Rating: 
Summary: Good for tech fans
Review: Breath of Fire. That says it all. But does it? This novel is a breathtaking, exciting tale of tragedy and adventure. When reading this novel, one gets a swelling of pride and feels as if they are there. This is not a book that you can just sit down and read. The action in this book is constantly moving and you can never guess the outcome of any of the events. If you're looking for a good suspense/thriller, not short of an espionage/thriller, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Good for tech fans
Review: Clogged with technical jargon and stilted writing, an admirable aping of early Tom Clancy. The story is a little too far-fetched, which could have been overlooked if the language in the book wasn't so clunky. More like a screenplay than a novel. Nice try, though.
Rating: 
Summary: Overly simplistic world
Review: I plodded through to the end of this book, hoping that Mr. Head's writing style and depiction of the world would break out of the simplistic. I was disappointed. The world and the motivations of the humans that live in it, both in positions of power and among the common folk, are much, much more complex than in this book. The only redeeming quality of the book is as the basis to some hypothetical wargame scenarios (say for Harpoon 4). Otherwise, you won't lose anything by not reading it. You're better off buying a good history book for the money.
Rating: 
Summary: Plausible scenario
Review: I was impressed to find this book at Amazon, and very pleased! It's a plausible story. I felt haunted, after finishing it, by a sense that events could unfold just this way...People who have been in the military might get more out of it, technically, than I did, but that wasn't the strongest point--the political evolution of today's unstable governments was presented very well. Mr. Head aimed a bright light on some subtle elements of international "diplomacy" that I appreciated. I look forward to reading the others in the series.I recommend it--if you have a choice between Tom Clancy and Jeff Head (I've read all of Clancy's)--I'd recommend Jeff Head.
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Summary: Anyone who doesn't enjoy this book is UN-American
Review: I've read most all of Clancy's novels, and I found Jeff Head's Breath of Fire to be at least as good as Clancy in terms of story-telling and realism. There is no sugar-coating or political-correctness, it describes possible future war scenarios in scarily realistic detail. The author seems to have a great familiarity with all aspects of military and geopolitical affairs, especially with regard to naval issues, and does some excellent character development as well. It's hard to put down, and the sequel, Trodden Under, picks right up where it leaves off. After devouring that one too, I found out to my chagrin that the third one hasn't come out yet. Needless to say, I can't wail until it does.
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Summary: It Left Me Breathless!
Review: Reading "Dragon's Fury: Breath of Fire" by Jeff Head is like listening to a beautiful symphony. Interspersed into the theme of the story there are numerous subplots that at first seem unrelated to the story, but eventually all tie together into a very well de eloped, intriguing masterpiece. "Dragon's Fury", the first of a series of books to be published by Jeff, builds in intensity and emotion not unlike the unending crescendo of Ravels' musical classic, "Bolero". Jeff's build-up to the climax had my stomach aching and heart pounding. The book is so intense that I wanted to put it down to let my anger cool off, but Jeff's writing kept me clutching the book and trudging forward even though the story line stirred my passions. While anxiously waiting for Jeff's second volume to be published and delivered ("Dragon's Fury: Trodden Under" is now available!) I re-read the book's epilog several times - the book's finale is a political masterpiece. The day that I finished the "Dragon's Fury: Breath of Fire" I fired off an email to family and friends insisting that they read this gem of political/technical storytelling.
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Summary: Great, modern WWIII saga
Review: Reviews of this novel and the series seem to be all over the place, though most are very positive.
I am in the latter category. I really liked this book. The supercavitating technology is cutting edge and plausible...the technological descriptions and details of current military equipment, even the newer class ships, aircraft, armor, etc. are very realistic.
I like Head's characters. Both the friendly (to the US) and the antagonists are well developed...not shallow at all. You find yourself understanding them, even those who are enemies.
The book is really an exciting buildup to a climax that will stand your hair on end. The US does not fair well at all in the ending events of this novel...but you are still left with hope from a very recognizable presidential character.
I am excited to see where the author goes with the rest of the series. I've already purchased the other four novels and will review each as I finish them.
Rating:
Summary: Read this first
Review: These five books tell the story of WWIII that pits the US & allies against China & Allies. There are a number of things that make this a hard sell. One problem with these novels is how long they are verses the writing style in the books. With five books you have a lot of paper to develop character depth and the author tries, but if you have read any of tom Clancy books involving Jack Ryan then you will be disappointed with the result, especially at (...) Canadian per book. The second problem is the Chinese capabilities in the time line the author has set the events are hard to believe, especially the logistic abilities. If you want to read this series check the library or second hand store first. Otherwise buyer beware
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Summary: Military enthusiast in LA
Review: This is a great military techno-thriller.
Despite a few negative reviews, I agree with the vast majority of reviewers that the novel is extremely well written in all aspects, from a story-line/plot perspective, from a military technical perspective, and from a characterization perspective. It does suffer from a few typos resulting from what I perceive to be the self-publication processs, but I do not know what the one reviewer from Switzerland read to give him the idea that the characters in this book were somehow too simple...whatever it was, it was not the same novel I read because my views were quite the contrary. Then again, to that reviewer, perhaps I would be too simple as well.
In any event, Mr. Head draws out a believable scenario regarding how the Chinese could develop credible counters to some of the critical technical advantages the US currently holds, and then use them against the US in a masterful scenario drawing the fundamental Islamic nations and others to their side in a surprise attack that dwarfs Pearl Harbor and 911.
Scary stuff, but a wonderful read. It is the first in a five part series (I have now read them all) that I can safely say is sure to hold the interest of readers like myself who enjoy this genre. This entre series has the makings of a truly epic World War III masterpiece in my opinion.
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Summary: A realistic techno-thriller like Tom Clancey used to write .
Review: This is a really great read. A page turner with "can't put it down" quality you expect in a techno thriller. But it's more than a 'guns and gear' book, it has characters who you come to care about and a plot line influenced by todays politics. The author clearly knows a lot about advanced weapon systems and how they are produced over many years. One aspect of the book I particularly enjoyed is that the bad guys are as finely drawn as the good guys. You find yourself strangely attracted to the engineers of the PRC who are building the weapons that will be used to target the protagonist and the USA. All in all a great first effort by a new author. This is the first in a projected 5 part series and I can honestly say I'm anxiously waiting for part 2. Like Tom Clancey when he still wrote his own books and cared about his stories. Five Stars.
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