Legion

From the very beginning this book grabs you and never lets you go. Many times authors who have mastered the art of action-packed writing, don't have as good a grasp on character building--not Swartwood. He deftly handles a POV that changes from chapter to chapter. The only event that was pretty clearly telegraphed to be coming was one that was deliberately foreshadowed, making a point of that character's blindness to something that affected her. I am truly looking forward to the next book in this series that will feature the main couple, and which the author assures me is in the cards in the not too distant future. And no, I'm not writing a glowing review because the author is a friend (nor am I easily impressed); I contacted him after finishing this book and he was kind enough to reply. I'm writing this review simply because he deserves it. There was so much action and so many twists that I suggest you don't start reading this when you have to get up early the next day. Robert Swartwood is an excellent author who has me thoroughly looking forward to reading more from him.

Brought home for the funeral of a father he detested, John Smith finds himself dumped into a storm of insanity. His sister, an Assistant District Attorney starting a high-profile case, murders her family and then jumps from the roof of her apartment building. And then men start trying to kill Smith. Obviously the three things are connected, but Smith can’t figure out how. What he does know is that the men trying to kill him are highly influential people and they don’t appear to care how many other innocents die in their quest. This is a fast moving, highly exciting novel of ruthless killers and the man trying not to become their next victim.

Again, I have to write, WOW!!!! Robert Swartwood, has definitely propelled himself into First Place as my favorite author. This is again one of the great reads of the year. I read Man of Wax and the Inner Circle first, but even though this is the prequel to them, it is a great standalone, as well. What a thrill! John Smith is a bicycle carrier delivering packages in the Big Apple who finds that his bicycle has been vandalized as someone has stolen the wheels, and he has a rush package that must be delivered. So, instead of running the streets, he decides to jump on a train in the subway, only to be pushed onto the tracks in front of an oncoming train, He is saved by onlookers who pulled him back onto the platform at the last second, but his day and life goes downhill fast from that point on and upside down as well. Everything he thought he knew about himself and his family, the world he lives in changed from this day forward, as he enters this high stakes game of survival. Don't miss it!!!!!

I've read a few Robert Swartwood books at this point and I'm always impressed by his pacing, plotting, and action description. The guy knows how to write a fast-paced thriller and keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. While I haven't necessarily loved every one of his books that I've read, I've always respected how well he crafts the thriller elements of his story. For this particular book, I thought it was just okay. The characters worked, but I didn't find myself particularly drawn to any of them, and the plot felt a tad generic. There was nothing outright bad about the book, but it just didn't really stand out for me. It was a perfectly enjoyable read, but as an intro to a new series I'm not sure it did the best job of setting up the series and leaving the reader wanting more. I'm still a fan of this author and will continue to look forward to checking out his future work.

Easy to follow and difficult to put down. This series start has enough of an ending to not leave the reader hanging. No editing errors or drag-you-down drama. The violence is quick, brutal and concise. Intriguing storyline with realistic procedures, actions and reactions. Believable characters with distinct personalities. Thought-provoking dialogue. No desire to re-read this story. I am interested in other works by this author.

This book starts off with a bang and keeps delivering fast paced unbelievable action. It is a story of several people linked together by who they are and where they came from. John Smith is a courier for a major package and letter delivery company when weird things start to happen that cause him to be suspended from his job and question his mind. Meanwhile his sister, a district attorney trying a mob boss case, inexplicably murders her family and commits suicide but her best friend Ashley doesn't believe it. Ashley hunts down her brother John Smith to help her figure out what really happened. They are attacked and almost killed but are saved by John's father who is not what he seems. Eventually you find out that there is a vast network of extremely wealthy people running an enterprise called the Legion. It started out as a noble enterprise to cure autism and down syndrome through genetic engineering but has turned into training young children into an army with no fear in which the Legion has been readying the US for an overthrow of the existing government as it is known and understood. John and Ashley both find out they, and John's siblings are one of those children. The story really doesn't have a happy ending but explains what happened to John's and Ashley's whole family. Well written story about noble ideas gone awry because of money and greed. I highly recommend this author.

I enjoyed the book, but it took a while before I really got into it. Some things that were happening did not make sense for a while , but it did become clear. I will read more from this author.

Lots of action and twists. Fast paced and keeps you on the edge waiting for the plot to thicken. A great book that was hard to put down

I found half of the story pretty good but the other half was boring. I eventually gave up after about chapter 12.

Fast entertaining read. Plenty of action and a couple of twists to keep you guessing. Good strong characters even if over the top at times. Most enjoyable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read the Blurb for it as the Cover caught my eye, and what I read there sounded good so, I read the book and was hooked like a fish. I just couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading more of this Author’s books. Highly recommend it.

I thought it was interesting and thought provoking.. With all the research being done today I think anything is possible.