Rating: Summary: Line of Control is DOA Review: Sloppy, formulaic writing laced with facts and factoids like a term paper. The characters are so wooden and one-dimensional that the book is almost unreadable. If you should happen to take it to the beach, slather on plenty of sunblock before you turn the first page. This "thriller" may put you to sleep.
Rating: Summary: Extremely Biased Review: The author apparently has no idea about the conflict in Kashmir. He labels the freedom fighters as "terrorists." Perhaps he doesnt realize that India has over 600,000 troops in Kashmir. The Indian occupiers have unleashed a wave of brutality which has cost 80,000 lives. They rape, torture, and plunder at will. Perhaps it was easy for Jeff Rovin to jump on the bandwagon of anti Islamic hysteria and as usual label muslims who are fighting for freedom from India as terrorists. Would he call American Revolutionaries who fought against British occupation "terrorists" or is this word reserved for muslims.
Rating: Summary: Much more military action than usual Review: The authors have really done it right this time. Some of the Op-Center novels have emphasized intrigue, spying, politics, or domestic drama. This one has all of that but with terrific and somewhat shocking military action scenes as well.
Rating: Summary: Taut technical writing and gripping detail Review: The eighth volume in Tom Clancy's acclaimed Op-Center series, Line Of Control is a thrilling presentation that is action-packed and laden with suspense. When the military branch of the Op-Center receives a mission to capture an Islamic cleric who is fomenting rebellion against the Indian government, the routine assignment turns deadly when India and Pakistan begin fighting a deadly war with the Op-Center agents caught in the middle. Jeff Rovin's taut technical writing and gripping detail makes Line Of Control must-read to the very end.
Rating: Summary: Tom Clancy's Sap-center Review: The first problem is the story itself. The plot is simple, linear, very lacking in credibility and has a few major holes. (I will elaborate later, not to spoil).
There is a very long, uninteresting, and frankly juvenile sequence of events at the Kashmir border, spanning about the second half of the book. There is no thrill, and a lot of Washington-Kashmir Chit-chat that goes nowhere fast- "thank you, your'e welcome, good luck, whatever."
The second problem is how this book is marketed- bordering on fraud. It says on the cover- Tom Clancy's op-center, line of control, "created" by Tom Clancy. Only at the bottom it is revealed in small letters that the actual writer is a one Jeff Rovin.
If this is so, Shouldn't the writer be credited as the "Creator"?
And what in the devil is a "New York Times #1 best-selling phenomenon"? Since when are phenomena being sold? This statement is nonsense- Again, clever and cynical marketing, taking advantage of readers.
The major holes I found in the plot- Why bother trekking across the glacier for hours on hours just to make an audio recording of Nanda's confession?! Why not just use the communication devices? Why does anyone on CNN or India care about this anonymous woman's confession? It is unlikely that a nuclear war would start over a few terror acts (A sadly regular event in that area of the world. And if so- why hasn't it started yet? Also much of the Indian's actions have little sense.
In conclusion- If you like this genre, I can only suggest a different book.
Rating: Summary: Exiting to read, but story does not make sense Review: The format the book is written is excellent. The story does not make any sense. I was very disaponted to reach the end of the book and find out that all the trouble that they went through, could have been resolved by just making a call.
Rating: Summary: Exciting!! Right from the today's headlines. Review: The latest Op-Center sets its story in one of today's most dangerous places - the India Pakistani border. In fact in recent newspapers, the unfortunate terrorist activities described in the early chapters, actually happened. Talk about topical. The author's done his research. The plot moves along quickly, and deftly pulls Op Center into the conflict. Moral & diplomatic dilemmas abound. Op Center fans get to spend a little more time with Striker & Mike Rodgers in the field. Ron Friday, introduced in D & Conquer, provides an interesting foil. It's a great read.
Rating: Summary: Interesting stuff Review: The Op-Center and Net Force series are not written to be great literature, though they are entertaining for pure action buffs. What makes them truly interesting, however, is the very clear insight and knowledge they offer about turbulent international affairs--very clear insight not found in most political thrillers. Definitely some goofy stuff--but generally very intriguing.
Rating: Summary: What a waste... Review: The plot starts of very well. As an Indian, I really enjoyed a lot of the initial background (even though some part was 'imaginative'). But sooner than you know, the plot runs into nonsense. Tom Clancy is famous for accuracy of info - too bad he did not write this one. An example - the terrorists find that the shortest path from Srinagar to Pakistan is via Siachen - what a crock. ...! On top of this, the back cover is misleading - the story is NOT what it says on the cover - quite crazy really.Indicates pathetic editing and publishing values. I was glad I had not paid for the book - only borrowed it. The action is unbelievable - literally. I wish someone else would pick up the idea and write a better book. And I hope the author would take ONE look at the map of Kashmir (I doubt if he could visit Siachen - so the faked description of the glacier and its dubious use in the plot is excused).
Rating: Summary: A must-read for Op-Center's fans Review: The solitary negative review below is correct in pointing out two errors, one of which is probably a typo. But that would be missing the point.This book, like the others in the series, is a stark reminder of the fragility of the global military stand-offs all over the world. Its well-paced action is a real page-turner for me. And Mike Rodgers fans will be happy to see Paul Hood sidelined by personal distractions: just skip those pages.
|