Critical Space

Greg Rucka is one of those special authors that weaves intriguing characters, witty dialogue and plenty of action into a first rate story. If you have not had the pleasure of reading him, then you are in for a real treat. However, this is one of those series that it is vital to read them in order and this review will unfortunately, by necessity, give away some details. The characters change tremendously in this series and this particular novel ties up quite a lot from the proceeding books. The earlier novels are Keeper, Finder, Smoker and Shooting at Midnight and should be available at almost any bookstore and of course, your local library, either in its collection or through the Inter-Library Loan Program. Atticus is virtually at the top of success in the professional bodyguard world. His company, KTMH Security, is doing very well especially after the success of stopping Drama in his last book. (See, I told you to read the others.) Drama, a world-renowned assassin in intelligence circles as well as the underworld had a violent encounter with Atticus and both were very lucky to escape with their respective lives. After a year and no retaliation by Drama, Atticus believes the threat has lessened and that one and all should breath easy. He believes that even though she was thwarted in her assignment at great personal cost, she has moved on to other targets. But, a book has been released, featuring reporting on the incident and there has been a resultant wave of publicity. While that has been good for business, it has brought the shallow celebrity style clients that Atticus does not want. But, there are clients that he does want and adores, such as Lady Ainsley-Hunter from England. Atticus agrees to protect her while her ladyship is in the United States and soon things begin to go wrong. Lady Ainsley-Hunter is in definite danger and it may all trace back to Drama. Drama has her own problems and is not through with either KTMH or its most famous owner and employee, Atticus Kodiak. She violently makes her presence known and with so much at stake, both professionally and personally, Atticus has no choice but to accede to her demands.This is a tough, action filled and well written book that will keep you turning the page. In writing there is an old axiom that admonishes writers to "show, don't tell." Greg Rucka is one of the best at that and uses dialogue wonderfully to paint a picture. The pictures he paints through words are complicated and multi layered and full of emotion. Simply put, his books are very good and I would strongly recommend him to anyone.

Every book featuring Atticus Kodiak gets better and better and it's hard to imagine Mr Rucka could write another book any better than this one. I couldn't put this book down but at the same time that I was staying up late into the night reading, didn't want the adventure to end. This installment puts the reader on a roller coaster of emotions . . . alternately cheering for Atticus and agonizing over some of the decisions he is making that appear to be turning him into the type of person he is usually hired to protect against! I strongly suggest that a person read the previous books in the Atticus Kodiak series to truly appreciate the characters that surround Atticus.

This one is by far Rucka's best novel. The character development is outstanding. He really knows his characters and makes them very real to the reader. All of the emotions they feel are felt by the reader. You really care about the characters. And it's got great, well-sequenced action and a gripping plot. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. I can't wait for the next one.

Each one of Rucka's books featuring Atticus Kodiak is better than the one before. Here is a writer with complete control of his material, with great feeling for his characters (who are never cartoonish or less than very real) and with impeccable narrative timing. Rucka is also fearless in the risks he takes with his core characters, revealing them by degrees in each successive book. He's one of the few male authors who writes about women with insight and respect, never using them merely as vehicles to move the plot forward but rather as complex and conflicted beings who are integral to both the story and to Kodiak. What I particularly liked about Critical Space is the core thesis that everything changes--even the fundamentals of one's personal value system--and that no relationship is a given. To that end, the reintroduction of Drama, the remarkable assassin, is a singular accomplishment. Not only does this woman become comprehensible, she also becomes very human, even lovable. The author never goes where the reader expects; Rucka's plotting skills are superb. The narrative takes on a breathtaking pace as it moves toward the conclusion, and even at the close, he resists the feel-good wrap-up, opting instead to leave the reader wondering where the next Kodiak tale will lead. This is a thoughtful, intelligent, understated and utterly compelling book. Most highly recommended.

Former SAS Robert Moore hires Atticus Kodiak and associates to assist in the protection of media darling Lady Antonia Ainsley-Hunter. Morris worries that Lady Ainsley-Hunter is a perfect target for terrorists because of her visible position on the children's rights issue. A lone gunman comes after Lady Ainsley-Hunter, but Atticus manages to dismantle the weapon with pictures taken that make all the papers and magazines. Atticus knows this was dumb luck. Atticus is the only known person to have thwarted an assassin attempt by Drama, perhaps the deadliest killer of the notorious murderous row, The Ten. Rumors abound that Lady Ainsley-Hunter is her next target. Atticus admires Lady Ainsley-Hunter for her work and will do anything to keep her safe, but Drama manages the impossible and abducts her. However, Drama uses Lady Ainsley-Hunter as a pawn to obtain Atticus' services as a bodyguard while Drama trains him in her not so gentle art because she knows that a hit man is after her. CRITICAL SPACE is a character-driven thriller that makes the action seem plausible and thus more exciting. The audience feels and understands the camaraderie between Atticus and his peers, his clients (even the ashtray tossing actress) and Drama. This happens not just because Greg Rucka peels away the essence of Atticus; he also lays bare many other players in the cast. This novel is going to be one on every thriller fans short list for one of the genre's best of the year while causing readers to use the rebate to buy the author's previous keepers.Harriet Klausner