Extremis (John Rain, #5) by Barry Eisler

Extremis (John Rain, #5) Reviews

• 
  Tulay

  Good story
  
  Don't like this many killings, maybe I'm old female. But like the all the exotic place he goes and looking up those places and learning about them. Meantime learning little about the knifes characters using. He prepares in detail for what he's going to do, but every time something goes wrong, thankfully he has good friends around him to help. Melodrama, love triangle and sex are all in this book.
• 
  Andrew Smith

  I’d just finished a thriller featuring a character who put me in mind of John Rain. Maybe I should check out the next book in the Rain series, I thought. I’d last read a book from this set,
  The Detachment, about a year ago, though in truth I didn’t much enjoy it. In a mess of a plot, events just seemed random and jumbled to the extent I felt Eisler had maybe come to the end of the line with this character. But I do like the complexity of Rain: he’s conflicted about what he does (killing people) and the books spend quite a bit of time delving into the inner thoughts of the man – in this regard, it’s much richer than most action orientated thriller series I’ve invested time in.
  
  Anyway, as I checked the list of books in this series I realised I’d missed one along the way (not unusual for me – I often read series in random order) so I decided to give that one a go. Good decision! This episode turned out to be, in my view, the best one of the lot. The cast list comprises a whole gang of interesting people from earlier books, including two lovers: one current and one past. In short, Rain finds out that his former lover is living in New York with his child and that she is in danger. He must try to help. To do this decides he needs to concoct and execute a daring plan.
  
  As always, the detail here is meticulous, from the descriptions of how weapons are obtained (and the fine detail of the actual hardware) to the layout of key sites and a walk through of the plan itself. You know there will be problems along the way, but where’s the fun in following something that plays out exactly as expected? Just as importantly, we are inside Rain’s head as he calculates what actions he needs to take and why. It’s a complex, multi-site story but one that’s never so confusing that I lost the plot; Eisler keeps a tight rein on things and I was with him all the way.
  
  The tension is never less than fully cranked up here but events follow logically and the interaction between the key players is deftly and sympathetically handled. Whilst the story itself ties up a number of loose ends in this series the book also provides the best insight yet into the psyche of John Rain. In many ways it might have been a brilliant book in which to have ended the series, but instead the author gives a clear lead that there is (at least) one more adventure to come.
  
  I’ll no doubt go on to finish this series – after all, there’s only been one bad book so far – as I’ve had my appetite whetted anew. I’ll be surprised if I find anything there to beat this one though.
  
  Afternote
  
  At the end of this audio version, Barry Eisler – who’d competently competed the reading of the book – referenced his website and commented that here photos could be found of places featured in his books. On inspection, I was delighted to see that this was broken down by book and included not just broad street views but close ups of actual coffee houses and shops mentioned in this particular text. I wish more authors would do this, I know what I’m reading is fiction but what a great way of adding some additional colour and authentic texture to the tale. I loved it!
  
  
  http://www.barryeisler.com/photo_la.php
• 
  Jeanette (Ms. Feisty)

  I've placed myself on partial library restriction while I work through some of the books I have stacked at home. I've had this one sitting around for over a year. This was the only one that I hadn't yet read in the John Rain series.
  
  I agree with others who have said the books in this series got progressively better. Eisler's honing his craft for sure. I read them all jumbled up out of order, which I don't recommend. This book in particular would have been hard to grasp without knowing all the characters and their shared histories.
  
  I had forgotten how good Eisler is at writing dialogue. Very witty and on point. This was (bad pun ahead) a very well-executed (groan!) plot. By the time you get to the last 75 pages, you can't stop reading.
  
  The only thing that bugs me is the way Delilah thinks John Rain is some great catch. He's certainly a guy you'd want on your side. When it comes to his relationships with women, however, he really puts the "ass" in assassin!
• 
  donna backshall

  
  Extremis is probably my favorite of the John Rain series. (thus far, anyway!) The partnership of Rain and Dox solidified here, and those two scoundrels had me laughing hysterically from beginning to end.
  
  When big, burly sniper Dox was reminded a normal person should be traumatized and he ran out of a public men's room shouting much too literally "I'm scared! I'm scared!", I thought I might die choking on the Mexican Coke I was drinking. (That pure sugar cola is better than sex, my friends)
  
  If you haven't found
  Barry Eisler's books yet, YOU ARE MISSING OUT. Go get one of his books, make it the next on your reading list. You're welcome.
• 
  William

  The "Iceman" is definitely back along with Dox and Delilah. Good action. He isn't going to retire.
• 
  John Paxton

  The Rain books keep the action coming. The only thing I could fault is the string of the most attractive women he always seems to pick up. First Midori, then Naomi and then Delilah all find his charms irresistible. Now one helps him get back another! That's the only taint so far otherwise great reading!
• 
  Betsy Ashton

  Japanese yakuza + Chinese triads + long-time enemies make for a complex thriller that can only be solved by John Rain, Barry Eisler's Japanese-American assassin. Let's hope the title of the book is incorrect, and that the reader has not seen the last of John Rain.
  
  Spellbinding. Page turner. You will not see the twist at the end coming
• 
  Tracie Payne

  4.5 stars. This one was fantastic. Dox was once again brilliant. The relationship between Tatsu and Rain was so emotional. The action here was fun. I thought what Delilah did was sheisty, and she was pretty much an asshole. Midori was also quite the bitch and I'm not sad to see her go. On to the next.
• 
  Jim A

  I read this under its original title, The Last Assassin.
  
  The early John Rain novels were really great. The later work was very good. (Difference between 5 stars and 4 stars.)
• 
  Janine

  This was my first Barry Eisner and being #5 in the series there are some things I have missed but this was still an exciting read.
• 
  Julie

  John Rain has an unusual profession - he's a paid assassin. And he is very good at his job. But this assignment is a little different. Instead of being hired to kill some high-profile crime boss, he is out to protect his own family. Traveling from Barcelona to Tokyo to NYC, Rain sets out to outsmart some very powerful people in the Yakuza crime syndicate. The pacing of this book is fast and furious - very fun to listen to and hard to put down. I was especially amazed at the amount of realistic detail in the book about how Rain would scope out a location or plan a mission. So much detail that it made me wonder what about Barry Eisler's background. Sure enough, he used to work for the CIA. Great mystery!
• 
  Paul Anderson

  I love Eisler's style. I usually don't care much for first-person narratives, but occasionally an author makes first-person work. Eisler was able to make 1st person work in this John Rain novel. But reading a Barry Eisler novel is a lot like Chicago weather: wait five minutes, and everything will change dramatically. Even the POV changes as Eisler switches seamlessly between first and third person. If you love a fun and fast read, this book is for you.
• 
  Jerry

  Barry
  
  Without ruining it for everyone else, I love you and hate you Barry. Seriously, good book and great series so far.
• 
  Tracy

  Quick thoughts: An big improvement over the last book, which was the most weak of the series thus far. My chief complaint was the storyline with Deliliah and Midori. I was so frustrated by it that I stopped reading for 3 weeks and seriously considered DNF-ing. I have previously finished these books in a couple of days so to put it down and actively avoid it is meaningful for me. Delilah's behavior seemed so out of character and as if it was inserted just to create drama or a mechanism to effect a desired change (won't say more to avoid spoilers). Once I muscled through that section (by skipping and skimming) I quite enjoyed the rest of the book and am eager to continue the series.
• 
  Angela Kitchen

  Characters keep progressing
• 
  Rob Messenger

  A.K.A "The Last Assassin".
• 
  ElaineY

  REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; APRIL 2, 2017
  Narrator: Barry Eisler
  
  I could do without Midori re-entering the scene but this installment still kept my interest despite my dislike of love triangles. I refuse to read them in Romances so there'd be no way I'd tolerate them in my non-romance genre. Two of the 3 always do something dumb and the 3rd (the guy, of course) is always clueless.
  
  What saved this from being a wallbanger (the only reason I miss paperbacks! My Samsung is too precious to take my irritations out on) is that Delilah is totally kickass and together with Dox, they saved the book. Rain is growing on me, finally, but I still have no desire to go back and relisten to the first three books. I peeked at my Kindle books to see how long Delilah lasts and Rain's broken up with by Book 7 - the Detachment.
  
  I'm looking forward to listening toThe Detachment (#7) because Ben Treven and Larison join in. Woohoo! I love it when it's team action rather than just one lone guy. He's always carrying a ton of baggage and it gets a tad too heavy for me without some team members to help.
• 
  Dick

  What I like about reading a Barry Eisler novel is that he always has a good story, fun characters, and without fail I learn a new word or two.
  
  
  
  
  The Last Assassin, although it has many of the same characters from the previous novels (see here), but there was one significant difference which frankly I didn't care for. My first three novels have all been written in first person POV. I liked that all of the John Rain novels were written in that same POV. Eisler is one of the few thriller writers who uses first person. In this novel I noticed that he changed.
  
  In the last assassin Eisler switches back and forth from first person POV with Rain then third person for the two female characters, Midori and Delialah. It was off-putting to say the least. J.A. Konrath uses the same technique in his Jack Daniels series and I didn't like it when he did it. Eisler did not make me change my views on the technique.
  
  One good thing, . . . I think the series has seen the last of Midori, and I say "Glad to see her gone." Never liked her.
  
  As for the words I learned, there were two:
  
  Vertiginous - characterized by or suffering from vertigo or dizziness - inclined to frequent and often pointless change : inconstant - causing or tending to cause dizziness -
  : marked by turning : rotary
  
  Eponymous - (of a person) being the person after whom a literary work, film, etc., is named the eponymous heroine in the film of Jane Eyre - (of a literary work, film, etc.) named after its central character or creator The Stooges' eponymous debut album - giving one's name to something, as a tribe or place.
  
  Both great to know. I hope I can remember them.
  
  
  There were also some compelling passages. Not sure what it was about this line, but I found myself nodding my head agreeing with the sentiment:
  
  
  She stood up and gave me a long, tight hug. I caught a hint of the perfume she wore, a scent I’ve encountered nowhere else and that I will always equate with her. There were people around, but we were suddenly kissing passionately.
  
  It was always like this when we’d been apart for a while, and sometimes even when we hadn’t been. There was just something about the two of us that wouldn’t let us keep our hands off each other. Whatever it was, sometimes it was overpowering.
  
  I wasn't going to highlight this passage but the last line really got me. It made me bust out in a smile.
  
  
  She leaned over and straddled me and then I was inside her and I’d never felt anything so good. I thought, Fuck, not again, not without a condom, and it was the most fleeting and inconsequential thought I’ve ever had in my life.
  
  Finally, other than the words, the great writing, the exciting story and the compelling characters I got to remember the blurb I read on Schrodinger's Cat. If you are not familiar with the experiement, it's worth knowing about.
• 
  Anne

  At the end of the last John Rain book, Killing Rain, our half-Japanese hero discovered that an affair with the daughter of one of his victims resulted in a baby boy. At the beginning of installment #5, Rain learns that his son is living with his mother Midori in New York City, oblivious to the fact that Rain's yakuza enemies from Japan have her under constant surveillance. Rain, himself, has fallen in love (or as close to love as an emotionally detached trained killer can be) with a fellow assassin, the beautiful Israeli, Delilah. Torn between escaping his life of murder, and establishing a relationship with his son, Rain sets out to destroy the yakuza boss and regain his freedom. To do so, Rain must return to Japan to his dying mentor, and solicit the help of the irreverant and sometims obnoxious, but always loyal sniper, Dox. As with all the books in the Rain series, this one is filled with fight scenes, brutal murders, and tricky surveillance gadgets. But more so than the others, Rain really develops in this one as a human being - determined to remain dispassionate, but tormented by his conscience. The quote on the back of this one got it right - it truly is "the best one yet!"
  
• 
  TJ Creamer

  (Previously published as "The Last Assassin")
  
  I so enjoyed Tom Wood's series with Victor, that I went looking for another to feed my fix/need.
  
  I stumbled across Barry Eisler and have read the entire 8-book series. And was very pleased. As such, this is the same review for all 8 books.
  
  
  The author reads his own work, and after listening to Tom Wood's series with Rob Shapiro as the wonderful narrator, this took me a while to adapt to the reading style.
  
  But don't let that dissuade you. Barry Eisler does a really really fine job of narrating, and you get to hear the different personalities, and understand who is who pretty quickly.
  
  Barry Eisler has a nice knack of leading the reader on, enticing them to continue the story, and understand the predicaments the protagonist (John Rain) finds himself in. In addition, the growth of the character is wonderful. Kudos to Barry Eisler, and his real-life background that leads him to be able to write this well (check out his website as well!).
  
  As I mentioned above, I have read all 8 books. Once I got through book 1, I could not put down the entire series.
  
  I liked this series so much, I'd love to meet the author, and can't wait to read more of his works as well.
• 
  GS Nathan

  I just stumbled onto this book in my local library and given the pressures on my time the last month, almost returned it unread. But I took to reading it over the last weekend, and boy, it turned out to be a surprisingly good read. Tight in its plotting, just about the right length, and populated with characters that can, perhaps, grow on you, this book was a happy experience. Indeed the only thing is that there is a bit too much of killing - some avoidable and some not - that sort of detracts from the overall effect.
  
  John Rain is a conflicted master of the black arts trying to get away from his mercenary past but tied down by too many strands that keep pulling him back in. In this story too, enemies from his past chase him. Using some ingenuity, some incredible contacts who give him all the firepower he needs, and a bit of luck, Rain comes out intact and successful. But he is faced with the bigger question of is this what he wants in life? A question that the author may resolve in his own way.
  
  In any event, I will read the earlier books and look forward to finding out how the story pans out.
• 
  Rhod

  Another winner from Eisler. (from Amazon) Japanese-American assassin John Rain would like to get out of the killing business in his fifth action-filled outing (after 2005's Killing Rain), see the son he's only just learned of and perhaps try to reconnect with Midori, the child's mother. But first there's the little matter of the Japanese gangster Yamaoto and Yamaoto's Chinese triad allies, who are watching over Rain's son in New York City, not to mention Delilah, the beautiful Mossad agent who shares Rain's occupation and his bed. Seizing the initiative, Rain enlists the aid of his super-sniper friend, Dox, in a campaign to remove Yamaoto. Rain and allies clash with their many powerful foes in combat scenes full of lovingly detailed descriptions of knives, guns and other martial paraphernalia. Amid the threats to life, limb and loved ones, Rain finds time to enjoy good food, better whiskey and even better sex. While most of the action takes place in Japan, Eisler handles all the story's locales, including Manhattan and Barcelona, with considerable aplomb.
• 
  Bob

  Yet another exceptional chapter the life of John Rain. The end twist of the previous book is the prominent plot device in this book. Rain is conflicted between the life he leads and the life he wishes to lead. Agian, Eisler has created real conflict and humanity in a character that most people would consider a monster - a for hire assassin. The book continues to show Rain's distrust of the world, but it is evident that the events of previous novels have changed him in ways that he didn't even think were possible. There are a couple of "over-the-top" momemts, but for the most part the book is extremely "real". The book was paced just as well as the prior entries and the ending was extremely emotional. Excellent read, but I would recommend at least starting at least one if not two books prior if you haven't read any of the Rain novels.
• 
  Quinn

  A John Rain novel. John rain is an assassin. He discovers that he has a child that he did not know about. John goes to see his child and realizes that the Japanese mafia has hired the Chinese mafia to follow and watch John’s Ex girlfriend and child. The Japanese mafia has put a hit out on John. John decides that the only way to protect his son is to take out the head of the Japanese mafia. The writing style is great but the storyline drags a little bit.
• 
  Max Rudenko

  Very nice, professional narration by the author himself. I always like listening to books narrated by their authors and Barry Eisler didn't disappoint. The narration was so good it's as if the book was read by a professional actor. I guess, working as a CIA operative in the past came in handy here. I mean to be a good intelligence operative you have to be a decent actor. Anyway, well done, Barry!
• 
  Kenny Bellew

  There comes a point in a series like this that the author doesn't give you a new story. Instead, he or she addresses a long-running personal issue in the main character's life. That is this book. It kept my interest, but not as interesting as the last book that had a complex story of historical interest. Still, I look forward to the next in the series.
• 
  Glen

  Another great entry in the John Rain series.
  
  Rain keeps trying to get out of the assassination games, but keeps getting pulled back in, no matter what he does. He's still torn between Midori and Delilah, and he's not getting any younger.
  
  Great stuff.