Official Review: Sons of the Red Dragon

Juliet+1 · Post by **Juliet+1** » 10 May 2020, 22:03

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sons of the Red Dragon" by Mardi Lynn Roselius.]

4 out of 4 stars

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It all began on the night that George Hu consumed too much beer. Drunk and depressed, he complained bitterly to a friend about the demands of his family's membership in a secret program requiring loyalty to China and its Communist Party. Unfortunately, George's friend was also a close friend of Curtis Beecham, a freelance writer who aspired to write a best-selling novel. Curtis thought George's situation would make a terrific plot for his book.

A publisher in New York City liked the novel that Curtis wrote but first checked the plot's plausibility with a colleague at China Gate Publishing. Alas, this colleague was an informer for Lin Fongveh, an agent for China's Ministry of State Security (MSS). Lin Fongveh shared what he had learned with Deng Qin, the MSS agent in Seattle. Unaware that one of his local contacts was supplying information about MSS activities to the FBI, Deng Qin set out to prevent publication of the book.

By the time this network of friendships, contacts, and informers finished its work, Curtis was on the run from both Chinese and FBI agents, struggling to understand who was chasing him and why. Deaths and disappearances ensued as Curtis teamed up with George's sister to find her missing brother, put a stop to the exploits of the MSS spies, and stay clear of the FBI agents.

One of the best elements of Sons of the Red Dragon is its robust sense of place. Although it begins in China, the story quickly moves to Seattle, a major port for shipping between Asia and North America and home to the Hu family as well as many other Chinese immigrants. Readers can experience living aboard a houseboat on Lake Union, escaping attackers on Bainbridge Island, finding clues in a downtown warehouse, breaking into a container terminal, and other similarly exhilarating waterfront activities.

Another outstanding feature is the dexterity with which the author, Mardi Lynn Roselius, weaves together the many plot threads of this exciting thriller. Curtis Beecham provides much of the narration, but most of the other main characters also participate in telling the story, each in his or her own unique style. The author shifts deftly among the various points of view, allowing the reader to know exactly what is happening and why. The pacing, too, is excellent, building gradually as each new character comes on stage, then picking up speed.

There is much to like and nothing to dislike about Sons of the Red Dragon. It is well edited and has everything a fan of spy novels could want: suspense, action, plot twists, intriguing characters, and a wonderful setting. For this reason, it merits four out of four stars. Anyone who appreciates exciting adventure stories would enjoy this book. However, readers sensitive to erotic material might wish to be cautious. In one scene, the performance of a transvestite stripper is described at length and in vivid detail.

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Sons of the Red Dragon
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fadjei · Post by **fadjei** » 12 May 2020, 09:16

This sounds like a really fun and engaging book to read. I love books filled with adventure and action, they make reading so much more enjoyable.
Thanks for the review!

Kachi_Ejiogu+_ · Post by **Kachi_Ejiogu+_** » 12 May 2020, 09:32

I'm a big fan of spy novels and Sons of the Red Dragon sounds like a sure read for me. A pairing of suspense, plot twists and action says it all for me. Excellent review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 12 May 2020, 10:08

This seems an intriguing spy thriller. To be honest, I could do without a transvestite stripper, but if the novel is good it's no big deal. Thank you for your great review!

Splendour0606 · Post by **Splendour0606** » 12 May 2020, 13:01

Wow! This is very intriguing. It will be a fun read for me. A wonderful review you have here.

Irene_A · Post by **Irene_A** » 12 May 2020, 13:47

Haven’t read much of spy novels, but this seems convincingly a fun read. Love the author’s use of various setting. Good review.

Brenda Creech · Post by **Brenda Creech** » 13 May 2020, 03:50

This sounds like an interesting story but I'm not into spy novels. Also, the erotic content is not my cup of tea. either. Thanks for the excellent review!

Maria Esposito · Post by **Maria Esposito** » 13 May 2020, 14:40

The plot of this book sounds rather peculiar and captivating. Great review!

geebeex · Post by **geebeex** » 13 May 2020, 15:11

This sounds like such an original and exciting novel! I'm really looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the great review.

Ediomis_Enwongo01 · Post by **Ediomis_Enwongo01** » 14 May 2020, 07:48

From your review, the book has a lot of thrills and frills. This can make an enjoyable read. Thanks for the job well done.

sirbobthewise · Post by **sirbobthewise** » 14 May 2020, 19:01

An engaging review! I loved the slight humor of the first line to draw us in. The initial premise of a friend writing a book based on his friend's inebriated reveal of a secret organization sounds super clever and original. And it seems like it doesn't stop there. Sounds like an exciting book with many plot twists and connections to various topics.