Review by Taylor Maxwell -- Waterworks by Jack Winnick
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Taylor Maxwell
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- Latest Review: Waterworks by Jack Winnick
Review by Taylor Maxwell -- Waterworks by Jack Winnick
[Following is a volunteer review of "Waterworks" by Jack Winnick.]
Waterworks by Jack Winnick is an adventurous spy novel. Despite being the fifth novel in Winnick’s Lara and Uri series, it can be read as a standalone. This particular novel in the series finds married spies Lara Edmond and Uri Levin attempting to enjoy a vacation away from their stressful work with Mossad. However, after an unsuccessful attempt is made by Iran and cohorts to poison the water supply in Los Angeles, the FBI turns to the duo for help.
Both Lara and Uri have a successful history working against Jihad forces so to avoid recognition, this time they are sent in disguise and on two separate missions. The novel weaves together their separate and shared experiences as they work to infiltrate the highest offices of Iran’s military. But are they cunning enough to prevent a large-scale attack on California’s waterway systems that could claim thousands of American lives? And who can they trust along the way? Deceit, misdirection, and action set an enjoyably fast pace for this novel that makes it a hard book to put down.
Overall, I would give the book 3 out of 4 stars. What I enjoyed most about the novel and what originally grabbed my attention was Winnick’s claim that while most characters and the story line itself are fictional, the science is very real. An element called polonium, the chemical weapon of choice for Iran, is as rare as it is deadly. As one would expect from a Professor of chemical engineering, Winnick expertly explains the unusual element, from its creation to its devastating effects in a manner that is easily understandable and better yet, intriguing! His ability to educate his readers without losing them to the monotony that can be non-fiction at times, extends to his evident knowledge and description of Irani culture, U.S. waterway systems, and middle eastern foreign policy. It was a real treat to enjoy a novel that is simultaneously an action-packed read as well as educational.
I am not giving this novel all four stars because although the story can indeed be read as a standalone novel, there is a serious lack of character development that leads me to wish I had read the other novels first in hopes of better relating to the characters. Lara and Uri’s story lines divide into two lengthy passages describing their respective journeys. While reading, I often had a hard time remembering which character’s timeline I was in as both passages use the exact same imagery and phrases to describe their surroundings and the supporting characters they encounter. Even Lara and Uri’s interactions with others are so similar and lacking in individuality that I was never able to engage fully in the story and was disappointed to find myself indifferent as to which side won.
The dull characterizations were especially disruptive to the reading of the story when juxtaposed with the larger than life plot lines. I would have expected much stronger personalities to characters that continuously defy average human ability and found the dissonance between the two to detract from the otherwise realistic tone that the novel’s use of facts and science sets.
Despite my reservations, I would recommend this book, however, I would likely recommend that readers start at the beginning of the series in hopes that by the time they arrive at the fifth novel, Lara and Uri have been developed enough to relate to. It is important to note given the realistic nature of the book and it’s hot topic issues (which the author does so clearly) that this is a pro-America and pro-Israel novel, with Jihadists depicted as the “bad guys.” Thus, it is not suitable for anyone who might disagree or dislike books with political agendas. This book is ideal for young adults who enjoy the larger than life pace of a science fiction novel but with the unique substitution of real science.
******
Waterworks
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Waterworks by Jack Winnick is an adventurous spy novel. Despite being the fifth novel in Winnick’s Lara and Uri series, it can be read as a standalone. This particular novel in the series finds married spies Lara Edmond and Uri Levin attempting to enjoy a vacation away from their stressful work with Mossad. However, after an unsuccessful attempt is made by Iran and cohorts to poison the water supply in Los Angeles, the FBI turns to the duo for help.
Both Lara and Uri have a successful history working against Jihad forces so to avoid recognition, this time they are sent in disguise and on two separate missions. The novel weaves together their separate and shared experiences as they work to infiltrate the highest offices of Iran’s military. But are they cunning enough to prevent a large-scale attack on California’s waterway systems that could claim thousands of American lives? And who can they trust along the way? Deceit, misdirection, and action set an enjoyably fast pace for this novel that makes it a hard book to put down.
Overall, I would give the book 3 out of 4 stars. What I enjoyed most about the novel and what originally grabbed my attention was Winnick’s claim that while most characters and the story line itself are fictional, the science is very real. An element called polonium, the chemical weapon of choice for Iran, is as rare as it is deadly. As one would expect from a Professor of chemical engineering, Winnick expertly explains the unusual element, from its creation to its devastating effects in a manner that is easily understandable and better yet, intriguing! His ability to educate his readers without losing them to the monotony that can be non-fiction at times, extends to his evident knowledge and description of Irani culture, U.S. waterway systems, and middle eastern foreign policy. It was a real treat to enjoy a novel that is simultaneously an action-packed read as well as educational.
I am not giving this novel all four stars because although the story can indeed be read as a standalone novel, there is a serious lack of character development that leads me to wish I had read the other novels first in hopes of better relating to the characters. Lara and Uri’s story lines divide into two lengthy passages describing their respective journeys. While reading, I often had a hard time remembering which character’s timeline I was in as both passages use the exact same imagery and phrases to describe their surroundings and the supporting characters they encounter. Even Lara and Uri’s interactions with others are so similar and lacking in individuality that I was never able to engage fully in the story and was disappointed to find myself indifferent as to which side won.
The dull characterizations were especially disruptive to the reading of the story when juxtaposed with the larger than life plot lines. I would have expected much stronger personalities to characters that continuously defy average human ability and found the dissonance between the two to detract from the otherwise realistic tone that the novel’s use of facts and science sets.
Despite my reservations, I would recommend this book, however, I would likely recommend that readers start at the beginning of the series in hopes that by the time they arrive at the fifth novel, Lara and Uri have been developed enough to relate to. It is important to note given the realistic nature of the book and it’s hot topic issues (which the author does so clearly) that this is a pro-America and pro-Israel novel, with Jihadists depicted as the “bad guys.” Thus, it is not suitable for anyone who might disagree or dislike books with political agendas. This book is ideal for young adults who enjoy the larger than life pace of a science fiction novel but with the unique substitution of real science.
******
Waterworks
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Waterworks by Jack Winnick
