In Deadly Sands, the black flags of ISIS are returning. Sinister and apocalyptic forces are massing in the desert wasteland. Radical soldiers are ready to die. Their goal is to take back what they believe to be theirs.
Mercenaries join the fight. A young American is torn between two worlds. A decorated Navy SEAL fights the same enemy he fought ten years ago, but this time it’s with a different set of skills in the CIA. An inexperienced intelligence analyst is led down a twisted trail no one wants to believe. Amid tragedy, deception, death, and terror, the Al Baghdadi Brigade achieves much more than any previous attempt.
The narrative, set in the not-so-distant future of 2026, is starkly realistic. Thanks to his background as an intelligence officer, Adam delivers behind-the-scenes footage of military intelligence, political warfare, and White House situation room meetings that feel intensely authentic. As President Hopewell and her advisors keep tabs on the action happening in the Middle East—and try to devise a plan that avoids “policy indecision on how to counter Islamic fundamentalism”—newly appointed IC worker Jaylen Hayes stumbles onto evidence of ABB’s activities. When he starts digging deeper, he’s shocked to discover his childhood friend Amit Masry appears to be working for the ABB, and their connection may cause him problems. The chase that ensues builds nail-biting tension, with thousands of lives at stake, and Adam masterfully delivers a climactic conclusion that is both shocking and a realistic outcome of war.
Though brimming with violence, death, and high risk missions, Deadly Sands is fueled just as much by Adam’s inside knowledge of the tough, on-the-spot decisions American military personnel and the commander-in-chief must make in the midst of war. As the story unfolds, and ABB’s zone of terror expands into Israel and potentially beyond, the stakes become increasingly dangerous. Fans of military and tactical thrillers will be captivated by the ever-moving plot and rich characters in this engaging actioner.
Takeaway: A true-to-life, rapid-fire story of terrorism and military action.
Comparable Titles: Tom Young's The Warriors, Alex Ryan's Beijing Red.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: NA
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A