“There is always a cost to doing what’s right. Sometimes it costs you everything you have. But it should not cost you everything you are.”

“‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’”


This book takes place about a month after book one—Broker of Lies. It can probably be read as a stand alone but I would recommend reading the first book first for background and context. He reminds us about part of what happened but I think it will be more cohesive for you to have all the information.

It was a great sequel that leaves you on a cliffhanger so I’m ready for book three to be out!

Similar to Broker of Lies, there are a lot of characters and there is some complexity to the plot. Hopefully my review can help you keep it straight (or myself when I go to read the third one and can’t remember what was going on.)

[There was a fun Easter egg referencing Patrick Bowers and if you haven’t read Steven James’ Patrick Bowers series and you enjoy serial killer thrillers, definitely check that one out!]


Plot Basics

Our main character is Travis Brock, redactor with a photographic memory who works at the Pentagon. After stopping the Pruninghooks Collective from detonating a bomb in Knoxville, TN last book he and his team are still chasing the woman behind it— Janice Daniels.

His team is made up of Adira (former secret service and executive protection at Homeland Security) who is also a love interest for Travis, and Gunnar (military and private security consultant who also happens to be writing a romance novel).

Their boss is Clarke and they’re running a somewhat off-books operation running down leads on Daniels and what she is planning next.

Turns out she’s after the Project Symphony device which is focused on “surreptitious ways of exfiltrating data from air-gapped computers to obtain administration privileges, record keystrokes, detect or hash passwords, upload files, discover log-in credentials, or obtain access to closely guarded root system files.”

Pretty powerful. Obviously very bad to get into the wrong hands.

Pretty early on in the first book I suspected that Travis’s wife, Sienna, didn’t really die in the house fire 18 months ago. By the end of that book (SPOILER- she didn’t) we find Sienna speaking to Janice saying she was “preparing for what’s next. With Ivan.”

In Fatal Domain, Travis discovers this hard truth. That if Sienna didn’t die in the fire, she lied to him and she very well could be his enemy.

Not only do we have Janice, Sienna, and Ivan as players, we are introduced to a man named Soren who Daniels blackmails into doing some of her dirty work. He was probably the most disorienting part of the book because I wasn’t sure how he was going to connect with everything. I also wasn’t sure if I felt like the circumstances around his blackmailing made sense to lead to that point. I don’t know why he wouldn’t have just called the police and said he wasn’t sure what he hit and couldn’t find it. At least there would be a record of him trying to help. I guess I don’t know if you can still get prison time for that. But anyway, his chapters were the most disconnected until the end. I don’t know what his deal was. I guess James was taking a character and showing us in real time the progression from ‘normal’ to a choice to descend into darkness.

“When we play God, there are always unintended consequences that make it clear we’re not up to the task. He creates life in his own image. We create monsters in ours.”

We also have Maia Odongo, a doctor researching cognitive function and memory at a humanitarian refugee camp in Uganda.

“Ever since she agreed to do the procedures she’d been struggling to convince herself that she was making choices that were aligned with what she believed in, with what was right.”

Maia is the counter to Soren, someone who has made the descent, though with good intentions, and seeking to come back to the light knowing the destruction darkness causes and knowing it’s not the right path.

From South Carolina to Wisconsin, all paths eventually collide in Washington D.C..



I will say, it felt a bit strange that Janice was invested in anti-nuclear escapades in the first book but here in the second book she is also invested in tech and pharmaceutical industries. I guess she can have diverse interests and can shift between them so fluidly while she is being hunted by the DOD…

I thought it was interesting how we don’t really know what Janice Daniels is up to until the end. We have the pieces but we’re not entirely sure what the endgame is. So it was hard to tell how close Brock and his team were to thwarting her plans.

Sienna’s part was also vague. It seemed like Sienna and Ivan had other plans with the device than Janice. They were working together for the moment, but Sienna had a different ultimate plan. We never do find that out in this book. I suspect that we are gearing up for an ultimate showdown between Travis and Sienna, husband and wife, lovers to enemies? There is not much closure for her here so there has to be something more on the horizon.

There is also more to happen between Travis and Adira. Now that Sienna is still alive, that puts a pause on their romance. So the showdown with Sienna will also be the indicator of what direction Travis goes.



Deeper Thoughts

I love that Steven James always wrestles with deeper questions when he writes his thrillers. This one is no different.

In Fatal Domain, one of the characters ponders the difference between humans and animals. The traits we don’t share with animals: worship, prayer, guilt, culture, art, regret. I think this is really interesting to think about. Especially for evolutionists. These traits don’t jive with that. There is something special about humanity that points to a Creator God who desires relationship with us. Those things are important to our nature.


Another character reflects on the verse that says “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…” (Rev 21:4). He points out, “If God wipes away our tears in heaven, it means some people will arrive there with tears still in their eyes, that maybe their lives were so full of pain that some of their tears spilled over into paradise.” I don’t know how theologically accurate this thought it, but it is interesting to think about.


James also explores what we are willing to sacrifice for the good of others.

“Sometimes we keep secrets to protect interests greater than our own, and sometimes we have to carry the burden of our secrets as the price for extending compassion to others.”

This isn’t an obscure moral dilemma and is explored in many books. It is a tricky one because every life is precious. It’s easy to see how the ends justify the means and how we draw lines around what we are willing to do or allow to reach those ends.

I also think it’s different from an individual perspective vs a governmental perspective. What a country must do to protect its citizens is different than what an individual should do. God gave governments the sword of justice to wield— rewarding good and punishing bad— that is not right for us as individuals to undertake on our own.

There is also the tricky aspect of accountability vs national security. What can we do to keep our powerful government accountable without divulging secret information that puts our country at risk? This book also explores that a little bit. Morals and ethics are complex when it comes to things like that and I’m not sure where I stand. I like seeing different scenarios with this at play to think about how I view it.


Lastly there is a big theme of forgiveness. What does it mean to forgive? Especially when someone has done something so egregious and repeatedly.

“Revenge is being honest about the action but not loving toward the person. On the other hand, if you just excuse their behavior you might be showing them love, but you’re not being honest about the pain they caused. Denial has no place in forgiveness.”

“… it’s about freeing yourself.”

I have just come off of reading Homecoming by Kate Morton where I did not like how she handled the concept of forgiveness. To me it felt like excusing the behavior which like this quote says, feels dishonest. I really like how James makes this distinction and writes this complexity into his characters where they can wrestle with knowing forgiveness is the way but also dealing with the real and deep hurt that person caused.

It’s less about letting the person off the hook as much as allowing yourself to be free from the “cage of unforgiveness.”



Learning Corner

When you read a Steven James novel, you can tell that he does his research. I would love to meet some of his sources!

So here are some of the interesting things I learned while reading this book!

The NSA has a National Crytoplogic Museum in D.C. and it’s now on my list of places to visit. If this part is true there is an Enigma machine there where you can enter and create your own code. Sign me up!


Apparently it’s a thing for people to soak magazines in drugs and dry them up and send them to inmates in prison to either ingest or smoke or use as currency. Some prisons test for this.


If you Google the word Illuminati backwards the NSA website comes up. I’m not sure what the significance of this is but I’m sure there’s some people that could get some mileage out of that information.


There was a blurb about dark matter in this book which is interesting because I just recently read the book Dark Matter. In Fatal Domain he talks about the scientists who are researching dark matter. This is done by building a chamber a mile underground to block out cosmic rays. It also requires a lot of Xenon. “Whoever controls the Xenon controls the future of this type of research.” I’m still not entirely sure if I need to care about this kind of information or what I think about this mysterious substance, but I’ll keep an eye on it.


I had no idea that coffins were put in burial vaults— cement vaults to protect the coffin from the pressure of the ground and machinery above them. I’m wondering how common these are.


There is a riddle in the book: “What is the only word in the English language that starts with what we desire most and ends with what we want to avoid becoming.” You’ll get the answer if you read the book but if you want to know ahead of time, share any review from my website to your social media and message me a screenshot of it and I’ll give you the answer to the riddle! :)



Recommendation

Fatal domain is “the dominion of darkness and death and self-imposed chains.” This book continues the suspenseful saga of Travis Brock and how his team fights against this fatal domain, saving people and understanding humanity in deeper ways.

It’s a little more complex than your average thriller but still one I would definitely recommend to any reader!

The main characters are loveable, the stakes are high, the opponent formidable, the pursuit of justice and compassion on every page.

Steven James is one of my favorite authors and I will always recommend his work because he is a fantastic storyteller that can weave in deeper concepts into a thrilling story without any language or sexual content. Can’t beat that!




**Received a complimentary ARC via Tyndale House Publishers**

** “Just don’t forget that holding onto resentment only harms you; it doesn’t punish the other guy. Unforgiveness is a cage you build around yourself.” **

Steven James continues his Travis Brock saga immediately after the series’ first book ended with “Fatal Domain.”

Pentagon redactor Travis Brock and his teammates Gunnar Bane and Adira Halprin are continuing their mission to seek out those wanting to commit domestic terror against the United States. Those they are seeking are hoping to use a new device that will hack into a computer that isn’t connected to any other computers, a secretive cybersecurity initiative, that will enable the device to steal passwords and other vital intel.

As they encounter a number of people working against them, Travis realizes some of those people come with ultimate betrayal.

Will the three of them be able to stop the attack and protect national security?

Once again, James does an incredible job of developing a complicated plot filled with twists and turns, as well as inventive characters — some that readers will love to root for, and some they will hate.

He also fills “Fatal Domain” with several great themes, like light versus darkness (“We have torturous desires and we have holy ambitions. Both. We are as much drawn to the light as we are lured by the darkness”); dealing with scars and remnants of the past; finding empathy; betrayal; and forgiveness (“I’d say that to forgive doesn’t mean that you suddenly trust that person; it doesn’t mean you’re now reconciled with them; it doesn’t mean that you excuse what they did. Mostly, I’d say it’s about holding them accountable, but not holding the act against them.”)

Fans of authors like James R. Hannibal, Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, and Mike Dellosso with his “Jed Patrick” series will love “Fatal Domain.”

Five stars out of five.

Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Fatal Domain is an excellent story as author Steven James is a master at his craft. The action and suspense kept me teetering on the edge of my seat with the feeling that I was suspended above a moat filled with alligators! The characters are well-developed. It was interesting in a Christian novel to have one of the villains claiming to be a Christian. There is a strong theme of forgiveness. The plot writhes and twists like a pit of snakes. And I would love to read the next book in the Travis Brock series. There are questions that I need answers for, but I was satisfied with how this book wrapped up. I would recommend this book to action, mystery, and suspense fans and to those that enjoy some advanced tech in a story.
I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley through the publisher and am sharing my opinion of this electrifying book.

I've loved Steven James' work for years, and was thrilled to be offered an ARC copy of his latest book, continuing the story of Travis Brock, a Pentagon redactor. There's a lot going on here, and I'll admit I didn't reread book 1 before starting this, but in this case I think it worked out, since it has been less than 2 years since I last read Broker of Lies. I will say that, unlike with the Bowers Files books, these books don't work well as stand-alones, at least not so far. There is a lot in this book building on what was established in book 1, so keep that in mind. James writes great tension and mysteries with characters I actually care about. There were so many cool character moments in this novel that didn't really have to do directly with the main plot, but they really gave me a feel for the characters. Travis and Adira seem very sweet, and Gunnar is probably one of my favorite buddy-cop sidekicks. The storylines involving Travis's mom and his estranged father, his deceased (?) wife Sienna, and his struggles with forgiveness were some character highlights for me. As always, James includes some mild theological musings in his novels as his characters grapple with morality and how to behave in an oftentimes violent and morally murky profession. I've always found these portions of the novels to be less jarring and abrupt than in many mainstream Christian novels, but it does still sometimes jolt me out of the story. All in all, this is a very solid and enjoyable new offering from one of my favorite thriller authors!

Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Fatal Domain by Steven James is a suspense-filled ride. Travis Brock (introduced in Broker of Lies) is back. Travis is trying to pick up the pieces of his life, but the bombs keep dropping. Terrorists are on the loose, and it’s up to Travis and his team to keep a new technology out of their hands. But he needs to work through the landmines of personal tragedy first – starting with exhuming his late wife’s body.

I recommend reading Broker of Lies first as Fatal Domain builds off of this story. I love the action, suspense, and intrigue! Travis is a likeable character and his eidetic memory helps him stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Travis and Adira also grow closer, but so many things stand in the way of their relationship. I love the twists and turns this book takes, and I recommend the whole series for any high stakes action lovers.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Steven James' latest installment, "Fatal Domain," picks up shortly after the events of book one. Travis Brock, Gunnar Bane, and Adira Halprin, operating off the books, unite to stop billionaire Janice Daniels and the Pruninghooks Collective's nefarious plans.

James skillfully intertwines complex plotlines and character arcs. Travis, grappling with external threats and inner struggles, navigates relationships while confronting his past.

Although the numerous subplots may seem overwhelming initially, James adeptly weaves them into a cohesive narrative, culminating in a satisfying conclusion. While "Fatal Domain" stands alone, it entices readers to explore the series further, offering a captivating blend of intrigue and emotion. With each turn of the page, James leaves us eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this enthralling journey.

I'm grateful to the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this book. My review reflects my genuine opinions, and I was not obligated to provide feedback.

*Be loved. Betrayed*
Wow what a rollercoaster of a story full of intrigue and danger. DOD agent Travis Brock has a remarkable memory that he uses at the Pentagon. He is a widower who was scarred when a fire burned him and took the life of his wife. Travis is a man trying to do his job and having life throw things at him along the way.
Lots of criminals in this one who are crafty and evil. Get into the mind of people who will do anything to advance their agenda. *We are as much drawn to the light as we are lured by the darkness. Both. Always both.* A few unique scenarios keep this spy thriller very interesting. Add in some family drama and an impending threat and this was a great page turner.
This can be raw in some scenes but completely believable and current. The author infuses his story with characters who are searching for spiritual answers and a reformed convict who is asking for forgiveness. *When we play God, there are always unintended consequences that makes it clear we are not up to the task, He creates life in His own image. We create monsters in ours.*
Some things are not resolved in this story but the promise is there of more to come from Travis Brock in book 3.
* I received a complimentary book from Tyndale via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

I am finding myself a little disappointed in this series. While some of the scenes are really edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, I found myself skipping over other passages. Maybe the technical stuff, especially at the beginning, just put me off. What kept me reading was the mystery surrounding the MC’s wife. I have read other works of the author’s and enjoyed them a lot so it’s not his writing that is at fault.

3 stars.

In the book Fatal Domain, author Steven James continues his Travis Brock series. Travis Brock is not only the best redactor the Pentagon has had but he has an eidetic memory. But now Travis is working in the field trying to stop another terror attack. And is his wife who was supposedly killed in a house fire really alive and working with the terrorist group? And what is really the end game? This is an edge of your seat book with a great story of forgiveness and working through pain. I would highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I need a neck massage and back rub after running through this book with the Red team, as I feel as if I have lived in this story for the past two days. This was one tense story. A harrowing, complex tale encompassing all the things we all worry about on a daily basis, but are happily unaware. Travis Brock is a Department of Defense redactor and is brilliant. He is not your average hero in a story. He does not use his brute strength, but he uses his sharp mind to battle unseen enemies. Someone is trying to steal a piece of military technology, which if in the wrong hands could cause harm they do not even want to think about. There are known enemies, and then those who you think you can trust, but soon realize you cannot trust them.

The mystery is very complex with a lot of moving parts and pieces, but it will all make sense in the end. The characters in this story are so incredibly interesting. Their lives have intersected due to their expertise, but also due to their past. Apparently you would do well to read book #1 in this series first. However, I believe the author does a good job of laying the foundation so you can see where these characters have been. There is a lot of geek speak, but even if you do not understand that language, you will still understand the premise of the story. I certainly understood it and enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

“When we play God, there are always unintended consequences that make it clear we’re not up to the task. He creates life in his own image. We create monsters in ours.”

“We have torturous desires and we have holy ambitions. Both. We are as much drawn to the light as we are lured by the darkness. Both. Always both.”

“That place is a dominion of darkness and death and of self-imposed chains. Yes, it is my choice—and also my only hope—to leave that fatal domain.”

Another really good Travis Brock book by Steven James. I enjoyed this one as much, and maybe a little more, than the first book Broker Of Lies. I’ve enjoyed seeing some of the characters fleshed out even more, including not only Travis but also Adira and Gunnar. Steven James has created a nice political thriller that weaves in some techno thriller as well.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

Thank you Netgalley! Steven james has a skill in writing suspense books. I love that they are never going to have unnecessary smut or gore ans simply great plot. He also has a skill in leaving wholesome nuggets within his storyline

"Fatal Domain" is a political thriller by Steven James. I have to admit, I had a really hard time getting into this one. And it disappointed me because I have loved all of Steven James' books. You can tell that there was a lot of research going into this book. All that to say, give it a try. It may be the book for you, even if it wasn't for me!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Another great thrill ride from Steven James! This is book 2 in the Travis Brock series, and though this story can easily stand alone, there are quite a few spoilers for book 1 included in this book, so I definitely recommend reading this series in order. This book was one where, at the 65% mark, I still wasn't sure where things were headed, which is always a great way for a suspense novel to be. This book follows Travis, Adira and Gunnar, on their new task force of sorts. The bad guys are still sorta the same as they were in book 1, but the suspense is in what their overall plan is and how they're going to achieve those objectives. There's also a continued story arc regarding Sienna, Travis's wife, which I was very glad for after how book 1 ended. This book has an extremely intricate plotline (as do this author's other works). There are lots of moving parts that come together at just the right moment. I enjoyed how the team played into each member's strengths and how they worked together. I also enjoyed the personal side-stories that came through, with Travis's parents and Gunnar's ex (for whom is gun is named). There was a somewhat subtle faith thread throughout as Travis ponders the meaning of forgiveness and has discussions with others about that theme. There are other mentions of Christianity and morality in general. I always enjoy the deep inner-workings and thoughts of James's characters as they ponder and process the deeper subjects like faith and forgiveness. If you don't care for the faith thread, but just want the thrill ride, I believe you would still enjoy this book as the thoughts and conversations are not over-powering, nor are they unnatural. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable thriller and one I can heartily recommend. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was not obligated to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes; opinions expressed are honest and mine alone.

Picking up right where book one, “Broker of Lies”, finishes, FATAL DOMAIN, by Steven James, is book 2 in the Travis Brock series. Travis, Adira and Gunnar are much busier hunting down baddies in this installment which kept the action level high. Each of the three main characters has their own personal story arc woven into the main plot. Themes that gather around forgiveness, family and subtle faith with moral considerations add to the complexity of the storyline.

Where I had difficulty with this lengthy tale was the timeline and frequent bouncing around. Normally, I’m a fast reader with good comprehension but I found it awkward to pickup the notations for time changes which could be anywhere from minutes to years and back again, in just a few pages.

There’s much more science and technology talk in this book than in the first of the series. It gave me flashbacks of Patrick Bowers, but not nearly as gruesome. All of the trigger warnings, (language, violence and sexual content), are gentle for this genre; PG rated.

Altho’ this is book 2 in a series, it can be read as a standalone. James does a good job of filling in the necessary information so readers won’t be wondering what’s happened before. This volume does end with an open question that will have readers who liked this story anticipating the next one. It’s not quite a cliffhanger but it is
definitely going to get me to read the next book📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

** Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for an ARC of this book! These thoughts are entirely my own.**

Fatal Domain started off a little bit slow for me, but it picked up right after the first book, which was nice. I loved the aspects of medical research; that plotline was so interesting! Travis and Adira are still really compelling characters and very interesting to follow. However, I don’t love Gunnar, mostly because of his book-writing plotline. It feels like a convenient afterthought, and Gunnar’s excerpts are borderline inappropriate, which I don’t like.

However, something I consistently love about Steven James’s novels, Fatal Domain included, is his exploration of Christian themes without the themes being overly sappy, over-the-top, or poorly written. The themes of forgiveness and the deep questions Travis asks are so great, and they made me stop and think, which I loved.

I gave this book four stars because the pacing at the beginning was really slow, which made it hard for me to get into the novel. However, it definitely picked up, and after the beginning 15% (ish) I was hooked. I loved the writing style and subtle Christian themes. Overall, Fatal Domain is a great, compelling Christian suspense novel that I highly recommend reading.

Steven James never disappoints with his books. They are secrets piled on secrets and when you pull on thread it makes the knot tighter. You have to pay attention while reading or you will lose your way. I did find myself back tracking a couple times because I lost my thread. It makes for a very good read and I recommend James' books all the time to anyone looking for a book that you don't want to lay down, ones that make you wonder what is real and what is fiction.
If you are not reading the Travis Brock series, hunt it down and enjoy.

In his latest novels, Steven has created a hero who isn't an action hero. Unlike Patrick Bowers, who is a profiler in the FBI, Travis Brock is an attorney who is a redactor of FOIA requests for the Pentagon. In Fatal Domain, Brock and the rest of the Red Team are back and on a hunt that leads Travis deeper into a collision with his past. One of the things I love about Steven's books is the way they twist and turn, and this one is no exception. He's showing us what might be possible with tech and taking us to a place that we might feel uncomfortable. This is another strong installment in the Travis Brock series and one readers will enjoy.

Outstanding as always. This novel picks up where the last one left off. Travis Brock and his team are in the thick of things again. Quite a bit of action and dilemmas. Moral questions are posed throughout, such as if it is wise to sacrifice one life to benefit many. There are several side plots woven throughout. Things are tied up nicely in the end and yet still leaving room for a cliff hanger. I would recommend reading this series in order, to keep the picture clearer. Looking forward to the next in the series. Highly recommend. I was blessed with a free advance reader copy, and I am voluntarily leaving my review. If you haven’t read the Patrick Bowers series by Mr. James, I would highly recommend that as well.

Fatal Domain is a very well written thriller. This book is fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance book from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.