The Secret Servant (Gabriel Allon)
by Daniel Silva
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Book Reviews of The Secret Servant (Gabriel Allon)
Book Review: Its No Secret, Silva's On it
Summary: 4 Stars
Sometimes reading the author is worth a lot more than what the book actually sells for. And in this case, I'd rather read something a little less than great by Silva than some of the top names in fiction. And please don't misunderstand, Silva is one of the top names! But Silva knows how to hit the nail on the head, and he sometimes adds fuel to the fire to get it real interesting. I like that!
Enjoy this one, as Gabriel Allon allows his work to take him to Amsterdam after a little discovery of his own. And when you thought that finding an U.S. ambassador's daughter was an assignment, just wait until he has some work to do in Denmark! And you simply thought that Copenhagen was good chewing tobacco! In the process, you'll find out that there just might be more to The Sphinx than you thought. But expect this to have some themes concerning post 9/11, with a possible Sword of Allah to interweave from time to time.
Silva is a natural master at his craft, and that's certainly no secret. But this one just isn't great like the other ones were. But that doesn't take anything away from the story. Does a little bit of Daniel Silva's agenda blend in with all this? Oh yeah, but that's ok. I say in the end it makes for a better story all in all. And it gets me more than ready for an adventure such as "Moscow Rules," because I know how good Silva really is. That's certainly no secret, because Silva has always been on it!
Book Review: Another Solid Allon Yarn
Summary: 4 Stars
Mr. Silva is one of the most consistent writers today. Even this, another installment of the Gabriel Allon series, is fresh and remains exciting. Although this is a series, the novel stands alone. It is nice to know the players, but you can start with this one and go back to the older ones without a problem.
This time Allon, an Israeli operative, starts in Denmark and ends up in London - or Londonistan as it seems. There are the usual bouts of intrique, sleuthing and thrills as he seeks his quarry. The tension builds to a fever pitch as Allon is knowingly thrown into the brink with little to no support. He is left to go where no government will sanction.
What separates Mr. Silva from the usual writers of the spy novel genre writers is his underlying message. Without beating the reader over the head or proselytizing, he alerts the reader to the state of the world and terrorist threats today. His afterword is a very understated emphasis of the threat of Islamist terrorists in Europe. This novel posits the theory, espoused by many, that Britain is now the primary target for jihadists.
Despite the sobering context, this is an intelligent and exciting spy thriller. Highly recommended.
Book Review: Decent read, but not one of his best
Summary: 3 Stars
I've read three or four of Silva's Gabriel Allon series, all designed to sound the alarm about jihadist terroism. It seems that Israeli counter-terrorism activities, in the character of Allon, are becoming indispensable--at least in their fictional incarnations--to the US and UK, who lack the survivalist will that drives the Israelis. This is perhaps why the series is becoming predictable. Silva is by no means an elegant writer, but he constructs a decent plot and moves his characters around in interesting ways. The occasional didactic lesson is put in the mouths of Allon or one of his counterparts. lest we lose sight of the heroic struggle necessary to battle jihadists. The Egyptian situation is painted here in brushstrokes suggestive of the role played by oppressive totalitarian regimes in fostering radicalism amongst their own peoples. Given the radicalized generation about to emerge from Iraq, Silva should have no trouble finding new material, and continuing to refine his place as the leading thriller writer in English of this genre.Book Review: Not a bad read, but just not what I was hoping for
Summary: 3 Stars
I heard Mr. Silva promoting his book on a radio show and although I've kind of burned out on the super-spy genre, the book was so highly recommended by the show's host, I thought I'd give it a read.
This is the first book by Mr. Silva that I've read, although this is the 7th(?) of the series so I came to this book not knowing the characters. Perhaps I'm just burned out on the genre, or maybe I hadn't developed loyalty to the characters that one might get after reading the series, but I just didn't get in to this book very much. It was a decent read and had some exciting parts, but it also had a number of moments of boredom that put it in the 3 star category with me. I can't really say what I objected to without spoiling things, but it seemed to me there were lots of loose ends, unnecessary digressions, and improbable plot twists that kept the story from being as coherent and suspensful as I had hoped it would be. If I had it to do again, I think I'd rather have picked this one up from the discount bin.
Book Review: No paperback purchase here.
Summary: 1 Stars
having recently discovered silva, i've read two books so far and enjoyed them. i went to my neighborhood bookstore and found that all the paperback editions had been changed to these long type format books, which are ridiculous, a waste of paper (what idiots thought this up?) but, of course, with a whopping $2 dollars added on to the price (oh, yeah. that's why!). there is NO WAY i am going to pay $9.99 for a paperback book, especially when trade paper has gotten so excessive in cost in the last few years. too bad for the publisher and the author, but not me. they don't get my money, since i just read something else, my own books, the library, or a used book shop purchase. it's amazing how industries destroy themselves. additionally, one would think that once an author gets this kind of market power through big sales, he and his agent would be concerned with this kind of craven industry practice. guess not.