The Adversary might be Andrews & Wilson’s best book to date, which isn’t something I say lightly given how many ridiculously good novels they’ve published. But it’s true and, furthermore, this latest installment is without a doubt my favorite in the Tier One series. It’s incredible and a strong contender for thriller of the year due to insane action sequences, psychological mindfuckery, and a ton of raw emotion within a brilliantly crafted story that vociferously screams “team and mission above self.” A message we all benefit from hearing again.
John Dempsey and his Ember team are in Taiwan on their way to a meeting with a Taiwanese intelligence officer when it all goes sideways. Their asset is killed, a member of the team gets seriously injured and Ember’s comms and cyber field agent is taken by Chinese operatives. Putting Dempsy on the warpath, willing to do anything to get his teammate back before disappearing into mainland China forever. With the help of a SEAL team in theatre for training exercises, Ember attempts a daring rescue mission to get their man back without kicking off WWIII. And to make it more complicated, Dempsey’s son Jake Kemper – who thinks his dad, Jack Kemper, is dead – is a newly minted nugget on the SEAL team involved in the operation. Making this a high stakes mission in more ways than one.
If you’ve read the prior Tier One books before (and if you haven’t, what the hell are you waiting for?), then you know you’re in store for a nonstop, high-octane, action-packed ride that sets your hair on fire and drops you in the middle of life and death battles. But there’s three things that elevate The Adversary into the rarified air of truly exceptional thrillers.
First, witnessing Dempsey’s progeny, Jake Kemper, not only ascend to the SEAL teams but also show a bit of Dempsey in his decision making and bold actions is something to behold. It’s the proverbial apple not falling far from the tree, but without the son having a chance to be molded and mentored by the father. So, it’s also a study in nature versus nurture.
Second, the main antagonist will send shivers down your spine and cause a visceral reaction. He has a calm, almost clinical demeanor that amplifies his evilness more than if he was an unhinged lunatic. Instead, his words are simply a matter of fact, stating a chilling destiny you cannot run from, voicing unnerving promises that evoke a primal dread. It’s quite unsettling.
Third, this story is overflowing with emotion. Anger and love. Desperation and hope. Fear and joy. Regret and pride. Selfishness and selflessness. Cruelty and kindness. It’s all there, increasing the intensity of what these characters are experiencing. Especially between father and son. Creating strong emotional connections so that you don’t just read what they’re going through. You will feel it in your soul.
Do not miss The Adversary. It’s one hell of a story that’s a must read for anyone calling themselves a thriller fan. A heart-thumping, emotionally stirring and exhilarating tale that is so completely engrossing that everything around you will fade into the background. One of the best books you’ll read this year.
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Barrington Books
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