An exciting read overall with a focus on exploring Japanese politics and Japan's samurai culture during its feudal area. But some aspects of it just hit a pet peeve for me and brought down my rating for it.

First, let's talk about the main action sequences because that's probably mainly what we're here for. They were fun, though I find that they flow the same way as those in thriller movies even if the book tried to deny that things weren't like in the movies. The only difference was how long the fights lasted, but this is a book with an MC from the Special Forces so even if a fight only lasted a few seconds, you can have multiple paragraphs about it. Also, for people that are squirmish, note that some scenes were quite explicit in the gory way.

My interest peaked when I saw the dedication and the note on Japanese names, and it didn't disappoint. There is talk of Japanese politics, specifically how Japan was forced into passing a pacifism law as a consequence of their actions during World War II. The book is also scattered with feudal Japanese culture references regarding the samurai culture and their honor code, especially since the main character Breed also has a fascination over Japanese martial arts and the like. It was interesting, but I do also think the author is laying it on somewhat too thick, and that broke the immersion for me to some degree. Breed uses Japanese words even in his monologues like calling himself a gaijin. Many of the Japanese characters in the book also seem to have a feudal mentality. This is fine considering that they're either Yakuza or military, but one even said in a way that Japanese people generally think like this, which paints a wrong picture. However, after finishing the book, I've considered the thought that maybe this was an exaggeration on the author's part in order to honor Abe Shinzo's political ambitions for his country.

Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Cameron Curtis for providing me a free copy of this book!

thriller, series, action-adventure, assassins, Japan, international-crime-and-mystery, intrigue, suspense, knife-crimes, riveting, unputdownable, real-horror, danger*****

It opens with August 2021 at the Kandahar airport complete with real horror.
Scene changes to California, a missing atomic scientist, an unknown with a knife, a wild chase, and more. This is one wild ride with lots of mayhem and danger. Wonderful and timely.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Inkubator Books via NetGalley. Thank you

Interesting view of the current Japanese political environment. Great characters – cannot wait to read the earlier books in this series. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

Broken Arrow by Cameron Curtis
A Breed Thriller #3

Action-packed, politically savvy, thrill ride from beginning to end – I could not put this book down.

What I liked
* Breed: ex-elite military, sniper, martial arts trained, independent contractor, lethal, intriguing, would like to know more about him and hope that I learn more as the series progresses
* Stein: CIA Director of Special Situations, intelligent, strategic thinker, capable, capable, not sure what her part will be as the series progresses
* Takigawa siblings: Ken who worked with Breed and is now married with a family and a business, Rin who lives and works in Japan and is the sister, Niko who is oldest and became Yakuza to be able to support his family – a lot to consider within this family’s dynamics
* Knowledge gained: broken arrow definition and some relevant history, Japanese cultural information related to the Yakuza, Article 9, and thinking – also had to look up overnight sleeper trains in Japan to see how they compare to the one I was on in Scotland
* The feeling of being there as the story unfolded – can definitely see this book as a movie
* The action sequences – all seemed so real, breathtaking, and death defying
* Wondering what makes people align themselves with certain ideologies and be willing to do anything to achieve their goals
* The way, once again, the opening and closing chapter seamlessly come together making the story resonate
* Thinking about the “what-ifs” this story stirred up
* Knowing that there will be another book to look forward to and wondering where Breed will be next and what mission he will be on

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that there are people willing to do some of the evil me

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Another entertaining installment in this gripping series. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

"A murdered scientist. A stolen nuke. The world on a razor’s edge." I usually don't use someones material but this line is so good. Breed is back in Broken Arrow by Cameron Curtis and it's the second best book in this series and so well written it should have been first. The attention to detail and the sword play is fantastic and a great addition to modern thrillers I havn't seen since Bob Lee Swagger went to Japan. You never know with this series where Breed will go but it's a great thrilling ride everytime. I am glad I found this author and are already looking forward to the next book. I must thank Inkubator Books and Netgalley for giving me an advance copy of this book and it's sold at a great price right now on Amazon. I also thank Cameron Curtis for his imagination.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope he writes more! I am totally hooked!

Many of you may know what Broken Arrow as a term means. This is what the book is ultimately about, but it is set in modern Japan. References to Japanese culture are spread around the book, which is educational and entertaining. The plot is somewhat straight forward, characters and dialogues are not very complicated. You will not find a lot of descriptive prose in text, the book is all about action. Maybe this is what makes it a quick read. If you are traveling long distance on a train or plane, I recommend to take it with you.
For me, 3 and a half stars out of five.