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Rating: 
Summary: great
Review: As an avid Thriller fan, I am always elated to discover a refreshing, new author who can put a different spin on the good-guy, bad-guy story. The characters are colorful, sharply-drawn and believable. From the first chapter on,it was obvious Powell had done his homework in researching the novel. The plot (there is a helpful glossary of technical terms at the back) has plenty of unexpected twists and turns and kept me guessing until the end (I especially liked the choice of locations used throughout the book). I highly recommend this book to fans of Tom Clancy, Jeffery Archer and Jack Higgins.
Rating:
Summary: Techno Thriller is Prophetic
Review: I first read Powell's "The Nostradamas Prophecy" when it was published in 1998. I found it to be entertaining and chilling. It's uncanny how accurate the author's use of Nostradamas' prophecy was to predict the terrorist attack in lower Manhattan. (Quatrain 97, Century VI-- The sky will burn at five and forty degrees,/Fire approaches the great new city,/In an instant a great flame bursts forth,/When they want proof they will look to the Normans). While the novel uses a nuclear explosion to destroy the financial district (including the Twin Trade Towers), this does not detract from the fact that this particular prophecy has actually come true. I highly recommend "The Nostradamas Prophecy"to anyone who wants to read a thoughtful analysis of how Washington might respond to a terrorist attack using a weapon of mass destruction, and learn how complicated it is to determine who's truly responsible. It's positively spooky thet the cover of the paperback edition shows the Twin Trade Towers crumbling into the dust.
Rating: 
Summary: OK but not great
Review: In light of the 9-11-01 events, I read this book with hesitation, finally glad to know someone didn't use this book as a blueprint for their own "statement." As for the book itself.... parts of it were very good, but it gets bogged down by delving into the heads of too many characters. We're told way too much--marital problems, career aspirations--about characters who are in only one or two small scenes. Please, don't waste my time! I don't read too many techno-thrillers, but if they all have the sort of obsessive detail of every conceivable type of weapon, then I won't read too many more. It just seemed as if the author was trying to show off all the research he'd done. Also, his portrayal of the North Carolina natives gave the impression they went around barefoot in their overalls, chewing on straw stalks; they were more of a stereotype than characters. Same with a few of the New York characters-- too stereotypical.I liked most of the twists and turns of the plot, but when details emerged about Bastardi's involvement and subsequent actions, I thought that was a bit of a stretch. Also it seemed as if most of the characters dealt with the total annihilation of New York City just a little too well. Considering how the US is dealing with the WTC tragedy, imagine how it would be if the entire city had been wiped out? I know these guys still had a job to do, but there was almost no reference to what effect this activity had the rest of the country.
Rating:
Summary: Techno Thriller is Prophetic
Review: In light of the 9-11-01 events, I read this book with hesitation, finally glad to know someone didn't use this book as a blueprint for their own "statement." As for the book itself.... parts of it were very good, but it gets bogged down by delving into the heads of too many characters. We're told way too much--marital problems, career aspirations--about characters who are in only one or two small scenes. Please, don't waste my time! I don't read too many techno-thrillers, but if they all have the sort of obsessive detail of every conceivable type of weapon, then I won't read too many more. It just seemed as if the author was trying to show off all the research he'd done. Also, his portrayal of the North Carolina natives gave the impression they went around barefoot in their overalls, chewing on straw stalks; they were more of a stereotype than characters. Same with a few of the New York characters-- too stereotypical. I liked most of the twists and turns of the plot, but when details emerged about Bastardi's involvement and subsequent actions, I thought that was a bit of a stretch. Also it seemed as if most of the characters dealt with the total annihilation of New York City just a little too well. Considering how the US is dealing with the WTC tragedy, imagine how it would be if the entire city had been wiped out? I know these guys still had a job to do, but there was almost no reference to what effect this activity had the rest of the country.
Rating:
Summary: Jack Ryan Lite
Review: Patrick Murphy's coded message to long time friend Laurence "Friar" Clarke reads: Quatrain 97 in sixth century is valid. The implications of the Nostradamus quatrain are astounding: "The sky will burn at five and forty degrees, Fire approaches the great new city, In an instant a great flame bursts forth, When they want proof they will look to the Normans." John Powell's novel is something of a mixed bag. There are quite a number of hits as well as misses. Readers will span the globe following the tale's many characters. Some are beautifully brought to life, while others were somewhat flat. There is a clear cut group of heroes and villains. Despite the wonderfully crafted heroes in this story, I was surprised to find myself more interested in the fiendish doings of Alexander Dubov and his band of evil men. Dubov is a first class techno-thriller baddie. Should Mr. Powell continue this storyline in subsequent books, it would be fun to read more about this character. Friar Clarke and Bryan Warner are red blooded heroes of the highest caliber. Their talent, perseverance and love of country come through beautifully. So why the mediocre rating? It comes down to pacing. There's quite a bit of chatter between the principal players. When there's action to be read...this novel moves along briskly. Some of the petty bickering between Clarke, Warner and NSA director Bastardi tends to run a little long. The title and the aforementioned quatrain are the only references to Nostradamus, though. Readers thinking that this novel is deeply rooted in the prophecies may find it a bit of a disappointment. This novel really should get 3 and a ½ stars. It was an enjoyable read, but ended rather abruptly. I'd certainly give another book of John S. Powell a chance.
Rating:
Summary: Jack Ryan Lite
Review: Patrick Murphy's coded message to long time friend Laurence "Friar" Clarke reads: Quatrain 97 in sixth century is valid. The implications of the Nostradamus quatrain are astounding: "The sky will burn at five and forty degrees, Fire approaches the great new city, In an instant a great flame bursts forth, When they want proof they will look to the Normans." John Powell's novel is something of a mixed bag. There are quite a number of hits as well as misses. Readers will span the globe following the tale's many characters. Some are beautifully brought to life, while others were somewhat flat. There is a clear cut group of heroes and villains. Despite the wonderfully crafted heroes in this story, I was surprised to find myself more interested in the fiendish doings of Alexander Dubov and his band of evil men. Dubov is a first class techno-thriller baddie. Should Mr. Powell continue this storyline in subsequent books, it would be fun to read more about this character. Friar Clarke and Bryan Warner are red blooded heroes of the highest caliber. Their talent, perseverance and love of country come through beautifully. So why the mediocre rating? It comes down to pacing. There's quite a bit of chatter between the principal players. When there's action to be read...this novel moves along briskly. Some of the petty bickering between Clarke, Warner and NSA director Bastardi tends to run a little long. The title and the aforementioned quatrain are the only references to Nostradamus, though. Readers thinking that this novel is deeply rooted in the prophecies may find it a bit of a disappointment. This novel really should get 3 and a ½ stars. It was an enjoyable read, but ended rather abruptly. I'd certainly give another book of John S. Powell a chance.
Rating: 
Summary: A realistic, gripping plot masterfully told
Review: Powell winds current and past real-world events into a fictional tale of international terrorism that gets hold of the reader early and never lets go. He ties together so many actual events and historical facts that, when finished, the reader begins following the national and world news closer than ever before just to make sure the story is not really happening! One negative: the tie to Nostradamus' prophecies could have been stronger. I recommend this book to any reader who enjoys Clancy, Dale Brown, or even Cussler.
Rating:
Summary: Watch out Clancy!
Review: The depth of John S. Powell's characters and their reactions to their own mortality makes this read much more than just a tale of insane techno-disaster. Powell has hit on something not often seen in this type of book: human emotion linked to intellectual precision. An excellent romp for those in touch with current world events tied to the possibility of prediction and prophecy.
Rating:
Summary: AN EXPLOSIVE GEM
Review: This book had a great beginning, but a poor finish. Overall, I thought the author borrowed heavily from Tom Clancy's "Sum of All Fears" and "Clear and Present Danger". Except for Dubov, the characters were not very interesting. There were some elements that were well written, such as the escape from Cairo. However, the last third of the book had a choppy feel.
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