Review - Inside Out

Title: Inside Out
Author: Barry Eisler
Publishing Date: July 2010
Genre: Thriller
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from the library.

Inside Out is the second book in Barry Eisler's Ben Treven series. Ben Treven is a black ops soldier who recent had everything he believes in turned upside down in the previous novel Fault Line. This time Ben has been asked to track down a rogue operator who is threatening the US government with revealing tapes of American soldiers torturing prisoners all in the name of war. Ben, with the help of FBI agent Paula Lanier, must stop Larison before these tapes are revealed to the American people.

While Inside Out had many of the things I enjoyed about Fault Line, the first Ben Treven novel, it also didn't quite live up to my expectations. I think Inside Out was much more focused on the external conflict Ben was facing in hunting down Larison and was much less focused on Ben's relationships with those around him. Inside Out also seemed transitional in the fact that Ben is being groomed to take on more a leadership role and active participant in his division than just being a mindless drone that just takes orders and executes them.

There is no doubt that Barry Eisler writes a compelling, well researched and believable story. He is extremely knowledgeable in the nuances of the United States government and how it would manage a crisis it didn't want the American public getting wind of. It actually makes a person wonder at just what kinds of things are being kept hidden from us. Barry also can write compelling characters and gives the reader insight into how a soldier, especially a fierce, loyal and aggressive soldier views the world. I found it very interesting how Paula would psychoanalyze Ben and hit the nail right on the head. I do wish that there would have been more romance between these two, although the one sex scene in the book was smoking hot! Also, I felt like certain issues were wrapped up rather quickly at the end. But, I am definitely going to be reading the next Ben Treven novel.

Review - Fault Line

Title: Fault Line
Author: Barry Eisler
Publication Date: March 2009
Genre: Mainstream Fiction/Thriller
Rating: B+
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: Received a signed copy from Mr. Eisler at the Romantic Times Convention 2009.

Alex Trevan is a patent lawyer and when one of his clients, the creator of a new encryption software is found dead in a parking lot, Alex has a feeling this is not just a random shooting. After more bodies start turning up - all of them involved with this patent - Alex knows he is next. He is also worried for the safety of his assistant, Sara. With nowhere else to turn he calls in his brother Ben, a black ops military soldier, for help.

I must say that the whole reason why I moved Fault Line to the top of the TBR pile was because of Caroline Jewel's positive review that I read over at Dear Author. She really had me curious about this book. It's not a romance, yet she did point out that there was romance in it. Low and behold, I was pleasantly surprised with my reaction to Fault Line.

The main plot of the story has to do with Alex trying to figure out why someone would want to kill for this computer program. But, that is not the reason why the book held my attention. What really intrigued me was the relationship between Alex and Ben. The two brothers have a lot of animosity towards each other. At first, you get Alex's perspective and immediately begin to empathize with him and take his side. But slowly, over the course of the story Ben's perspective comes into play and you realize that nothing is cut and dry and that both men have a point. That to me is the real beauty of this story.

There is romance in this story, not a lot, but enough to satisfy me. I don't want to say too much about the romance, mainly because what I thought was going to happen didn't. I am actually glad it didn't because I think things worked out better the way Eisler wrote them. Hah! That's why he is the writer and I'm the reader. Also, there is quite a little twist to the ending involving who was after the computer program. I love how the ethics in this book are outlined in different shades of grey, instead the boring black and white we are normally familiar with. It makes for very interesting reading. However, the beginning of the book is a little slow. If you can hold out until Ben gets into town you are in for a treat. I definitely recommend this thriller for when you are in the mood for something different from the stereotypical romance books, especially if you are a fan of suspense.


Here is what others had to say:

Dear Author guest reviewer Carolyn Jewel
Dear Author guest reviewer Phyl
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.