Chris Allen (7)

This book had me hooked from the start and did not let go. The action was amazing, the danger intense. OMG. Alex Morgan versus Sharks. I really love the Intrepid series and this latest book did not disappoint. Alex Morgan is the ultimate action hero, ready to die to save innocent lives. He's not perfect, he has his flaws, but that's what makes him even more likeable. And the plot is one that has an eerie blend of truth and fiction that resonated long after I read the last page.
If you are looking for an intelligent edge of your seat thrill ride then you need to read the Intrepid Series.
Love it.… (més)

In a particularly poignant touch, all round good guy and saver of the world Alex Morgan shows an unsurprising side in RANGER with his care and concern for a returned vet who needs help.

This novella sees Morgan returning from rescue duties, to be immediately redirected to the US where returned vet and friend, John Nash has asked for his help. Without hesitating Morgan dives into the task without the normal INTREPID backing, and in the full understanding that his old army buddy might be struggling, but he will have a compelling story to tell.

It's interesting how much action has been combined into a novella, that is full of compassion and understanding as well. There's a message here about the way that returned vets are treated, as well as one about power and influence. Fast paced, as you'd expect, full of action and suspense, that's not the point of RANGER and it doesn't overwhelm. This is an exposé on the treatment of returning vets, and an equally important dig at the mindless, trash-culture obsession of modern day society. And it works really well on all levels.

Allen has always had a compelling and realistic action hero in Alex Morgan. In this novella he's added a level of compassion and support to the already very human character that he's created, and he's doing that for some very good reasons.

In 2015 Author Chris Allen was appointed the inaugural ambassador for the charity Veterans Off the Streets Australia (VOTSA). A not for profit organisation and charity, reliant on donations from the public, business and industry to facilitate their work in assisting veterans and ex-service personnel in finding crisis, temporary and permanent accommodation; to actively find and assist families who are looking for accommodation related assistance; and provide a concierge service for related areas to at risk personnel and their families. RANGER features a homeless, forsaken war hero as a way of highlighting the real situation that VOTSA and their associated groups worldwide are attempting to resolve. Donation links are included at the end of the book:

Australia:
http://www.votsa.org.au
http://360.org.au

Canada:
http://vetscanada.org/
http://woundedwarriors.ca/home/

New Zealand:
http://fallenheroes.org.nz/
http://rsa.org.nz/

United Kingdom:
http://www.soldierscharity.org/
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk

United States:
http://www.va.gov/homeless/
http://www.legion.org/careers/homeslessvethelp

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-ranger-intrepid-45-chris-allen… (més)

Alex Morgan is back in the 4th book in the Intrepid series and he's got his mojo back. Just in time as the black ops Intrepid division is in real trouble and Morgan and Elizabeth Reigns are the only agents who can sort out the mess.

The Intrepid books are an absolute gem of a thriller series from Australian author (and ex-paratrooper) Chris Allen. Getting the military and action aspects spot on is one highlight, but where Allen really excels is in getting nuance and emotion into an all action type hero, equally capable of hand to hand combat or ruthless gun-play in the event that it's required.

In HELLDIVER the plot is nicely twisty with some just evil as well some misguided baddies. There are harks back to the bad old days of the Soviet Union and the KGB, linked forward to the world of current day Russian oligarch's. There's some gloriously over the top luxury locations with huge yachts, and huge houses, just as you'd expect in the best of spy thriller books and novels.

At the heart of it all though is Alex Morgan. He of the sometimes sore feet, and the questioning of his commitment, along with a longing for love and fierce loyalty that just about throws him when old connections resurface in this book. He's ably supported by a surrounding cast of returning, and sometimes new characters. Elizabeth Reigns is back again in HELLDIVER, albeit a little later in the action, but as always she's up to the same level of resolve and commitment as Morgan ever is. As you'd expect in this style of book, there's a lot of concentration on the central protagonist, but not, in a way that dismisses or caricatures those surrounding him. His female characters in particular are in there for their abilities, and their contribution - not as eye candy or merely decorative.

The strength of this series really is the all-roundedness of it. They are spy / action / hero thrillers with one bloke to save the world against big, believable and chilling threats. Our hero is brave, strong, true, loyal and good. He's also ruthless and vulnerable, and, you'd imagine, likely to groan just a little as he rises from his chair, dusts himself down, shakes out the back and strengthens the resolve to head out, yet again, and save the world.

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-helldiver-chris-allen… (més)