Red Hammer Down

This is a sequel to Gulag War, and here we have a terrific action title that is at least as good. This time the tables are turned. Instead of having a target, and the mission is on for said target, we have the SOBs themselves as the target. By the very Spetsnaz they kicked ass on in the last book. Bent on revenge, Balandin, the Spetsnaz captain, is back, this time with a crew of nearly sixty troops to assault the SOBs at their island base. Excellent scenes open the story with Spetsnaz assassins going after a couple of the SOBs individually. Billy Two has an incredible role in this adventure, his separation from the rest of the SOBs gets him a focus that really shows what a unique and powerful member of the team he is. Terrific writing from Philipson again from start to finish, the ending battle at the SOBs base is an intense and well written final set piece. The use of the terrain surrounding the house is a vital tactical use by the SOBs, the team all has important roles in the defense as their are only about eight of them against a large force. No helicopter action here, but still one hell of a battle. Again there is tragedy as a member of the team does not make it, and there are many injuries to the squad, making this one of their most dangerous adventures yet. The price of admission is worth it just to read Billy Two's performance in this title. Great stuff, another highly recommended book in this series.

Well what adjectives can I use here? Brilliant, Superb, Wonderful this title is the follow on from #5 where the SOB's made fools of the KGB and the Spetnaz and they are out for revenge BIG TIME this title is an absolute CRACKER and one of the few DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR titles a must read (of course a no brainer you would have to have read the previous title in the series for it to make any sense to you whatsoever). I am going to try very hard not to gush too much when typing this but from the start you will read little aside sections where individual members are attacked by the Spetnaz looking for a payback and manage to survive without doubt the standout is the Greek guy Nanos who if you are a male and read this title (this is in no way sexist but definitely relates to males) and were in his position you would probably do exactly what he does. Now Barrabas is aware of what is going on and sends out the message for the Team to relocate together at the female Doctor's retreat where they will try and set up some sort of a defence against a MASSIVE force which has been set up against them. MASSIVE odds no chance of survival and so the title progresses where you will read some of the finest action scenes going around folks never mind what series you are reading. Little by little the overwhelming odds are shaved but to little good as sheer weight of numbers will eventually reign supreme. Enter Billy 2 supposed dead from the last title by the Team suffering the effects of drug induced torture running around in the nick as his clothes were burning him ;-) unbelievable he has come to the top of the heap with the mad Irishman as my favourite characters in this series and causes major damage to the opposition but not enough. The final scenes where the Team is finally cornered and trapped inside the Majorcan hideaway are breathtaking and you will enjoy. Have already said all of the adjectives simply this is one of those titles again where you DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR and read it. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended.

In my opinion, "Red Hammer Down" is the greatest action series novel of all time. It’s a direct sequel to “Gulag War” with the ramifications of the previous book come back to haunt the Soldiers of Barrabas. A crack spetsnaz hit team is sent to assassinate the SOBs. This is a superior version of a similar story done in Phoenix Force’s “Tooth and Claw.” Better, greater and more lethal in almost every way. The mercenaries aren’t choir boys. The attack on Alex Nanos, for example. What I enjoyed about this short-lived mercenary series is that the characters were perishable. Characters died all the time, especially in early entries like this one. They are outnumbered, outgunned and they are facing an impressive fighting force. The entire novel is their master plan to merely survive an all out attack on their Majorcan hideaway (map included), featured fondly since the first book. Billy Two adds a bit of surreal wackiness here. This is the ultimate action novel.

An incredible action novel. One of the last ones I read. Used to hear about the events in this novel in many of the other ones (the destruction of the Majorcan hideaway). Great battle!