Air Raid

Another great installment in this fantastic series written by the supremely talented Jim Mullaney. Damn, I wish that man was still writing these books!I read Air Raid in one sitting, which is a very rare occurrence for me. As usual, there's a laugh on every page and plenty of great action. Never a dull moment.Chiun spends much of the book lamenting Remo's whiteness with hilarious results. The threat of the blue trees is dire, funny, freaky and bizarre---just as it should be in a Destroyer novel. Herr Hahn, one of the novel's main villains, is likewise very strange and an absolute hoot, as is Dr. Amanda Lifton, a loopy scientist who sorta helps out Remo and Chiun.Oh, and the Congress Of Concerned Scientists is a riot. Not too mention Prick, the horribly untalented pop singer...I could go on. Mullaney lampoons and satires so many things so damn well.These books are pure entertainement, sheer enjoyment. If you've never read The Destroyer, do yourself a big favor and give this series a chance.You'll be glad you did.And Chiun won't have to kill you for your ignorance.

Poor Remo. He is finally ready for the title of Reigning Master, when Chiun throws another trial his way. Remo must do a good deed for a stranger. Not as easy as it sounds. We also hearken back to the earlier days of the series, when the females in peril had 38dd's and were in constant danger of crying themselves to death. Chiun begins to show his age, and Remo is actually starting to act his - a little. The Dutchman is ready for his encore, Chiun is ready to retire - suffice to say that a LOT is going on. You'll really like this book - one of the better in the series. Unless you're a fan of the "billions and billions of stars" guy.

Two ancient Sinanju super-villians are paired up in this one. The elemental forces of the planet and the bleeding edge of technology. The last time they both used successfully was a mid-80s book, THE SKY IS FALLING and that one is even mentioned in this novel. AIR RAID is a far superior installment, combining the history and the future of the series. There is plenty of action. Chiun has a number of one-liners. What? Do you want more? There are several action sequences that have never been performed by either Remo and Chiun in this one. Several. All because of the recent technological advances in recent years have made this all possible. And for all of the Dr. Smith fans out there, as in recent books from the current series author, he is more involved in this one. Four stars: Good, fresh stuff here. I thought Amanda was a false note, though. And the Prick reference was a bit forced, as was the whole concert thing. Rang a little hollow. And of course, something that has been in place since the late 80s has been kicked away. I've been waiting for that development for a very long time because that was my first Destroyer novel. The author has yet again, demonstrated a full and complete supremacy of the series. It's moving along again.