Robinson is a master of the techno thriller. Every time I exhaust an author like Chricton or Rollins, i find myself wanting for more. I was hesitant to start Robinson’s collection because I was afraid that his myriad of topics suggested weak writing, but that just isn’t the case. He has created a fantastic set of characters ready for his adventures in this prequel to the Chess Team series. This is a well written. fast past, gripping book full of the same horrors and threats I enjoyed in Rollins’ work. Sean Ellis, veteran, action man, and co-author, gave this book a delightful sense of realism that one usually finds only in war memoirs. As a veteran, I often find myself gritting my teeth at glaring innacuracies that hinder novels. From equipment to lingo, this is a spot on representation of military operations, if a little dramaticized for entertainment purposes. The only downside was the narrator who, for his effort, had difficulty with some of the jargon used in the novel and, oddly enough, pronouncing anything in French. An amazing ride overall, and a reccomend for fans of techno thrillers and historical thrillers alike.