Review by Deepa09k -- Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater
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Review by Deepa09k -- Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater
[Following is a volunteer review of "Conflict on the Yangtze" by Greg Kater.]
Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater is a historical fiction set in the post-world war China. It follows upon the already existing Warramunga trilogy series of three books, but could be read as a stand-alone novel too. The story is packed with action and adventure interleaved with China's history post Japanese defeat.
Jack 'Jacko' O'Brien and Jamie Munro, officers who are a part of the Commonwealth Investigation Services (CIS), are based out of Darwin, Australia. They are commissioned to investigate the murder of one of the spies, Daniel, on Yangtze riverfront, in China. As the conditions to travel directly to Shanghai were not much safer, they were to go to the Philippines first and then fly to China. Their wives and Jacko's half-sister Sarah too travel with them and get-off at Manila,Philippines where Carna, Jamie's wife, has to assist her father in setting up a new plant. Jamie and Jacko are joined by Lee, a half-Chinese MI6 operative and Harry Williams Jr., head of the US Intelligence Agency. They find out the opium plant on the Yangtze river bank in one of the villages where the agent was murdered and set to destroy it. But to nullify the smuggling operation, they must find out the persons behind it and cut them off completely. The challenge faced by them in this assignment and the connection between Shanghai, Manila and Romper Island in relation to the assignment is the story.
The narrative is very crisp and fast-paced without any lags anywhere. At every turn of the page, we see that the writer has a clear idea of what he wants to do with the story, the plan very apparent in his mind. It makes the reading so enjoyable and neat, without any loose hanging plots. Also, I loved how the China's history was so craftily used in weaving the story and how the politics of China revolved around the Yangtze can be noted. The author so fittingly educates the conditions of the China, post-world war, without going all academic.
Although, this book can be read as a stand-alone, in some instances, I felt the characters did not sync with me. It might be because of the fact that the book starts after the incidents of the Warramunga series and I haven't read it. Also, there were too many characters, and to keep track of who's who became a bit weary. But again, the writer used them as needed, so its just our perception that we need to overcome.
Overall, I would rate the book 4 out of 4 because it ticks all the boxes of an action-adventure story and also very fine-tuned editing makes this book entertaining. I haven't found any errors, spelling or otherwise. I would definitely recommend this book to all, though war-history lovers would enjoy this a tad-bit more.
******
Conflict on the Yangtze
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Conflict on the Yangtze by Greg Kater is a historical fiction set in the post-world war China. It follows upon the already existing Warramunga trilogy series of three books, but could be read as a stand-alone novel too. The story is packed with action and adventure interleaved with China's history post Japanese defeat.
Jack 'Jacko' O'Brien and Jamie Munro, officers who are a part of the Commonwealth Investigation Services (CIS), are based out of Darwin, Australia. They are commissioned to investigate the murder of one of the spies, Daniel, on Yangtze riverfront, in China. As the conditions to travel directly to Shanghai were not much safer, they were to go to the Philippines first and then fly to China. Their wives and Jacko's half-sister Sarah too travel with them and get-off at Manila,Philippines where Carna, Jamie's wife, has to assist her father in setting up a new plant. Jamie and Jacko are joined by Lee, a half-Chinese MI6 operative and Harry Williams Jr., head of the US Intelligence Agency. They find out the opium plant on the Yangtze river bank in one of the villages where the agent was murdered and set to destroy it. But to nullify the smuggling operation, they must find out the persons behind it and cut them off completely. The challenge faced by them in this assignment and the connection between Shanghai, Manila and Romper Island in relation to the assignment is the story.
The narrative is very crisp and fast-paced without any lags anywhere. At every turn of the page, we see that the writer has a clear idea of what he wants to do with the story, the plan very apparent in his mind. It makes the reading so enjoyable and neat, without any loose hanging plots. Also, I loved how the China's history was so craftily used in weaving the story and how the politics of China revolved around the Yangtze can be noted. The author so fittingly educates the conditions of the China, post-world war, without going all academic.
Although, this book can be read as a stand-alone, in some instances, I felt the characters did not sync with me. It might be because of the fact that the book starts after the incidents of the Warramunga series and I haven't read it. Also, there were too many characters, and to keep track of who's who became a bit weary. But again, the writer used them as needed, so its just our perception that we need to overcome.
Overall, I would rate the book 4 out of 4 because it ticks all the boxes of an action-adventure story and also very fine-tuned editing makes this book entertaining. I haven't found any errors, spelling or otherwise. I would definitely recommend this book to all, though war-history lovers would enjoy this a tad-bit more.
******
Conflict on the Yangtze
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
