Two and a half stars (of five)
Christopher Golden revs up with his own concocted story about the Sons of Anarchy, a great television program whose recent end left fans yearning for more. After a large contingent of the SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original) were recently released from prison, there is a power vacuum in and around Charming. Jax Teller, the Club’s V.P., is trying to keep a low profile, while also taking time to ensure the lucrative gun- and drug-running business does not pass them by. When a call from Belfast reaches him, Jax learns that his half-sister, Trinity, is entangled with Russian BRATVA gangsters and she’s now living in Nevada. Trinity’s gone missing and her mother is out of her mind, worried that no good can come of her recent associations. With the Russian Mafia likely behind the kidnapping, Jax and a small crew head to Nevada to search for her and seek revenge for an earlier SAMCRO issue. Working with the Nevada Chapter of the Sons, Jaxs discovers that this is a Russian turf war and the BRATVA will do all they can to win the battle, even if it costs Trinity her life. As with the show, the Sons go blazing in to save one of their own, regardless of the body count. A decent depiction of the show, though nowhere near as spellbinding as tuning in on a weekly basis.
Golden’s past published work is vast and his accolades lean towards the sci fi genre. Why he would choose to pen a book about SAMCRO would surely baffle fans of the show and the dedicated reader. Golden does a decent job illustrating some of the key players in the story and even ties storylines in effectively to the show, but there is something missing. Some… je ne sais quoi that keeps this from being an explosive book and one I’d recommend to series fans. I suppose it putters along and makes the point that the Sons have always been violent and surely will not change. However, the gusto is gone and the intricate drama, even in the plots is sorely missing. Perhaps Golden should return to what he knows best.
Tepid work, Mr. Golden, even if it is only my opinion. You cannot win them all, and for me, I am pleased to have at least tested your wares before buying the farm.
Book Reviews to Ponder 