House of Jaguar by Mike Bond

  

This book was captivating but strange.   I'm not sure if it is an action novel or a treatise on the effects of war causing character deprivation.  Regardless of that it is certainly critical of our government's clandestine efforts at shoring up governments in the war on drugs. 

Joe Murphy is a veteran whose flying skills were honed in Vietnam.  He carries the scars of his tours on his body and in his mind.  Making a good living as a drug carrying pilot he is betrayed in Guatemala.  His betrayal ends with his friend dead and Murph fleeing while wounded.   A miraculous trip through implacable jungle leads Murph to Dona, the new love of his life.   Dona's calling is saving the peasants of Guatemala from their corrupt government and the orchestrations of the CIA. 

There is a lot of soul searching and somewhat confusing introspection in the book.   The main villain is the CIA liaison to the Guatemalan death squads.  He is a stark raving mad, true psychopath.   Lyman believes the world is out to get him and he feels he is a far better man than any he has ever met.  His self centered, poor me violent persona is absolutely dreadful.   They guy is a walking nightmare.

There is plenty of action and violence.   The implications of the story and the premise are truly sad.   What our government has done in the name of democracy and or the war on drugs defies imagination although Bond has certainly used his in this book.  I can't say I enjoyed the book but it certainly kept my interest.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Department of Magic by Rod Kierkegaard Jr.

This book appears to be a satire on government.  The Department of Magic responsibility is to protect “America” the goddess from any harm. 

The premise of the book was very attractive.   It prefaced each chapter with satirical definitions that were often quite funny.   I found the main protagonists hapless and clueless which most likely was intentional.

There was plenty of action and gore.  I just couldn’t get into the story.  I didn’t find it captivating.   I suspect it will find a fervent audience such as Adam’s Hitch Hiker which I also couldn’t get into. 

Body of work of Body of  work of <a type="amzn" > Rod Kierkegaard Jr. </a>

Web Site: http://rodkierkegaard.blogspot.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Coyote Rising by Allen Steele

Coyote Rising picks up where Coyote left off. A new planet being dictated to by a remote by time and distance government has the story potential for rebellion. Steele depicts the different types and personalities of the citizens of the planet and what leads them to making their very personal choice regarding their future. Steele does good characterizations of people you could know and like or despise. I don’t feel the book should be read as a stand alone. I would advise you to read Coyote prior to reading Coyote Rising. A good read, I look forward to the end of the trilogy and the ensuing two books that follow it. I recommend the book.

Body of work of Allen Steele

Review: http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue401/books2.html

Web site: http://www.allensteele.com/