Rating: 
Summary: Jack Ryan Couldn't Save This Story
Review: This book earned a spot in the box in the basement instead of on the bookshelf. I wouldn't want anyone to mistakenly think it was worth reading and open it. I wish someone had done me the same favour. The caricatures in Mr. Clancy's story are so over-done as to be completely unbelievable. It is impossible to feel any empathy or even relation to any of the characters. They are either the richest, most evil, darkest, happiest, most skilled, most depressed, or most honourable people on the planet. And the final scene with our depressed hero (anti-hero?...you never really get to find out) MAN TO MAN with the super-assassin? Well, it conjures images of a bad Sly Stallone or Chuck Norris movie. Not a good book. Not even an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: A disapointment
Review: This book has 421 pages and could be resumed in less than 150:
First 25 pages, then "girl loves dogs, daddy loves daughter, Gabon has some corruption, but it's ok, UpLink is a wonderful company but has some politics and some people don't like each other, the bad guy hates his father (and everyone else)" and finally, the final 100 pages. I love when Tom Clancy writes and I am getting less and less excited when he just lends his name to someone else.
Rating:
Summary: A huge disappointment
Review: This book is a very poor book with a very poor plot and is devoid of any imagination. It is badly written and the characters lack credibility. The only reason it merits a 1 in my opinion: no lower score was listed in the choices available to this reader. I am disappointed that Tom Clancy would lend his name to such drivel. I will be more judicious in future purchases.
Rating:
Summary: A bad, bad book
Review: This book wasn't even written by Tom Clancy (a fact made clear on the cover in much smaller print than the rest).
The book is remarkable in that so little happens in the first 400 pages of the book that you think that there will have to be a sequel to sort out the problems that have been set up. In the event nothing is ever really sorted out and threads are left dangling. I know that many people don't associate TC with fine literature, but his books have a rhythm and pace that few others match. This book has nothing of the sort. Mr Clancy, I am surprised that you allow such a book to be written by someone else and have your name on the cover.
You have lost a reader.
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get any better.
Review: This is one of the worst books I have ever read. I enjoy reading Tom Clancy and perhaps that is why I saw the book all the way to the end. The book starts off slow and then ends way to quickly. I had gotten 2/3 through the book when I read the back cover and discovered that none of that had happened yet.
I would not recommend this book to anyone. It is poorly written and is comparable to an extremely low budget film.
Rating: 
Summary: Imagination AND Intelligence needed
Review: To follow up on a previous reviewer's comments about being puzzled by some of the negatives, I think you have to look at their tone and quality to understand where they're coming from. One person says he'll pick up a "dog book" if he wants to know about the "plight of greyhounds" -- referring to a relatively small plot element to say something nasty about a story that centers around intrigue and action in Africa and a related kidnapping by a team of trained international assassins. Presumably, he has something against dogs. Also presumably, this genius would say the same thing regarding Hemingway's THE SUN ALSO RISES . . . he wants to read about bulls, he'll read a "bull book." He'd also better stay away from Crichton, and read "dinosaur books" . . . but you get my drift. Consider the source and weigh it appropriately. The same goes for those who use catch-all phrases like "no characterization" and "no plot", etc. without writing a single word to back them up. This is not thoughtful criticism. Ridiculous claims, too, since the signatures of this series are multiple plotlines and complex characters. Again, consider the source(s) . . . If you want a great, intelligent, well-written thriller read this novel. If you can't exercise your brain, or don't have a brain to exercise, stick to video games . . . and easy ones.
Rating: 
Summary: *Warning Imagination Required*
Review: To really enjoy this book you need to have some idea in your head of whats going on and where, and it doesn't matter if its wrong you need to make this happen in your mind. Believe me it enhances the story - which is pure genious and incredible stuff by Priesler. A struggle for power in which an impressionable hostage is taken. MAGIC.However, the book may not appeal to a wide audience so deserves 4 stars. To be honest I don't understand why everybody -except on guy- has rated it badly.
Rating:
Summary: Best In the Series
Review: What do you get when a crime novel marries a techno-thriller? This book, which is the best yet in what has become my favorite series. A stylish, clever, exciting, and suspensful read.
| 
