Casca #14: Phoenix

This book is definitely one of my favorites in this series. Using more mind than muscle to defeat his enemy was a nice change of pace. I loved the ending.

Not many of the later Sadler Cascas were all that good but this was one of them and it stands out because of that. Writing about Vietnam is what Sadler feels happy with - as a former Vet he's obviously writing on home ground - and the story flows nicely because of that. Throw in a suicide Viet Cong squad, a manic Cong commander and you have the basic ingredients for a good story. Casca pits his wits against the Colonel who sends out teams of suicide bombers and you can tell things will hot up. The final scene in the swamps of the Cambodian / Viet coasts is grusome but spectacular all the same.

Barry Sadler served in Vietnam in the 60s and this novel, set in 1970 in that region, was written with a comfortable flow that spoke of a familiarity few could unless they'd actually been there. The Casca series began with a wounded Casca being flown into a hospital in Eternal Mercenary, and this book tells the story that led Casca to that point. The basic story is that a Viet Cong Colonel plans to destabilise US-backed South Vietnam by sending in teams of trained assassins to take out the top military and civilian figures in the country. Casca becomes involved when he is shot at the start and the Colonel believes him to be dead. Of course Casca cannot die and rises from the dead to carry out a personal act of revenge. The story deals with the sparring between the two at distance and the attempts to kill as many South Viet administrators as possible. The action is fairly well spread, not too much and not too little, and Casca eventually succeeds in capturing the enemy plans and tips the balance against the communists. The story then shifts to the jungle and Casca teams up with a tribe of Cambodes under a disreputable bandit called Phang who decides to help after payment of gold. There is a long chase and the Colonel becomes obsessed with killing Casca, something Casca knows and uses this obsession against the Colonel, leading him and his troops into a deadly trap of some originality, something that would send shudders of horror down the backs of most people! Job done Casca returns to South Vietnam only to fall victim to a random attack and this is where he gets picked up en route to hospital. A decent story of obsession and a trial of wits between two tough adversaries.

I think this was Barry Sadler's last book. (In terms of great storyline and overall characterization, leastways.) The cover art captures Casca perfectly. He doesn't look like a muscled romance novel model. Great and highly addictive, this novel was never dull and boring like most of the rest after this one. It is without a doubt a Barry Sadler novel. No mistaking that here. Full of action and adventure, out hero dies twice, only to come back like the mythical Phoenix, to take his revenge out on a Vietcong commander. Utterly fantastic! (Even reading it again for the 3rd time!)

This is a fun series. This particular book brings us back to the beginning of the first book when Casca is brought into the hospital and the tale begins. Now I will grant you that Sadler will never be up up for any big literary awards, but this story, like the other stories in the series are simply fun to read. They are true page turners for those who enjoy this genre. Actually, when you examine the facts Sadler spikes his book with, it is quite clear that he has done his home work. After Mr. Sadler passed away, the publisher has attempted to contine the series with a couple different authors. Those stories are a complete waste of time and paper. Stick with the Sadler written books. All in all I recommend this one highly.