One of the Best Books I’ve Read in 2019
5 out of 5 stars
I really hate to admit that I have not read the entire Joe Ledger series before picking this up, but I have read a few. Thankfully, enough to know/understand who Ledger is and a little about what makes him tick. The stories that I have read made some of the references understandable (though I thought Maberry did a great job explaining the scenes that he would flashback or refer to).
I’ll start my official review off with – I believe that this is the “real” next “28 Days Later” sequel. I don’t know if there is an official third one being made, but this one would be up there with that first movie in my eyes. Maberry has one of the characters talk about the sequel to the movie. “You saw the video of how fast Sergeant Chung turned?” … “Suggestive of what? That we’re in the sequel to 28 Days Later?” I say this loving the movies and wanting more of them (but better than the actual sequel gave us). This story feels like it’s the more thought out – honestly scarier version of what Alex Garland and team were going for in the original movie.
This book was like a dream come true for me. Especially the way it was written – from the up and down of the action scenes to the science inside this was easily one of the best books I’ve read this year if not in quite some time.
So, how do I write about this book without spoiling it. Well, it has Joe Ledger, which I guess also spoils some other books. And he is on a team with some other people. And they have to go after the people they believe are behind a new insanely fast-acting… something (the synopsis calls it a bioweapon, so that)… that is turning people into absolute monsters filled with anger and rage. There’s obviously a lot more in the 17.5 hours that Rage has – but pretty much anything else would be a spoiler.
If this is your first Maberry novel – you’ll enjoy it, but you’ll enjoy it a lot more if you’ve read his other Ledger novels. One of my favorite parts about this book and all of his books that I’ve read to date from Maberry is that they’re insanely funny as well. Obviously not throughout – the book itself is a very serious thriller. But Ledger’s character always sprinkles in a little sarcasm and wit into it and it always has me in stitches. It’s a nice reprieve during an edge-of-your-seat thriller.
I want to write so much more about this book and I’m still processing it a few days later. Just know that you’re in for an insanely well-written novel that I’ll remember for years to come.
Book Description:
From New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry (creator of the Netflix series V Wars) comes the first in a brand-new series featuring Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International.
A small island off the coast of Korea is torn apart by a bioweapon that drives everyone – men, women, and children – insane with murderous rage. The people behind the attack want Korea reunified or destroyed. No middle ground. No mercy. Soon Japan, China, and the United States are pushed to the brink of war, while terrorists threaten to release the rage bioweapon in a way of pure destructive slaughter. Joe Ledger leads his newly formed band of international troubleshooters in their first mission to stop the terror cell, fighting alongside agents from North and South Korea. With the lives of billions at stake, Ledger is willing to bring his own brand of terror to this frightening new war.
Rage by Jonathan Maberry
Narrator: Ray Porter
Length: 17 hrs 28 mins
Series: Rogue Team International Series #1
Published by Macmillan Audio on November 5th 2019
Genres: Thriller
Format: Audiobook
Also by this author: Mars One, , Patient Zero
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- Dungeon World Drifters (System Apocalypse – Relentless #2) by Craig Hamilton & Tao Wong (Narrated by Shamaan Casey) - March 19, 2023
- New and Notable Audiobook Releases for the Week of March 18th on Brian’s Book Blog - March 18, 2023
I was just sent a copy of this, but I haven’t read Joe Ledger yet. Maybe I’ll set it aside for now, but your review is making me want to read it right now!
I would maybe read at least the first book in his series (Patient Zero).
Though, he did do a pretty good job explaining the backstory a bit. You obviously miss like 8-9 books of drama and life threatening situations (I’ve only read 1-2 of his other Ledger books). But it’s wasn’t lost on me either.