Rating: Summary: 3 1/2 stars - OK but could have been so much more Review: All things considered, Wings of Fire was a decent book but clearly not among Brown's best efforts. With many of Brown's usual characters back again, there is a sense of familiarity for the fans of Brown's high-tech military thrillers. At the core, the story itself had potential, playing on current Middle East tensions and moving through events that were at least plausible. In the end, though, the story generally left me hoping for more. The story bounced around continuously and somewhat unnecessarily, leaving gaps that left the reader wondering about the relevance of the passage. In addition, the technical jargon on futuristic weapon systems seemed a bit much, even for readers who are used to such things from Brown. Wings of Fire was not so disappointing as to cause me to turn away from future efforts from Brown, but it does leave me hoping that the works to come are better than this effort.
Rating: Summary: More of the same, I'm tired of it. Review: B-52's converted into Hi-tech stealth attack ships, Tin Man bullet proof body suits with jet boots and electroshock shoulder units, now updated with super strength, wild plots, Dale Brown has it all. I've read several of Brown's books, they all have far out plots and wild ideas for weaponry and this one is no different. This time the gang takes on the new government of Libya, protecting Egypt along the way, it got so silly I couldn't finish it. With a band of people like those working for Skymasters you wouldn't need an army or airforce, just call them in. Maybe that's why the newage/pacifist president ropes them in at the story's end, he finally sees that they're all he needs to save the world. Good for a little light afternoon reading but anything by Tom Clancy is better.
Rating: Summary: More of the same, I'm tired of it. Review: B-52's converted into Hi-tech stealth attack ships, Tin Man bullet proof body suits with jet boots and electroshock shoulder units, now updated with super strength, wild plots, Dale Brown has it all. I've read several of Brown's books, they all have far out plots and wild ideas for weaponry and this one is no different. This time the gang takes on the new government of Libya, protecting Egypt along the way, it got so silly I couldn't finish it. With a band of people like those working for Skymasters you wouldn't need an army or airforce, just call them in. Maybe that's why the newage/pacifist president ropes them in at the story's end, he finally sees that they're all he needs to save the world. Good for a little light afternoon reading but anything by Tom Clancy is better.
Rating: Summary: Dale Brown 14th BestSeller...You Can Count On It! Review: Dale Brown former U.S. Air Force Captain has just turned out his 14th straight Bestseller to be sure!"Wings of Fire" is loaded with meticulous authenticity, powerful characters, believable dialogue, and an exceptional plot. A winning combination that I found very appealing. North Africa is in turmoil. The new Libyan president has assassinated the new Egyptian president, and now widow, Maktra Salaam vows revenge. Page after page of high-tech suspense. "Wings of Fire" is this writer's best effort to date! John Savoy Savoy International Motion Pictures Inc.
Rating: Summary: Dale Brown 14th BestSeller...You Can Count On It! Review: Dale Brown former U.S. Air Force Captain has just turned out his 14th straight Bestseller to be sure! "Wings of Fire" is loaded with meticulous authenticity, powerful characters, believable dialogue, and an exceptional plot. A winning combination that I found very appealing. North Africa is in turmoil. The new Libyan president has assassinated the new Egyptian president, and now widow, Maktra Salaam vows revenge. Page after page of high-tech suspense. "Wings of Fire" is this writer's best effort to date! John Savoy Savoy International Motion Pictures Inc.
Rating: Summary: A Great Deal Fans Will Enjoy Review: Dale Brown has put everything in to this tale, be they familiar characters, or the weapon systems that always play a role in his books. If this is the first book by this author that you choose to read there are going to be a variety of references that will not be clear. These can either be noted as a negative, or as I think, a catalyst for going back to the very beginning and enjoying all the books. This is novel number 14, and with the exception of one I have enjoyed them all. Before commenting on this tale I need to make a general comment. The descriptions that have been offered about the storyline in this book do not match what actually happens during the tale. Some of the suggested elements of the plot are exaggerated, and others just do not take place. I may have not placed the same emphasis on certain events that the book's description highlights, and I look forward to what other reviewers have to say. In any event, if I had not read any description of the book it still is another great read from Dale Brown. The familiar group of mavericks have become independent to the point of being mercenaries. This freedom to operate as they choose is satisfying from a reader's standpoint, but for these former military members the moniker of mercenary does not sit with much comfort. Events rapidly blur the line between their interests and that of governments friendly to their actions, and their reasons for operating become more comfortably defined. The new toy this time out is another incarnation of The Megafortress with the moniker AL-52 Dragon. A close look at the book's cover will give you an idea of what this latest weapon is. The book opens with the testing of this weapon in the classic Mclanahan style. Testing against mock-ups and target ranges are not his way, so when he takes this plane out for a spin, international incidents start multiplying. From this point on anything more descriptive would ruin the reading for others. Suffice to say that there is as much going on in the main plot, and a variety of subplots, that this is as dense a read as Mr. Brown has offered. Every trick that Masters and Mclanahan and their usual teammates have developed, is on display. And if that was not enough a new character is introduced that I think readers will either love or loathe. Think of Jon Masters as a tyke, that's all I'll say. The reason for holding back the 5th star is because of the inconsistencies. I may have missed some subtle point, but I did not miss that a character that is alive at the beginning is alive at the end. And this contradicts what readers are told to expect. In any event the book is a great read, and Dale Brown fans will feel they have been given their money's worth.
Rating: Summary: This is Dale Brown...but just Review: Dale Brown has written another entry in the adventures of Patrick "Muck" MacLachan. This time they are fighting the Libyans with background assistance from Pavel Kazarov, the villian from the previous book. On the positive side, Brown is excellent in describing the action, especially in the air. However, once he lands on the ground and starts in with dialogue, he is in trouble. Foreigners sound like Americans, with American slang and cadence, as opposed to how they really talk. There are also plot points that are so big, you could fly a B-52 through them. Characters seem to appear in various locations like magic, without reliance on reality. Also, Brown kills off a number of recurring characters for no reason and without remorse. Brown is capable of writing better than he does here. I hope his next effort is better.
Rating: Summary: This is Dale Brown...but just Review: Dale Brown has written another entry in the adventures of Patrick "Muck" MacLachan. This time they are fighting the Libyans with background assistance from Pavel Kazarov, the villian from the previous book. On the positive side, Brown is excellent in describing the action, especially in the air. However, once he lands on the ground and starts in with dialogue, he is in trouble. Foreigners sound like Americans, with American slang and cadence, as opposed to how they really talk. There are also plot points that are so big, you could fly a B-52 through them. Characters seem to appear in various locations like magic, without reliance on reality. Also, Brown kills off a number of recurring characters for no reason and without remorse. Brown is capable of writing better than he does here. I hope his next effort is better.
Rating: Summary: This is Dale Brown...but just Review: Dale Brown has written another entry in the adventures of Patrick "Muck" MacLachan. This time they are fighting the Libyans with background assistance from Pavel Kazarov, the villian from the previous book. On the positive side, Brown is excellent in describing the action, especially in the air. However, once he lands on the ground and starts in with dialogue, he is in trouble. Foreigners sound like Americans, with American slang and cadence, as opposed to how they really talk. There are also plot points that are so big, you could fly a B-52 through them. Characters seem to appear in various locations like magic, without reliance on reality. Also, Brown kills off a number of recurring characters for no reason and without remorse. Brown is capable of writing better than he does here. I hope his next effort is better.
Rating: Summary: king of techno thrillers Review: He is one of America's most respected war heroes, known as much for his bravery as for his belief in his nation's strength. His career soared until a new president was elected and asked for his resignation. Now Patrick is part of a clandestine organization called The Night Stalkers, run by the former President of the United States. Different organizations or groups hire them but they will not accept a mission that could harm the United States. The Night Stalkers are hired by the Central African Petroleum Partners to prevent Libya from attacking Egypt and their oil fields. The team has advanced weaponry systems that they have developed themselves that make them very attractive to world leaders, especially Susan Bailey Salaam, the widow of the recently assassinated president of Egypt. A former American intelligence officer Susan manages to attain Patrick's help in her grandiose scheme, a move that manages to destabilize the region bringing it one step closer to war. Dale Brown is the king of techno thrillers and his latest novel WINGS OF FIRE is his best novel to date. His hero, a recurring character in his military thrillers, comes across as a patriotic and honorable man whose loyalties don't always allow him to make wise decision. This flaw humanizes him and endears him to the audience. The Night Stalkers are a fascinating group that comes across as real people who love America with all their hearts and are loyal to each other despite disagreements in policy. Harriet Klausner
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