all out action, with a bit of thought ... ultimately forgettable... ( )

all out action, with a bit of thought ... ultimately forgettable... ( )

Started February 16th, 2014.
Got this and the first and the following books in the series as an Amazon-EBook-Daily-Deal cheap.
Goodreads does not yet offer Kindle nor EBook for this edition, so it currently shows as a paperback.
Still taking a break from [b:The Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375596592s/6186357.jpg|6366642].
This one has normal chapters, and well done, alternating pov from all major good and bad people in the book.
Very good! And also not the constant non-stop-action, sometimes you can even breathe.
While this can be read as a standalone book, it is an instant continuation from the first book, although imho better done regarding chapters and the flow of the story.
But it also has lots of unrealistic scenarios where one or all of the women and men could have died and probably should have died.
Some very bloody scenes and more than one person is a Sadist with capital S, so with torture and bloody fight scenes resulting in deaths, not for the faint of heart.
Also 2 short but good sex-scenes. You have been warned.
Recommended, but not too highly, if possible it would be 3.5 stars, but as Goodreads only allows whole stars I rate it 4.
After reading the 3d book in the series, aptly named [b:Three|17829983|Three (Codename Chandler #3)|J.A. Konrath|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1370300611s/17829983.jpg|24944687] I may rate the whole series rather 3 stars but may also still recommend it as a whole.
( )

Book Info: Genre: Spy Thriller
Reading Level: Adult—explicit sex scene
Recommended for: Fans of thrillers, adrenaline junkies
Trigger Warnings: murder, torture, threat of sexual assault

My Thoughts: While as entertaining as Flee was, it wasn't quite as good at holding my attention. Nonetheless, we learn more about the various characters, have a couple more run-ins with Harry McGlade (who is incredibly amusing) and spend lots of time observing some really sick psychos. Most of this book is set near the Wisconsin Dells, an absolutely beautiful place, so it was fun to read about that, and also fun to think about Hammett and her merry band of psychopaths meeting up in a clown motel...

So, still a great read for people who like a high-octane thriller, adrenaline junkies, and fans of Konrath's body of work. This book also had an explicit sex scene that felt sort of added on which I skipped through, since it didn't really add anything to the story. Next up is the brick of a book Three, which is over 600 pages. Watch for that review!

Series Information: Spree is the second book in the Codename: Chandler series.
Book 1: Flee read and reviewed 5/17/13, review linked here where formatting allowed
Exposed is a novella featuring Chandler, and may be read after Flee; I will not be reading it right now
Book 3: Three, to be read next

Disclosure: I purchased this book for myself so I could read the whole series after receiving the third book through Vine. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Superspy and assassin Chandler has just barely averted nuclear annihilation when the very organization she works for has her brought in on treason charges, trussed up for interrogation. After a run-in with Chicago Homicide cop Jack Daniels, Chandler discovers one of her sisters, Fleming, has been transferred to a black ops site where the modus operandi is torture and death.

Chandler launches a breakneck mission to infiltrate an impossibly secure prison—putting her on a collision course with a squad of violent psychopaths trained to negate her precise skill set. As old enemies reemerge and new ones appear around every corner, Chandler will rely on the help of unexpected allies, including an ex-mob enforcer named Tequila and a firefighter named Lund. But even they may not be enough to stop what lurks within the unlisted military base: a rogue government agency plotting to destabilize the entire nation—and conquer the world. ( )

I purchased this book on the strength of having liked several previously purchased books that Konrath had authored. I wasn't disappointed this time either although, instead of hard, fast, intelligent men agents, this story is about the three remaining identical sisters from the original seven that were trained by the Instructor, for use in covert intelligent operations. As always, Konrath's stories are intense, written tightly, action packed with well characterized principals doing things that seem impossible but, made plausible by Konrath. This is a story about operatives going beyond human limits, using intelligence, their physical training, imagination and sometimes just plain luck to overcome unbelievable obstacles and prevail in the end. Even their friends, picked up along the way, were amazing creatures and loyal beyond belief. I found it refreshing to find female characters that are both physically and intellectually overpowering as well as extremely attractive specimens as well. Great plot, intense action and never a dull moment. A page turner of the first order. If you haven't read a Konrath book recently, it is time to reach out for a tense treat. Loved it, especially the contrast between the good and the evil characters. Konrath creates great characters and then doesn't disappoint, he lets the good ones win! ( )