Mini review: The Scorpion’s Nest by Nate Granzow
· File Size: 385 KB
· Print Length: 185 pages
· Publisher: Publish Green (August 25, 2011)
Synopsis:
Some secrets are worth dying over. Or at least some people will always claim so.
During the abhorrent and sadistic human testing conducted Nazis pseudo scientists discover a terrible virus with the potential to ravage the human body. Recognizing its promising lethality, they send a special comando of Germans on a clandestine mission— the so-called Operation Scorpion's Nest— into the American southwest to unleash it upon the population of the United States and disincline American people to join the World War II. Their plans fail through but not because of the lack of trying.
One near miss and 70 years later, Scott Kretschmer, an unemployed aircraft mechanic, witnesses a violent bank robbery. Uninterested in money, the thieves only took one thing: the last remaining logbook from that secret Nazi operation. Scott suddenly finds himself plunged into a race against time as a corrupt pharmaceutical company with a Nazi past works to replicate the virus, with plans to release it upon the world as the only provider of the antidote.
What I liked:
The main hero was flawed and the author made him suffer. I like tormented heroes so it suited me perfectly. Even the fact that he was made to rescue single-handedly the USA and the rest of the world didn’t disturbed me so much.
The narration was interesting, the plot – packed from cover to cover and all flashes from the past - logically tied to the present day.
Nazis were portrayed in a great way (horrible monsters all of them) but the author avoided oversimplification which is no mean feat.
I truly enjoyed the description of social mechanisms which lead to producing your own, personal, home-made terrorists.
What I didn’t like:
Mr. Alejo was, in my humble opinion, a great character but he was introduced too late and dispatched too soon. Pity – he had a great potential, with his allegedly genial brain and gambling addiction. I do like my baddies well-rounded and fleshed out.
The female lead, Melanie…she seemed a bit bland.
I noticed some typos in the text. Fortunately not many of them.
Some descriptions seemed too lengthy and overall the style could have been given more edge.
Final verdict:
For a first book it was a quite nice debut although it is clear the author should improve his craftsmanship. I really enjoyed that one and I would definitely recommend this novel if you are planning a long journey - it is a breeze to read and the twists and turns of the story will keep you entertained.
Great review Ana, glad you liked the book.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's my kind of book, but I'mglad you liked it, it sounds like an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteThis one actually sounds pretty good. Although, I haven't been in the mood for any kind of historical fiction lately. I'm not sure why, but it does seem I go through periods of wanting certain books. I really want to pick up the Monsteroligist series, though! :P
ReplyDelete*waves to Ana*
ReplyDeleteGreat review as always. But I think I will go for those monster books instead ;)
This sounds like an interesting story. It reminds me a bit of The Iron Duke, with those mind-controlling viruses.
ReplyDeleteYou can't get any badder than the Nazis that's for sure but to depict them in a multi-dimensional fashion is hard to do.
ReplyDeleteHot sure if this is book I would read, thought it does sounds interesting. Thanks for the review :)
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