24 Declassified: Veto Power

I, too, noticed Whitman's clear bias against the Patriot Act and Republicans, but I was able to shrug past that aspect and accept the book for what it was: an exciting adventure novel featuring the characters from my favorite TV show. I found it much better written than "Hell Gate" (which was still a pretty good book) and had HUGE plot twists that shocked me while making sense at the same time. Whitman does a great job of capturing character dialogue from the show and painting onto the pages of his novel (Ryan Chappelle reborn will make you roll your eyes all over again), and he also creates and develops new characters that the reader could imagine being in the show. I also loved how the bad guys were not stereotypical Middle Eastern radicals, but instead anti-federalist Americans who believe the government has too much power. I did notice a lot of profanity in "Veto Power" as well, but I got used to it after the first few chapters. I'm guessing it's a more realistic portrayal of government agents than on the show, which can't curse because it's on national TV. This is a definite recommended read for '24' fans.

Now I've actually ENJOYED (in fact REALLY ENJOYED)both Operation Hell Gate and Veto Power, finding Veto Power to be my favorite of the book series so far. They're not the best, like all prequels, sequels (AKA inbetweenquels) are. But they still fit into the series of 24. For continuity's sake, OHG takes place BEFORE 9/11, while if you read Veto Power in the beginning you will see that months have passed and now 9/11 has passed and Jack has been temporarily demoted. Makes sense to me. I have no doubt that Trojan Horse, the next Declassified will take place a little more into the future coming further closer to the time when Day I (Season I) of 24 takes place. The struggle of Jack panicking makes sense to me. If you read the book, Jack constantly finds a lead only to be further confused with what actually happens as the day progresses. We've seen Jack unsure of himself before in the series, especially Day I - but we have never (I repeat, NEVER) have seen jack give up during the day, whether it's been on TV, in a comic, the books, and most liekly the Game as well. Jack's first scenes in Day II are debatable of course, but I'm refering to Jack while "in the zone." Bad way to say it, but I beleive you get what I'm saying. For real nerds of the series, we find out who was President before David Palmer, a pitiful man named Harold Barnes. Just to remind you - David's opponent Governor Hodges in Day I was his opponent in the PRIMARIES. We have to assume that Barnes chose not to run or couldn't run due to two terms. Knowing there are a total of SIX Declassifieds planned to come out, I am curious how they will fit in the "24 Canon" where major fans know that the two books wriiten so far take place before Day I, but AFTER Operation Nightfall, an event in Jack's life that only took place two years before. Could ALL six Declassifieds take place before Day I? Mind you, 24: One Shot, one of the three comics take place in this time period as well, so this little slot is beginning to feel cramp. In the end I would really enjoy if the book series is scattered around the 24 Canon: Some before Day I, a few between Days II & III, maybe a few after Day III but before Day IV . . . it's all the author's decision! And so far I am really pleased with what's come so far.

I am a huge 24 fan! I had this book read in 24 hours! It really was that good- it kept me in suspense and longing to know what the next chapter held. I thought this one was even better than "Hell Gate"- although. Like the previous reviews stated, there were a few spelling errors and one thing at the end that didn't "click." But, it was minor in the grand scheme of things. I definitely liked that I got to know Jack a little better(his thoughts and feelings) and the storyline was believable (I can really see something like this happening wihtin our government- sad, but true.)I could not put his book down once i started reading it and can't wait for the next book!!

Unbelievably, the guys over at 24 managed to turn the format into book format as well... Each episode being an hour, with scene-cuts and the clock always ticking, real-time suspense, and great (Really great) action scenes, in Veto Power, John Whitman successfully manages to get us into Jack Bauer's head, which is a thrill for Jack's fans, and even for people who aren't nescessarily 24 fans. It's a great book, really. 24 is a well-oiled entertainment machine, without compromising on quality.

The purpose of this review is not to rehash the plot which is ably done by the editorials above, but rather to give my opinion whether or not this book is worth its asking price. In this case, yes, buy this book, 24 Declassified: Veto Power. This 24 story by John Whitman is well written. The story is fast paced and exciting. Whitman makes the reader feel just like he is watching a 24 TV episode. For 24 fans, you will enjoy this book. Even the layout of the book is reminiscent of the television show: the chapter numbers are the 24 hours countdown and each chapter starts with the familiar words, "The following takes place between the hours of X and X Eastern Daylight Time" (etc) with the action following a timed sequence. People who have never watched a 24 episode will also enjoy this book as an intense, stand-alone thriller; you don't have to be a previous 24 fan to find the book entertaining. So you know, I am not a 24 TV fan. I've seen maybe three episodes, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book by John Whitman and the other 24 series book "Operation Hell Gate" by Marc Cerasini. Both authors do a fine job. I look forward to reading more books by each of them. I thoroughly enojed Cerasini's book (the first in the series) and thought that his writing would be a hard act to follow. Not so. Whitman does a remarkable job. I was impressed that both books are a great 24 experience.