Rozalind Williams

Alex Thorne is written as a kick-ass female protagonist, reminiscent in many ways of Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft. She's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and with all kinds of weaponry, and author CJ Somersby wastes no time whatsoever cutting to the chase.

Once the scenario and characters are established, this short adventure romps along at a rapid pace, unhampered by unwarranted exposition or meandering moral debate. The writing style is clear-cut and accessible.

The fight sequences are delivered with considerable punch – violence is merrily meted out by fist and firearm on almost every page. None of it is described in graphic detail, so sensitive stomachs are safe. I struggled somewhat with the scenes where Alex is continually barracked by chauvinist soldiers, which felt kinda clichéd. The military men of my acquaintance have been nothing but respectful of competent humans, regardless of gender. Hopefullly the author doesn’t spend too much time in the next book with the smirking boneheads.

Eastern Shadows is an entertaining opening chapter into a greater conspiracy which threatens global security – and it appears that Alex has some significant skeletons rattling around in her family cupboard, too. Plenty of threads to pick up in the next Alex Thorne adventure, Patriot Traitors.
7/10… (altro)