Ghost starts off like a Tom Clancy novel meets post-9/11 revenge fantasy. Mike, the main character, is on a college campus pretending to be mysterious by scaring college girls while standing in the shadows. He observes a girl get snatched by kidnappers and immediately goes after them. Unfortunately for those criminals, they don’t realize he’s a former Navy SEAL who hates terrorists.
The book is in basically three parts: Mike stops human traffickers by accident, Mike stops terrorists in the Caribbean, and Mike tracks weapons dealers in Eastern Europe. At least, for the last part I think that’s what his goal is. He kind of meanders and lies a lot so it’s hard to tell.
John Ringo is a solid writer and his prose really shines, however the dialogue can often be eye roll inducing. There’s also a lot of over the top fantasy-fulfillment moments. At one point in part one, Mike saves a room full of naked trafficking victims who in turn exhibit obvious lust towards their savior. Mike also actually kills Osama bin Laden (this is post 9/11)!
I would say this is the most sexual of Ringo’s work (that I’ve read so far). I was a big fan of both his Poseleen War work and the Troy Rising trilogy. However, one of the major themes of this work is how sexually frustrated Mike is. There’s a few long sex scenes as well. There’s a section in part two from page 211 until around page 345 where Mike is meeting, talking to, and seducing two college girls. I read through it… but man it was a lot. It’s a bit excessive, but that’s John Ringo.
The best thing John Ringo does is action, and boy is there some solid action scenes in all three parts. If you’re looking for an edgier Tom Clancy or Brad Thor novel, this is perfect for you. If you’re expecting deep political thinking or complex character development you won’t get it here.
On the subject of characters, Mike comes off as a bit unlikeable. For lack of a better term, he forces himself on someone late in the novel. It’s set up earlier but it still comes off as a shocking scene. It also makes Mike seem unredeemable.
Personally, I enjoyed the story, but you need to know what kind of story it is before you get into it. If you like military action, sex, and early 2000’s escapist fantasy, then this is the book for you. If you shy away from work of a sexual nature, then I would definitely recommend avoiding this one.
If you like my work consider supporting me with a donation! http://www.paypal.me/FrankOrmond
You may like some of my other reviews:
Frank Ormond 