Wayne Simmons (1)

The Natanz Directive is a reasonably solid spy thriller, originally published in 2012 set in the midst of unfolding events with Iran's nuclear program, it's as relevant today (2019) as it was then as we know Iran is still seeking nuclear capabilities.

The story sees a retired spy brought back into action for what may very well be a suicide mission into the heart of Iran to confirm if intelligence they have that Iran is on the way to making nuclear weapons is true, so that the US can launch preemptive strikes once they have concrete evidence of such.

Some of the sequences are a bit far fetched, such as sneaking into two of Iran's most secretive and secure military facilities, but then you get that with many spy thrillers so I can't knock it too much for that.

Overall it was an entertaining read but did feel quite quick and short at 304 pages.… (mehr)

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2328927.html

A novel set in a near future, in a city supposedly on the Pacific coast of America but in fact closely based on Belfast (neighbourhoods called the Queen's Quarter, Titanic, the Village, Tomb Street), where mobsters and programmers recreate Jesus, who has been largely forgotten, as an AI. It didn't really work for me; I think if you bring a recreated Jesus into a story you need more robust underpinning, including a better explanation of why he has been forgotten so quickly, particularly in a story whose setting is based on a city so heavily impacted by people claiming to follow him.… (mehr)

Although this book is actually a sequel, I did not feel at all hindered by the fact that I hadn't read the first one. It pretty much jumps straight into fast-paced action, which I really liked, as well as flowing smoothly.
I did feel as though the laboratory seemed to lack a lot of procedures for a pandemic, considering what it was dealing with - although it was underground, apart from that it didn't seem like much else had been set out. I was also especially shocked by Ellis' brutal and sudden death, and completely didn't see it coming - I was expecting her to be a main character throughout the story.
The use of multiple characters and short chapters was used effectively - lots of points of view, and a lot of cliffhangers at the end of each chapter to keep you reading so you can find out what happened. I personally felt Colin was the most developed character, although there wasn't even much of a background story to him. That was the issue with many of the characters, a lack of depth, so when their imminent deaths arrived, it didn't seem to matter too much as I didn't feel I knew them.
I do feel that Wayne Simmons created a very haunting image of how people would act if this really happened - completely and utterly selfish, just out for themselves - and it's really quite scary.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and it was just the right level of gore for me ;) I felt I would have enjoyed it more if I could have connected with some of the characters, but it was a fun read that has left me questioning how people would react to such a situation. I would hope it would be nothing like Simmons' image, but I really think he has got it spot on there.

Also posted on my blog, Rinn Reads.… (mehr)