Davis Bunn Strikes Gold Once Again!
Marc Royce stares down from the helicopter on the Rift Valley slashing across Africa like a scar. Tribal feuds, drought, and dislocation have left their devastation. And he sees a new wound--a once-dormant volcano oozing molten lava across the dry landscape--and clouds of ash obscure his vision. His undercover assignment is similarly obscured. Supposedly dispatched to audit a relief organization's accounts, Marc finds himself amid the squalor and chaos of Kenyan refugee camps caught in a stranglehold of corruption and ruthlessness.
But his true task relates to the area's reserves of once-obscure metals now indispensible to high-tech industry. The value of this rare earth inflames tensions on the world's stage as well as among warring tribes. When an Israeli medical administrator, Kitra, seeks Marc's help with her humanitarian efforts, they forge an unexpected link between impoverished African villages and another Silicon Valley rising in the Israeli desert. Precious metals and inventive minds promise new opportunities for prosperity, secure futures, and protection of valuable commodities from terrorists. As Marc prepares to report back to Washington, he seizes a chance to restore justice to this troubled land. This time, he may have gone too far.
First commentary after just getting my hands on the book... I could have completely gone without the blood spatters added to the back cover. The texture of them as well as the look. That just makes me NOT want to read it! *big frown!* It wasn't until I showed it to the Enginerd that he pointed out it was the shape of Africa, still could have done without.
As for the book, the story, the characters I was intrigued with more from Marc Royce and was glad to jump into another adventure. I had no idea what to expect. After reading [b:Lion of Babylon|9752191|Lion of Babylon (Marc Royce #1)|Davis Bunn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348963374l/9752191._SY75_.jpg|14641446] I was curious how things would continue for Agent Royce. While [b:Rare Earth|12970296|Rare Earth (Marc Royce #2)|Davis Bunn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348964374l/12970296._SY75_.jpg|18128548] is a sequel, it completely stands alone. It is just another adventure and event in the life of Marc Royce; this time in Kenya.
Political, heart wrenching and obviously well researched I could not turn the pages fast enough and now that I'm through I'm sad, because I want more from Davis Bunn. I guess that it one of the downfalls to reading books as soon as they are published, because then you have to wait until the author writes more. This one has a touch of romance and a continuance of friendship. There are good people and there are bad people. It's eye opening when you just want to shut them up tight. Bits that I wouldn't have expected and others that I hoped for. This story brings in many different nations and joins them in a goal.
I'd recommend it as a worthy read.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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16 July, 2012:
Finished reading
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16 July, 2012:
Reviewed