City of Iron

Ok, so this book is too much simillar to the X-Files series. But even if the basic idea is not 100% original, the book is excellent in it intention: a conspiracy/super-natural/FBI(CIA) thriller that gasps the reader attention in every one of his 340 pages. That's why I selected 5 stars, because the book is *Very* entertaining. Chet wanted to make it like X-files, and he did it spectacularly.Worth the read, and I'm looking foward to read the sequel, Trail of Dust.

A team of CIA agent charged with investigating paranormal phenomena uncover hints of a centuries-old conspiracy. Who is involved? Is their own superior part of it? Who can they trust?Clearly, this book owes its existence to the success of The X-Files (as does Charles Grant's Black Oak series). But that's just a marketing issue. The important question becomes: can an author like Chet Williamson take advantage of X-Files' popularity, producing a story that slakes the public's thirst for similar stories while still creating something new and distinctive? In this case, the answer is a resounding yes.Certainly, the nature of the mystery the characters find themselves exploring heads into areas network television would hesitate before entering. No matter how edgy X-Files gets, I can't see them even suggesting the possibility that the mysterious prisoner in this book might be who the book suggests he might be. (How's that for not giving anything away?) And the characters are a lot more violent and ruthless than one would expect to find on TV. These characters are charming and likeable, and it always comes as a shock when the reader is reminded that they are professionals, and part of the job means killing.It's also a good, exciting adventure story. After the first couple of chapters introducing the background stuff, things proceed at a fairly leisurely pace as we meet the characters and follow them on their first mission together. Once everything is in place, though, the book takes off like a rocket and only slows down for a page or two at a time. Williamson brings in a number of different mysteries and paranormal ideas, but manages to integrate them smoothly into one story without things seeming overly cluttered or tied together artificially. Along the way, the book manages to get the reader thinking about proof versus faith in religion.All in all, City of Iron is a fun, fast-paced start to what I hope will be an exciting trilogy. I just wish I didn't have so many other books to read before I buy the next part. (I hate having a backlog build up.) Speaking of which, I should probably mention that the story doesn't so much end as reaches a stopping point. I expected as much; the cover clearly says that this is book one, so I assumed there would be stuff left over for future volumes. I like that sort of serial storytelling. However, if you're the sort of reader who insists that everything be wrapped up by the final page, with no loose ends, you're going to be disappointed or upset.

There I stood in the check out line at the supermarket, waiting to pay and leave. I pick up this book sitting in the rack. I read the teaser on the back cover and decide to pick it up. I pay and go home.After putting everything away I sit down and start reading. At first I got the feeling this book was an X-File rip-off, but it is not. It is far more entertaining, and has a exceptionally original plot line to it. As you read the book, you are witness to three (yes 3) mysterious events. As the teams solves each one, you get the feeling that these people could solve anything.I am picking up the next book,(City of Iron) even as I write this review. If it is a good as the first then Mr Williamson has a truely classic work that may become a true cult classic.

I began reading the novel thinking it would be a rip-off of the X-files.I couldn't have been more mistaken.Although these C.I.A. operatives are on a mission to investigate the paranormal,that's where the similarities end. This book is as exciting as any .The action is vividly described.The plot is full of surprising twists with an intelligent,thought provoking conspiracy.The characters are well developed,interesting and realistic. I particularly liked Joseph,whose belief system is brought to question.The only problem I had with the paperback was probably due to the editors or proofreaders ,as in some parts names of characters are mistakenly interchanged.Hopefully Mr.Williamson noticed and will bring this to their attention for the following volumes. Overall,this is one entertaining novel.It,s my favorite book of the year(and I,ve read over a hundred fiction novels this year).

CITY OF IRON is going to be, at least a 2 book series. And all I can say about that is, if the second is as good as the first, keep them coming!The Searchers are a 3 people team doing "shadow ops" for the American government, trying to investigate as many incidents of paranormal occurrence as possible in the name of National Security. While on one of these journey's they come across a seemingly "real" event.The three "searchers" are Laika Harris, a black female who is the leader and most middle of the road when it comes to believing in the paranormal; Joseph Stein, the eldest and a desk rider for more years than he was an active agent, and also the most non-believer in anything pararormal; and lastly is Tony Luciano, an Itallian Roman Catholic who is a believer.These three debunk one case while investigating another one that seems real. This is followed by another dual event in which one is proven false and the other appears true. And both second cases are linked they soon discover, which leads them on a chase across continents, history and to the start of the world...or so it seems.The best attribute of this novel is that all three character's level of belief is challenged and evolving so they are not cookie-cutter cardboard in rigidness. They listen to the others' opinions and choose what is real or unreal that way. The dialogue between the 3 is great, the action scenes unreal and the premise unique and very interesting.The only problem is with the ending...a cliff-hanger that will be resolved, I hope, in book two titled, TRAIL OF DUST. All I can say is for the second in the series hurriedly arrive and not be the last. A great start to a unique series. Highest Recommendation.