| Title | : | Havoc (Betrayed, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 443 |
| Publication | : | First published September 28, 2012 |
Rebecca and Brandt go on their greatest adventure trying to stay one step ahead of a new viscous enemy, the Disciples of the Stone.
Havoc (Betrayed, #2) Reviews
-
Didn't see the book ending the way it did. With 2 stories entwined, I was not able to read fast enough. I wanted to see Rebecca and Brandt together. I was wanting to get the back story behind the 10 commandments.
I'm trying not to give anything away. This book too a turn I was not expecting! Now I have to read Shiva to see what happens next! Great book! -
[2013-02-05] 8% in and I have a number of cultural complaints.
We British (please not "Brits") no longer called police patrol cars "Panda" cars - we haven't since the police stopped painting them black and white.
The Underground in London is known as The Tube, not the subway. We have Tube carriages, not subway cars. If I'm reading a book about New York, I expect to read about subway cars; if I'm reading about Paris (or Glasgow or Manchaster), I expect to read about Metro carriages. When I read about London, I expect to read about Tube carriages, wherever the author calls home.
Then there's the comment about punctuality...now I'm prepared to be corrected on this one, as I don't live in London. Whenever I've visited and used the Tube, I've never seen a timetable; beyond start and stop times on each line, I didn't think there was a timetable about which The British could be sticklers.
Apart from those, the book lives up to Ms McCray's standards.
[2013-02-28] Whilst I enjoyed the premise of the book (and the series), I was disappointed by Ms McCray's execution of the storytelling. There were factual errors, plot holes and so much needless destruction! I started to feel the book was written with more than one eye on a Hollywood movie offer. Whilst the destruction scenes would look spectacular on screen, I felt they were often unnecessary to the story.
Summary: has promise, could be better executed. -
I really enjoyed Havoc. It was a great follow up to 30 Pieces of Silver with the same kind of intensity. The mystery was more convoluted than 30 Pieces and a little more unbelievable but I felt like the plot as a whole was more overshadowed by the character interactions and the great dynamics between everyone.
After the final chapter teaser, I'm excited to start
Shiva. I also expected something like the ending to occur but not the way that it finally happened. Very satisfactory and a great read. -
From the synopsis it seemed that it might be a good story. However, I found the writing style too colloquial and rife with clichés. Like, it actually gets annoying when writers like, use the word like, you know, like people tend to like use it in these days in, like, conversation...especially when it's not even in, like, dialogue. I think that, like, sums it up.
Actually, I read a lot and only review a few books here, mostly indy's. This book stalled me. I am a "completionist." Unless something is absolutely horrid I try to finish it. It took me months to finish this. I feel as if I made excuses not to read it. Not a good thing. -
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the previous one in the trilogy, the plotline did seem to be a bit too fanciful in places. However if you ignore the Indiana Jones type element it was still a good read. It does still have that element of controversy which was there in 30 Pieces of Silver, but this time it is the turn of the Ten Commandments. Throw in a new group of pursuers and a stolen bioweapon and you start to get the picture. Reading other reviews this is what I refer to as a Marmite book, you either love it or hate it.
-
An action thriller with little or no story
I loved 30 Pieces of Silver and hoped Havoc would contain the same unexpected twists and surprises. I was sorely disappointed. This book was merely a series of ridiculous obstacle-laden chases and narrow escapes. The Biblical/historical twist I reveal felt like a disappointing afterthought. -
Awesome book! I am really hooked on this series. I find myself thinking about the characters a lot, concerned for what's gonna happen next. I love how the guys are the "big, bad military dudes," but still are human - funny, scared, anf just plain crazy. LOL I'm looking forward to more!
-
Like book one of the series this is full of non-stop action and thrills. The same black ops team investigating a religious mystery while trying to save the world. If you liked book one you'll love book two.
-
Page turner
I recommend this book the story continued from the 30 pieces of silver book and the characters were likable and interesting -
Wow, what a letdown from the first novel. Expect for the non-stop action and pacing of the story, just about everything else was a big step back from the first in this trilogy.
The story telling was not as interesting, and if I thought the plot device in the first novel was unreal, the main conceit in this book was truly way, way, way “out there”.
Then we have the characters. I said in my review of the first book that character development was sparse, but in this book, it was outright non- sensical! First, the author completely changes Rebecca’s middle name from Sophie to Sasha! [An aside: how can the author forget her own creation’s name when me, a mere reader was able to recall it without resorting to looking it up?!] Then, in the first novel, Brandt tells Rebecca he’s not a “one night stand” kind of guy but completely reverses it in this novel! And point of fact, Brandt had to be a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” for this book because of the dumb plot device of Truly, epically stupid of CM to have ever inserted this needless melodrama in the first place!
For the most part, Carolyn McCray again showed her detailed research when it comes to weaponry and how to employ them, but there was one tiny aspect of military knowledge that didn’t ring true: -
What a ride. This was amazing, really amazing. Lets get one thing straight. The books in this series are completely “stupid”. Well, they are. The sort of action in “Havoc”, in particular, would be too crazy even for an 80´s action flick! Its completely unrealistic and completely over the top! The plot deals with religion, “lost artifacts” but its all very thin and just an excuse to move things along.
The biggest strength of “Havoc” is how its completely focused on its duty! Being entertaining. Its a “blockbuster” and by God, its proud of it! That´s what I love about Carolyn McCray´s writing. There´s no deep meaning, no attempt at making things seem “artsy”. Its just honest. Plain old fun. And she is a master. Its no easy task. I have read many books, seen many movies, about “adventures” with lots of action and they can turn very, very boring quickly. McCray never lets go of the pedal. Its a non-stop thrill ride. Other than the amazingly crazy action set-pieces, the exotic locations and the treasure hunt with its clues and bad guys just behind our heroes, her greatest achievement are her characters. They´re not complex, or with lots of flaws or even experience a great character growth. They´re just likable. They´re the old fashioned good guys. The hero and the beautiful girl who fall in love, the guy with the jokes and the former traitor seeking redemption. They feel “honest” and I feel attached to their fate, feel like they´re old friends that have been with me through countless adventures. And that is probably the best a writer can hope for. That the reader cares. That is what stops “Havoc” from being boring. We´re invested in the action.
The book does have a few flaws. The villains were not as interesting as in the first book, the new characters, new members of the team felt underdeveloped and “outsiders” and the plot really was very thin but this still had me hooked from the first page.
Cannot wait to read the next adventures of Brandt and his team! -
Havoc by Carolyn McCray is the follow up to "30 Pieces of Silver". The story continues to follow the adventures of Dr Rebecca Monroe and her soldier hero Brandt. Another religious historical chase is on as the intrepid group now searches for the tablets given to biological threat that could very well decimate the world's food supply. I didn't like this as much as the first book in the Betrayed series. Some parts were wonderful, such as the reintroduction of a character or two believed killed in the first book. However the search for the tablets seems almost an understory to the ongoing challenges the group overcomes as they are pursued by a new group of religious fanatics. Still well worth the read as McCray once again pulls a great surprise at the end. I hope she will pick up more of the tablet story in a follow up book. I think there can be more here than has already been told. If you like fiction about religious history and are not easily offended you will enjoy the stories. If however you are easily disturbed by challenges to accepted religious beliefs these are not the books for you.
-
I LOVED this book! The second book in the Betrayed series is every bit as good as the first – Thirty Pieces of Silver. The suspense begins on the first page and continues to the very last word. While highly controversial because of its religious context very different from what the average Christian was taught, and not for the weak in faith, the reader still needs to remember that it is a fictional presentation.
If this reader has any criticism at all, it is the typos, and misuse and misspelling of words, as well as the absence of them periodically. However, this may be an uploading problem, and not an author issue. Either way, while it didn’t detract from the story, it did cause me some angst as a reader. But it won’t keep me from reading every book by Carolyn McCarthy that I can get my hands on. -
There is a lot to say about this book. First of all it is a combination of Indiana Jones archaeological adventure with Dan Brown religious controversy and a secret society. I enjoyed reading this book, but the action was way over the top, completely unbelievable, and often got to the point of being ridiculous and laughable. Here is an example without giving away too much plot. Lets set the stage, main character goes to interrogate someone, before much information is revealed a sniper shoots the person, and then a team of assassins is released. Outnumbered, but with lots of luck the character manages to escape the assassins, and the police over and over again. What I enjoyed the most were some of the religious questions brought up by the author, such as what happened to the first set of Ten commandments? Were they identical to the second? Where is Moses buried? etc.
-
Earth, wind, fire, and rain + snow, guns, bombs, wild car chases = the second book in the Betrayed series.
This book included elements I love: interesting characters, biblical events (Moses), history, adventure, and travel. Lots of action but some of the scenes were over-the-top/unbelievable. Interesting twists and surprises.
McCray invents a group, the Disciples, and then links them to a Dead Sea scroll she calls the book of the Disciples. She makes it fit but this is fiction and she substitutes the word 'Disciples' for the original 'discipline'. The scroll is now called the Manual of the Community.
I like that she dates events BCE (Before the Common Era)-- it looks scholarly.
No sex
Violence: non graphic and appropriate to an adventure/action book -
Oh my! Where to begin?
If you like a little Indiana Jones thrown in with some James Bond and a lot of other things, this is the book for you. It is quite long, but packed with action. I can see this as a movie---lots of chases, shoot-em-ups, technology, flying around the globe, blowing things up...add in some humor like avalanche surfing, a little romance, a search for the original tablets containing the Ten Commandments
( do they contain more than the 10 commandments?), and a biological plague weapon hidden away and you've got a book with a recipe containing something for almost everyone.
This is the second in The Betrayed series. I will definitely go back and read the first, even though much of this book was a little far-fetched. -
Fantatic!!
Talk about a roller coaster ride, this story was that, and more. I could barely catch my breath, and we were off again, on yet another frantic adventure. One after another, without the chance to breathe at all, most of the time. Talk about "fast paced." This story moves at a frantic run from page 1 to the very end. Great story telling, adventure, romance, quick spurts of laughter, and then you are off again at such a quick pace, it's simply amazing. I can't imagine how Ms McCray managed it, but if all of her novels are like this one, that poor lady must have a most frantic mind. LOL I will definitely be reading more of Carolyn McCray!! -
I enjoyed Havoc so much more than I did 30 Pieces of Silver. Havoc finds Rebecca, Brandt and his team of special forces once again involved in covert operations . One is related to bio-terrorism. If that isn't enough they are also being pursued by a group dating back to Moses... the Disciples of Moses.
Tensions are high between Rebecca and Brandt as Brandt had called off the wedding to marry the mother of his soon to be born son. surprise.
The traitor, Davidson, is back in play. He has been working for Rebecca. -
Carolyn McCray is a brilliant storyteller! Having read "30 Pieces of Silver" I was very excited to read "Havoc". Carolyn McCray grabs her readers and doesn't let go! Her stories are true roller coaster rides with brief catch your breath moments before everything gets rolling again. The characters are so well created it was like greeting old friends, meeting new ones and mourning the loss of some. Thank you Carolyn for the wonderful stories, I really enjoy them! Now on to "Shiva"!
-
Havoc Delivers!
I could barely put the book down. Brandt and Rebecca's love story is set against non-stop action. The convoluted evidence trail leads to some unexpected locations, including the upside down city
of Sodom. Annush is a James Bond caliber enemy. I think you will enjoy being. one of the team on a mission to stop a deadly bioweapon and recover the Ten Commandments. -
Rollicking adventure with everything thrown in, except aliens, thankfully. Nonstop action but I could have done without some of the forbidden romantic attraction parts. A few good surprises, like how the bad guys, or girl, knew where they were, and a few unbelievable--but isn't that part of the genre?
-
Worthy of reading.
I thought this book was similar in excitement as the first of the series, but I give the edge to the first one. The Jesus history was more interesting than the 10 commandments, but that's just me. I still love this type of fictional story. The author did a great job. -
The 30 Pieces of Silver story continues (Betrayed Series) in Havoc. Although the story-line is getting a bit formulaic, the chemistry between the characters and their incredible journey keeps readers paging through the novel. An intriguing take on biblical history, McCray's tale is written as a high-speed narrative filled with twists and turns.
-
Loved the characters in this series and especially all the techno toys they come up with :) Initially I was a bit confused at the fi4rst part of this book, seemed like just another interaction of the first but then i really got into it and realised what was happening :).. Excellent story!! Really looking forward the third (and last book).
-
well written, believable characters. Very exciting plot, although if you have a hard time thinking about someone taking artistic liberty with the Bible, I would suggest you not read this one. Everyone needs to remember that this fiction, and the author did a fine job with the story line. I enjoyed this book.
-
I have to be a bit concerned with the blurb has "viscous" for "vicious." "Thick and oozy" vs "mean and cruel" is not quite the same thing. There appear to be a number of books in this series, but I can only find this one and the omnibus edition on this site. Not really my cuppa anyway.
