Redemption: (Ryan Drake: book 1): a compelling, action-packed

I just finished reading this book and WOW! I was blown away. This book had me hooked the minute I started reading it.The pacing, the characters, action, and the best part was how the story twists and turns. It kept me guessing throughout. The suspense had me coming back. This was one hell of a ride. I enjoyed it.I discovered the author on youtube talking about movies, his thoughts resonated with me in many ways, and he's funny. When I found out he was an author I had to check out his literature. As a story teller myself, we believe in the same thing, telling a good story. And BANG this guy delivers.I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this. All I knew that it was a thriller. So I took the plunge.To be honest though, I was never into stories about the CIA, the modern american military etc. But this book sure has hell enlightened me and caught my interest. This is a well researched and detailed book in this field. For me it was educational.The chapters are nice and short so you can take the story in smaller doses. Which is ideal when you have busy schedule. It's better this way. And I like how he describes places and their environments with a good level of detail which makes you feel immersed in them. It's like watching a movie. Some descriptions are poetic which breathes life into the story.Although I did find the sub-plots confusing, and some of the motives of the characters a bit mind-boggling in some places, I was more concerned about the main characters and what was going to happen to them. The author had me emotionally invested anyway.There are many books out there that are long with hundreds of pages but have little content.This book doesn't mess about. Every scene and chapter progresses the story while informing us something about the characters and their interactions. Giving us clues along the way.There are characters you'll love, others you'll hate. The author brings them to life with detailed descriptions to how they look and how they interact with others, and as the story progresses you learn more of their personalities.Ryan Drake is awesome. I highly recommend this book.So I have ordered the second book in the series, it's on the way. I'm excited as hell for this new ride.Highly Addictive: Gripping from start to finish

I got this book fully aware this is not a kind of book I entirely like... CIA, spy stuff type is not my thing, in book form, at least...I got it because it was by "the critical drinker", and I thought he had some very good story arch ideas on his YouTube videos, so figured this should be good.while the story itself is good, it does go on a bit. Things that could take up just a few chapters take about 20 and you get bombarded with way too much detail.I did enjoy the real feel of the injuries suffered by the team, which did not miraculously heal like in most action films or books and the main character is great, although I kept waiting for this big reveal of what he'd done that had him feeling so "tortured" and was a bit disappointed when it came about.Altogether I thought it was decent for a first book, but the man I've heard tell amazing story arch on YouTube was not exactly present when this was written...or maybe I expected too much...not sure...I want to give the other books a try, but feel like I need to "adapt" my expectations a bit.

I found this book to be light and brisk, despite its 500-plus pages. You zip through the pages and chapters and Jordan keeps the action tight. He certainly knows how to keep the story moving and there is just enough world-building without the story getting bogged down in detail.My main criticism is that it feels a little too familar and uses too many clichés. I also found that, while the characters are often given enough description in prose, their voices are a little bland. The dialogue lacks punch or flair. It doesn't really delineate the team too well.Overall, not a bad book.

I first came to know Will Jordan through his YouTube channel, The Critical Drinker, he became one of my favourite YouTubers, after finding out he was an author first, and after reading it I hope its adapted into a Film or TV series.

I wasn't sure what to expect from new author Will Jordan, but was pleasantly surprised with his first effort. I don't want to give too much away about the story, but found it to be extremely exciting and engaging throughout with lots of twists and turns. Will's writing style allows the story to flow and brings the main character Ryan Drake to life with relative ease. The subject matter really appeals to me and you can tell a fair bit of research has been made in creating the 24'esk setting. I look forward to reading his next offering Sacrifice and can't wait to see what happens to Drake next!!