What did you think of how this book constantly switched between the "present" action of the missions and flashbacks?

[Laura Lee]

I believe that the writer has managed to accomplish the switching between reality and flashbacks very well. It takes lots of mastery. I liked it.

It really does take a lot of mastery to switch like that and not lose your audience. I was impressed, personally. IMO, he does it even better than Tom Clancy. The switching on Tom Clancy's novels kind of left me scrambling to remember who the characters were again, as it had been so long in the book, since they'd been discussed.

[Misael Carlos]

Switching between present and past is okay with me as long as there is clarity of which time period is being presented or the switch is not confusing. Probably a label or something is written to indicate that there is a change in time period so that a reader will not become disoriented.

[Shabram22]

I really liked the flashbacks. I often was left wanting to know more about the life sometimes though, about Rachel and if they had any family time. But other then that the author did a great job of keeping both sections (life and man missions) very interesting

[Laura Lee]

Switching between present and past is okay with me as long as there is clarity of which time period is being presented or the switch is not confusing. Probably a label or something is written to indicate that there is a change in time period so that a reader will not become disoriented.

True. I think Uliel manages it well the way he does it. He's a really skilled writer. It's been interesting to me to see how he does that so well and manages not to lose his audience.

[Zeix]

At the beginning I really didn't quite get it and ended up loosing some few pages but afterwards it was nice since I knew how the book was written. And I really did enjoy it

[Laura Lee]

At the beginning I really didn't quite get it and ended up loosing some few pages but afterwards it was nice since I knew how the book was written. And I really did enjoy it

That opening with the author huddled in the back of a truck next to drugs and guns, fearing for his life, really leaves you hanging at the first flashback, doesn't it? LOL

[Julianna]

I’ve read quite a few books where the author repeatedly flashes back. Nothing anywhere near the amount of Man Mission, but the author accomplished the transitions smoothly. I wasn’t lost or confused. And seeing the past, helped to explain and define each character more.

[Laura Lee]

I’ve read quite a few books where the author repeatedly flashes back. Nothing anywhere near the amount of Man Mission, but the author accomplished the transitions smoothly. I wasn’t lost or confused. And seeing the past, helped to explain and define each character more.

It really did round out the characters, didn't it? Unfortunately, I could pick up immediately the foreshadowing of the demise of his marriage, too. I'm reading along and go, "No! They're such a cute couple. No! Work out your problems. Don't divorce!"

[Jorge Leon Salazar]

I think that the writing's styles in which authors change between present and past are interesting, to me, in particular, it keeps me attentive and I try to link the stories and make sure that everything is consistent.

[Laura Lee]

I think that the writing's styles in which authors change between present and past are interesting, to me, in particular, it keeps me attentive and I try to link the stories and make sure that everything is consistent.

That's a good point. Thanks for responding!

[Fatima_Palacios]

I didn’t mind it at all and thought that the author did a great job jumping back and forth. It was able show the contrast between the Man Missions and their personal life, and it was done smoothly.

The flashbacks really added to the story, didn't they? They helped to "flesh out" the characters.

So far I'm liking the flashbacks they give good intake and who the characters really are. And how they will act in certain events.

[Laura Lee]

I didn’t mind it at all and thought that the author did a great job jumping back and forth. It was able show the contrast between the Man Missions and their personal life, and it was done smoothly.

The flashbacks really added to the story, didn't they? They helped to "flesh out" the characters.

So far I'm liking the flashbacks they give good intake and who the characters really are. And how they will act in certain events.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the flash backs, too, but they certainly enriched the story!

[chiadeer]

I thought the flashbacks worked out well. There was such a large time period that the book covers from first the last man mission. I thought the flashbacks did a great job of highlighting important happenings that were pertinent to the story without having to do as much of a set-up if it was all written chronologically.

[Laura Lee]

I thought the flashbacks worked out well. There was such a large time period that the book covers from first the last man mission. I thought the flashbacks did a great job of highlighting important happenings that were pertinent to the story without having to do as much of a set-up if it was all written chronologically.

That's true, I hadn't thought of that. Fifteen years is a long time-frame to cover. The flashbacks really were integral to the development of the story.

[Paige Alvarado]

I liked that it added personal elements to the characters, and also kind of opened the story up a bit. If it were just an overly-descriptive account of the missions themselves, I would have been bored out of my mind. The flashbacks to home life really added some drama to the story, making it far more appealing to me. Also, it helped the reader be aware of why these Missions are so important to these guys- some of them are really dealing with a lot at home!