Stargate SG-1: Trial by Fire: SG1-1 (Stargate Sg-1)

Book Description

The SG-1 team battle an ancient enemy on a primitive world.

Customer Reviews:

Stargate Fan.......2007-05-23

When I read this one I thought it was a really good story, but the background from O'neill's point of view made it pretty clear that what happened to him during the season 6 episode" The Abyss" had affected him more deeply then show made it seem.I think that the only thing in the story that was un-necessary was bringing in that arrogant archeologist and since she seemed to go along the lines of what Daniel's college rival was like in the season 4 episode" The Curse" and continued not to take things to seriously throughout the entire book was what had made things even worse. For Daniel's point of view most of the story involved him getting most of his memories back and then this came up and that made you pretty sympathetic to his feelings on the matter, especially since it dug into the roots of his friendship with O'neill that was never mentioned in the show too much. I have to say that this is one of the best in the new stargate series and I recommend this one to any who like the series.

readingfan.......2007-04-04

Trial by Fire is a good book for those rainy afternoons. Good use of the character profiles from the show in developing the plot. The timeline of this book is consistent with season 7 when Daniel Jackson has returned.

Stargate fan novels.......2007-02-27

The Stargate fan novels are very true to the characters and are the equivalent to watching an episode on SCI FI, only in most cases better. Some of the books are just new adventures written by fans, good, but not great. While others are Great adventures where the author actually expands on the depth of the character and team, fills in gaps that us fans have always thought or guessed about. So far all the SG-1 books have had Jack in them, not Cam. I am using this as a generic review for all the books rather than risk spoiling anything in the stories. I have watched all episodes in the series (both SG-1 and SG-A), heck I own every published season, and as much as I hate to admit it I have seen every episode at least twice, in short, I am a Stargate nut. I have purchased all books written in the SG-1 and SG-A series, though not all of them through Amazon due to availability. Sometimes the shipping takes a long time since they are published in the U.K.

Average customer rating:

Strong follow-up to series opener

Manhunter: Trial by Fire (Book 2)
Marc Andreyko
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Superheroes | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

DC Comics | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Manhunter: Street Justice (Book 1)
Manhunter, Book 3: Origins
Checkmate: A King's Game
Birds of Prey Vol. 5: Perfect Pitch
Blue Beetle Vol. 1: Shellshocked (Infinite Crisis)

ASIN: 1401211984

Book Description

When super criminals use the legal system to escape justice,prosecutor Kate Spencer assumed the role of vigilante, becoming theManhunter and meting out her own brand of street justice! In this second collection, Spencer is poised to take on the trial of theyear, as the eyes of the nation are on her latest case: finding the ShadowThief guilty of murdering the hero Firestorm!

Customer Reviews:

Strong follow-up to series opener.......2007-08-19

When people talk about excellent books that are underrated or less popular than they "should" be, Manhunter is often cited as a prime example. Never a top seller, the book nonetheless has a devoted fan base and DC management has kept it going hoping for better times ahead. The book focuses on Kate Spencer who is a federal prosecutor by day and super-suited heroine by night.

This volume picks up right where the first volume in the series left off (and you should certainly read that one first) covering issues #6-14. There are two main stories covered with the first centering on the trial of the Shadow Thief for the murder of Firestorm. The second story involves a shadowy assailant who tracks down and murders everyone who has ever used the name "Manhunter" which obviously puts Kate in the crosshairs. Both stories move along well although the courtroom scenes are not exactly the caliber of LA Law at its peak if you know what I mean. The art is solid but not spectacular, yet I would say it fits the material very well.

I wouldn't say that Manhunter is the best series ever published, but it's certainly worth giving a try. If you've read the first volume and liked it, then you should definitely give this one a shot.

Average customer rating:

Perfect!
My favorite Terri Blackstock Book!
Awe inspiring
Trial By Fire
Another Winner for Blackstock

Trial by Fire (Newpointe 911 Series #4)
Terri Blackstock
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Medical | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Word of Honor (Newpointe 911 Series #3)
Line of Duty (Newpointe 911 Series #5)
Shadow of Doubt (Newpointe 911 Series #2)
Private Justice (Newpointe 911 Series #1)
Justifiable Means (Suncoast Chronicles Series #2)

ASIN: 0310217601

Book Description

Pastor and fireman Nick Foster found the body in the inferno engulfing his church. From the bullet wound in the head, it’s clear this is no ordinary fire victim. The quiet community of Newpointe, reeling from the shock of the dead man’s identity, struggles with the agonizing question: Who did it—and why?

Paramedic Issie Mattreaux is no icon of virtue, but she cares enough about her teenage nephew, Jake, to track him down when he turns up missing. Only, what she finds is far more than a harmless bonfire on the outskirts of town.

After a chilling attempt on Issie’s life, Nick takes on the role of protector even as he struggles with the tragedy that has struck his church. Whoever is behind the fire is far from finished with their twisted agenda. Unknown to Nick, that agenda now threatens to consume everything he loves most.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect!.......2006-09-07

I read this entire series! Kept me guessing and I could relate with some of the characters! Keep 'em coming Terri!

Bethany K. Scanlon
Author of Where's my mate and Born of the Spirit

My favorite Terri Blackstock Book!.......2005-07-12

I happened upon Terri Blackstock's books in the library one day, and was blown away by them. She combines skillful storytelling with faith-promoting stories that will leave you on the edge of your seat. You really get involved with the characters, and come away feeling as though you've spent time with new friends. Her drama situations are believeable and you'll be up all night reading. This book is my favorite by her -- you will not be disappointed.

Awe inspiring.......2004-08-16

As a writer myself I am in awe of Terri Blackstock's talent to mix such great tales of romance and intrigue into a Christian Novel that will rivet you to your chair, forgetting to even get hungry. Terri nobody can do it better than you, keep up the good work. Every one of your books is my favorite until I pick up your next work. "Trial by Fire" is part of the Newpointe 911 series and a fabulous read that I plan to share with my reading friends. God Bless You, Terri, you never disapoint your fans.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge, Ruth Fever and Jena's Choice

Trial By Fire.......2004-03-03

This book is going to blow you away. How does Terri Blackstock
do it? I started reading the whole set and couldn't put them down. She captivates the reader constantly on the edge but also a wholesome setting. I really appreciated that there wasn't any foul language and in good taste without it sounding cheesy or corny. The whole set is really good! I highly reccommend them!

Another Winner for Blackstock.......2003-08-18

The Newpointe 911 series is just what I needed. Intelligent, fast paced thrillers from a Christian author. Who would've "thunk" it. I was searching for books that I could read and not have to skip whole passages, pages or even chapters to avoid explicit violence, sex and language. To find that and not have to sacrifice the type of plot lines and genre of reading that I enjoy was indeed a blessing. In this, the fourth of the series, we find bad girl, Issie Mattreaux, fighting her attraction to the town's pastor, Nick Foster. And, Nick is fighting just as hard. However, the Lord just keeps bringing them together. Their relationship in itself is enough to make you want to read the book, but add on a mystery set in a small town in Louisiana and revolving around the firefighters, cops, and rescue units and you have a recipe for a winner. The book also makes a strong statement on the effects of peer pressure and how kids can be lead astray. It also doesn't wimp out and make the ending one that is always perfect in the eyes of the world. However, it does show how bad things happen to good people and how good can come out of it. The only downside is that the next book isn't out yet. But, you can always re-read the first three books in the series, "Private Justice", "Word of Honor" and "Shadow of Doubt".

Average customer rating:

Not as good as DISSOLUTION, but better than many in this genre ...
Great service
Charming Whodunit
Sansom does it again!
Somewhat contrived and slow off the mark, but . . .

Dark Fire: A Novel
C. J. Sansom
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Historical | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Dissolution
Sovereign: A Matthew Shardlake Mystery (Matthew Shardlake Mysteries)
The Secret Lion (The Spymaster Chronicles, Book 1)
Sovereign (Matthew Shardlake 3)
The FRANCHISE AFFAIR

ASIN: 0670033723

Book Description

It is 1540, and Matthew Shardlake, the lawyer renowned as “the sharpest hunchback in the courts of England,” is pressed to help a friend's young niece who is charged with murder. Despite threats of torture and death by the rack, the girl is inexplicably silent. Shardlake is about to lose her case when he is suddenly granted a reprieve—one that will ensnare him in the dangerous schemes of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's feared vicar-general.

In exchange for two more weeks to investigate the murder, Shardlake accepts Cromwell's dangerous assignment to find a lost cache of “dark fire,” a legendary weapon of mass destruction. Cromwell, out of favor since Henry's disastrous marriage to Anne of Cleves, is relying on Shardlake to save his position at court, which is rife with treasonous conspiracies.

With its wonderful attention to period detail and its brilliant handling of suspense, Dark Fire is sure to win comparisons with Margaret George's Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles and captivate readers of Philippa Gregory and David Liss.

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as DISSOLUTION, but better than many in this genre ..........2007-08-04

Sansom made a strong start out of the gate with DISSOLUTION. So, perhaps I had inflated expectations for the second book. But while it doesn't live up to DISSOLUTION, it is a better historical mystery than many I have read.

The author goes into great detail about the times, which I like. But the main mystery - in this case, there were two - seemed contrived. As he explains at the end of the book, no one knows what prompted Cromwell's sudden removal from office.

Certainly, he had lost credibility with Henry VIII over his position on the Cleves marriage. But why so public and dramatic a removal, no one knows. The "mystery" fills in the blanks, and unfortunately, it's too contrived.

I think the strengths of the book are in the historical setting and the feel the reader gets for the society and politics of the times. If you like Bruce Alexander, you will probably like this book.

Great service.......2007-08-04

Thank you for the great service...quick shipping, the book was just as described. I would be happy to use your services again. Thank you

Charming Whodunit.......2007-08-02

This is the second of author Sansom's historical mysteries, both set in Tudor England at the time of the Reformation, and this one equals or surpasses the first, Dissolution. Sansom has created an engaging sleuth, attorney Matthew Shardlake, who has a brilliant intellect in a crippled body. I am delighted to get to know Shardlake, as he is one of the more engaging personalities I have encountered in the many works of historical fiction I have read. In this episode, Shardlake and his new sidekick are commissioned by the redoubtable Thomas Cromwell to recover a stash of the old time weapon of mass destruction "Greek Fire" and its ancient formula which are in the hands of viscious unknown enemies. At the same time, Shardlake is retained by a despairing uncle to defend his niece who has been charged with murder and is incarcerated in Newgate Prison, refusing to speak in her own defense.

The plot unfolds as our indefatigable hero to's and fro's across London in his efforts to uncover the Greek Fire plotters while simultaneously working to discover the identity of the true murderer and exonerate the wrongly accused niece. This is pretty standard stuff. I appreciate, however, that Sansom is careful to wrap up all loose ends, does not drop red herrings that are never woven into the story, and bothers to give the reader closure as to the ultimate fates of all the players. Not all mystery writers are this scrupulous of their readers' concerns.

The best part of this novel, however, is Shardlake himself. The author clearly has much affection for his creation and our hardworking hunchback is a fellow I would like to meet. He is a man of conscience and integrity at a time when most men were scrambling to protect themselves and their interests in the chaos of political and religious upheaval. We are allowed into Shardlake's own private conflicts about faith, morality and the law - - not in a dry, but in a very human, way. I found Shardlake's shy courtship of Lady Honor to be endearing, as his self-consciousness and uncertainty are a welcome relief from the swaggering bravado of too many fictional "heros." I look forward to reading the next installment and spending more time with our mild-mannered detective.

This is not exactly Tolstoy, but is a very entertaining and well-written read. Highly recommended.

Sansom does it again!.......2007-04-26

After the stunning debut of DISSOLUTION, Sansom continues his saga of Tudor politics and intrigue. Wonderful plotting. Meticulously drawn characters. More of the deliciously vivid description that draws you in and keeps you reading.

Matthew Shardlake is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating fictional characters in ages.

Somewhat contrived and slow off the mark, but . . . .......2006-09-25

This historical mystery places a hunchbacked lawyer, Matthew Shardlake, in the time of King Henry VIII's London as reformist Protestantism contests for religious supremacy with the Roman Catholic Church in the wake of King Henry's break with the papacy over marital matters. Shardlake, formerly a minion of the Earl of Essex, Thomas Cromwell, is engaged in a number of mundane legal matters when he is recruited to help an eighteen year old girl condemned to death for killing her younger cousin, the lad Ralph, heir to the Wentworth clan's fortune, a self-made family keen on moving up the social ladder. With barely time to save the girl he is inducted back into Thomas Cromwell's orbit to help sort out still another mystery: who controls a potentially world shaking state secret, the rediscovered formula and mechanism for the long lost Byzantine 'super weapon,' Greek Fire?

The story is marred by a certain heavy handedness in the use of detail in the descriptions as the author endeavours to recreate the lost world of London of that era in all its gross unpleasantries. He seemingly leaves no stone unturned and no opportunity overlooked to call to our attention the vileness of the era, though it's reasonable to suppose that the narrator would not have been so attuned to such things since it was the world he knew, after all. Matthew Shardlake who tells this tale is also somewhat tiresome, particularly in how he refers to his horse, almost as though it were another character in the story, and in his endless complaints about the back pain he must endure. He is also a bit too naive, it seems to me, in dealing with the London underworld, but this is a not uncommon occurrence among certain protagonists of mysteries these days. There's also a certain artificiality about the plot and how it's constructed which grates and much about the tale that is predictable. Sometimes our intrepid heroes (Shardlake has the benefits of one of Cromwell's personal minions as well) seem to waste an awful lot of time going back and forth to do the same things more than once, making their efforts seem all the more bizarre as an investigation since this obviously puts them in the position of alerting those they are investigating way more than they should.

And yet, after I had pushed my way through the first half, I must admit to having become curious enough about matters to see how Sansom solves the mystery of the missing Greek Fire as well as how our hero clears the name and saves the life of poor Elizabeth Wentworth, locked away in the hideous "Hole" beneath London's most notorious prison, chained and condemned to lie in her own filth for twelve days as Shardlake scurries about day after day in the mean London streets, chasing chimeras, juggling cases and fighting for his life against thugs, hooligans and the rascals of the nobility. Will Cromwell triumph? Will Greek Fire be rediscovered? Will Henry VIII take a new wife? The story actually started to work for me though it was certainly marred earlier on. I ended up reading it through and glad enough to learn about the awful culture and civilization out of which our own eventually arose.

SWM

Trial By Fire: The Last Good War: A Novel of World War II (Last Good War)

Average customer rating:

Probably the Worst Work of This Genre I Have Ever Read
Publisher's Weekly pretty much nailed this book
Much improved
Trial By Fire
Great story!

Trial By Fire: The Last Good War: A Novel of World War II (Last Good War)
James Reasoner
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

War | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Zero Hour: The Last Good War Book III
Battle Lines (Last Good War)
Savannah (The Civil War Battle Series, Book 9)
Appomattox (The Civil War Battle Series, Book 10)
Chickamauga (The Civil War Battle Series, Book 7)

ASIN: 0312873468

Book Description

December 7, 1941

"A day that will live in infamy," is how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt described the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. With a devastating stroke, World War II was no longer a strictly European war; it was now our war, too. In this powerful, exciting sequel to Battle Lines, James Reasoner shows us the fight through four friends cast into the chaos of the war that reshaped the twentieth century.

As the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, they simultaneously launch an assault on Wake Island, where Adam Bergman is one of the marines working feverishly to complete the installation of an airstrip. He is unaware of the Pearl Harbor disaster that sends hundreds of casualties streaming into the hospital on the United States Naval Base, where his wife, Nurse Catherine Tancred of the Naval Medical Corps, is one of dozens ministering to the wounded and dying.

While Adam and Catherine are immersed in the Pacific war effort, their friends Joe and Dale Parker are stationed with British tank divisions that are fighting the Germans for control of North Africa.

Joe and Dale are only supposed to advise their British allies, but before long, Dale is manning a tank to help stem the tide of battle, and Joe is working directly with British intelligence in Cairo.

Upon entering World War II, Americans fought to defend freedom around the world. Through the eyes of those in battle, we share their struggles and hardships in this memorable story of Americans at war.

Customer Reviews:

Probably the Worst Work of This Genre I Have Ever Read.......2004-11-18

This is not a great book although it can be used as a great illustration as to "you should always write about what you know best." In this case, I find it difficult to believe the author knows a thing of combat, World War II, history in general, making love or story telling. The story line is weak. The dialog is corny and the book is quite poorly researched. Even the "cussing" is forced and complete gratuitous - I doubt if the author ever listened to a GI talk. The book reads much like a Harlequin, a poorly written one at that. I would suggest the author stick to his empty Westerns. I cannot actually make enough negative comments to show my complete dislike and distain for this work. Jacket and in-book synopsis are quite misleading. I do wish I could give this one a less than one star rating.

Publisher's Weekly pretty much nailed this book.......2003-04-15

It reads at about an 8th grade level. The characters are weak; the dialogue weak; the color and tone even weaker. Historical details are not even very good.

If you want good historical fiction on the era, pick up Herman Wouk instead.

Much improved.......2002-12-01

Much improved from the previous Battle Lines. Although still a light fare, it moved from course to course smoothly. It is what it is, and needs a sequel.

Trial By Fire.......2002-04-17

This is not a great book although it can be used as a great illustration as to "you should always write about what you know best." In this case, I find it difficult to believe the author knows a thing of combat, World War II, history in general, making love or story telling. The story line is weak. The dialog is corny and the book is quite poorly researched. Even the "cussing" is forced and complete gratuitous - I doubt if the author ever listened to a GI talk. The book reads much like a Harlequin, a poorly written one. I would suggest the author stick to his empty Westerns. Jacket and in-book synopsis are quite misleading.

Great story!.......2002-04-08

I have to wonder if the reviewer from Publishers Weekly even read this book and its predecessor. I found both Trial by Fire and Battle Lines to be wonderful stories filled with great characters. The combat action is Trial by Fire is especially compelling, and the long opening sequence concerning the Marines' gallant but doomed defense of Wake Island is some of the best war fiction I've ever read. If you're interested in good World War II fiction or just plain good storytelling, you can't go wrong with this series.

Average customer rating:

Trial By Fire
Another Great Story from D.W. Buffa
Still too many lenghty & boring ruminations. Plot doesn't make sense
Average Buffa
trial by dullness

Trial By Fire (Joseph Antonelli)
D. W. Buffa
Manufacturer: Onyx
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Legal | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Star Witness
Breach of Trust: A Joseph Antonelli Novel
The Prosecution
The Legacy
The Defense

ASIN: 0451412125

Book Description

Defense attorney Joseph Antonelli's new client is a professor accused in the stabbing murder of his lover, a successful attorney. The case has everything: illicit sex, wealth, a high-profile killer, and a beautiful victim. Antonelli firmly believes his client is not guilty. To prove it, he has to bait the real killer out of hiding. What he discovers will challenge everything he knows about murder, justice, celebrity, and the price of innocence.

Customer Reviews:

Trial By Fire.......2007-01-10

Like many of the great lone-wolf characters, Joseph Antonelli has become an individual about whom we want to learn more, and hear more. Just as we struggle with the personal charms and failings of Harry Bosch or Adam Dalgliesh or Dismas Hardy or Guido Brunetti, we come to believe in them, their fallibilities and their small victories.

D.W. Buffa has created a character that endures, and draws the reader to his next book. And like the best dramas, whether profound or merely popular, the surrounding characters are also alive and thoroughly interesting in their own right. Whether it is the inventive quirks of his judges, or the contemporary take on talk show hosts and media types, Buffa creates a compelling story.

In Trial By Fire, he adds a media mogul who deserves our concern, a love for Australia and Berkelely that comes through loud and clear, and a plot twist that makes you glad you read his well-constructed story. I can't wait to see what Antonelli is doing next!

Another Great Story from D.W. Buffa.......2006-03-19

The author gets the reader hooked through his in-depth descriptions of his characters, carrying you on a roller coaster of emotions from love, to hate, to respect. Then, just as you have the players all figured out, he drops a bombshell of an ending that has you rethinking your opinions of many of the characters. I can't wait for his next release.

Still too many lenghty & boring ruminations. Plot doesn't make sense.......2005-09-07

Ok this one is much better than the last two, Star Witness (rubbish), Breach of Trust (boooring !). But the essential problem remains, too many ruminations. This is supposed to be a taut legal thriller, instead it's Jabba the Hutt meets The Practice.
And at the end of the whole thing the ending makes no sense at all. The wrongly accused prisoner escapes by substituting an undesirable pedophile in his stead and burns the pedo instead. And, oh, an old prisoner that wanted to die anyway. Great. So Mr. Innocent gets away. They find two bodies in the cell and assume it's the old dude and Mr. Innocent. So far so good. But do you see the problemo ? Next day the warden is doing a muster and "Oh, HELLO ! Where is Mr. Pedo ?" So they put out an APB for Mr. Pedo. At some stage they are going to do a dental analysis on the other charred corpse, figure out it's not Mr. Innocent but Mr. Pedo and the APB is now for Mr. Innocent.
Not only the novel is still boring for the most part, but the plot is not plausible. I think that Mr. Buffa needs to get back into the courtroom to remind himself of the tension and anxiety of running a case. He has been sitting at home for too long contemplating his navel.

Average Buffa.......2005-07-15

D.W. Buffa does write an entertaining novel, bringing a lot of things to light, such as the publics reliance on television journalism to help them form an opinion. Antonelli is a memorable character that's very likeable and who seems to have a lot of common sense. (I liked his views on capital punishment).
The story seemed a little rushed and could have used a little more detail in places. Once again the book flap gave away to much information telling you what was going to happen, practically to the halfway point.

trial by dullness.......2005-07-03

this is a mess structurally and in terms of characterization, a novel which has veered so far from the moral core of classic detective fiction that the hero, based apparently on prince valiant, has no hesitation in murdering a fellow prisoner (a child-molester, of course)to provide a burned body in place of his in an unlikely escape from san quentin. no mention of any concern by the prison authorities about the disappearance of the fellow prisoner...characters are cardboard, modelled on the likes of mr cheerible at his most irritating and gloria allred at her most waspish. the plot is old, threadbare and simply unbelievable. avoid it..too many lawyers are retiring early and writing dreadful novels..they should stick to their knitting..

Average customer rating:

What a Find!
Reviews by Nan Kilar and Bobby Miller
Another Fun Adventure Story
Exciting and thoughtfully written
Excellent Follow-up

Trial by Ice and Fire
Clinton Mckinzie
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Point of Law
Crossing the Line
Badwater
The Edge of Justice
Open Season (Joe Pickett Novels)

ASIN: 0440237270
Release Date: 2004-03-02

Amazon.com

The rough-hewn mountain man with the sensitive soul is always an appealing hero, and McKinzie's Antonio Burns (Edge of Justice, Point of Law) has the right stuff to keep readers turning the pages of this adrenaline-charged thriller. Wyoming Special Agent Burns is protecting prosecutor Cali Morrow from an alleged stalker, but the most dangerous moments occur high above the picture postcard town of Jackson Hole, when Cali, the daughter of a glamorous movie star, and Burns, an experienced skier and climber, escape their romantic and professional stresses in a dangerous game of chicken that's much more interesting than the somewhat pedestrian plot whose denouement won't surprise any careful reader. Between the bad press he's gotten for an arrest that turned into a bloodbath and a girlfriend who's keeping their relationship on ice, it's no wonder Burns heads for the peaks whenever he can. The liveliest dialog is between Antonio and his renegade brother, an escaped criminal whose high altitude escapades pose greater danger to both Cali and Antonio than her stalker--most fans will be rooting fort Roberto to pay his debt to society, Antonio to ignore his girlfriend's pleas to join her in domestic bliss at sea level, and McKinzie to bring the Burns boys back for a sequel. --Jane Adams

Book Description

Clinton McKinzie has carved out his own unique territory with suspense novels that blend the heart-pounding thrills of extreme mountain climbing with gripping legal intrigue. “One of the strongest debuts of the year” raved the Chicago Tribune about his debut novel, The Edge of Justice, which was hailed as “action-packed…a page-turner” by USA Today. Now the acclaimed author of The Edge of Justice and Point of Law ratchets up the suspense yet again with a third high-altitude thriller where Antonio Burns--climber, lover, brother, and cop--returns, and walks into a world of glamour, obsession, and terror.

Trial by Ice and Fire

Haunted by a reputation he earned by killing three men under questionable circumstances, Antonio Burns finds himself scorned by good cops and admired by bad ones. Unable to shake the tag of “QuickDraw,” Burns has stepped closer to the edge of society while still doing the job he’s paid to do and loving a woman who doesn’t understand him--and may not want him anymore. And with his charismatic but dangerously antisocial brother, Roberto, in trouble with the law, Burns has to manage his loyalties carefully: He is a cop. ’Berto is a fugitive. And they’d die for one another. When Burns is sent to protect Wyoming prosecutor Cali Morrow, a former ski racer being threatened by a stalker, it seems like an easy job. But Cali is the beautiful daughter of one of America’s hottest movie stars, and the stalker may well be a man working on Burns’s side of the law. Antonio has a hard time resisting the woman he’s supposed to be protecting--and stomaching the social swirl of those who make Jackson Hole their playground. With the feds closing in on his brother, Burns can feel his own personal lifeline slipping out of his grasp--until he himself becomes the target of a madman.Trial by Ice and Fire combines extreme menace with extreme action--from a breathless ski adventure down a near-vertical ice chute to a night climb up the Grand Teton above the Snake River. In this powerhouse of a thriller, Clinton McKinzie brings us characters who are living on the edge, a plot that delivers one body-slamming surprise after another, and a novel that is his most fully realized and exciting to date.

From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

Haunted by a reputation he earned by killing three men under questionable circumstances, Antonio Burns finds himself scorned by good cops and admired by bad ones. Unable to shake the tag of "QuickDraw," Burns has stepped closer to the edge of society while still doing the job he's paid to do and loving a woman who doesn't understand him -- and may not want him anymore. And with his charismatic but dangerously antisocial brother, Roberto, in trouble with the law, Burns has to manage his loyalties carefully: He is a cop. 'Berto is a fugitive. And they'd die for one another.

When Burns is sent to protect Wyoming prosecutor Cali Morrow, a former ski racer being threatened by a stalker, it seems like an easy job. But Cali is the beautiful daughter of one of America's hottest movie stars, and the stalker may well be a man working on Burns's side of the law. Antonio has a hard time resisting the woman he's supposed to be protecting -- and stomaching the social swirl of those who make Jackson Hole their playground.

With the feds closing in on his brother, Burns can feel his own personal lifeline slipping out of his grasp -- until he himself becomes the target of a madman.

Trial by Ice and Fire combines extreme menace with extreme action -- from a breathless ski adventure down a near-vertical ice chute to a night climb up the Grand Teton above the Snake River. In this powerhouse of a thriller, Clinton McKinzie brings us characters who are living on the edge, a plot that delivers one body-slamming surprise after another, and a novel that is his most fully realized and exciting to date.

Customer Reviews:

What a Find!.......2007-05-31

I absolutely love it when I stumble across a find like this. The third novel in a series starring Wyoming state agent Antonio Burns finds Anton climbing peaks in Jackson Hole as he guards lovely prosecutor Cali Morrow, who's been threatened by a stalker. Cali is the daughter of movie star Alana Reese, who owns a ranch in Jackson, and she is currently prosecuting her ex-boyfriend, a big cop named Charles Wokowski, for using excessive force on a suspect. Wook is Anton's chief suspect for Cali's stalker, but there is also another guy, a squatter who's been arrested on similar charges before, whom Anton must investigate. Meanwhile, Anton's got a couple of personal issues: a girlfriend who seems to be on the verge of leaving him, and a brother who's wanted by the authorities for his nefarious activities. Roberto and Anton couldn't be closer, though, so `Berto keeps showing up at Anton's cabin at night, begging him to go climbing with him one more time before he turns himself in. Anton also owns a half-wolf named Mungo who seems scared of her own shadow, but Mungo starts getting in touch with her wolfish side through the course of the book.

McKinzie describes mountain climbs I would even think of attempting in a way that makes them seem little more difficult than ascending a flight of stairs. He describes the rush he feels when doing so as "feeding the Rat," a very apt expression to explain the thrill of doing something dangerous and special. Unfortunately, Anton's girlfriend Rebecca doesn't understand, and when she agrees to come to Jackson, her behavior is very strange. As Anton navigates the twists and turns of protecting Cali, which isn't as easy as anyone thought, it seems like the assignment itself might break his fragile hold on Rebecca. Or, he just might wind up dead.

Combining a delightfully engaging cast of characters, from Anton and `Berto, who grew up in Argentina and seem to have been born climbing mountains, to Antonio's boss, described as "a demented Santa Claus in a pinstripe suit," to muscular, soft-hearted Wook, these are all lively, colorful characters I hated to leave behind when the book ended. The mountain climbing scenes made me wish I had the ambition to do it, and the story was constantly moving along its twists and turns. This is definitely a must-read series.

Reviews by Nan Kilar and Bobby Miller.......2006-02-08

Antonio Burns is a Special Agent for the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. He tends to live on the edge of danger as a lawman and when pursuing his hobby--mountain climbing in the extreme. His current assignment is to provide protection for Cali Morrow and find the culprit who's stalking her. Cali just happens to be the daughter of a popular movie star who shunned her mother's glitzy lifestyle to become a prosecutor in the Teton County Attorney's Office.

High on the suspect list is Cali's ex-boyfriend, Wook. He and Antonio are a fistfight waiting to happen. Next on the list is a weird loner living in a hovel on state land very close to Cali's Mom's ranch. When they find pictures of Cali plastered all over the interior of the makeshift `home', the guy crumbles and they think they've got their man. The next thing Antonio knows is Cali is in the hospital because the stalker attacked her. With egg on his face, Antonio seeks to regain his credibility. By this time I had figured out who the stalker is. The stalker is out to get Antonio as well...to keep him away from Cali...and puts Antonio through trials by ice and fire, both of which stretch the imagination and credibility factor quite a bit.

I enjoyed the author's first two books, The Edge of Justice and Point of Law, but this one got too carried away with the unbelievable human feats. I hope this won't continue in the next book.

Another Fun Adventure Story.......2004-03-20

I have to admit it, I was surprised by Clinton McKinzle. I picked up his first book, The Edge of Justice, thinking it was another lawyer turned writer yarn, when I realized it was just another cop novel, with the added twist of this cop being an avid mountain climber, I was kind of disappointed. I am not much of an outdoorsy type, I'm happy if I find a way to climb into my pants everyday, and didn't think I would enjoy stories about a cop chasing people around a mountain. Then I read the book and he hooked me in (I guess that's a pun). McKinzle has created a great character in Wyoming Special DCI Agent Antonio Burns. In his latest novel, Trial by Ice and Fire, McKinzle continues to develop his hard luck protagonist. With his reputation being picked apart by an unscrupulous defense attorney and his girlfriend becoming distant, Burns takes on a case involving the stalking of a beautiful actress's daughter, who also happens to be a local prosecutor. While the twist and turns aren't particularly surprising, McKinzle whips together a highly readable and exciting tale ending with a true trial by fire.
While enjoyed this book, it was the weakest of the three Burns novels, specifically for one reason. The first book had some truely hate-able, despicable, obvious bad guys that just had you salivating for the page where they finally get there just deserts. Here McKinzle trades off some of this blunt evil for an attempt to make a more surprising ending. He took the risk, but the payoff just wasn't there. I really don't need to be surprised if I hate the bad guy enough. McKinzle even missed a few opportunities to develop some peripheral bad guy characters, especially the Hollywood hotshot Danny Gorgon character, who had the potential to be a real pest.

Exciting and thoughtfully written.......2003-07-14

McKinzie's first book on SA Antonio Burns was enough to get me hooked, then the second was still good but not as good as the first, and this third book is the best yet. You like Antonio as he is an adventurous but grounded 30-yr old cop who is reevaluating his life and work after a series of mishaps that erroneously puts his reputation in a bad light. He fights for what he believes in but he's no superhero. Anton is given the task of protecting a prosecutor who is being stalked, and he is also dealing with his own personal issues: trying to figure out why his girlfriend has been cold and distant lately plus worrying about his drug-addicted fugitive brother. The prosecutor, the daughter of a famous movie star, is being stalked by someone, possibly her cop ex-boyfriend. The adventure starts with an icy mountain ascent and ends with a dangerous rescue operation on a mountain being consumed by a raging fire. I love reading about Antonio and his brother Roberto's climbing adventures, and I really like the romantic sub-plot. I look forward to seeing Clinton McKinzie's name in the spotlight again.

Excellent Follow-up.......2003-07-13

Trial by Ice and Fire hooks you from the very first page and doesn't really let you go till you finish. I tried to slow down my reading, savor the time I was spending with these characters but couldn't---I had to finish it and then go back and reread it again. This was an outstanding follow-up to last year's The Edge of Justice. Anton and his brother Roberto are back as are Anton's boss, McGee Ross and his lover, Rebecca. In this installment, Anton is bodyguarding a prosecuter from a stalker who seems to want to hurt her very badly. There are other subplots including his brother 'Berto who shows up to offer escape the only way the Burns brothers know how: climbing. Also, there is the trouble between Rebecca and Anton that in end seems a bit rushed to me;everything between them resolved a little too quickly. McKinzie will go very far with his writing and I look forward to his next novel. Run to get this book. If you enjoyed the first one, you'll love the second one. I read this book in a day if that says anything---wonderful page-turner. Highly recommend and my grade would be A-. New fans, the book does stand alone quite well but do read the first one, The Edge of Justice when you get the chance. It was a great debut.

Average customer rating:

One Of The Best Epics
A good, solid superhero story
Not since the first Galactus story
One of my all-time favorite JLA stories.

JLA: Trial by Fire
Joe Kelly
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Superheroes | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

DC Comics | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

JLA: Golden Perfect (Book 10)
JLA: Rules of Engagement (Vol. 13)
JLA: The Obsidian Age, Book Two
JLA: The Obsidian Age, Book One
JLA: The Tenth Circle

ASIN: 140120242X

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Best Epics.......2007-02-24

"JLA: Trial By Fire", reprinting #s 84-89 of the JLA ongoing, is a true epic, rich in action, high stakes, emotion, concept, delivery and grandeur, all brought together so perfectly that a single flaw near the end - that would have sapped the impact of many tales - seems no more than a slight glitch. It's a story that both Justice League mainstays like Superman and Batman, and characters who haven't logged nearly as much time to date on the team's roster (such as Faith and Manitou Raven), get to shine in.

In the beginning, something strange is happening across the planet. The most ruthless of dictators, the most dangerous of super-villains, the most remorseless of killers....are changing. Suddenly overcome with guilt and intent on never again returning to their former ways. All this sounds good at first, but as things progress it's getting deeper as various characters are not only 'seeing the light' but are falling into catatonic states, being paralyzed, or being tormented in increasingly physical and vicious ways. The League senses that this is all a lead-up to something even bigger and darker. One of the successes of "Trial By Fire" is that, right from the get-go, it Feels like there's really major, really out-of-the-ordinary threat emerging, something that even the League may not be able to handle. Sometimes when a new storyline instantly introduces a brand new, 'different-than-anything-they've-faced-before' threat to a group like the Justice League, there's a bit of a lack of authenticity to it. You're watching as the new threat nearly makes mincemeat out of everythin in its path, but you don't really believe that this new menace could come out of the blue and just hammer away a team as powerful as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Firestorm, et al. "Trial By Fire" is the exact opposite of that. It feels plausible, frightening, and deadly.

Indeed, the initial wave of incidents is just the tip of the iceberg, and things go from bad to worse for the team. It's not wall-to-wall action from Page 1 onwards though. One of the things I love best about the writing of Joe Kelly is that when he's doing a series, all members of both the main and supporting cast have their own interesting things going on, and weaving very cohesively through the 'big' plots. With as big a cast as "JLA" has, not every character can play a lead role in every story arc. Here, characters like Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Batman are among those taking center stage in the action, but some of the best points in the book focus on characters like Manitou Raven, Wonder Woman, and Major Disaster, who don't overall get as much page time here as they have in other JLA arcs but are essential nonetheless. The ongoing developments between Batman and Wonder Woman - which played an ongoing part in Kelly's run on the series - are done to perfection, and though I'd like to make observations on this aspect, I think it's best that I don't lest I give something away. There's an interesting dynamic between Faith and the Batman as well; although Faith is, at this point, a very new character in the DCU (although she obviously has more backstory than has been revealed) she's one of the least hesitant of the group to produce counter-arguements against the Dark Knight's position, and the often stubborn Bat is more open to her viewpoints than he is with most newcomers. There's good humor tucked away that one might miss if they're not careful, and there's an interesting angle about two characters who seem (and this isn't entirely clear but it sticks out as a possibility) to be developing a mutual attraction that neither one is in the least aware of.

As for the one flaw I mentioned earlier - it happens in the last issue, and while I'm not going to say what it is, it kind of reminded me of the finale to the 1978 Superman movie (uh, I guess I can't say what that is either, just in case anyone hasn't seen it). It's one of those moments where a seemingly imposible catastrophe is averted at the last moment and you just kind of feel like saying 'Oh come on! Even_________ isn't THAT powerful!' A lot of stories would have been crippled by it; this one isn't. (I'll admit I kind of adjusted the timeframe in my own head to make it at least a little bit more believable) It was the kind of moment where just because there's no conceivable way out, that doesn't stop anybody. It was quite out of sync with the rest of the story, and it's testament to how awesome "Trial By Fire" is as a whole that it recovered within mere pages, helped along by emotional impacts so powerful it makes one more than willing to forgive a lone inconsistency. Most of the time I'd bump a book down at least one star for that gaffe, but "JLA: Trial By Fire" was just so good that I can't. Judged as a whole, it's outstanding and gets an extremely high recommendation. 9.7/10

A good, solid superhero story.......2005-02-02

With the whole world going mad, the Justice League of America must move fast to find out what is going on. A rogue telepath is tinkering with the Earth, taking away people's freedom of thought, but who is it? This ordeal will drive the JLA into a battle with one of their own members, a battle they cannot win. But, Batman has an ace up his sleeve; there is one person who can do it...if he can just remember how.

Overall, I found this to be a very good graphic novel. The illustration work is very good (except for they way The Atom was drawn), and the story is absolutely gripping. I'm not sure I would have thought of the bad guy as quite as invincible as he is painted herein, but setting that aside, you do get to see very good graphic novel, fighting for their very existence. So, if you like a good, solid superhero story, then this is the book for you. My eleven-year-old son and I both enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it to you.

Not since the first Galactus story.......2005-01-03

have I enjoyed a story this much about a superhero team fighting to take down a single globe threatening villain. I enjoyed it very much and I will seek out more stories by Joe Kelly. All the characters are tangibly pushed to the edge.

One of my all-time favorite JLA stories........2004-10-15

This book collects the 6 part issue of JLA: Trial by Fire. It is Joe Kelly's final run on the JLA for the near future. In that respect Joe Kelly manages to leave on a very high note.

The story begins with criminals all-over the world going regretful of their actions. KKK members douse themselves on fire, Joker and Two-Face demand the death sentence for their actions and even President Luthor is left in a coma by a telepath, an ancient breed of Martian known as the Burning Maritan. At the same time we get a look at how the Martian Manhunter, Jo'nn Jonz has overcome his fear with fire and has taken a temporary leave of the JLA to spend time with his teacher/lover, ex-villain Scorch. JLA decides to cut Jo'nn's vacation in order to have his assist with the telepath case. That's all I'm gonna say about the story because anything else would be a spoiler. Let's just say that a good hero goes bad....really really bad and the savior of the JLA and the World is the most-unexpected of heroes.

This story shows Joe Kelly in his top form. The story is very cleverly written. In addition it contains small commentaries that really makes you feel the urgency of the heroes and the enjoyment of the antagonist, i.e. "Somewhere Superman has just said his first real curse word in years, that has to count for something" and "Batman teleported out before I could gut him, slippery devil". The art team of Mahnke and Nguyen is also in stellar form, every splash pages, every panel exudes energy.

I have to say that I truly enjoyed this book and it is among my favorite JLA stories, along with Grant Morrison's first JLA story, New World Order, Mark Waid's Tower of Babble and Joe Kelly's the Obsidian Age. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with this book. I am personally saddened to see Joe Kelly go from JLA since, I really enjoyed his stories. But the good news is that he leaves us with one of his best works.

Average customer rating:

Best book of the series!!!
Calling All Mages
A thrilling conclusion for the web of magic series!
It was nice but kinda talks about Kara more...
Not what I expected but it was good

Trial by Fire (Avalon Web of Magic, 6)
J. R. Roberts
Manufacturer: CDS Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Spellsinger (Avalon Web of Magic, 5)
The Secret of the Unicorn (Avalon Web of Magic, 4)
Cry of the Wolf (Avalon Web of Magic, 3)
All That Glitters (Avalon Web of Magic, 2)
Circles in the Stream (Avalon Web of Magic, 1)

ASIN: 1593150083

Book Description

Fairmentals, made of Earth, Water and Air have tried to help Emily, Karan and Adriane find Avalon. In the thrilling conclusion to the six-book-arc, the Fire Fairmental finally appears-but it is unpredictable and potentially destructive. Will it light the way to Avalon, or turn all hope to ashes? Heart-tugger alert: one major character will make the ultimate sacrifice.

Customer Reviews:

Best book of the series!!!.......2007-03-23

This was definatly my favorite Avalon book. It is so exciting and full of adventure. Sure, Kara was mentioned alot, but I thought it was so cool anyway. After a firemental comes for Adrianne, Kara, and Emily, they have to go to Aldenmor to stop the Dark Sorceress. It was full of surprises right to the end when they find the mistwolves. This was a thrilling adventure all the way through, even though one of my favorite characters Stormbringer, makes a painful sacrifice...

Calling All Mages.......2006-05-22

The fight for Aldenmor is finally drawing to a close. Join Emily, Adriane, Kara, and their magical animal friends as they jump through portals and rescue the mistwolf pack from the Dark Sorceress. Adriane and Stormbringer, her bonded Mistwolf, find Dreamer, an orphaned pup who is a gifted magic tracker. Storm disappears while holding the pack in mist form and Adriane grows depressed in the long run. Kara and Lyra, a winged leopard, find AvAlon and restore Aldenmor to its original beauty. Emily, in the mean time, is with Ozzie, an elf trapped in a ferret's body, in an elf village where Black Fire has poisoned the villagers and their livestock. Emily heals them and advances in her magic skills. This is an awesome book that teenage magic lovers would enjoy.

AvAlon: Trial by Fire is part of an amazing series by Rachel Roberts. Adriane and Stormbringer, the main characters, are my favorites. I hated the Dark Sorceress though. This book has made me a magic fan for good. I loved Trial by Fire.

A thrilling conclusion for the web of magic series!.......2006-05-20

I must say it wasn't the best in the series and it wasn't the worst, it was perfect. I am a BIG fan of the avalon series so right away when it was out I so bought it. Anyways now with the story which is basically what we are supposed to type about, Emily, Adriane, and Kara now finally have to destroy black fire... and all have a major part to fufill(i may have spelled it wrong!lol) the prophcey and compelets their destiny. First of all Adrianne has to deal with the dark sorceress with Lyra as Storm turns into mist to save all the mistwolves from these crystals stored with Blackfire! She totally saves the day but... there was a huge price to pay for that. Kara well we find out more about her and she gets once again in this spellsinging spell and is in the sorceress cluthes. Basically the sorceress captures Kara to make her open these portals with fairy map given to her by firemental, to get the unicorn. But eventually the unicorn rescues her and she sadly goes to Avalon which is UNFAIR they all had should, not to mention gets her unicorn jewel!!! Well the magor thing, Emily has to destory blackfire, break the crysatls that contain the mistwolves and most of all heal the mistwolves with blackfire but has help with Zach and later the mages. Well I shouldn't really say they ALL complete their destiny since in book 4 heart of avalon Emily compeletes anpther of her destiny as well so she has to heal avalon later. It was an excellent ending and ALL AVALON FANS SHOULD READ IT NOW!!!!!!!

It was nice but kinda talks about Kara more... .......2005-12-27

The book was great and all but (sigh) why does it always talk about Kara more? And i didnt like when she was able to go to avalon what about Adriannne or Emily? they deserve it more!! Anyway it was about them defeating the sorceress( Kara and Adrianne), (Emily) and destoring blackfire, healing the mistwolves and healing Aldenmore. I hope the next 6 book in the new series waan't talk about Kara more like she is not goood of a character.

Not what I expected but it was good.......2005-11-12

I thought this book was ok but not the best in the series. I expected it to talk about all the characters and it did but once again evil stalks Kara and that sort of ennoys me. Yet it was a nice ending to the series. Emily, Adrianne, Kara and Ozzie go to Aldenmore to stop the Spider Witch from getting to Avalon. Though a sacrifice must be made. Ok it wasn't really sad at all for me. Well I could had been better and as long as people enjoyed then thats good. Everyone has a different oppion.

Average customer rating:

Yamabushi's mini reviews pt. VI
Coyle's novel of men and women at war is excellent....
A good effort from Coyle....
An ideal presentation of women in combat
Withering hail of poor sentences

Trial By Fire
Harold Coyle
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Technothrillers | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Bright Star
Sword Point
Code Of Honor
The Ten Thousand
Team Yankee

ASIN: 0671796585

Customer Reviews:

Yamabushi's mini reviews pt. VI .......2007-02-03

I'd call it un-readable, but, unfortunately for me I read it. The plot never `clicks' and the action is about as suspenseful as a falling leaf.

Coyle's novel of men and women at war is excellent...........2004-02-09

In Trial by Fire, Harold Coyle's fourth novel (and third in the Scott Dixon series), the United States Army shifts its focus from the recently ended Gulf War and the demise of the Warsaw Pact and onto battlefields and opponents -- this time much closer to home, across the Rio Grande in Mexico.

Set in the early 1990s (most works of fiction often reflect the times in which they are created) a short time after the abortive Moscow putsch, Trial by Fire begins with a deadly and successful coup d'etat in Mexico as the military, fed up with the ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) party's corrupt and inept ways, does away with the President and most of the PRI leadership. Motivated -- mostly -- by patriotism, genuine concern for Mexico's countless millions of poor inhabitants, and a desire to kick the country into the approaching 21st Century, the new Council of 13 moves quickly to sweep aside political opposition and the powerful criminal organizations that practically run some of the country's states.

But when Col. Alfredo Guajardo, one of the members of the new military junta, sets his sights on Hector Alaman, aka "El Dueno" (The Manager), a notorious drug baron whose empire has spread across the entire Caribbean, the New Revolution that he has helped to successfully bring about will be jeopardized by the aftershocks of a daring military raid on Alaman's fortified villa/compound at Chinampas. While the Mexican army's heliborne assault is a nominal success and the huge estate is captured, Alaman himself escapes along with a handful of experienced, ruthless and highly paid mercenaries.

Alaman's escape from the raid at Chinampas will soon prove to be more than an embarrasing incident that can be dismissed by the new rulers of Mexico. Alaman's thirst for revenge has no limits, and together with his little but efficient army of foreign mercenaries, including an American named Childress and Lefleur, a particularly creative Frenchman who will carry out any act of violence as long as his pockets are lined with dollars, the drug lord strikes back. Knowing full well that they alone can't topple the Army and the Council of 13, Alaman and his goons create a series of border incidents to create a Second Mexican-American War.

Coyle, who is one of the best writers of the military fiction genre, once again places Lt. Col. Scott Dixon, veteran of two previous conflicts (chronicled in Sword Point and Bright Star) and Medal of Honor recipient, at the tip of the spear of America's response to the apparent new enemy south of the border. Serving with Dixon once again is Capt. Harold (Hal) Cerro, former airborne officer and veteran of the Iran and Libyan campaigns, and now assigned to the 16th Armored Division, where he will be serving for the first time as a staff officer rather than commanding a company in the field.

Coyle also brings back such memorable characters as Jan Fields, the brash, beautiful, intelligent and dogged reporter who is Col. Dixon's current lover, and whose reporter's instincts and desire to get the story land her in jeopardy and Congressman Ed Lewis, a forner National Guard officer who wants to know the truth about why American troops are being sent into combat in Mexico.

Trial by Fire also introduces a vibrant new character in 2nd Lt. Nancy Kozak, one of the first female officers to be assigned to the Infantry branch as a platoon commander. Coyle does a terrific job in describing Kozak's determination to be "all that she can be" in a profession that was once considered a males-only "brotherhood of war." His portrait of her drive to be a good infantry officer while still being female is a fine example of storytelling at its best, and his knowledge of the military, its equipment, and more importantly, its people and culture, allows Coyle to show the men and women in uniform as believable human beings with real emotions. His novels are somehow smaller in scope than his mentor Tom Clancy's huge technothrillers, but Coyle's depictions of his cast of characters are more appealing.

A good effort from Coyle...........2001-02-19

A good effort from Coyle......

All things considered, Trial by Fire was an enjoyable book. I have read a number of Coyle's novels, some of which featured Lt. Nancy Kozak. In Trial by Fire, I had the opportunity to go back to the introduction of Lt. Kozak. The story was not as tight or compelling as some of Coyle's other works, but it was a solid work nonetheless. The plot started quickly with the overthrow of the Mexican government and increased tension between Mexico and the US. The rising anxieties, escalating conflict and troubled negotiations were certainly plausible. For Coyle fans, this novel is worth the time. I am glad that I went back to pick this up.

An ideal presentation of women in combat.......2000-08-21

The first Harold Coyle book I've read and I must say I enjoyed it a lot. Although the book suffers from technical and factual errors/flaws, it succeeds in making me care or hate the characters. This being Coyle's fourth book, he is even more comfortable developing his characters and effectively introduce new ones. The romance between officer Scott Dixon and reporter Jan Fields feels more comfortable, and not as forced although they all seem to get conveniently involved in every major conflict throughout the series.

Part of the story is told from the point of view of a woman who's about to become a commander of her own platon unit. Her experiences and adventures in the book alone make for a very interesting story in itself. Some scenes I enjoyed: one officer can't help but stare at her breast, another one where she needs napkins, and what a well-rested soldier looks like. Kozak's story into the military is a somewhat ideal presentation of the author, and so don't expect a highly realistic exploration of integration of women into the American military. But if the author were more serious, we should see other infantrywomen besides Kozak.

The battle scenes are not as descriptive this time. The first day of war but when you start reading that part, you're already in the middle where US troops suffer huge casualties. The Mexicans are shown as highly motivated and seemingly well-trained for this war. And there's something corny when the troops talk to the main Mexican character, Col. Guajardo. And Mexico seems to be described as a utterly poor country than it actually is. Hey, my Diamond Supra modems are made in Mexico.

It's not directly mentioned, but the story does take place in 1995. The president's name was never mentioned in the book but if it was Bill Clinton, he would have to have done something right if he's re-elected 1996 because the president here handles the crisis poorly. :)

I have the book with a cover w/ a painting of a Bradley IFV with the US and Mexican flag in the background. This is a better looking cover than the bland red cover you see in this webpage.

Withering hail of poor sentences.......2000-06-16

Never mind the fact that, based upon my experience as a Bradley platoon leader from 1993-4, I find it impossible to imagine a woman becoming an infantry officer with as few problems and confrontations as Lt. Kozak seems to encounter in this book. Never mind the fact that a platoon leader has 30 or so soldiers, yet there were maybe 4 or 5 at all mentioned, let alone developed, as characters in this novel. And never mind the fact that a reader gets zero sense of what it is actually like to be inside a Bradley in training or in combat (I have not experienced the latter, and can't picture it after this novel). The real problem is, Coyle can't write. This example sentence will make my point better than any conclusion I could pen myself: 'With the grace and determination of a wire-guided antitank guided missile, Dixon moved towards the refrigerator.' I don't know about you, but I could probably figure out that a wire-guided missile was, indeed, guided. 'Nuff said.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books