Siege Line

For some unfathomable reason, it often feels as though Myke Cole remains one of the genre's best-kept secrets. True, military fantasy may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Cole's two series are as accessible as they are compelling. It's been years since I last encountered a fantasy series with so much mass appeal and there's nothing I would like more than to see these books get more widely read and enjoyed. The Shadow Ops trilogy was fresh and unlike anything else I have ever read. All three volumes were fun, intelligent, action-packed, and entertaining reads, each packing a healthy dose of ass-kicking! Breach Zone closed the show with an exclamation point and it was obvious then that Cole had become one of speculative fiction's brightest new voices

But the Gemini Cell series would focus on the early days of the Great Awakening, when magic first returned to the world and changed everything. Featuring new characters and new plotlines, I was wondering if the author could do it again. Indeed, the Shadow Ops trilogy generated some lofty expectations for whatever would follow. With Gemini Cell Myke Cole set my mind at ease and proved that his first series was no fluke. Javelin Rain was another worthy sequel that set the stage for what could be a great finale. Now with five quality yarns under his belt, there was no reason to doubt that Siege Line would be another captivating read. And once more, Cole's latest novel delivers on all fronts and caps off this series with style and aplomb!

Here's the blurb:

In Myke Cole’s latest high-octane, action-packed military fantasy, the fate of undead Navy SEAL James Schweitzer will be decided—one way or another…

The Gemini Cell took everything from Jim Schweitzer: his family, his career as a Navy SEAL, even his life. Hounded across the country, Schweitzer knows the only way he can ever stop running, the only way his son can ever be safe, is to take the fight to the enemy and annihilate the Cell once and for all.

But the Cell won’t be easily destroyed. Out of control and fighting a secret war with the government it once served, it has dispatched its shadowy Director to the far reaches of the subarctic in search of a secret magic that could tip the balance of power in its favor. Schweitzer must join with the elite warriors of both America and Canada in a desperate bid to get there first—and avert a disaster that could put the Cell in control.

Myke Cole continues to grow as a writer, getting more mature and in better control of his craft with each new published book. Hard to say whether or not the man has reached his peak, but he sure has become one of my favorite authors out there. As was the case with past installments, the fact that he served for years in the military and seen active duty allows him to imbue his books with a credibility regarding the realism of the use of magic in military operations and its ramifications up and down the chain of command. I feel that this gives any Myke Cole work its unique "flavor" and remains what sets them apart from everything else on the market. The early days of what will come to be known as the Great Awakening form the backdrop of this new trilogy. Magic has returned to our world and the US military is trying to harness these new powers for their own gain. From the get-go, I was particularly looking forward to finding out how the top secret unit known as the Gemini Cell would grow to become the SOC. Sadly, it seemed that this second series occurred too early during the Great Awakening, so it was doubtful that it would fill in the blanks created by the questions raised in the Shadow Ops trilogy. Having finished Siege Line, I can confirm that it is indeed the case. We do learn a few things, mind you. But I figure that there will be at least a series or two to bridge the gap between the two trilogies. If he can get a new book deal, Cole has already said that the next Shadow Ops series would pick up immediately after the events of Breach Zone, with many of the characters from the original trilogy. Which means that readers will likely have to wait for a while before discovering how the SOC came together. And yet, if like me you loved how Cole closed the show in Breach Zone, then you're equally looking forward to finding out what happens next. So it's kind of a win-win situation.

The Shadow Ops series was a more far-reaching work of fiction, with more characters and more multilayered storylines. And although the Gemini Cell trilogy is no less ambitious, the focus is much tighter. It occurs within a more limited time frame and we witness events taking place through the eyes of a smaller cast of protagonists. Early on, I was expecting these new novels to be as sprawling as the Shadow Ops installments. Now that I've reached the conclusion of the second series, there is no denying that Jim Schweitzer's tale, though it will probably kickstart the Great Awakening and everything it will engender, isn't as vast in scope. In and of itself, this raises yet more questions, as Jim Schweitzer's story is far from over. But how the events chronicled within the pages of Siege Line will progress and evolve into something that will lead to international cooperation and the creation of the SOC, that remains to be seen. The silver lining is that Cole still has a lot of stories to tell, which bodes well for all of us!

As is the author's wont, Siege Line is another character-driven affair. Cole always had a knack for creating genuine three-dimensional characters with good back stories. The smaller cast featured in the Gemini Cell series allows readers to connect with the characters at a deeper level. This time around, Jim Schweitzer's point of view is balanced with the perspective of the mysterious Director and that of Wilma "Mankiller" Plante, an Afghanistan veteran and the sheriff of a little hamlet in Canada's Northwest Territories. The supporting cast is particularly memorable, especially Jala Ghaznavi, Reeves and his team, and Joe Yakecan. À la Robin Hobb and Jacqueline Carey, Cole continues to show a deft human touch which allows him to come up with unexpected emotional scenes packing a powerful punch.

Kudos for his amazing depiction of Northern Canada's frozen and desolate scenery. Not bad for a New Yorker who complains every time temperatures approach freezing point, or if a little snowfall hits his home! The portion of the novel taking place in the Northwest Territories was by far the most interesting, with an endgame that stays with you and immediately makes you want to find out what comes next.

As far as the rhythm goes, this book could be Cole's best paced yet. I felt that both Breach Zone and Gemini Cell suffered from rushed endings. I thought that a 300-page set-up and only 30-something pages to close the show felt a bit incongruous, and that the author likely needed more pages to do justice to the tale he was telling. Javelin Rain was much better balanced and the same can be said of Siege Line. Indeed, though the wordcount appears to be quite similar, it felt as though this third volume was as long as it needed to be.

If you have yet to give Myke Cole a shot, please do so ASAP! Decades separate these two series, so you can start with either without missing a beat. Whatever you do, whether you go for the Shadow Ops books or the second series, you can't really go wrong!

Siege Line is military fantasy with heart and soul. Definitely one of the books to read this year. Or any year!

The final verdict: 8/10

For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe