Terminal List Series by Jack Carr
Terminal List
The Terminal List was an excellent read, for me. As I’ve always enjoyed military/tactical novels, this book was like candy. Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL himself, tells the story of Navy SEAL James Reece, who is thrown into a deep conspiracy when his squad is attacked in a brutal ambush over seas. As the only survivor of the attack, Reece spends the novel trying to track down exactly what happens, for better or for worse.
##Things I Love About This Book
James Reece is a solid hero
While Carr might not be the next Hemingway, he does a good job relaying the experiences of Reece in this novel. While I don’t want to give any spoilers, Reece goes through more than one traumatic event, and you can tell that Jack Carr really understands the mental state of SOF veterans. He does well at getting the reader to love the soft side of Reece and then terrifying the reader by showing what Reece is capable of when he crosses the line from civilian to warrior.
Conservative Lip Service
Carr is definitely a veteran of the SOF field in every way. I loved how often he’d throw little jabs at politicians throughout his book. He’s seen a side of our world that is full of traitors, layers, and criminals and understands more than most how truly corrupt the “cake eaters” can be. While careful not to express direct political opinions, Carr certainly helped me feel at home through the anti-woke thoughts of James Reece.
Guns, Gear, and Gadgets
Jack Carr is unique in that he describes the details of all the weapons, gear, vehicles, etc. used by the characters in the book. Those not adjacent to this military/conservative/2A community might not love these details, but it’s really entertaining to have a perfect picture of the Sig p365 that Reece uses, as one example.
True Believer
The sequel to Carr’s Terminal List is another fun thriller! While I feel like Carr pulls some magical strings that, perhaps only to me, seemed a little too convenient in pardoning the sins of Reece in the prior book, the villains in this book drove me to finish the book. It is fun to try and unweave their maniacal plans along side Reece, leading to a satisfying ending.
Things I Liked About This Book
The villains are NASTY
Carr really dug deep to show how bad these bad guys are. It made the conflict and climax of the book very stressful. He did better in this book than the last book giving some backstory to the villains that made you understand them better but still hate their stinking guts.
Gear again
See my thoughts in the first Terminal List Novel. They all apply- especially the gun stuff.
Savage Son
The third book in Carr's terminal list series follows James Reece in attempting to "cool down" after the previous books. He has found himself in a dream home in Montana and is trying to figure out what to do next with his life when things get, not to spoil anything, messy.
Things I Liked About This Book
The Villain
The concept of this villain is so fun. He's a nasty dude, again, (I think Jack Carr has seen the worst of the worst in humans and can therefore create amazing villains) and his MO is so clever and it felt like I was reading a short story in high school english class (in a good way). I don't want to give away too much, but it's a blast to read.
The Setting
This book takes place on some swanky land in Montana. That's all I'll give away, but it makes for some awesome scenes.
The Gear
Again.
The Story
The story in this book stood out to the rest in the series. Something about it felt so genuine and "home-y". I loved the premise of The Terminal List as it started the whole journey but this one was so so cool.
The Devil's Hand
If you feel passionately about the events of 9/11, then you should read this book... James Reece goes all in on a secret mission that only he and the POTUS know about to find remnants of those involved in execute the terror attack on American soil.
Things I Liked About This Book
Jack Carr
The reader MUST understand that Jack Carr isn't just a creative writer. He has seen and experienced the world through the lense of the Navy SEAL teams and the CIA. He understands how this world works more than most and I firmly believe he is trying to help the public become more knowledgeable and critical of our government and what goes on "behind the scenes". He does this in a fun way, but I finish these books look at the world a bit differently. I feel more enlightened on what happens in the shadows.
The Topic
Controversial? Yes. Compelling? Yes.
The Gear
Duh.
The Fight Scenes
For some reason, I remember the fight scenes from this book better than the others (except Only the Dead). There's a scene in a burning house where Reece employs screwdriver-enhanced Jiu Jitsu that I thought was exhilerating.
The Locations!
A lot of this books takes place a half hour from where I live. It was interesting to see Carr's take on how that area might respond to the situations posed in this novel.
In the Blood
In the Blood takes us on a journey through Reece's past in Afghanistan. A terrorist attack victim spurs Reece to join forces with the Israeli special operations to avenge his late friend. The journey takes him down a path that will truly alter the way you see the modern, technological age.
Things I Liked About This Book
Alice
Alice seemed like a sci-fi shtick until the Author's Note at the end of the book. You'll have to read it for yourself... shivers
A good attempt at a wholesome theme
Carr starts to address the concept of forgiveness amidst a series based on violent revenge. I found his approach to this juxtaposition very cool!
The lead up to the next book
Only the Dead (the next book) has some of the most intense action in the series. Carr leads up to this novel with some awesome arch revolving around Reece's father.
The Gear
The gear, to me, was cool.
The Epilogue
I don't wanna spoil it.
Only the Dead
Reece has found himself at odds with the US government, even after saving the day too many times. This novel follows his attempt to find out why he is in a bad position while working to unravel the mysteries surrounding his father's death.
Things I Liked About This Book
The Fight Scenes
For those who don't like blood, you may not like this novel. There were dry spells in the action realm in previous books, but Reece makes up for that in this novel. Improvised weapons, taking on multiple attackers, fighting while swimming in the ocean, BJJ... The list goes on.
The Gear
I liked the gear.
The Characters
Side characters become more important in this novel and I found myself enjoying their personalities. They all help lead up to the next book when Reece will (hopefully) finish some unfinished business for his late Father.