Rating: Summary: No Sophomore Jinx Review: After Mooneys first book, DEVIANT WAYS, I was anxious for the publication of this second effort. WORLD is as good as if not better than DEVIANT WAYS. There are no flat portions in this novel. Mooneys character development is excellent. This story has some nice surprises that arent totally predictable. This is a must read for readers of the serious thriller variety. Here is the basic plot: Stephen Conway is an operative for the CIA and Raymond Bouchard a father figure/mentor type is Stephens handler. Conway is an orphan and that experience defines his strengths and weaknesses throughout the novel. Bouchard has Stephen on the trail of an elusive arch villain with the CIA code name of Angel Eyes. (The end of the cold war has not left writers of this genre without formidable foes). It seems that Angel Eyes has an unlimited source of funds that he uses to steal the latest weapons technology from private research efforts. Angel Eyes latest project is to secure a suit that makes its wearer invisible (this is fiction remember). Stephens job is to prevent the theft. Well, it seems that Angel Eyes isnt the only one interested in securing the suit. The non-stop action flows from how all of this plays out. The other characters in the cast include double agents, the FBI, turncoats, urban street gangs and some Russian mafia types: quite an interesting mix. There is an awful lot of double-dealing, sellouts and betrayal to keep the reader locked into all of the intrigue. You will have difficulty putting this book down before the last page is read. Now, if we could only get Mooney to write a story centered on the mysterious and intriguing Malcolm Fletcher. Fletcher makes a brief appearance here but loomed large in DEVIANT WAYS.
Rating: Summary: No Sophomore Jinx Review: After Mooneys first book, DEVIANT WAYS, I was anxious for the publication of this second effort. WORLD is as good as if not better than DEVIANT WAYS. There are no flat portions in this novel. Mooneys character development is excellent. This story has some nice surprises that arent totally predictable. This is a must read for readers of the serious thriller variety. Here is the basic plot: Stephen Conway is an operative for the CIA and Raymond Bouchard a father figure/mentor type is Stephens handler. Conway is an orphan and that experience defines his strengths and weaknesses throughout the novel. Bouchard has Stephen on the trail of an elusive arch villain with the CIA code name of Angel Eyes. (The end of the cold war has not left writers of this genre without formidable foes). It seems that Angel Eyes has an unlimited source of funds that he uses to steal the latest weapons technology from private research efforts. Angel Eyes latest project is to secure a suit that makes its wearer invisible (this is fiction remember). Stephens job is to prevent the theft. Well, it seems that Angel Eyes isnt the only one interested in securing the suit. The non-stop action flows from how all of this plays out. The other characters in the cast include double agents, the FBI, turncoats, urban street gangs and some Russian mafia types: quite an interesting mix. There is an awful lot of double-dealing, sellouts and betrayal to keep the reader locked into all of the intrigue. You will have difficulty putting this book down before the last page is read. Now, if we could only get Mooney to write a story centered on the mysterious and intriguing Malcolm Fletcher. Fletcher makes a brief appearance here but loomed large in DEVIANT WAYS.
Rating: Summary: Another hit from Chris Mooney! Review: Another awesome thriller from Chris Mooney! If you want suspense "World Without End" does not disappoint and will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting more. A definite MUST READ!!Keep up the good work Chris. I told you that you've got great talent and I know you're name will soon become one of the biggest names out there! Can't wait till the next one's published.
Rating: Summary: A Tremendous Sophomore Effort! Bravo! Review: Chris Mooney's first book, DEVIANT WAYS, was an incredibly rapturous and complex novel, which is staggering considering it was a freshman effort. In many cases, succeeding offerings can be disappointing when one has had such success with a first attempt. Not so here. WORLD WITHOUT END (WWE) is not only rock solid, I believe it exceeds DEVIANT WAYS with a tighter, more thrilling storyline albeit still as complex. Steve Conway is introduced to the reader initially as a low level CIA computer geek attached to a Black Ops group aptly named IWAC (Information Warfare Analysis Center). However, this is far from where the reader ends up with Steve Conway as Mooney develops his character throughout the book. Conway's CIA liaison and boss, Raymond Brouchard, is described as an incredibly sharp, highly experienced operative and one to whom Steve looks to for "guidance." His lover and fellow operative, Pasha Romanov, is as tough and smart as is Conway. These are the three core characters in WWE but represent only a sampling of the numerous characters presented to the reader in this intricate thriller. The storyline follows the trail of "Angel Eyes," the notoriously brilliant and evil antagonist who has been stealing state-of-the-art military weapons. The challenge facing IWAC is...they've never been able to catch much less identify Angel Eyes. Moreover, Angel Eyes has yet to utilize his ill-gotten booty, which has IWAC further scratching its collective heads. This faceless fiend previously jacked a white laser weapon designed to temporarily or permanently blind foes. Now, the Company is protecting a cutting edge weapon known as the camouflage suit. This suit has hundreds of computer-synthesized cameras, which identify the wearer's environment and replicate it thus rendering the wearer of the suit invisible! Obviously, the bearer of this type of technology would have immediate and immeasurable power. IWAC is aware that Angel Eyes will make a play for the suit but when and where is the only question. The CIA and IWAC have been compromised in the past by Angel Eyes via double/triple agents. Who to trust is heaviest cross Conway bears. As Mooney develops the storyline, the reader is taken for a ride of double-crosses and twists that leaves one wondering, "What's next?!" This, apparently, has become Mooney's MO as DEVIANT WAYS followed this path as well. Mooney does an outstanding job of developing each of the core characters as well as the peripheral players, much more so than many authors. Further and perhaps more importantly, Mooney assists the reader with the technological aspect by explaining the value and workings of the assets compromised (i.e. the white laser and the camouflage suit) without an overabundance of techno-babble. Mooney's adeptness in researching the technological issues and germane uses in his storylines establishes immediate credibility. In fact, in a well-placed "Author's Note" at the end of the book, Mooney explains where he obtained his ideas for a few of the somewhat unbelievable, futuristic devices portrayed in the story. This leaves the reader scratching his head wondering if these types of devices/weapons will be a reality in the future. Regardless, Mooney makes it as real as is necessary to provide an incredibly thrilling ride. As one reviewer so fittingly mused, one may never look at one's Palm Pilot device the same again after completing this thriller! Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: literary equivalent of a Jerry Bruckheimer film Review: I have to admit right off that I only got about a hundred pages into this novel before I quit. Though the premise was interesting (Mooney is very knowledgeable about technology), Mooney falls short in the psychology department. His characters lack convincing depth and detail, and I felt like I was reading a novelization of a Hollywood movie. The fact that he took a couple chapters to describe a parachute jump didn't help. I just didn't feel it was worth the time and effort to slog through another 400 pages.
Rating: Summary: literary equivalent of a Jerry Bruckheimer film Review: I have to admit right off that I only got about a hundred pages into this novel before I quit. Though the premise was interesting (Mooney is very knowledgeable about technology), Mooney falls short in the psychology department. His characters lack convincing depth and detail, and I felt like I was reading a novelization of a Hollywood movie. The fact that he took a couple chapters to describe a parachute jump didn't help. I just didn't feel it was worth the time and effort to slog through another 400 pages.
Rating: Summary: Mission Impossible W/o the masks Review: If our hero is so competent, why is he always so messed up? About three quarters in, you grow tired of the double agents, and wish for some straight ahead story line.
Rating: Summary: Mooney is THE MAN Review: Mooney has written a taut and suspenseful thriller that, besides exploring the dangers of technology, examines the meaning of trust and loyalty. Good writing, engaging characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing as you gobble up the pages. Highly recommended for fans of thrillers, and readers in general looking for a satisfying thrill ride.
Rating: Summary: THE CIA IS OOL Review: Mooney's follow up to his excellent DEVIANT WAYS is so full of villains, double agents, and dastardly deeds, it's hard to keep up with them all. But Mooney's clever enough to keep the scorecard easily tabulated. One reviewer mentioned how glum the hero Steve Conway is. Granted, but take a look at his life, and you might see why he's so aloof and downtrodden. More than anything, Conway possesses the loyalty and dedication to take the risks necessitated in this cannon-fired thriller. Take a look at the villains (and I can't name them all as it would spoil the plot): Angel Eyes --- is he as bad as he seems? Gunther, his assistant; Mischa, the gigantic Russian; Jonathan Cole, a despicable earchewing maniac; Owen Lee/Chris Evans, along for a ride he's not prepared for. Are all the heroes the heroes they appear to be? Will Steve ever get a real break? Mooney keeps his labyrnthine plot moving and is an excellent technological thriller. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: THE CIA IS OOL Review: Mooney's follow up to his excellent DEVIANT WAYS is so full of villains, double agents, and dastardly deeds, it's hard to keep up with them all. But Mooney's clever enough to keep the scorecard easily tabulated. One reviewer mentioned how glum the hero Steve Conway is. Granted, but take a look at his life, and you might see why he's so aloof and downtrodden. More than anything, Conway possesses the loyalty and dedication to take the risks necessitated in this cannon-fired thriller. Take a look at the villains (and I can't name them all as it would spoil the plot): Angel Eyes --- is he as bad as he seems? Gunther, his assistant; Mischa, the gigantic Russian; Jonathan Cole, a despicable earchewing maniac; Owen Lee/Chris Evans, along for a ride he's not prepared for. Are all the heroes the heroes they appear to be? Will Steve ever get a real break? Mooney keeps his labyrnthine plot moving and is an excellent technological thriller. Highly recommended.
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