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Book Reviews​

3/19/2020

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The Way of the Brave

 
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Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Series: Global Search & Rescue
Release Date: January 7, 2020


Former pararescue jumper Orion Starr is haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong. He may be living alone in Alaska now, but the pain of his failure--and his injuries--has followed him there from Afghanistan. He has no desire to join Hamilton Jones's elite rescue team, but he also can't shirk his duty when the call comes in to rescue three lost climbers on Denali.

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun's yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from the guilt that has sunk its claws into her. As a consultant during a top-secret mission to root out the Taliban, she green-lighted an operation that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she'll be forced to trust her life and the lives of her friends to the most dangerous of heroes--the man she nearly killed.

Her skills and his experience are exactly what's needed to prevent another tragedy--but in order to truly set Orion free from his painful past, Jenny will have to reveal hers. They'll have to put their wounds behind them to survive, but at what cost?

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Reviewer: Becky Hrivnak

I love Susan May Warren books, but this one has been a struggle for me. While I usually love her details as I read through her very action-packed books, this book had a ton of climbing vernacular that I couldn't understand. I did like the underlying story, but there was so much that I couldn't understand or envision that I struggled to complete it in a timely manner. If you are a sports enthusiast or into climbing, I'm sure you will LOVE this book. I will always be willing to read a Warren book, but this one was a bit hard to follow at times.

I received this book from Baker Publishing/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and comments are my own.


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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"We don't stop living live because bad things can, or will, happen."

Orion Starr and Jenny Calhoun had stopping living, in a way, since a mission went terribly wrong in Afghanistan. Orion, a pararescue jumper and Jenny, an CIA agent posing as an embedded journalist were on opposite ends of the tragedy; Orion lost teammates and sustained injuries requiring a knee replacement; Jenny, on the other hand, had a nervous breakdown. The remarkable friendship they had molded on the battlefield literally went up in smoke. But Orion had once promised Jenny; "I will find you", he just had no way of knowing at the time that it would require a different kind of rescue mission, one requiring a dangerous extraction off the side of the most treacherous mountain peak in North America; Denali.

"This trip is about conquering our fears. About going beyond who we think we are."

Famous last words; but oh, how Jenny Calhoun prayed they would not be her epitaph. When a hideous wind blast literally blows her companions and her off Denali, they struggle to survive before an avenging angel from her past manages to arrive. If only it was that easy, for Orion Starr still doesn't know the truth.

Honestly, the repetitive references to various climbing implements and the author's vivid descriptions of the Alaskan terrain, were overwhelming at times. Assuming most readers are not serious expeditionary hikers, the story was difficult to picture or even imagine. Scene after scene rather ran together, nevertheless, it was the strength of the characters that carried this story; their struggles, their honesty, their bravery, their will to live, their faith, their forgiveness. Sweeter words were never spoken than, "I forgive you", "please, let it be over".

I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews.


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Reviewer: Caroline Star

Susan May Warren really delivered on this one! I wasn't expecting a lot since I didn't love the last book of hers I read, but The Way of the Brave was amazing! Definitely one of the most interesting suspense/thriller books I've read this year.

I loved reading about the different characters and their backstories, and that Warren didn't drag out and dramatize Orion's (the male MC) history as well as Jenny's. She instead plainly laid it out and said it as it was and then proceeded on with the story, which I definitely appreciated. I also relate a lot to Aria, Jenny's best friend, and I see a lot of myself in her, which is why I loved reading about Jake. I'm confused as to what happened at the end between the two. (Content note: they were in the act of becoming intimate with each other before they were even close to getting married, and were stopped by Jenny coming into the room). It didn't seem like they regretted it  or viewed it as sin. Jake and Aria seemed to feel a bit of guilt over it, but nothing more than that. Aria went as far as to say that it was okay. Which is why I feel conflicted about recommending this book. 

I did think the writing style was brilliant and appropriately heart-pounding during the page-turning moments of the plot. And I'm interested in reading more of Warren's books in the future! Four stars, one star taken off because of the content. 

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell, through Interviews & Reviews.


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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

My first Susan May Warren book ever and I must say I am going to have to catch up on some of her other books. I now know why my friend loves her so much.

This is filled with action/adventure and will take you where no one has gone before. The cover once again grabbed my attention. I love it that the story inside matches what is in the story. 

I think the only thing I didn't really like was the romance aspect of it. I thought that it was too soon into the book but I guess if a couple feels the sparks then hey who am I to judge? I also found some things that were repetitive too but overall I still enjoyed it. It was the twists and turns that made it exciting. I've never been to Denali before except through Tracie Peterson. So, this adventure was a bit different. Sometimes it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck too.

This author sure knows her stuff and I love her style of writing. I was certainly impressed except for the few things I mentioned early on.

I for one, enjoy the Christian filled themed of these books. It's why I got into reading them. Some of them have blessed me mightily. I am a changed person because of these books and the authors who put them out there.

I loved this book because it's all new to me. I enjoyed meeting Jenny Calhoun. God knows what He's doing when he puts two people together. Maybe it's to mend old hurts, maybe it's for something else only God knows. 

I think Orion is a bit of an unusual name. It's certainly original. I like different. The supporting characters like Sasha, Aria, Ham were great! I made friends with them too.

I'm going to reread this in the future because I will want to do this when the 2nd book comes out. This book is the 1st of a new series too and it's going to be exciting. This author has made me a fan for life.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division through Interviews & Reviews


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Reviewer: Eva-Joy Schonhaar

How do I describe my thoughts about this book?  'Mixed'.

The Way of the Brave is a gripping inspirational adventure story, but it wasn't all great. In this review, I'll be unpacking what worked for me, what didn't, and my overall thoughts on the story.

WHAT I DID LIKE:
  • The characters.  Jenny and Orion were hugely likeable leads (Orion's name still makes me roll my eyes, but whatever).  Each grappled with their own personal demons - each had their own reasons for wanting to scale OR wanted to avoid Mt. Denali. In addition, the secondary characters were great! Ham, Jake, Sasha, and Aria were all their own characters. I never got anyone mixed up.
  • The writing.  So many Christian novels these days border on the insipid (or cross the line altogether) with dull dialogue, boring plots, and stock characters. Susan May Warren avoids all of that and deftly crafts an exciting story that kept me turning pages (or swiping my phone screen at least).  There were *some* issues I had with the writing (more on that in a bit) but overall, this book was a highly entertaining read.
  • All the technical details. I love reading books where I learn new stuff in an interesting way. I learned a LOT about mountain climbing and winter survival while reading The Way of the Brave and I'm so glad the author didn't skimp on the survival part of things in favor of more romance.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
  • The romance.  I just...I don't get romance plots like this.  Most of Jenny and Orion's love seemed super focused on physical attraction (unhealthily so, at times) with all the requisite quotes about Orion's broad shoulders and Jenny's lips that tasted like sunshine and hope.  Kind of cringy and it didn't really make me root for them as a couple.  I did like, though, that both Jenny and Orion were their own characters apart from the romance.  They had their own lives.
  • The unfocused (somewhat) plot.  Not to give any spoilers, but about ninety percent into the book, the focus switches quite drastically and it's a little confusing/weird. I get that the author had to give Jenny's arc a satisfying ending (one I saw coming a mile away) and that she's setting up the sequel (which I'm still interested in reading).  But it made the story feel off, a little.  Could just be me though. 
  • The Christian content. Okay. So. This is what frustrated/annoyed me most about The Way of the Brave.  This book had HUGE potential to truly help the hurting, those with PTSD and depression and survivor's guilt. But instead, it felt like the author gathered up a bunch of Hallmark card platitudes and used that to stave off her characters' struggles. Near the end of the book, two or three different characters talk to Orion and Jenny about God and their 'dialogue' is like one long sermon.  Really preachy, non-subtle, and completely skippable (at least to me).

Anyway, even if that sounded harsh, I still really enjoyed this book. Overall, The Way of the Brave is a heart-pounding, intriguing novel that's full of heart and heroes and that sets up a great-sounding series.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing, Revell Division, through Interviews & Reviews.

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