Defender (Intrepid #1) in Thriller Chat with Chris Allen

Nov 10, 2012 Jim Mather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

As an avid fan of the military action-thriller genre I've read them all ... but Alex Morgan stands out! With all due respect, the special forces novels have been comprehensively covered and I personally welcomed the more contemporary soldier / spy / policeman style offered by new author Chris Allen (whom I am proud to have served alongside in the distant past).

''Defender' prompted a prolonged period of sleep deprivation ... I just couldn't put it down! I enjoyed the first book in the 'Intrepid' ...more

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Dec 14, 2011 Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, australian, thriller

If, like me, you grew up on a diet of Len Deighton, Robert Ludlum and John Le Carre novels, there is a chance you're a bit of a fan of fast paced, military, espionage style novels. DEFENDER OF THE FAITH is a recent entry in the what is rapidly becoming a large range pool of choice for Australian readers.

Set within our geographical and political sphere, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH introduces readers to Alex Morgan, special forces operative, good bloke, and all round bit of a hero. The action in this b If, like me, you grew up on a diet of Len Deighton, Robert Ludlum and John Le Carre novels, there is a chance you're a bit of a fan of fast paced, military, espionage style novels. DEFENDER OF THE FAITH is a recent entry in the what is rapidly becoming a large range pool of choice for Australian readers.

Set within our geographical and political sphere, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH introduces readers to Alex Morgan, special forces operative, good bloke, and all round bit of a hero. The action in this book is really very realistic, and it's not difficult to believe highly informed by the author's own background. There are some good, albeit somewhat expected characterisations, right down to the beautiful blonde love interest, the strong jawed, very Australian main character, and a series of nicely evil villains lead by a mysterious, excellent at disguises archetypal baddy type, all glowering evil genius and callous malevolence.

As this is a thriller there are some givens that readers must expect. A bit of energiser bunniness in the main character, winged frequently but never downed. There was a love story between the two main characters, and of course there was a level of physical attractiveness about them both, although I'm happy to report there were no signs of hair flicking and very little gratuitous comment on beautiful eyes and glorious legs...

What makes a thriller work, or not work, is how these clichés are delivered. In the case of DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, mostly everything worked, the plot was believable without the need to park your disbelief around the back and hide the keys; the love story wasn't too thickly applied, and whilst there was a bit of inexplicable jeopardy for all players, it did all gel. Maybe there are points where the plot got a little vague, but the action elements held up, and the pace certainly didn't let go.

Definitely something on the entertaining side, the only thing that was missing when I read DEFENDER OF THE FAITH was the box of chocolates and deck chair that you'd normally drag out at Christmas to sit down and be thoroughly and comprehensively entertained by a good espionage thriller.

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH is available in various formats - check out the website for details: http://defenderofthefaith.com.au/
...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Darren Wise rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"Australian author Chris Allen brings to life a mysterious and charming character in the fearless INTREPID (Intelligence, Recovery, Protection and Infiltration Division) agent, Alex Morgan in his new book, Defender of the Faith. Chris's knowledge and workings of military and counter terrorist tactics through his own firsthand military service, certainly gives the character Alex Morgan a real true to life feel in this action thriller. The unflappable and professional Alex Morgan takes the reader ...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Dani Bevins rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The military-action-espionage genre is a rare treat for me - but no holiday or long haul flight is complete without dipping into it! first in the Defender series is a solid, fast paced chase across several continents as good grapples with evil in a brave new world of military contractors, multinationals and bent bureaucrats. The author writes with authoritative intimacy on the life of an elite serviceman, and the quality of the prose is a cut above. Equal parts white knuckle and great fun, I'm a ...more

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May 03, 2013 Steve Smy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebooks, owned-books, thrillers

I started reading Defender just a few days ago. The fact that I have now finished reading it is very significant! I am not a fast reader, not by any stretch of the imagination. That's a fact I always make very clear when asked to review a book. In this instance, I wasn't actually asked to read Defender but I so enjoyed it, how could I not do so?

Those who have read my reviews know hat I say little that's specific about storylines. I have no desire to give away anything of importance to potential I started reading Defender just a few days ago. The fact that I have now finished reading it is very significant! I am not a fast reader, not by any stretch of the imagination. That's a fact I always make very clear when asked to review a book. In this instance, I wasn't actually asked to read Defender but I so enjoyed it, how could I not do so?

Those who have read my reviews know hat I say little that's specific about storylines. I have no desire to give away anything of importance to potential readers - and how can I know what they think is important. So I'll stick to my formula!

Defender introduces us to the shadowy Interpol branch: Intrepid. It launches us into the violent, tangled-web world that combines espionage, soldiering and policing. The agents are hard, efficient people dedicated to a cause: the protection of the innocent, whatever the cost, whatever the means. The world has turned hard and harsh. Criminals are just a small part of the tapestry of threat. Terrorists, brutal governments that don't respect their own people let alone international law, arms dealers, drug dealers, business cartels interested in profit at any price, government agencies that cross the line between national interest and criminality. These are the shadows that Intrepid's agents must navigate through, bringing justice, one way or another. And here, in Defender, we meet Alex Morgan, one of Intrepid's best agents, locked in a battle to bring the coldest and most dangerous of criminals to book. A country wrecked to satisfy corporate and personal greed, a rogue with no loyalties except to himself, cravens and the callous. And behind it all, that corporate entity which directs it all. Caught up in it all are the thousands of innocent victims of a nation thrown into savage chaos, bystanders with no part in any of it, and a few brave ones, like Alex Morgan, other Intrepid agents, police forces as dedicated as those of Intrepid, and a young woman, Arena Hall, hurled into this most dangerous of environments.

Death stalks the pages of this book. Sudden, violent death. Can Alex Morgan and his comrades and friends bring justice where it is due? Only time will tell. But the campaign will travel across half the world, until it culminates in stunning climactic action in Sydney. Success and failure are never more than a heartbeat apart.

I had great trouble putting this book aside, for any reason! It's a breathless ride, with very few opportunities to relax. Would I recommend it? Do apples grow on trees? This is one of those books which I will treasure as part of my library! I can only offer my strongest recommendation to anybody who likes to feel their pulse occasionally! Yes, there are moments when you may be made to feel uncomfortable, but know that those passages reflect an ugly reality we are (mostly) protected from. This is a book for adult readers who enjoy the very best writing.

Five stars? I'd double that if I could! ...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Julie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This is honestly one of my favourite books of all time. It's accessible, well-written, completely engaging with fast-paced action and deep, interesting, even sexy characters. I really love the relationship between Ari and Alex Morgan. I think it's perfectly written and adds a great dimension to the overall story - I love it. The characters that Chris writes read like real people that you're sitting with in a room or running around with in an action scene, it's brilliant. I have no military backg This is honestly one of my favourite books of all time. It's accessible, well-written, completely engaging with fast-paced action and deep, interesting, even sexy characters. I really love the relationship between Ari and Alex Morgan. I think it's perfectly written and adds a great dimension to the overall story - I love it. The characters that Chris writes read like real people that you're sitting with in a room or running around with in an action scene, it's brilliant. I have no military background but that is not at all a problem in reading this; in fact, I find that I learn more about it by reading this and that's something I want a book to do: teach me something. DEFENDER has a real film-like feel to it, especially with short, sharp, snappy scenes - that make me want to see this on the big screen, badly - that are PERFECT for the contemporary era of eBooks and phone-use and an arguably more "distracted" readership with our increasingly busy lives. Hence, Chris keeps his readers involved moreso with the chapter lengths and the way he writes the action, in my opinion. I was totally involved in this novel, to the point that any chance I got, I would find DEFENDER on my computer or in my hands to make sure I could read those characters and scenes again and finish the story. The story and characters are, what I would call, 'magnetic'. I loved that and I think there is a real skill behind making it all that way. It's hard to write books for all different audiences - men and women, with and without expertise, and of all different backgrounds - but I think Chris has a knack of tapping a wide and varied audience, it's a true gift that I can admire and hope to emulate in my own writing someday. The reality behind the book doesn't hit you in the face and startle you, but it makes you think and feel some sense of inhumanity and hope for justice - there's far more to the story than just fiction. I gave DEFENDER to my Dad at Christmas and downloaded it on the computer so I could read it on Boxing Day too. Turns out, Dad was reading hard copy; I had it on the computer screen; and my boyfriend read it on his Kobo all at once - it was a really candid moment. I sped through this one and enjoyed every minute. Chris nailed it. I can't wait to see this on the big screen! ...more

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Jun 24, 2013 Erin Patel rated it it was amazing

I found the first Intrepid book to be completely gripping as I was transported into a world which exists behind the scenes. I imagined the protagonist, Alex Morgan, as a hot Aussie James Bond. This book is exactly right for someone who enjoys intelligent escapist action novels. I'm reviewing both Intrepid novels on my blog http://bookgirloz.wordpress.com where we will be hosting a live author chat with Intrepid creator, Chris Allen in July. ...more

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Aug 31, 2011 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Finally finished. Because of reading in short bursts, there was one part in the middle I thought was unnecessary, but by the time I'd finished, I was glad for the breather, a bit like an intermission :) Awesome action scenes, leaving me out of breath. I could see the pictures of the action clearly, and can see this as a movie! Great job Chris. Looking forward to the next one. ...more

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