Hawke : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: EXPLOSIVE
Review: As a young reader, I should share how I feel aboout Hawke. This novel is so fantastically thrilling that a tingle shoots up my spine only thinking of it. In a league all its own, Ted Bell's imagination sparkles and Hawke is a firecracker of a book!

Rating:
Summary: Grips like Super Glue!
Review: I was glued to this book from the minute I picked it up. It is that gripping a story! If you pick it up, make sure you're not planning anything that requires two hands for for a while because you can forget about putting it down! One fantastic read guaranteed. I read "Assassin" first and then went back and read the first of the Alex Hawke series. Could not recommend a thirller series more strongly. When's the next one? I'm waiting...

Rating:
Summary: This book is so bad that I wish I were illiterate
Review: Brief character summary: Alex Hawke is a brilliant, handsome, and overprivileged sociopath, given to bursts of violent physical assault and harboring poorly-concealed contempt for anyone who fails to give adequate obeisance. His fascination with swords and his deeper bond with male rather than female characters suggests a phallic fixation derived from intense, pre-pubescent emotional trauma. His tendency toward explosive violence (and quick, heated resentment) hints at an inability to express or process hostile emotions. His love of gadgets (which he explicitly describes as his "toys") likewise points to a psychological growth stagnant since childhood.

Aside from the generally juvenile style of writing, Bell suffers from a hopelessly cinematic structure and pacing, and he relies heavily on feeble caricature and trite plot devices that make a soap opera look like high art. The narrative voice is pointlessly inconsistent, and the text itself frequently lapses into cliche.

I haven't read Cussler, but his endorsement of this awful book makes it clear that his own literary tastes are questionable.

If you enjoy vapid, one-dimensional characters who engage in naive good-vs-evil crusades, then you might like "Hawke." If, however, you require your characters to be more than flat stereotypes, then stay away!

--Tom

Rating:
Summary: A British Mr. Everything with a few warts
Review: Ted Bell's "Hawke" is a fast moving, incredulous fantasy with a multi pronged plot surrounding the exploits of Sir Alex Hawke. Hawke, a British aristocrat is imbued with every desirable attribute imaginable. One of the world's richest and most powerful businessmen, the 37 year old Hawke is athletic, handsome, trained militarily in the style of U.S. Navy SEALS and the desire of all women. Hawke also does clandestine work for both British and American governments. Hawke is a direct decendent of fearsome English pirate, Blackhawke and is in possession of a purported authentic pirate treasure map. He does have an Achilles heel however. As a 7 year old he witnessed the slaughter of both his parents while hidden in their yacht. 3 Cuban brothers, coincidently decendents of a famous Spanish pirate, hijacked Hawkes fathers yacht looking for the treasure map. Hawke has buried this horrid memory deep within his subconscious but is prone to crippling panic attacks.

The plot thickens when it is learned that the 3 before mentioned Cuban brothers are presently the heads of the branches of Castro's Cuban military machine.The de Herrera brothers, who learned their ruthlessness working for the famous Medellin drug czar, Pablo Escobar, are planning to topple Castro. As part of their plan they've inserted an Iraqi developed biologic toxin time bomb into the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay. They've also illegally purchased a Russian made stealth submarine armed with 40 long range missiles, which will be used to dissuade U.S. reprisals.

Hawke is called into action to thwart this devious plan. With the aid of his able sidekick retired Scotland Yard chief inspector, Ambrose Congreve and a plethora of resources that only a multi billionaire could have at his disposal, they set out to save the world. Yeeeeesh!!!

This book was OK but so way beyond feasible it soon became an eye roller.

Rating:
Summary: Loved It !
Review: First off this is mind candy reading. It is a fantasy land read and it is a great one at that. Many of the situations and timelines etc don't really match. I did not find that too distracting. Afterall, the story is about some cocain bandits taking over a country and the little boy who watches them kill his parents grows up to be a secret agent. A little thing like time lines being out of whack does not seem to hard to accept.

The writing is fast paced and the illusions are just plain fun. I liked the nautical references as well.

Great read for fun.

Rating:
Summary: A True Larger-Than-Life Hero!
Review: I agree with many others. This is an excellent first effort. In this book we are introduced to Alex Hawke, an English gentleman who enjoys living on the edge. Does that remind you of James Bond? Well, there the similarity ends. Hawke is bigger, braver, more suave, more athletic and lot more of everything else! We also get to meet some rather interesting characters - Ambrose and Stoke for example. Alex and his friends and employees are on a mission with the United States to locate and neutralize an awesome submarine that is supposedly being used for criminal purposes. The pace of the book is breathtaking and it keeps you relentlessly turning pages. I can tell you that I will be reading more from this author.

Rating:
Summary: Simply put...
Review: Simply put, a fun read.
I was going to write some deep, meaningful review. However, it was just a good read. There is nothing more to it. Action, adventure, a hero, a plot, pretty well written and entertaining.
No need to analyze this to death. I buy this type of book and read for enjoyment. I got what I paid for. I will buy Ted's next book too. 'Nuff said.

Rating:
Summary: If you do not like the language do not buy the book!
Review: I thought this book was bloody marvelous, language and all. Some books do not have the same flair without some expletives to enhance the story and I have seen a lot worse than were in this story and most of these types of stories one can expect to find some foul language, but if all one focuses on is the language your going to miss the story. When I buy a book I flip through the first couple of chapters to see if the book has what I am looking for or not in a book and if it does not I do not buy the book. If you do not like the content stay away otherwise it is like watching a violent movie and then complaining about the violence. Enough on that, I thought this book was great for many reasons and this is one author I will be looking at in the future to purchase more of his stories, it was exciting and hard to put down and I am not one who likes romance types of books but every one loves a hero and this was much more than just romance it was exciting. I tip my hat to this author and look forward to more from him. Thanks and well done!
Dave Hohlen

Rating:
Summary: Foul language doesn't make a good writer.
Review: Perhaps I came in with my expectations too high for Bell, but then I'm not the one who's been hyping his two books. I've only been hearing all the hype. Overall, the guy can write and tell an interesting story. Personally, I couldn't past his reliance on foul language. Curiously, virtually all of the foul language involves taking God's name in vane. After the umpteenth time of it, I finally gave up. Poor writers, like poor actors, like poor comedians, rely on foul language to prop up inadequacies, as if no one is going to recognize an age-old weakness. Had Bell simply told the story, it would have been good. I'd think long and hard about paying for this book. If you're curious, find a copy at a library.

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular action tale! Rips!
Review: Wow. Fast moving, sensation characters (esp. the baddies) and a killer action hero in Alex Hawke. On to Assassin!! Can't wait!! Highly recommended to all thriller fans!!
PS: Patterson doesn't need the money!! How lame.