The second book in the Paladin of Shadows book was much better than the first. For one thing, the main character doesn't rape anyone. Admittedly, I could do without the having sex with the 16 and 17 year old girls; it didn't do anything for me, but presumably Ringo is trying to be a little realistic in his portrayal of how an ex-military man with a sadistic streak that he tries to control would handle having future prostitutes thrust upon him. In this book, the protagonist buys a lot of farm and fortress because he is trying to stay under the radar from various Arabic terrorist groups that want his head on a silver platter. He gets lost and finds this idyllic place with beautiful people (read gorgeous redheads and blondes) and warrior handsome men. The rest of the book shows how he institutes changes that bring the valley up to date as essentially the warlord or baron (called Kildar by the locals). He also decided to train the men into a militia, but they are so proficient that he intends to train them into elite commandos. The book is rife with sex scenes, but not so much in the action department until the very end of the book. He trains the men into a militia to stop the Chechens (the book is set in Georgia, the country not the state) from bringing slaves into the valley and stealing women for the sex trade.I must admit I found it fascinating on how an ex-military man might put together and protect a group of people and staff a fortress. The sex scenes are pretty erotic if you like dom/sub type stuff, but boring/irritating if you don't.The character is misogynistic, but genuinely tries to fight those tendencies in himself (failing miserable in the first book's third story btw). He's also a little bit too competent in the competitions during the festival and that was a bit irritating. I suppose though that is a staple for men's adventure novels. If you get rid of the harem concept, I'd give the story 4 stars, but it loses one because frankly, I find the idea a bit offensive that an American would come up with that sort of solution. But if that floats your boat, then enjoy.
There are interesting elements in this book, but it strikes me as untidy in plot, and doesn't really seem to get anywhere. I haven't read any other John Ringo, so I don't know if this is emblematic, or situational.First, this is unvarnished male fantasy. The Gor books are actually mentioned at one point. This is tough guys blowing stuff up, saving the day, and getting lots of female action.I would say the biggest issue with this book is that there's no try/fail cycle to speak of. I kept waiting for something to occur, but it's generally a fairly low-stakes story, which is strange, considering the genre.Still, there's a neat anthropological angle, which made it interesting, even though it was a little weird that all of these soldiers could so effectively nerd out over some very obscure historical stuff.Anyway, it's a diverting read if you're a fan of the genre, if a little bit low on peril.
What do You think about Kildar (2007)?
Less action than his first book in the series. Again, a bit far fetched but If you want facts read the news paper. This books spends more time developing characters and laying down the plot line for the upcoming sequels. I am a sucker for these books my wife calls my Bromance books (basically over the top military, special operations, CIA, Clandestine). As with the previous book in this series, there is an undertone of odd sexual relationships, such as his under aged harem and collection of live in prostitutes. I suppose in a way it appeals to many male taboo fantasiesI like John Ringo's Books. They are page turners for sure!
—Adam
This book is porn. Pure, un-adulterated porn. It's like John Ringo read his own book Ghost, and decided to write some fan fic about his special forces character and a bunch of hot bondage girls getting it on. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I mean Ghost was pretty close to being porn too, so I kind of expected it, seeing as this book is the sequel. But, this book really has no story. It's just a created scenario for porn. Written like its some bad fanfic. Because, the writing in this book is just bad. So bad.I really should re-read Ghost. Because, I loved that book. I should go back and see if Ringo is just a bad writer, or I just love porn so much that I can forgive the bad writing if there's enough hot naked chicks involved. Mmmmmm, hot naked chicks.
—Glenn Conley
Kildar is the second book in John Ringo’s Paladin of Shadows series and make no mistake the military adventure/porn format is still there in full force. What makes this book stand out from the previous book is that it seems like mostly exposition for the books that come after it. There is a good deal of action in the story, but it does not throw you headlong into it like the first one did. In the first book you go from a rescue mission behind enemy lines to stumbling onto a terrorist plot while trolling Europe for the best hookers. This book starts with a blizzard that brings him into contact with an ancient people and leads into him buying a farm in Georgia. No not that Georgia… the other one… no not the state the country… yes the one next to Russia. That is a conversation you can expect a lot of in the book. With all of that said it is fun book full of world building and character development. Do not read this book if you’re feeling are easily hurt or if you are disgusted by pornography.
—Joe
