What the hell happened here? After an awesome first instalment of the 'Ghost Recon' trilogy, the sequel is a total disappointment. It's by the same author, but he decided to change things up, modify his storytelling methodology, and the end result suffers greatly. You will notice straightaway, due to the story being told from just one person's perspective this time, that things are not very exciting, fast-paced or compelling in any way. What I liked about the first book was the constant, random POV changes, creating so much pace and interest, I simply couldn't put the book down. This time, we're forced into one Ghost's head and it's boring. Not painfully boring, but almost a struggle to keep picking up the book to finish it. The character in question is Captain Scott Mitchell (the main Ghost from the first book). He returns to combat, this time in Afghanistan where the Americans are trying to rebuild the country. The Taliban is causing problems, specifically Mohammed Zahed, the commander of the Taliban who is constantly threatening locals and creating general oppression. Captain Mitchell is told to bargain with Zahed, to set up a meeting, but it gets beyond that point. All the banter about Zahed being misunderstood are quashed when the Ghosts encounter more and more hostilities and horrors. Because the story is a little more political, there's not an excess of action like the last book. But what eventuated was my desire to see Captain Mitchell retire due to a lack of personality.I guess this author was punished for his efforts this time around because a different author takes up the reins for the third book in the trilogy. So I'm very curious to see if the original writing style used in the first book is employed again. You know, that faster-than-fast, overly combative storyline. This time, it was pretty dire. I couldn't get into it. The story was a monotonous muddle which was neither exciting nor adrenalin-pumping like the first book. Even if I wasn't allowed to compare it to the first book (which I hold in high regard), I would still consider this sequel to be a little ordinary. I don't think I really cared to learn who Captain Mitchell was in-depth - because it turns out he's not that interesting anyway, nor is his job this particular excursion, as the book rarely goes out of its way to put him regularly in overblown combat. That's why it's monotonous and ultimately forgettable. The story really isn't that well done, the Ghosts are often standing around talking. Because the first person POV limits things this time, everything about everything is filtered through Captain Mitchell, whereas an objective narrator would have benefited the story greatly. You don't get to know the other Ghosts objectively - they don't get to tell their stories much. What really hampers the entire story, despite my stubbornness to finish it, was the lack of a good villain, and that's where a majority of stories fail.Enjoyment Factor: 2 starsMovie Potential: 3 stars I wasn't expecting a lot just a fun read, but it was surprisingly good. Where I expected a mindless action book, the author brought the main character, Ghost Lead, to life and expertly demonstrated the complexities of war in a place like Afghanistan, an insurgency, where the enemy of often elusive and blends in with the local population. The CIA is involved, has different motives, often his orders to eliminate a Taliban commander are in conflict with the U.S. base commander's plans. The plot gets a bit messy through the middle, but otherwise enjoyed it throughout.
What do You think about Combat Ops (2011)?
I enjoyed this book. I felt like I was right there in the hell that these guys were going through.
—Mommykim
If you like Special Opps, Military operations, this is a great book.
—Jen
No way an Army CPT could get away with what was done in this book.
—Mitch
didnt like as much as the first book in the series.
—paco
