Riveting spy novel with thriller plot lines and political overtones

Emperor by John Fullerton reads like today’s news behind the news. This must-read thriller takes the reader behind the political curtains in Beijing and Washington, DC and delves into the world of international espionage and intrigue as events built toward WWIII. The narrative is so authentic and well-researched it reads like a prophetic foretelling of events before they unfold on the world stage.

 

Fullerton draws the reader in with a fast-paced introduction to believable characters caught up in undercover activities. A whistleblower deep inside the Beijing government leaks details to the West. A strong female protagonist and former NSA agent, Ava Shute, reluctantly accepts the challenge of making the information known because it is the right thing to do. On the other side of the scenario, an aging Chinese Emperor, fights ill health as he plots the invasion of Taiwan aiming to make one China unity his legacy.

 

Book Review: Empire by John Fullerton

The detailed leaks read true and ratchet up suspense like a lit fuse. I recommend this book to those who enjoy war and military novels, and spy novels with thriller plot lines and political overtones. I give it a strong five stars. It’s authentic, unpredictable, and the techniques and espionage procedures used are convincing. It delivers gripping action, adventure, misdirection, and realistic characters you can sink your teeth into. Who can you trust? That may change as you turn the page. This spy thriller stays with you even after you finish the book. I didn’t see the end coming. Loved it.

As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and received a free review copy of this book in collaboration with Black Tide Book Tours. I have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

About Author John Fullerton

John Fullerton was, for a time, a ‘contract laborer’ for the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, an experience that formed the basis of his recent Cold War spy trilogy. He’s lived or worked in 40 countries as a journalist and covered a dozen wars. Fullerton was employed by Reuters for 20 years with postings in Hong Kong, Delhi, Beirut, Nicosia, Cairo, and London. Emperor is his tenth novel. He lives in Scotland and has begun a new espionage series set in the UK and Germany. For more information check out his website at https://johnfullertonauthor.scot/

Castle Brave delivers a fast-paced, gripping plot

Castle Brave by Hawkings Austin is military Sci-fi/fantasy at its best. The plot follows a Vani Army’s Special Forces Team Forward Division. Trained to get behind enemy lines, they get the job done. They infiltrate, assassinate, and extract. And they never deal with civilians; until now. For this mission, the target is a civilian. The psychics see Dragons in the sky, armies buried by ancient weapons, and cities burning. Things feel rushed. Mistakes happen.

 

 

Book Review

 

Castle Brave includes well-known fantasy races like elves and dragons and offers new races like the Vanir, Numen, Aesir, and Jotuns. The plot is rich with magic and futuristic tech. Author Hawkings Austin rolls out the story from a first-person point of view, but not with a single narrator. The reader gets to hear from each member of the squad. Each chapter delivers the story from a single perspective. It feels like a first-person shooter game that lets you get into the heads of the team members, know and understand their tech, weapons, background, what they are up against, and how they feel about it. This first-hand information draws the reader in. Provides understanding of what motivates them. Know their strengths and weaknesses. It builds an emotional connection and makes you care.

 

 

The introduction to individuals in this group of men and women in the foundational chapters builds the world around the Team. Once they deploy, the military operation action builds and converges into an epic fantasy. Castle Brave delivers a fast-paced, gripping plot. Once I passed page 40, I couldn’t put the book down. I give it 5 stars and recommend Castle Brave to readers who enjoy military Sci-fi/fantasy thrillers like Forgotten Ruin by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole.

 

As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

  

About Author Hawkings Austin

Hawk’s current supervillain title is “Director of Radiation Effects.” In his quest to take over the world, Hawk has landed a series of jobs with NASA, DoD, and Missile Defense. Currently, he’s testing spacecraft for the rigors of the natural (and unnatural) environments that only he can conquer. The recent loss of his sidekick, Vlad (to a paying job) has been painful, but he’s managed to work through the loss to conquer large swaths of Colorado.

Hawk has a number of professional publications in engineering, science, history, and fantasy. He has been performing as a Mad Scientist for many years and is very close, at this point, to taking over (or destroying) the Earth. He can be found blogging on Urban-Fantasy.com, Madsci.us, and tweeting as @Sablehawk. He loves to speak at Science Fiction Conventions, such as Dragon Con, and will be happy – over a beer - to talk about any of these things for hours.

Hawk currently lives in Denver CO and is enjoying the heck out of spoiling his wife and current baby girl with all of his ill-gotten gains.