What a perfect second novel to Mr. Phillips' first! Without giving up too many spoilers; this book is even better than the first in the Texian Armada Sagas. Trade Wars starts out with a literal bang, gunshots with a barrage of a mini-war against the tight knit group of Naval friends; finding themselves within a possible full fledged war with an Eastern country that is trying their best to start a full-on World War in order to take over all Trade Routes on the high seas. This second novel is high in intrigue, full of even more developed characters; humor matched in the middle of tough times, and much more. I read it in a short time; as it was hard to put down. Imagine reading a continual battle without stopping; much like a movie. The author has the ability to write a painted picture with words, drawing from his obvious long history of protecting our nation with his own Naval experiences. I was duly impressed with this new novel. Bring On More! Highly recommended read.
Trade Wars picks up not long after Foreign & Domestic. It grabbed my attention from the very first paragraph, which also set the tone for the book. Phillips delivers yet another Clancy-esque Navy thriller starring the Texian Armada misfits on another banter-filled, high-seas adventure. The stakes are higher this time, but that’s okay because the crew are also better armed, and there are more of them!
Heck, there’s more of everything. More ships. More tech. More heart-pounding battles between enemies who half the time can only guess where their opponents are. Phillips really took the realism to the next level without slowing the pace. I really felt like an officer on a submarine sweating bullets to locate the enemy sub before they found me. Felt the pressure of command when “the right thing to do” doesn’t necessarily correlate with your orders, the agony of decision, and the weight of the consequences.
Now imagine that your spouse is one of your subordinates on that same ship! That’s enough conflict for three books right there—and it’s just the beginning.
If you couldn’t already tell, I had great fun with Trade Wars and highly recommend it for any fan of the genre.
While reading and enjoying this thriller piece, I kept finding myself thinking about The Hunt For Red October, and Crimson Tide. As a writer myself, congratulations to this author for creating a piece of literature that engages the reader from beginning to end. If you like submarine movies and books, you will not be disappointed with this book.
Cam and his crew are back - and they're saving their homeland from threats both foreign and domestic. The first page sets the tone for a rollercoaster ride through tension and a ton of twists and turns. Brandon Phillips is without a doubt has a lot of experience with naval matters. The authenticity lent credibility to the story—and there was plenty of action! Phillips gave us engaging characters to like in this book. A fantastic follow-up to a great series that I've enjoyed since the first book. Great characters and high adventure. The dialogue is fast-paced, action packed—a thriller right up until the end!
