Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Really exciting and action-packed story. A good mix of characters and am now looking forward to the next part of the story.

Attention-stealing from the start, this is the story of Max, a young orphan taken to join a covert military group. He is a really likeable character that you will instantly care for. There is a mystery around why he was chosen. That there is more to his selection, than meets the eye.

With Ryan's descriptive, on the nose, no frills writing, you feel as if you are in training too, part of a military '21 Jump Street' type group.

Thrown in the middle of a dangerous situation while still novices, makes it even more suspenseful and emotional, and the author excels at conveying that to us. Also his descriptions of the complex situation with all the little details are well laid out, so even though there is so much going on, the events are mostly clear to us.

At some parts I had to go back and read them again to understand what was transpiring, but that may have to do with me reading so fast, as to find out what will happen next.

Wrapping up maybe a little too quickly then I'd like, this is still a great action movie of a book.