air Medals, three Aerial Achievement Medals and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. Those credentials ensure that the tale Young has to tell is about as real as it gets without becoming non-fiction. The author has succeeded in translating his background into a fast-moving plot; and as a result, THE MULLAH’S STORM is a fine debut novel, although the resolution was a disappointment.
For a trailer with some scenes from Afghanistan and an interview with the author, to go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc35Ij...
August 7, 2010
I won a copy of this book on First Reads. I'd like to start my review, by first THANKING Thomas W. Young for his service to our country! Next, I'd like to congratulate him on an excellent novel. This was a real page-turner and I couldn't put it down! It's a shame that this IS actually going on in Afghanistan......as well as other middle Eastern countries. The best thing I got out of this book, was a better understanding of just how our service men and women FEEL! He points out in the book, that the politicians call this "the War on Terror" or "Operation Enduring Freedom", or whatever, yet our military personnel call it "their first deployment"......or "their third deployment". I have 4 sons and a stepson, who are serving, or have already completed their enlistments in both the Air Force and Marines. 3 of them deployed to Iraq, and Afghanistan. It was so hard as a mother sweating these deployments. I'm glad I got a chance to read first hand, what they are going through, as most of them do not talk about anything, once they return to the United States.
Anyway............if you love page-turners, this book should immediately be added to your "to read" list! You will enjoy it, as well as maybe have a new perception on just how professional our military is! Please try to remember to thank a Veteran when you meet them.
Anyway............if you love page-turners, this book should immediately be added to your "to read" list! You will enjoy it, as well as maybe have a new perception on just how professional our military is! Please try to remember to thank a Veteran when you meet them.
August 15, 2010
This was a unique win for me for the Goodreads book giveaway. The story is about an Air Force Navigator who is a Major. I am also an Air Force Navigator and a Major, although I fly on different aircraft from the protagonist. So, how could I not love a book that stars one of my compadres as an action hero in Afghanistan? It was a very good story, one that gave me serious flashbacks to my time in Survival school. The drama that unfolds is one that would test anyone, and the cold weather hunting expeditions that Parson went on throughout his life gave him enough experience and knowledge to help him survive. I doubt I would do as well. In any case, it's an interesting story and leaves the reader hanging, wanting to know what happens next. I really enjoyed it and although all Air Force Navigators are not action heros in disguise, it's gratifying to see one so depicted.
new words: katabatic, massif
new words: katabatic, massif
August 14, 2010
Wow, this was a wonderful adventure story, set in a war. I literally could not put it down, reading it cover to cover!
I usually don’t go for war stories, but I had a feeling that this would be different and it was. Young has done an excellent job of explaining what it feels like during a war. As the parent of a USAF pilot, it was wrenchingly poignant to read about events that might occur during her career.
Characterizations are always important to me in novels and Young has written all of his characters very thoughtfully in this novel. There are even a few that I would have liked to know! All of the characters are believable and show significant depth. Young spins a tale of adventure and survival, set in a beautiful, yet deadly setting, spotlighting the perils of war and wildernes in equal measure.
Young does an excellent job of describing the situations of war without editorializing, which is much appreciated. Amazing debut novel!
I usually don’t go for war stories, but I had a feeling that this would be different and it was. Young has done an excellent job of explaining what it feels like during a war. As the parent of a USAF pilot, it was wrenchingly poignant to read about events that might occur during her career.
Characterizations are always important to me in novels and Young has written all of his characters very thoughtfully in this novel. There are even a few that I would have liked to know! All of the characters are believable and show significant depth. Young spins a tale of adventure and survival, set in a beautiful, yet deadly setting, spotlighting the perils of war and wildernes in equal measure.
Young does an excellent job of describing the situations of war without editorializing, which is much appreciated. Amazing debut novel!
June 30, 2011
I won this book on goodreads and was very excited to start reading it. I liked how it got going right from the beginning. I thought it was very interesting to read about the culture in Afghanistan and the terrible things that go on over there. I thought Parson was pretty well developed but I was hoping for a little more back story about Gold. However, I really did like Gold. I thought she was a very strong person.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I enjoyed the whole story and it kept me on the edge of my seat. There we not any times that I was bored. With that being said, I was disappointed with the ending. After going through that whole journey with Parson I felt cheated to not get to find out if he ever made it out. I am assuming that he did but it would have been nice to know that he did, or that something happened and he didn't ever make it out. I thought the book was very well written and I truly enjoyed it until the end.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I enjoyed the whole story and it kept me on the edge of my seat. There we not any times that I was bored. With that being said, I was disappointed with the ending. After going through that whole journey with Parson I felt cheated to not get to find out if he ever made it out. I am assuming that he did but it would have been nice to know that he did, or that something happened and he didn't ever make it out. I thought the book was very well written and I truly enjoyed it until the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2013
This was my first "couldn't put it down" read of the summer. The author is a decorated Air Force Reserve combat engineer, and the writing reflects a pretty in-depth knowledge of military tactics, equipment, history, etc., without going over the head of civilians like me.
I've seen Young compared to Tom Clancy. The quick pacing and nail-biting tension are certainly comparable. But where Clancy's is often a story of high altitude international intrigue, Young's is a highly detailed (yet fast paced) account of what's happening on the ground - and in the Mullah's Storm, frequently details the lengths of human endurance for mental and physical anguish.
Young pulls no punches. The violence is ugly but never gratuitous. Most of the characters go well beyond the one-dimensional people authors often use to advance the plot. And the story is descriptive enough to paint a clear picture.
This would make a good movie.
I've seen Young compared to Tom Clancy. The quick pacing and nail-biting tension are certainly comparable. But where Clancy's is often a story of high altitude international intrigue, Young's is a highly detailed (yet fast paced) account of what's happening on the ground - and in the Mullah's Storm, frequently details the lengths of human endurance for mental and physical anguish.
Young pulls no punches. The violence is ugly but never gratuitous. Most of the characters go well beyond the one-dimensional people authors often use to advance the plot. And the story is descriptive enough to paint a clear picture.
This would make a good movie.
June 2, 2012
This was Tom Young's first novel and he did a very good job. It is not a long book, but in order to make the novel work it had to kinda drag on as they went through different situations while they were traversing the Afghan's Hindu Kush Mountain range. It was exciting, thought, and a pretty high powered ending. I should say a high powered fight at the end of the book. But, the ending left you hanging as the "hero" of the story was still on the ground after something happened to his transportation out. Thought that was a bit short sighted and expected it to be covered in the next book. NOT TO HAPPEN as I actually listened to his second book on CD and although it referred to the first book and his situation, never did explain his extraction and some of the follow up one would have expected. That is why I gave it four stars instead of five.
November 21, 2010
I read this book a couple months ago when I received it as a first-reads win. Not the type of story I typically indulge in, but it was well written (read: grammatically well composed as well as thoughtfully constructed), and the story was gripping enough to make my bus commute to/from work fly right on by. The ending was kind of a let down, mainly because there wasn't really one, but I didn't lose any sleep over it since the book had already surpassed my somewhat low expectations. I'd say that if you like fast-paced war stories, then you and this book will be well matched.
October 4, 2011
The Mullah's Storm is a pure airport paperback... not that well written, not that believeable, but just interesting enough to keep you reading. The hyper-heroic navigator and interpreter were the biggest distraction. The thing that kept my attention was the glimpses of the desolation and confusion of what it might be like in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan. Plenty of action, although some of the longer traipses through blizzards threaten to bog me down. If you need a basic military-adventure airport novel, why not?!
September 16, 2014
A US plane is shot down over Afghanistan. They were attempting to bring a Taliban member home for interrogation; but now survivors are on the run for their lives in terrible snowy weather. Can they keep the Taliban member alive? Can they out smart the terrorists and stay alive? Will the weather cause them to lose fingers and toes to frostbite? Will anyone provide help? There is no air support due to the weather. This is a frightening story of just how dangerous it is for our troops to be in Afghanistan.
February 13, 2012
Not my favorite, a great story but way to much description of falling snow etc.. I found myself skipping a couple pages and not missing a thing. A good story though and memorable characters, I am giving his next book a read. I will keep you posted on how that one comes out.. Me being a writer myself, I hate writing anything negative, but I owe it to you to be honest and truthful..
December 3, 2012
To be honest, I didn't finish reading the book. I just cuoldn't get into it although I gave it repeated tries. I guess the theme of the book didn't appeal to me either after the long, long wars have worn me down, which wasn't the author's fault at all.
August 20, 2011
I did not find this book very captivating. The characters were not very developed, the story was only marginally engaging & the ending was not satifying. The descriptions of the terrain & environment were good but I am not a reader who particularly values these attributes.
June 2, 2011
I received this novel thru Goodreads giveaways. Thanks Berkley! I was very impressed, as I think this is the authors first novel. Lots of action, intrigue and twists upon twists. Better than many out there! I hope he gets the recognition he deserves and continues to write with the same passion.
August 15, 2012
An imaginative, fast-paced story with plenty of action and plot twists. Main character a bit too sniveling for me, unlike the confident military aviators I've known. I like the female character, and would have enjoyed seeing some of the story from her POV.
January 26, 2016
Gritty and so real I could feel the cold, untimely blizzard that befalls a downed plane carrying an important spiritual figure who has been captured in Afghanistan. I began to understand the reasons why people serve even while flinching at the violence that war brings.
July 6, 2016
Meh. Starting out promisingly enough, but devolved into a recitation of weapons and military tactics, with no character development whatsoever. OK if that's your interest, turns boring quickly if it's not.
September 19, 2014
I thought that this was a GREAT book ... all the way up to the ending. Does he get out? Did the Apaches ever come? Did Najib die? I know that it's all implied but I wanted to keep reading! If the ending would've been better than I might have given it a five star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2010
It was intense.
January 5, 2011
Makes the horrors of the Afganistan war realized. Interesting read
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